Media.Knet.Ca

The public has until April 19 to provide the new Conservative government with their feedback about priorities and strategies for implementing them. Visit www.fin.gc.ca/activty/consult/prebud_e.html for more information and send your suggestions and feedback to budget2006consult@fin.gc.ca

Key Consultations Issues

Without restricting other comments you make, we would appreciate your views on the following questions:

1. What would you like to see in Budget 2006 and future budgets?
2. If you propose further tax cuts - or spending increases - where should the government spend less?
3. How can the government deliver programs more efficiently and effectively?

From Wawatay News online at http://www.wawatay.on.ca

Web-based national pre-budget consultations launched

Posted by Joyce Hunter, Friday, April 7

For the first time ever, the federal government is encouraging Canadians to participate in the budget process online.

Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty has launched an online consultation process on the department’s website to give Canadians an opportunity to provide their views to the Government during the pre-budget consultation period.

"This approach opens the pre-budget consultations up to all Canadians, giving taxpayers in every corner of this vast country an opportunity to share their views," he said.

Flaherty is seeking views and advice from all Canadians on how best to implement the Government’s five priorities. Those include:

• Cleaning up government, by passing the Federal Accountability Act;
• Reducing the tax burden of Canadians, starting with a one-percentage-point cut to the goods and services tax;
• Making our streets and communities safer, by cracking down on crime and introducing mandatory minimum sentences;
• Supporting families, by providing a $1,200 per year Choice in Child Care Allowance for each child under six, and providing tax credits to employers who cover the full cost of creating child care spaces; and
• Working with the provinces to improve health care, by establishing a Patient Wait Times Guarantee.

He is also asking people to identify areas where the Government can spend less or deliver programs in a more efficient and effective way.

"I hope to gather innovative ideas not just for this year’s budget, but for future budgets," Flaherty said. "We have set priorities that are reasonable and affordable, and with help from Canadian families we will stick by them."

The Web consultation page, including a background document, can be found on the Department of Finance Canada website at www.fin.gc.ca/activty/consult_e.html.

Submissions can be made by e-mail at budget2006consult@fin.gc.ca or by fax at (613) 992-0938.

As is customary in the traditional face-to-face pre-budget consultations, views submitted via the Web will be provided to the Minister and held confidential.

The pre-budget consultation process ends April 19.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=acc68ff7-0c9f-494f-8713-f97f77746200&k=22800
 
Thursday » April 6 » 2006
 
New Tory ethics plan to grant new power to audit native reserves
 
Alexander Panetta And Sue Bailey - Canadian Press

OTTAWA (CP) - First Nations would be subject to unprecedented spending scrutiny under omnibus ethics legislation the new Conservative government will introduce next week, The Canadian Press has learned.

The Tories' Federal Accountability Act will allow the auditor general to examine aboriginal communities' books to determine whether taxpayers are getting value from federal cash transfers. "(This is) a groundbreaking move," said a federal official who asked not to be named.

"The auditor general is going to have extended powers and one of those groups (affected) is going to be First Nations bands."

The Tories have already said their accountability act, the sweeping ethics package they cite as their first priority in government, will drastically expand Auditor General Sheila Fraser's oversight power.

But the decision to include native communities among her list of potential auditing targets has never been announced.

It is sure to be controversial.

First Nations have long complained they are already overly subjected to cumbersome audits.

They must submit their books for examination each year to the Indian Affairs department, although the auditor general has no automatic access to those documents.

Fraser blew the lid open on the sponsorship scandal in 2004 by exposing waste and murky paper trails in the Public Works department.

She complained at the time, however, that she could not access the books of private companies like Groupaction that received the federal cash.

Government sources say the Tory legislation will allow her to follow the money into non-government entities - including aboriginal communities.

"She knew the money went there but she couldn't see what happened once the money ended up at Groupaction," said one federal official.

"Now she will be able to."

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations urged the Conservatives last week not to impose new accountability measures without discussion.

Phil Fontaine has proposed a native auditor general to assess reserve governments.

He has also repeatedly stressed that just a tiny minority of First Nations fail to file independently certified audits required by Indian Affairs each year.

