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from http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2006/21/c4049.html

Northern Ontario hospitals connect to provincial network

Major milestone reached in Ontario's health care system

SIOUX LOOKOUT and TORONTO, ON, March 21 /CNW/ - James Bay General Hospital in Moosonee, and Weeneebayko General Hospital in Moose Factory are now connected to the province's health care telecommunications network. This means they can now access services such as patient-doctor videoconferences with specialists in other parts of Ontario.

The provincial ONE (Ontario Network for e-Health) Network - a managed private network exclusively for health care providers - is run by Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA), an agency of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. SSHA worked with K-Net Services, a publicly funded, non-profit broadband network that is a service of Keewaytinook Okimakanak, a tribal council organization from northwestern Ontario, to link the two hospitals.

"SSHA and K-Net provide an invaluable service that will help us deliver a new level of patient care," says Wes Drodge, the new CEO of James Bay General Hospital.

"There will now be less need for our patients to travel, which will dramatically improve their quality of life - in many cases, patients will receive health care right here in their own community," Drodge says.

SSHA and K-Net Services used teamwork and technology to connect the hospitals in one of Ontario's most challenging locations.

"SSHA has now connected all public hospitals in Ontario to our network - an effort which began in 2001," says Laurie Hicks, SSHA Vice President of Client Services.

    In particular, over the past five years, ONE Network's benefits to Ontario hospitals include:

• Saving them money by reducing the need for many networks
• Validating Health Cards
• Participating in the wait list management solutions of Cancer Care Ontario, the Cardiac Care Network of Ontario and the Trillium Gift of Life Network
• Integrating services at multi-site hospitals
• Integrating hospital services across a region
• Connecting doctors to hospital systems
• Sharing hospital discharge information with Community Care Access Centres
• Providing Voice over IP capabilities

"Connecting an isolated community to the rest of the provincial health care system is good news for Ontario. But it is particularly good news for the people of western James Bay coast. It will eventually improve access to specialists and provide a reliable direct connection with other hospitals," Hicks says. "I am pleased that we were able to leverage the local expertise and connectivity offered by K-Net."

Geordi Kakepetum, Executive Director of Keewaytinook Okimakanak, agrees, "This service will improve access to specialized health care services for people who have distance, geography and weather challenges in this part of the province."

Brian Beaton, K-Net Services Coordinator, adds, "Connecting these hospitals posed unique technological challenges because of the distance. The reward was significant. It allowed us to provide connectivity to northern and First Nations communities."

The network will also allow James Bay General Hospital and the Weeneebayko General Hospital to access other services in future such as validating Health Cards and providing access to Emergency Departments so they can access a patient's Ontario Drug Benefit information from a Ministry application hosted by SSHA.

Future ONE Network connections are planned to other First Nations, health care providers in other Aboriginal communities and aboriginal clinics across Ontario.

For further information:

Danny Faria, SSHA Communications Advisor, (416) 586-4325 or danny.faria@ssha.on.ca, www.ssha.on.ca;

Brian Beaton, K-Net Services Coordinator, (807) 737-1135 or brianbeaton@knet.ca, www.knet.ca

from http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2006/21/c4477.html

Government announces immediate action on First Nations drinking water

OTTAWA, March 21 /CNW Telbec/ - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, with Phil Fontaine, the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), today launched a plan of action to address drinking water concerns in First Nation communities.

"The government will ensure that First Nation leaders have access to the tools and resources they need to deliver clean water to their residents," said Minister Prentice. "All parties with responsibilities in this area must take decisive action and achieve measurable results."

This plan of action includes:

• The implementation of the Protocol for Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Communities. This protocol contains standards for design, construction, operation, maintenance, and monitoring of drinking water systems in First Nation communities and is intended for use by First Nations staff responsible for water systems.
• Mandatory training for all treatment-plant operators and a regime to ensure that all water systems have the oversight of certified operators. Various initiatives such as remote monitoring of water systems and the contracting of independent certified operators to provide necessary oversight will be put in place.
• Complete specific remedial plans for First Nation communities with serious water issues, starting with the twenty-one communities most at risk.
• A panel of experts to advise on the appropriate regulatory framework, including new legislation, developed with all partners. Final recommendations for a new framework are to be delivered by September 2006.
• A clear commitment to report on progress on a regular basis.

