Media.Knet.Ca

The CBC news story, "Reserve schools worried about internet cuts", (see below) highlights a funding problem that will be affecting First Nation schools across the country starting in early 2007.
 
Keewaytinook Okimakanak has delivered Industry Canada’s First Nations SchoolNet program in its present format in partnership with First Nation schools across Ontario since December 2002. The program has included working with the schools to develop subsidized broadband connections to better serve the students, staff and community. These connectivity subsidies from the Industry Canada’s First Nations SchoolNet program will end as of December of this year for the First Nation schools across Ontario.

Presently there are no other plans in place from the Federal government to support First Nation schools to sustain these broadband connections starting in January. Many schools have T1 connections that support video conferencing and other broadband applications. Some of the schools are sharing the costs of these connections with other local community organizations (the health centre and the band office). The school connectivity subsidy is helping remote and rural schools to access resources too often taken for granted in urban centres.

There is a need to make sure that all Members of Parliament are made aware of the impact of this decision. Hopefully additional press coverage and discussions in Parliament will provide the pressure required to ensure the Federal government announces an alternative program and the dollars necessary to help First Nation schools to stay connected with the rest of the world.

For more information, contact ...

Brian Beaton
Coordinator, K-Net Services
Keewaytinook Okimakanak
Box 1439, 115 King Street
Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1B9
Tel: 807-737-1135 or toll free at 877-737-KNET(5638) ext 1251
Fax: 807-737-1720
IP and ISDN Video conferencing available
e-mail: brian.beaton@knet.ca
web: http://knet.ca

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From CBC Online ... http://www.cbc.ca/story/news/national/2006/09/08/schools-net.html

Reserve schools worried about internet cuts
Sept 8, 2006 - CBC News

Some cash-strapped schools on Saskatchewan First Nations reserves are worried they may soon lose their internet connections — a move some educators say could be a disaster for learning.

Early next year, the money will run out for the federal First Nations SchoolNet program, which providing internet access to reserve schools across Canada, including 170 in Saskatchewan and Alberta. The program has been in place since 2002.

A spokesperson from Industry Canada, which runs the program along with regional  management groups, said there's no plan to reinstate funding. The department doesn't know if there will be more money available later.

With the program gone, some schools would need to come up with an extra $1,000 a month — money they say they don't have.

Brian McCarthy, a teacher in the northern community of Patuanak, said he's not sure how the school will adapt when the money runs out, although research materials are always a crucial requirement.

"Our whole media studies program is based on the internet," he said. "Our library is very ill-equipped, so all of our classes use the internet access for research."

Teachers, too, are dependent on the net connection.

"Between eight and nine in the morning, at least two-thirds of our teachers are on the internet researching material for the classes," McCarthy said.

ONTARIO's ABORIGINAL TOBACCO STRATEGY
 Tobacco Wise 
Request for Proposal 2006

Proposal Deadline Date:  September 29, 2006 12:00 pm

For a downloadable version of this document please go to:
www.tobaccowise.com
Or
http://www.cancercare.on.ca/index_AboriginalCancerStrategy.htm

Introduction - Be Tobacco Wise …..Keep It Sacred

To honor the role of Aboriginal young people as the future of Aboriginal people and the initiators of change in their communities the Aboriginal Tobacco Strategy (ATS) is pleased to announce the availability of project funds for action-oriented Tobacco Wise Projects for young people between the ages of 8-14.

Project funds are available for projects that empower young people;  provide experiential opportunities that engage young people; and that build community capacity in tobacco wise knowledge, skills and resources.

Background

The ATS is a program with the Aboriginal Cancer Care Unit in the Division of Preventive Oncology at Cancer Care Ontario.  Cancer Care Ontario is the Ontario Government’s principal advisor on cancer care and is a provincial resource for the cancer prevention and care system.

The purpose of the ATS is to promote “tobacco wise” communities. A tobacco wise community knows the difference between traditional tobacco and commercial tobacco and has the knowledge, commitment, resources and skills to mobilize and implement strategies to promote and protect the well being of its members.

The Aboriginal Tobacco Strategy Working Group (ATSWG) is a group of Aboriginal people identified for their commitment to and knowledge of tobacco issues in the Aboriginal community.  These members represent a cross-section of Aboriginal communities across Ontario. This body of Aboriginal Tobacco Champions, provide guidance to the strategy that is rooted in community-based knowledge and action.

In 2005 the ATSWG developed the Seven Generations Plan.  This plan established a vision for addressing the problem of commercial tobacco in our communities.  Aboriginal Elders provided knowledge, guidance and input into the plan.  The most immediate priorities identified in the plan include: a focus on Aboriginal youth, traditional tobacco, and continued community based capacity building.  The committee also identified a need to empower youth through skill development.  The 2006-2007 ATS RFP is another step toward fulfilling the Tobacco Wise Seven Generations vision.

For more information regarding the Aboriginal Tobacco Strategy (ATS) please visit:
http://www.tobaccowise.com

For more information regarding the Aboriginal Cancer Strategy please visit: http://www.cancercare.on.ca/index_AboriginalCancerStrategy.htm

The Approach - Integration

Studies have shown tobacco messaging is more effective when combined with other issues affecting youth. 

1. In 2006 the ATS asked Aboriginal youth across Ontario if and how they would like to be involved in an Aboriginal Tobacco Strategy.  The survey results indicated arts, media and sports activities were preferred by youth as methods for involvement.  We strongly encourage applicants to involve young people in promoting the tobacco wise message through these mediums.
2. We recognize the importance of collaboration with local schools when working with young people.  We encourage applicants to link with their local schools to identify  in-school components to their project.  Some examples of linkages are: school based recruitment of young people to participate in project activities, classroom based sessions, and/or school based events.   

Meaningful Involvement  

We are looking for projects that engage young people in meaningful and empowering experiences.   This type of approach will require creativity, support and an investment from project leaders. 

Examples of meaningful involvement include but are not limited to:

• Projects building knowledge and skills, helping to prepare young people for healthy lives as capable, contributing and caring members of their family, community and nation 
• Projects engaging young people in planning through active and informed participation and are not designed by adults alone
• Projects involving young people in making the decisions that affect them personally and their communities as a whole.  

What kinds of projects are eligible?

In order to support Aboriginal young people on their path to becoming tobacco wise we encourage all applicants to focus their proposals in one or more of the following areas:
 
Focus Area: Sports and Recreational/Fitness Activities

Projects promoting sports or other fitness activities/events as a healthy and positive alternative to commercial tobacco use; or projects incorporating sports and physical programs into tobacco wise activities.  

Some examples include:

• sports/fitness activities including tobacco wise awareness activities during or after games
• tobacco wise sports clinics
• development and circulation of materials to help promote the importance of a tobacco-wise lifestyle as a factor in sports performance
• smoke-free sports and recreational/fitness events
• messages about tobacco wise lifestyles promoted throughout community events

Focus Area: Media

Projects promoting youth created media that provide young people with a place to voice their opinions about tobacco related issues and be heard in the media; or projects promoting education about mass media and its influence on young people.

Some examples include:

• News articles, investigative stories, ‘zines, opinion pieces, personal essays, radio announcements, poetry, photography publications
• Young people learning how to use video cameras and audio equipment to document the issues related to tobacco in their communities
• Young people learning skills needed for interviewing, reporting and writing fiction to express their views related to tobacco use
• Young people increasing their awareness of the influence the commercial tobacco industry has on young people through the media
• Young people receiving training to produce a creative radio program. Skills may include: interviewing, how to plan and host a live show, reporting and writing for radio

Focus Area:  Art

Project promoting the arts as a healthy and positive alternative to commercial tobacco use; or projects incorporating arts into tobacco wise activities (e.g. activities that promote a positive and powerful tobacco wise message).  

Some examples include:

• art activities (e.g.  moccasin making, painting, collage, drum making sculpture, mask making) including tobacco wise awareness activities during or after the activity
  performance art (e.g. theatre, traditional dance, drumming, music) promoting tobacco wise messaging
  creation of art pieces (e.g. traditional arts, murals, installation pieces, music, photography) promoting tobacco wise messaging
• smoke-free multi media art events
• messages about tobacco wise lifestyles promoted throughout an art event

Who can apply?

We are looking for applications from but not limited to youth groups, health workers, recreational leaders, teachers, coaches and child and youth workers interested in empowering youth to be good decision makers about their health and initiators of change in their community.

Any Aboriginal community or non-profit organization
Groups of children and youth not affiliated with an established organization may apply on their own if they have:

a)An agreement with a non-profit organization, school or library, to act as their “Fiscal Sponsor” (see Attachment C).  A Fiscal Sponsor is an established group that agrees to hold and manage project funds. 

* Please note: If we receive two or more applications from the same community, we might ask you to collaborate with the other applicant(s) to prevent duplication.

What activities are not eligible?

• Projects that duplicate programs or resources that already exist
• Projects that are delivered for profit (organization or individuals)

Amount of funding available: There is approximately $10,000 available per project.

How will groups be selected to receive funding?

1. We receive the RFP’s
2. We check to see the application is complete and pass it on to the Selection Committee
3. The Selection Committee rates and then selects the  projects to be funded

Due to funding limitations, it is possible not all eligible proposals will be selected.  Preference will be given to those projects that do not require additional funding for staff.

How will projects be rated?

Meaningful Involvement of Young People (25 pts)

Clearly explains how the project meaningfully involves young people in the overall project
Preference will be given to initiatives that clearly explain what tools and skills will be developed and what experiential activities the young people will be engaged in

Project Narrative (15 pts)

Describes the beginning, middle and end of the project
Demonstrates your preparation, organization, and thoughtfulness 
Includes one or more of the three key areas of focus (see page 3-4)

Action Plan (10 pts)

The Action Plan shows clear steps that lead to project completion by February 28, 2007
The Action Plan clearly identifies how the project will be evaluated
Action Plans must include, by March 15th, a Final Report which includes project evaluation findings

Budget (15 pts)

Budget is clearly linked to all activities identified in the project narrative and action plan
All funds allocated must be spent by February 28, 2007

Community Integration (15 pts)

Clearly explains how your project is linked with other initiatives/programs within your community. 

Evaluation Plan (20 pts) 

Clearly explains what is intended to be accomplished as a result of the project and what will be done to accomplish those ends.
Clearly describes the impacts/benefits/changes (project outcomes) that will occur as a result of the proposed project.  Some examples of impacts, benefits, changes include but are not limited to:

1. New knowledge/perceptions/attitudes (e.g.youth who realize smoking makes it difficult to breathe, making it more difficult to play sports; or youth who increase their knowledge regarding the manipulative behavior of the tobacco industry )
2. New skills (e.g. youth develop skills to resist peer pressure to smoke; or youth acquire media skills to develop their own media messages.
3. New conditions (e.g. increases in smoke free environments)

Clearly describes how the impacts/benefits/changes (project outcomes) identified will be measured.

* We recommend that you contact Theresa Sandy, Project Coordinator, for technical support regarding evaluation planning prior to submitting your proposal. 

What happens after my project has been selected?

We consider ourselves a resource for your project. We will stay in contact with you to ensure that you receive the technical support you need for project success. An initial telephone meeting will be held with the project contact to discuss project details such as:

• funding agreement
• evaluation.
• reporting 
• communication

How does my group apply?

To apply, submit an original application along with required attachments (see application Checklist – Attachment C) to the Aboriginal Tobacco Strategy at Cancer Care Ontario by:

Applying on line at www.tobaccowise.com
Or
http://www.cancercare.on.ca/index_AboriginalCancerStrategy.htm
Or
By faxing a copy to 416-971-6888

Please send an original signed copy by mail with all electronic or faxed applications.

Send in your completed application by:
12:00 p.m. on September 29, 2006

Please fax, courier, or mail your completed application to Pamela Johnson, Manager, Aboriginal Tobacco Strategy.  All applicants who submit their proposals by fax or on-line will be required to forward the original application package by mail or courier.

Fax:       416-971-6888 

E-mail:     Pamela.Johnson@cancercare.on.ca
Mail:

Pamela Johnson, Manager,
Aboriginal Tobacco Strategy
Aboriginal Cancer Care Unit,
Cancer Care Ontario
620 University Avenue,
Toronto, Ontario M5G 2L7

If you have any questions please contact:               
Theresa Sandy,  Project Coordinator,
Aboriginal Tobacco Strategy 
Telephone: 1-416-971-9800 Ext: 3372.
Email: theresa.sandy@cancercare.on.ca