That's just one in a long list of reporting demands.

In fact, Fraser assailed the former Liberal government in 2002 for what she called a "crazy quilt" of audits that Ottawa receives from cash-strapped band councils.

Auditors visited four First Nations and two tribal councils in Saskatchewan that year. Fraser reported that at least 168 reports were required each year to account for federal funds from a wide range of departments.

Much of the thick paper trail wasn't even read once it got to Ottawa, Fraser found.

One aboriginal expert is concerned that unfairly singling out a small percentage of troubled communities will tarnish all bands.

"It reaffirms this notion that there is mismanagement and corruption rampant - even though that's not in fact the case," said Dan Wilson, special accountability adviser to the Assembly of First Nations.

Wilson sees a silver lining to Fraser's potential input, however.

"If she were able to do it, I could actually see it paying off in terms of raising awareness about where the real problems in accountability lie."

Native leaders have long said that yearly increases in federal funding capped at two per cent have not kept pace with inflation and population growth.

Many First Nations have struggled to make ends meet while deplorable living standards erode, they say.

Fontaine also points out that Ottawa should be accountable for unfulfilled treaties that have denied native people a fair share of natural resources.

"I have seen calculations indicating that the energy, forestry and mining sectors contribute $141.8 billion to Canada's economy," he said in a recent speech.

"Much of that economy would not be available to Canada if our ancestors were not willing to strike honourable agreements to share in the riches of this beautiful land."

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has long argued for a better look at native books.

Canadians through their federal tax dollars spend about $8 billion a year on aboriginal programs, says spokeswoman Tanis Fiss.

"Right now, the auditor general does not have access to audit that information.

"Taxpayers deserve the right to know how and where their money is being spent and whether or not they're receiving value for their money."

© The Canadian Press 2006

The Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak began meeting in Balmertown on Tuesday of this week to review this year's budgets and discuss other issues affecting their communities and their tribal council.

On Wednesday, the Chiefs participated in a board workshop facilitated by Bea Shawanda. On Thursday, the Chiefs and the staff of Keewaytinook Okimakanak will be working together at the Red Lake Legion for the planned board and staff workshop. On Friday, the Keewaytinook Okimakanak staff will meet together for a staff development workshop.

Click here to see some pictures from this workshop

http://www.ccl-cca.ca/aboriginallearning/whatsnew/default.asp

Canadian Council on Learning establishes Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre

Ottawa, April 5, 2006 – The Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) has selected two organizations, the First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium and the Aboriginal Education Research Centre, to co-lead its Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre.

“The Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre will profile and advance the most current knowledge and exemplary practices in First Nations, Métis and Inuit learning,” said Dr. Paul Cappon, CCL’s President and CEO. “Today, as governments acknowledge the importance of Aboriginal learning systems developed in partnership with Aboriginal Peoples, this knowledge centre will help to set priorities for research, propose ways to measure progress and create networks to share practices that can strengthen learning outcomes among Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.”

The new knowledge centre is based in the region encompassing the Prairie provinces, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. It is composed of a consortium with more than 50 members from across the country. The centre will have access to up to $1.5 million per year to develop a collaborative and comprehensive network of shared knowledge and expertise to make a difference in Aboriginal learning. A full list of the consortium members is available on CCL’s website, www.ccl-cca.ca.

“The knowledge centre will work collaboratively to recognize and build on the unique personal, social, cultural and historical contexts for Aboriginal learning, and share knowledge about promising practices across Canada,” said Dr. Vivian Ayoungman, Executive Director of the Calgary-based First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium.

Dr. Marie Battiste, Academic Director of the Aboriginal Education Research Centre at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, stated: “The knowledge centre will directly involve Aboriginal Peoples in developing solutions to the many learning challenges they face. It will play a key role in analyzing existing research and promoting further research to provide the reliable information required to improve learning opportunities and outcomes among Aboriginal Peoples.”

The Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre is one of five knowledge centres created by CCL. Each centre will contribute to better outcomes in various stages of learning from early childhood to the workplace and beyond. The other centres are: Adult Learning (Atlantic Canada), Early Childhood Learning (Quebec), Health and Learning (British Columbia and Yukon), and Work and Learning (Ontario).

The Canadian Council on Learning is an independent, not-for-profit corporation funded through an agreement with Human Resources and Social Development Canada. Its mandate is to promote and support evidence-based decision making about learning throughout all stages of life, from early childhood through to the workplace and beyond.

http://www.ccl-cca.ca/aboriginallearning/home/default.asp
 
Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre
The Canadian Council on Learning has established the Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre, which is made up of a consortium of more than 80 members from across the country working together to create a path for the improvement of Aboriginal learning in Canada.

Much of the research about Aboriginal learners has focussed on ‘incapacity,’ not on their potential for influencing positive change in their communities and in Canadian society generally.

The Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre plays a critical role in identifying research priorities for CCL, as well as creating networks to best make use of the knowledge generated by this research.

MEMBERS OF THE ABORIGINAL LEARNING KNOWLEDGE CENTRE CONSORTIUM
LEAD ORGANIZATIONS

• First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium
• Aboriginal Education Research Centre, University of Saskatchewan

MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

• Aboriginal Education Unit, Strategic Partnerships and Aboriginal Education Saskatchewan Learning
• Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada
• Aboriginal Institutes’ Consortium
• Aboriginal Liaison, University Services Branch, Saskatchewan Learning
• Acadia University
• Asinîy Métis Studies Foundation Inc.
• Athabasca University
• Aurora College
• Blue Quills First Nations College
• Board of Governors of Red River College
• Bow Valley College
• Brock University
• Canadian Aboriginal Aids Network
• Central Urban Métis Federation Inc.
• College of Education, University of Saskatchewan
• Dalhousie University
• Department of Canadian Heritage
• Excalibur Learning Resource Centre Canada Corp.
• Faculty of Education, Brock University
• Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba
• Faculty of Education, University of Regina
• First Nations Education Steering Committee
• First Nations Technical Institute
• Four Worlds Centre for Development Learning
• Gabriel Dumont Institute
• Galileo Educational Network
• Indian Teacher Education Program (ITEP)
• Indigenous Peoples' Health Research Centre
• Invert Media Inc.
• Keewatin Career Development Corporation
• Kainai Board of Education
• Kwantlen University College
• Lakeland College
• Laurentian University
• Mi'kmaq College Institute
• Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey
• National Association of Indigenous Institutes of Higher Learning
• Native Access Program to Nursing/Medicine
• Native Law Centre of Canada
• Neuropsychiatry Research, University of Saskatchewan
• North West Regional College
• Northern Lights School Division #113
• Northlands College
• Office of the Treaty Commissioner
• Old Sun Community College
• Oldman River Cultural Centre
• Prince Albert Grand Council
• Queen's University
• Red Crow Community College
• Saskatchewan Communications Network Corporation
• Saskatchewan Department of First Nations and Métis
• Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology
• Saskatchewan Labour Force Development Board
• Saskatchewan Learning
• Saskatchewan Teachers Federation
• Saskatoon Catholic Schools
• SciQ: Science Revealed
• Siksika Board of Education
• Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
• The Alberta Library
• The Genesis Group
• The Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association
• Transpolar Technology Corporation
• Treaty 7 First Nations Education Association
• University College of the North
• University of Alberta
• University of Calgary
• University of Lethbridge
• University of Manitoba
• University of New Brunswick
• University of Regina
• University of Toronto
• University of Victoria
• University of Winnipeg
• Wilp Wilxo'oskwhl Nisga'a Society
• Yellowhead Tribal College
• Yellowquill College
• York University
• Yukon College

++++++++++++++

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Wednesday, April 5th/2006

U of S Researchers to Co-Lead National Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre

The University of Saskatchewan’s Aboriginal Education Research Centre (AERC) has been selected by the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL) to co-lead a new national network for gathering and sharing information on effective approaches to Aboriginal learning.

AERC will work with the First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium (FNAHEC) in Calgary to lead the new Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre, a consortium of more than 50 members drawn from the region encompassing the Prairie provinces, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

The new national centre will have access to up to $1.5 million per year to develop a network of shared knowledge and expertise that is expected to contribute to greater academic success for Aboriginal students. The CCL notes that nearly twice as many working-age Aboriginals do not have their high-school diploma (39 per cent), compared to non-Aboriginal Canadians (22 per cent).

“Today, as governments acknowledge the importance of Aboriginal learning systems developed in partnership with Aboriginal Peoples, this knowledge centre will help to set priorities for research, propose ways to measure progress, and create networks to share practices that can strengthen learning outcomes among Aboriginal Peoples of Canada,” said Paul Cappon, CCL President and CEO.

“The Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre will profile and advance the most current knowledge and exemplary practices in First Nations, Métis and Inuit learning.”

AERC Academic Director Marie Battiste says the knowledge centre will directly involve Aboriginal Peoples in developing solutions to the many learning challenges they face.

“It will play a key role in analyzing existing research and promoting further research to provide the reliable information required to improve learning opportunities and outcomes among Aboriginal Peoples,” she said. 

AERC, housed in the U of S College of Education, is a collaborative teaching and research centre operated in partnership with diverse First Nations, Métis and Northern groups to identify and address their specific needs and priorities.

 “The knowledge centre will work collaboratively to recognize and build on the unique personal, social, cultural and historical contexts for Aboriginal learning, and share knowledge about promising practices across Canada,” said Vivian Ayoungman, Executive Director of the Calgary-based FNAHEC which is made up of 10 First Nation colleges and adult training centres in Western Canada.

The Canadian Council on Learning is an independent, not-for-profit corporation funded through an agreement with Human Resources and Social Development Canada.  Its mandate is to promote and support evidence-based decision making throughout all stages of learning, from early childhood through to the workplace and beyond.

The new centre is one of five knowledge centres created by the Council. Each will contribute to better outcomes in various stages of learning, from early childhood to the workplace and beyond.  The other centres are:  Adult Learning (Atlantic Canada), Early Childhood Learning (Quebec), Health and Learning (British Columbia and Yukon), and Work and Learning (Ontario).

A full list of the Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre consortium members is available on CCL’s website: www.ccl-cca.ca.

- 30 -

For more information, contact:

Kathryn Warden
Director, Research Communications
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-2506
www.usask.ca/research

Elizabeth Everson
Director, Communications
Canadian Council on Learning  
(613) 786-3230 ext. 207
Cell: (613) 222-2879 
beverson@ccl-cca.ca 
www.ccl-cca.ca

from

RESEARCH NEWS
Office of the Vice-President Research
University of Saskatchewan
Box 5000 RPO University
110 Gymnasium Place
 SASKATOON SK S7N 4J8
 Tel: (306) 966-2506   Fax: (306) 966-2411
 http://www.usask.ca/research

A pair of nesting bald eagles in British Columbia are being watched by people from around the world. Check out the live webcam feed at http://www.infotecbusinesssystems.com/wildlife/

And also the CBC Online News story at http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/04/04/eagle060404.html

Webcam of nesting eagles takes off
Tue, 04 Apr 2006 - CBC News

A webcam is giving thousands of people around the world a close look at the lives of a pair of nesting bald eagles on B.C.'s Hornby Island.

Last week, the website went online as the eagles laid two eggs that are expected to hatch by the end of the month.

Retired accountant David Carrick said he has been keeping an eye on the pair of eagles in his secluded property for 14 years. But about 18 months ago – with government permission – he got an even closer look, installing a camera in the nest while the eagles were away on their annual migration.

He said the eagles noticed the enclosed camera and "pecked at it" and then got on with their lives.

At that point, the cable from the camera only ran into his TV and VCR. Carrick said he recorded some of the best moments, including the female laying two eggs, last year.

He showed the videos to biologists who offered to make the feed public on his website.

Last week, about 40,000 viewers a day went to the site after the female laid her clutch for this year. And Hancock has had to add three new web servers to meet the demand.

Carrick hopes the intimate look at the nesting eagles will make people think twice about threatening the species' habitat.

The Assembly of First Nations and the Union of Ontario Indians were quick to express their disappointment in today's Speech from the Throne by the new Conservative government. There was no mention of First Nations or the efforts to address poverty and third world conditions in First Nations across Canada in the government's new agenda. See the two press releases below.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2006/04/c7818.html
 
Assembly of First Nations Responds to Speech from the Throne

    OTTAWA, April 4 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine responded today to the Government of Canada's Speech from the Throne, and called on the government to address the critically important agreements reached on residential schools and at the First Ministers Meeting on Aboriginal Issues in Kelowna.

    "Our expectation was that there would be no specific mention of First Nations issues, given that we were not one of the government's five stated priorities, but we are still disappointed that there was no reference to our agenda, nor any reference to our historic agreements on residential schools or to close the gap in quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians," said the National Chief.

    The Speech from the Throne focused on the stated "top five" priorities of the new Conservative government. The National Chief nevertheless noted that First Nations will continue to work with government to ensure that First Nations issues also remain a priority.

    "I know that the Minister of Indian Affairs, the Honourable Jim Prentice, is committed to, as he says, 'putting the wheels on Kelowna'", stated the National Chief. "The First Ministers' agreements and the Agreement in Principle on Residential Schools are priorities for First Nations that will also benefit all Canadians in the long-term. The government has stated that it is willing to support the First Ministers and residential schools agreements in principle. Let's work together to put principle into practice."

    The National Chief stated that the Speech from the Throne sets the tone for the government, but he and First Nations across the country will be closely watching the upcoming federal budget to get a better sense of the government's commitment to collaborative approaches and concrete results.

    "The Federal Budget will provide details of the government's commitment to improving quality of life for First Nations," said the National Chief. "Other commitments from the previous government have been honoured. For example, farmers received over $700 million from this government - money that was promised by the previous government."

    National Chief Fontaine highlighted the government's intent to issue an apology regarding the Chinese head tax through Parliament as evidence of the government's willingness to address the institutionalized racism and discrimination of the past, and called on Prime Minister Harper to move forward with agreements on residential schools compensation and reconciliation as further evidence of that willingness.

    "We applaud the efforts by government and the Chinese-Canadian community to address this outstanding injustice from our past," said the National Chief. "We have an Agreement in Principle on Residential Schools, which is a means to address one of the most widespread, pervasive and destructive examples of past discrimination. All that is required to implement this agreement is final approval by the federal government."

    The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

For further information: Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director, (613) 241-6789 ext. 320 or cell (613) 292-2787; Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer, (613) 241-6789 ext. 336 or cell (613) 859-4335

++++++++++++++

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/news.jsp - UNION OF ONTARIO INDIANS - APRIL 4, 2006
 
Throne speech missed aboriginals

NIPISSING FIRST NATION--(CCNMatthews - April 4, 2006) - First Nations in Canada have expressed profound disappointment in today's Speech from the Throne. With the exception of a vague mention of aboriginal entrepreneurs in the preamble and a mention of improving opportunities for all Canadians "including Aboriginal peoples", there was no mention of aboriginal issues in today's address to Parliamentarians.

"The First Peoples' of Canada have been left high-and-dry in this Throne Speech. I am profoundly disappointed that there has been no priority given, whatsoever, regarding key aboriginal issues, including the elimination of poverty, aboriginal health care, drinking water quality and substandard infrastructure, and housing.

"We continue to be left in the dark about the Conservative government's aboriginal agenda," added Grand Council Chief.

Grand Council Chief Beaucage was the co-chair of the First Ministers' Meeting Working Groups in Housing and Relationships. As such, he was quite taken-aback about the lack of any mention of the First Ministers' Meeting priorities: Housing, Health, Life Long Learning, Economic Opportunities, and Relationships.

"We have maintained that the First Nations' housing deficit is at critical levels. First Nations housing should not only be a priority for this government, it should be a basic human right of all Canadians," said Beaucage.

First Nations have long maintained there is a significant shortage of housing in First Nations' communities across Canada. Needs estimate range from 35,000 to 85,000 units.

"We are ready to build and own our own homes. We are ready to show that the First Nations' housing action plan resulting from the First Ministers' meeting can work and that with the proper priority and investment, a bona fide housing market can be established in First Nation communities," said Beaucage.

Beaucage was pleased to see the government moving to improve community safety by "putting more police on the street". First Nations police services are among the lowest funded services in Canada. A number of First Nations in Ontario have been waiting for police services including: Serpent River First Nation, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan, and Long Lake #58.

"For years we have seen the need for improved safety and policing in First Nation communities. We expect that this government's priority will mean more First Nation police officers, new policing to under-serviced First Nations and better overall security and safety for Canadian communities."

However, health care continues to be the issue of most concern for First Nations in Canada.

"Our people are suffering - our people are dying - while mainstream Canadians can be assured they will get the health care that they pay for," said Grand Council Chief Beaucage. "The lack of priority for First Nations health will mean little or no progress on the prescription drug abuse, diabetes and mental health issues and suicide prevention."

There is a tremendous concern over the prevalence of prescription drug abuse in Ontario First Nation communities. Abuse and trafficking of Oxycoten, percadone, percacets, and crystal methamphetamines has emerged as the number one health priority for First Nations in Ontario, especially in Anishinabek Nation territory. The Union of Ontario Indians is proposing a comprehensive strategy to curb the problem of prescription drug abuse and support First Nations that are coping with treatment and affects of this problem.

Just this weekend, another suicide took place at the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation near London, Ontario. At least two suicides, and many more attempts have taken place there. It's been a disturbing trend in urban Native communities not only in impoverished northern communities.

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. The UOI is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Bob Goulais, Executive Assistant to the Grand Council Chief, Union of Ontario Indians
Primary Phone: 705-498-5250
E-mail: goubob@anishinabek.ca

The "Duty to Consult" process is taking on a new meaning as the mining company's lawyers get involved in the dispute over how the traditional territories of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug are explored and developed. The people of Big Trout Lake are determined to protect their territories, the resources, the water, the animals, the plant life and all aspects of their lifestyles against foreign exploitation.

The Pole to Pole Leadership Institute is once again offering youth a chance to participate in a once in a life time adventure. The Call for Applicants is on now and the application period will close May 31, 2006

Learn more about  http://www.poletopoleleadership.com

Pole to Pole is

• Global journeys that prove youth can accomplish the incredible.
• Teams of youth working for the environment, for society, and for sustainable economies.
• Youth inspiring and training youth to make a difference in their communities and for the world.
• Connecting youth world-wide to create a positive future.

What it takes to be a part of Pole to Pole

Joining a Pole to Pole Team is not about the experience you already have. It is about putting your heart and commitment into a team, into yourself, and into making a difference in this world. It is about the experience you will gain and the impact you will have.

• You must be between the ages of 18 and 28 as of August 1, 2006
• You must have a working command of the English language.
• You must be prepared and able to be trained for travel and survival in extreme environments.
• You must demonstrate that you can communicate effectively.
• You must be able to demonstrate that you have volunteered your time and energy on projects that improved your community and/or the environment and/or supported economic sustainability.
• You must demonstrate that you can communicate your interest and energy for Pole to Pole so that people in your community support you and Pole to Pole.
• You must complete all of the application requirements to be a qualified applicant.

Team Descriptions for Applicants

There are three ways to physically participate in Pole to Pole:

• on one of the Expedition Teams;
• on an Advance Team; or
• on an Education Team.

As part of the application process you can specify if you want to be considered for all three types of Teams, or you can specify if you just want to be considered for an Advance or Education Team.

In order to be selected for any of them you must be a qualified applicant.

• The Call for Applicants is on now and the application period will close May 31, 2006.
• Upon completion of the application process you will be eligible to be selected to attend the Pole to Pole Selection Camp in September 2006.
• There the final selections for the Expedition Teams, Advance Teams and the Education Ambassador Teams will be made.
• All qualified applicants who are not selected for Pole to Pole Teams will become a part of the Pole to Pole Virtual Team sharing resources and network on-line.

+++++++++

From The Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal at http://66.244.236.251/article_5334.php

Pole to pole trip for the adventurous
By THE CHRONICLE-JOURNAL - Apr 3, 2006, 22:13

Adventurous souls wanted. Must like to travel under human power only. Must want to save the world.

A Vancouver-based charitable organization is seeking youth leaders aged between 18 and 28 interested in traversing the globe and tackling humanitarian projects around the world.

The Pole to Pole Leadership Institute’s project will start with an expedition team beginning a 10-month, 35,000-kilometre trek from the south to north poles through Africa and Europe.

This international team of youth will travel under their own steam — by foot, ski, bike, kayak and sail.

They will meet up with the advanced team, which will travel to Africa, Europe and Russia to volunteer for six months with established charities on humanitarian projects.

A third team will use the adventures and work of the other two teams to educate students across Europe and North America.

It’s a project the Pole to Pole institute has done before. In 2000 it sent a team of youth from the North Pole to the South Pole through the Americas.

Applications are available online at www.poletopoleleadership.com. Those selected will be invited to a month-long selection camp in British Columbia during September.

Beausoleil First Nation Health Centre Telehealth Service will be having an Open House on April 19, 2006 starting at 10:00am. Come and learn more about this new community service at our Health Centre.

This open house will be the official launch of this new health service that provides telemedicine consults, follows, public health education sessions and much more.

Everyone is welcome to come to the Health Centre on April 19, 2006 at 10:00 am. The Telemedicine Site is located in the new building section. 

Come and see a Telemedicine demonstration with ear assessments, skin assements and heart sounds. We will also have a live connection with KO Telehealth in Balmertown and one of our other partner First Nation sites. 

Everyone is welcomed to ask question about telemedicine or just say hello. 

For further information contact Susan Vainer, at (705) 247-2012 ex.34 or (800) 387-3740 ex 1407

Aboriginal Recording Of The Year Juno Award winner is Hometown - Burnt Project 1. The five nominees include:

Rattle & Drum - Asani Arbor (EMI)

This contemporary a cappella Aboriginal women's trio officially formed in 1997. Carrying with them the traditional influences of First Nations and Metis music, the group's repertoire is comprised primarily of original compositions in both Woodland Cree and English. Their spectrum of songs reflects their traditions (accompanied by drums and rattles) to contemporary jazz, folk and blues.

Muskrat Blues and Rock & Roll - Billy Joe Green (Thunderboy)

An Anishinabe from the Bear Clan of the Anishinabe Aki Territory, Green has been living the life of a bluesman since his teens. Recognized as one of Canada's premier blues guitar singers for more than three decades, he has worked as a sideman, and since 1999, leader of the Rough & Ready Billy Joe Green Band. A previous JUNO Award nominee (2001), this is his third indie CD.

Hometown - Burnt Project 1 (Sunshine) - THE WINNER!!!

The Winnipeg band is the face and voice of Canada’s cultural mosaic. This dynamic, 11-member ensemble generates a powerful sound that blends blues, jazz, rock, funk and traditional First Nations influences into a unique neo-urban sound.

Life Is... - Eagle & Hawk (Eagle & Hawk)

Influenced by modern rock styles and traditional Aboriginal vocals and rhythms, the band has built a strong fan base across Europe and Turtle Island (America). To date, Eagle & Hawk have toured Europe more than 10 times and entertained audiences cross North America. The group won a JUNO Award in 2002 for Best Music of Aboriginal Canada.

Sinaa - tagaq (Jericho Beach Music Festival Distribution)

Tagaq is Tanya Tagaq Gillis, who was born and raised in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. During her final year at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, she began throat singing - a traditional Inuit vocal game between two women. Since she had no vocal partner, she developed her contemporary, emotional style. She has collaborated with Bj?and Kronos Quartet.

You can listen to clips from each of these Aboriginal artists at http://www.junoawards.ca (clip on the LISTEN TO THE JUNO AWARD NOMINEE box on the right hand side) - You must have the latest Flash Player and have your pop-up blocker disabled to enjoy this enhanced content.