Little Bands Youth Hockey Tournament 2006

February 17 , 18 , 19 , 2006

Sioux Lookout Arena and Eagle Lake First Nation Arena

11 Peewee Teams  ages 11-12 yrs old

7 Bantam teams ages 13-14 yrs old

Daily admission -Adults  $5.00 a day

                      - 12 under $3.00 a day

Teams : Big Trout Lake , Muskrat Dam , Bearskin Lake , Sachigo Lake , North Caribou Lake , Wapekeka , Kasabonika Lake , Sandy Lake , Pikangikum , Deer Lake , Mishkeegogamang .

The submission included a list of "Key Messages for Ontario Power Authority Submission Advice to Minister of Energy". Click here for a copy of the complete NADF submission (PDF document). 

The one additional item that has now been added to the Five Nation Energy construction project serving Fort Albany, Kashechewan and Attawapiskat is the inclusion of a fiber optic cable that will serve these First Nations. This First Nation owned resource will support further economic development opportunities across the region.

Residential School Christian Survivors

Sioux Lookout Area

RE: RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL CHRISTIAN SURVIVORS

FORUM: February 21–23, 2006 at Sunset Inn

God Bless !

At this time, I am providing the following:

• Wawatay Radio Broadcast No. 2 – February 8, 2006
• Agenda for the Christian Survivors Forum
• The Canadian Holocaust: Crimes Perpetuated Against Aboriginal Peoples

For the Youth who read the K-Net News; I have a Special Request.

Can you print out this information and provide copies to those Residential School Survivors who have accepted the Christian Faith plus the Reverends; Pastors; and other Church Leaders in each of your communities. THANK YOU !

For further information; the Contact Numbers are as follows:

• Phone No. (807) 535-2620
• Fax No. (807) 535-1152
• mikemorris@knet.ca

Mike Morris
Signatory to Treaty 9
Kitchenuhmaykoosib Nation
Kasabonika Lake Reserve

WAWATAY RADIO BROADCAST No. 2 Feb. 8/ 06

God Bless !

If you fail to deliver the warning; they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs. Ezekiel 3:18

I will be talking about the Agreement-in-Principle which was signed on November 20, 2005 by Canada; four (4) Churches; AFN; and some Legal Firms. The Honourable Frank Iacobucci must submit his Report for the final Comprehensive Settlement Package to Stephen Harper’s Cabinet on March 31, 2006. THE PLAN is to provide the Common Experience Payment of $ 10,000.00 plus $ 3,000.00 for each year to each Residential School Survivors who was alive on May 30, 2005.

I will not be talking about the Money as that matter is being dealt with by AFN; NAN; and our First Nation leaders. I will only make one comment for our leaders. The leaders must address the issue of Canada, our Treaty Partner, coming to our Nation and taking our Children away to their Residential School. Treaty 9 was broken by Canada. As NAN spent a lot of our money on their recent Treaty Conference; the Grand Chief must provide his Position Paper on this issue.

I want to talk to the Residential School Christian Survivors.

The Major Problem for the Christian Survivors is that over 50,000 helpless Indigenous Children were killed at these 130 Residential Schools which operated across Canada for 122 years. By accepting the offered Compensation Funds; the Survivors are being paid to accept that this Genocide ( Murder ) is only “ Certain Harms and Abuses ”. THIS IS WRONG ! ! ! The Crimes of Genocide is still Murder.

For the Survivors who have accepted the Christian Faith; we must understand what is happening. Even if we don’t say or do anything and our Fellow Survivors accept the offered Compensation Funds; their acceptance will signify our own acceptance.

WHAT will the Survivors be accepting ?

1. We will be accepting the murder of over 50,000 helpless Indigenous Children as just “ Certain Harms and Abuses ”. The Residential School Policy ( which created the Residential Schools where these Indigenous Children were killed ) was one of Canada’s Policies for our People. We will also be accepting the Policy which resulted in the loss of over 50,000 Souls. The Survivors become Accomplices to what happened.

2. We will become Party to the process whereby the 6^th Commandment is not applied to these Murders. If we do this; One Elder has stated that we are condemning our own souls to Hell. I don’t fully understand this teaching but I appreciate the concern. As the Survivors who have accepted the Christian Faith; we cannot ignore the 6^th Commandment and only accept the other nine ( 9 ) Commandments. Personally, I need help on this Issue.