"Today's announcement is an encouraging first step in our larger efforts to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and non-Aboriginal Canadians," said AFN National Chief Phil Fontaine. "This approach shows we can work together to find solutions that take people out of risk while at the same time working on a national strategy to ensure everyone has access to safe drinking water."

"I fully support the measures announced today, as they will help address the problems that lead to drinking water advisories. Health Canada will support this plan by enhancing a monitoring system that serves as an early warning for potential risks to public health, and by providing additional support to identified communities most at risk," said Minister of Health, Tony Clement."

To find out more about today's announcement, the communities affected and the action plan, go to www.ainc-inac.gc.ca

For further information:

Minister's Office: Diane Laursen, Communications Assistant, Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice, (819) 997-0002; Media Relations Unit: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, (819) 953-1160;

Media Enquiries: Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director,  (613) 241-6789, ext. 320; This release is also available in electronic format at www.ainc-inac.gc.ca

from http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2006/21/c4536.html

NAN and Ontario establish new relationship

THUNDER BAY, ON, March 21 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy together with The Honourable David Ramsay, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs today announced the establishment of the "Northern Table" during the NAN Winter Chiefs Assembly taking place in Thunder Bay, ON this week.

"I'm very pleased we're beginning meaningful and strategic dialogue with one of our treaty partners (Ontario) with the intent to include the other (Canada) in the future," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. "A new era in government relations must begin in order for our people to begin to prosper from the natural resources that have contributed to the prosperity of other Ontarians. Provided the table is approached by both sides in good faith, this is the first step in achieving that."

The purpose of the Northern Table partnership between NAN and the Government of Ontario is to provide a forum to address the unique challenges specific to NAN First Nation communities in Ontario, while addressing the gap in socioeconomic status between the residents of NAN territory (an area covering two-thirds of Ontario) and non-Aboriginal residents throughout the province.

"Today, we are embarking on something new and different," said David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. "The new political-level Northern Table will address some of the challenges to achieving prosperity and well being in Northern Ontario and enable First Nations communities in the north to share fairly in the benefits of natural resource development."

NAN's goal at the Northern Table is to ensure meaningful and active participation of First Nations in establishing a viable economic base for our communities in partnership with Ontario, industry, and the private sector.

"Right now it's their policies and laws versus our needs and rights," said Wunnumin Lake First Nation Chief Archie Wabasse. "Ontario needs to realize that simply creating a table will not solve the fundamental challenges with our current treaty relationship. The Northern Table is a positive step,but only one part of a solutions-based agenda for Aboriginal and treaty rights."

Nishnawbe Aski Nation will lead on the development of an agenda and priority issues to be dealt with at the Northern Table. An Agreement-In-Principle is expected to be developed for endorsement this summer.

For further information: please contact Jenna Young, NAN Communications Officer, (807) 625-4952 or (807) 628-3953 (mobile)

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from http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/March2006/21/c7158.html

Ontario government and Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs launch Northern Table

Initiative First Step In Promoting Prosperity For First Nations In The North

THUNDER BAY, ON, March 21 /CNW/ - The Ontario government and Treaties 9 and 5 Chiefs have established a Northern Table in order to bring greater economic opportunity to Aboriginal communities in the North, David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs and Stan Beardy, Grand Chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation announced today.

"The Northern Table is a first step toward a political-level forum that will develop a co-operative approach to discussing the unique challenges in achieving prosperity and well-being in the North," said Ramsay. "Establishing the Northern Table fulfills one of Ontario's key commitments under the New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs."

The Northern Table will build on the provincial government's current initiatives, programs and services in its commitment to ensure that First Nations in the North are able to participate in the benefits of resource development. Discussions on the membership, functioning and mandate of the Northern Table will be the subject of ongoing discussions among the partners.

"The McGuinty government recognizes that past approaches have not always resolved issues nor resulted in timely progress," said Ramsay. "I expect the new Northern Table to be something different and results-oriented. It will be a true partnership that, over time, will include other First Nations in the North."

"I'm very pleased the First Nation communities of Nishnawbe Aski Nation will be entering into meaningful and strategic dialogue with Ontario with the intent to include Canada in the future," said Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy. "Our goal at the Northern Table is to ensure active participation of First Nations in establishing a viable economic base for Ontario's far north in partnership with Ontario, industry, and the private sector."

The McGuinty government is promoting prosperity and well-being across Northern Ontario. The Northern Table will help enhance First Nation participation in the benefits of resource development and boost the long-term sustainability of the northern economy.