Media.Knet.Ca

Today, the Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre hosted a special preview for residential school survivors and guests of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation's "Where are the Children" traveling exhibition that complemented a local presentation called "Residential Schools: the Red Lake Story". The official opening of these two powerful exhibitions is Wednesday, February 1. The exhibition will be at the Heritage Centre in Red Lake until March 31.

The "Where Are the Children" web site at http://www.wherearethechildren.ca/en/home.html provides a virtual tour with many of the pictures from the exhibition along with detailed information about the work of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the residential school legacy.

The Red Lake Residential School Exhibit Committee included:

• Kaaren Dannenmann
• Suzette Hunter
• Helen Yutzy
• Shelly McKenzie
• Patricia Hunter
• Tina Kakepetum-Schultz
• Louis Simard
• Kim Tennant
• Sara Petko (curator of the Red Lake Story)
• Michele Alderton

A special message from the Heritage Centre Board of Directors highlights the importance of this exhibition as an opportunity to "bring more understanding about this dark time in Canada's history. It is a time that should not be ignored, brushed aside or forgotten. To fully understand our community, we have to understand our collective history."

Members of the Metis Nation of Ontario team including Doug Wilson - Director of Health Services (Ottawa), Andy Lefebvre - Economic Development (Timmins) and Troy MacVay, Information Systems (Ottawa) traveled to Sioux Lookout to meet with the K-Net team on Monday, January 30.

The meeting included video conference sessions with Carl Seibel at FedNor in Thunder Bay and with Randy Johns from his office in LaRonge Saskatchewan. Discussions about the network and the development of a mental health service delivered using video conferencing were the highlights of the meeting.

Click here to see some pictures from the meeting

Listen and call in your comments and views toll free 1-800-661-5171 this Saturday, Feb 4th on 89.9 fm or 962 Bell Expressvu. Local calls 737-4040 Also participte in this week poll question of the week on www.wawatay.on.ca

Young aboriginal youth are encourage to listen and participate in the Y2L (youth to leadership) national radio program. This week will feature invited guests to talk about their experience at the NAN Decade for Youth Conference "Seven Sacred Teachings Youth Suicide Awareness" which was held at the Norwester hotel in Thunder Bay. Updates on the Indian Residential School Settlement and community calendar to be broadcasted. Young people can request your favourite music.

This national radio program is seeking corporate sponsorships to support the continued programming for the Y2L national radio program.

Young aboriginal people and leaders fully support the idea of this special program which connects youth with their leaders. A successful launch in December with national leaders including  National Chief Phil Fontaine and role model John Kim Bell has promoted the goals and objectives of the radio program across this country. Aired on Bell Expressvu 962, communities now have accessibility with technology to participate in lively discussions, call-in to provide their views and opinions on historical and contemporary issues. However, without sponsorships and funding, the future of this program is not expected to run past March. For more informationa about this sponsorship campaign and how you can help support the future of the Y2L program, please contact Jerry Sawanas at Wawatay 737-2951 or email jerrys@wawatay.on.ca.