3. Our own People will have paid 6.25 Cents of each and every Dollar of these offered Compensation Funds that you will receive. Our own People ( your Fellow Survivors ; your families ) will be paying for your misery. WHY are our own People paying ? Did our own People send us to these Residential Schools ?

4. You are being paid for your Forgiveness. Once you have spent this money; your Residential School Issues will still remain with you.
WHAT have our own People done to the Survivors ?
WHAT are our own People paying us to forgive them for ?

Example:

1. If you get paid $ 19,000.00 - $10,000.00 for the Common Experience Payment plus $ 9,000.00 ( $ 3,000.00/Year x 3 Years ).
2. Canada pays 75 % or $ 14,250.00.
3. The four ( 4 ) Churches pay 25 % or $ 4,750.00.
4. The Anglican Church pays 25 % or $ 1,187.50.

5. You will be required to forget about those Survivors who have passed on as of May 29, 2005. You will be required to forget about their own misery plus the misery of their families. We have five ( 5 ) Survivors who have passed on as of May 29, 2005.

I don’t know about the rest of you but the killing of over 50,000 Children plus the life-long difficulties of the Survivors is much more than just “ Certain Harms and Abuses ”. What was allowed at these Residential Schools was Murder and goes against the 6^th Commandment.

As one (1) Survivor who has accepted the Christian Faith; I find it very difficult to accept the offered Compensation Funds – at this time. If being paid and accepting the Murder of over 50,000 helpless Indigenous Children means Eternal Damnation; We need HELP to make the Right Choice.

We need help with resolving these Spiritual Issues.

We need help from those Residential School Survivors who are Pastors and Reverends. Our Plan is to hold the Residential School Christian Survivors Forum at Sioux Lookout on February 21-23, 2006. Detailed Information about the Christian Survivors Forum is provided with The Notice ( in the February 9^th Wawatay Newspaper edition ).

If you are Residential School Survivor who is a Pastor or Reverend – we need your help !

You are invited to participate but you are required to pay for your own expenses. We might have Special Wasaya Fares and the Sunset Inn has provided Special Room Rates.

WE NEED FINANCIAL HELP for the following:

1. $ 2,000.00 for Reverend Kevin Annett – Author of HIDDEN FROM HISTORY.

2. $ 932.00 for the Meeting Room Costs.

3. $ 238.00 for The Notice.

4. $ 250.00 for Wawatay Radio.

5. $ 1,500.00 for the Sound/Recording Equipment.

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL CHRISTIAN SURVIVORS FORUM: February 21-23, 2006

1. AGENDA for DAY ONE

• Opening Prayer

• Approval of Agenda

• Presentation by Reverend Kevin Annett:

Author of HIDDEN FROM HISTORY: The Canadian Holocaust. The Untold Story of the Genocide of Aboriginal Peoples by the State and Church in Canada; A Summary of an Ongoing, Independent Inquiry into the Canadian Native

“ Residential Schools ” and their Legacy.

• Coffee Break

• The Bible: The 6th Commandment – “ thou shalt not kill ”

1. Does the 6th Commandment apply to what happened to over

50,000 Indigenous Children at these Residential Schools ?

2. Are we breaking the 6th Commandment when we accept the

offered Compensation Funds ?

• Lunch Break

3. Are we condoning Murder when we accept these monies ?

4. Can we ignore the 6th Commandment and only accept the other nine ( 9 ) Commandments ?

• Coffee Break

5. Are we condemning our souls to Hell when we accept the offered Compensation Funds ?

6. How should “ breaking ” the 6th Commandment be applied to Canada ? to the Churches ?

• Closing Prayer

2. AGENDA for DAY TWO

• Opening Prayer

• The Purpose of the Residential Schools vs God’s Plan

1. Are we agreeing to The Purpose ( to kill the Indian within the Indian ) of the Residential Schools when we accept the Compensation Funds ?

2. Are we agreeing with the Assimilation Policies of Canada ?

3. Are we agreeing that God’s Plan for our People is wrong ?

• Coffee Break

• Crimes of Genocide ( Murder ) vs Certain Harms and Abuses

1. Is Genocide acceptable for helpless Indigenous Children ?

2. Is Genocide just “ Certain Harms and Abuses ” ?

3. Should this Genocide be addressed by The Apology from Canada at the United Nations ?

• Lunch Break

• Contributions to the four ( 4 ) Church’s Compensation Fund

1. Is it right to pay for your own misery ?

2. Is it right to pay your Fellow Survivors for their misery ?

3. What are our People paying for ?

4. Did our People send us to these Residential Schools ?

• Coffee Break

• May 29, 2005 vs May 30, 2005

1. Do we forget about those Residential School Survivors who have passed on as of May 29, 2005 ?

2. Do we deny their suffering ?

3. Do we deny their family’s suffering ?

4. What will happen to the accepted concept of Intergenerational Impacts of the Residential School System upon our Families, children and grandchildren ?

• Closing Prayer

3. AGENDA for DAY THREE

• Opening Prayer

• Forgiveness

1. Who are the Survivors expected to forgive ?

2. What Wrongs are the Survivors expected to forgive ?

How should Forgiveness be demonstrated ?

1. By Canada

2. By the four ( 4 ) Churches

3. By Fellow Survivors.

4. WHAT are our own People paying us to forgive them for ?
5. WHAT have our own People done to the Survivors ?

• Coffee Break

• Presentations on Forgiveness

1. Arch Deacon Alec Fox

2. Other Pastors and Reverends

• Lunch Break

• Plan of Action

• Closing Prayer
  
  

The Canadian Holocaust: Crimes Perpetuated Against

Aboriginal Peoples

These Offenses occurred at ten ( 10 ) Residential Schools in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario between 1992 to the present time and were perpetuated against Aboriginal children, youth and adults by the clergy, staff, government agents, medical personnel and police. These crimes were experienced and/or witnessed by thirty-eight (38) Aboriginal Survivors and attested to by fifty-one (51) other persons. These crimes were also verified by documentation and evidence from Church, government and police archives. More than 50,000 Indigenous children died from these crimes.

1. Murder, by beating, poisoning, hanging, starvation, strangulation, electric shocks, medical experiments, being thrown from windows and being kicked or thrown down stairs.

2. Criminal negligence.

3. Rape, by individuals and groups, encourage and abetted by staff.

4. Sexual molestation on a routine and daily basis.

5. Daily, unprovoked, systematic beatings, by staff and clergy using whips, sticks, horse harnesses, iron bars, table legs, studded leather straps, pool cues and bare fists.

6. Routine administering of electric shocks to children as young as five as a punishment and disciplinary device and for demonstration ” purposes to visiting Church and government officials.

7. Daily administering of electro-convulsive shocks to the heads of children and youth, under the supervision of doctors, social workers, clergy and the RCMP.

8. Prolonged and deliberate exposure of children as young as five to X-ray radiation, causing subsequent illness and death.

9. Other forms of regular mental and physical torture on children as young as five, as punishment for bed-wetting, speaking Aboriginal languages, or not obeying instructions, including:

1. Tightening fish twine around boy’s penises,

2. Sticking needles into children’s tongues, ears and penises,

3. Forcing children’s heads into toilets and making them eat excrement,

4. Holding children over open graves and burying them alive,

5. Telling children their parents are dead and that they were about to be killed,

6. Stripping children naked in front of the assembled school and physically and sexually degrading them,

7. Ripping the hair from their heads,

8. Smashing their heads against concrete and wooden surfaces, resulting in permanent debilitation, including mental retardation,

9. Forcing them to stand in ice water for hours on end,

10. Forcing them to sleep outside in the middle of winter, and

11. Forcing them to strangle or beat kittens and rabbits to death, and then eat the remains.

10. Medical experimentation on children as young as five ( without consent or parental knowledge ), causing illness and deaths, including:

a. Receiving injections of penicillin and tuberculosis toxins, and other experimental drugs,

b. Skin grafting and other forms of eugenics,

c. Deliberate exposure to communicable diseases, especially tuberculosis,

d. Prolonged exposure to radiation,

e. Sexually sterilizing males and females,

f. Behaviour modification and mind control methods, including sensory deprivation, electric shocks and prolonged isolation, and,

g. Prolonged exposure to sub-zero cold while naked.

11. Regularly operating on children’s teeth without using any pain killer or anesthesia.

12. Slave Labour of children as young as five in fieldwork, domestic servitude and manual labour for as much as sixteen hours a day, including the common practice of “ renting out ” children to local farmers and merchants as unpaid workers in return for kick-backs to the School Principal.

13. