Media.Knet.Ca

From the NAN web site ...

NAN Treaty Education Process will host a Treaty Conference for NAN Chiefs and members in Thunder Bay January 17 - 19, 2006.

Click Here for the DRAFT conference agenda

DRAFT AGENDA # 2 - NAN TREATY CONFERENCE

Day One

Opening Prayer Elder
Opening Remarks Grand Chief Stan Beardy
Deputy Grand Chief Dan Kooses
Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic
Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler

Historical Overview Fred Kelly *to be confirmed

James Bay Treaty # 9 Overview Luke Hunter, Simon Frogg, Ben Cheechoo

Aboriginal & Treaty Rights Mr. John Olthuis, OKTLaw *to be confirmed

Impacts of Mikisew Cree Case Mr. John Olthuis, OKTLaw *to be confirmed

Overview of NAN Processes Alanna McKenzie, Terry Waboose, Carol Ann Audet

Treaty Discussions Ben Cheechoo, Frank Beardy, Greg Spence (Including Interview Summaries to date)

Treaty Commemoration Statement Negotiations *same as above 1670 Rupert’s Land Case Mushkegowuk Council Representative

Day Two

Break Into Groups Elders, Men, Women, Youth, Leadership

Discussion

“What was intended by the treaty signatories for future generations?” – Historical

“What does the treaty mean to us today?” – Modern and by sector – lands, health, housing, etc.

Day Three

Development of a Treaty Statement

May be very broad, encompassing sectors, rolled from each group (there may be commonalities which can be agreed upon by all groups).

– Example: NAN Elder’s Treaty Statement On Health.

From Wawatay Online - Thursday, January 5, 2006 - submitted by Joyce Hunter

Mild winter delays winter road openings

This year’s mild winter has delayed the opening of winter roads that northern communities have come to rely on for transporting their goods and services.

Thus far, only one winter road, the one connecting Bearskin Lake, Muskrat Dam, Sachigo Lake and Weagamow to Pickle Lake is open. It has only been open for one week.

The winter road connecting Attawapiskat, Kashechewan and Fort Albany to Moosonee will be open to light traffic on Jan. 15 and then to heavier traffic (commercial users) at the end of the month, said winter road manager Gilbert Etherington. “The weather has been a factor in delaying the start of this year’s winter road season,” he said. “We are about 10 days behind last year’s opening because of it.”

Another winter road connecting Kitchenuhmaykoosib, Kingfisher Lake and Wunnumin Lake with Pickle Lake is in the process of being groomed for an opening. However, winter road managers working on the passage say more cold weather is required before grooming is completed and the passageway deemed fit for travel.

The long spell of mild weather has prevented the opening of a fourth winter road connecting Pickle Lake to Fort Hope, Summer Beaver, Lansdowne House and Webequie.

The passageway connecting North Spirit Lake and Deer Lake to Red Lake has not been opened yet – road construction workers are not convinced the Barrens Lake is safe to cross. -JH

2006.01.05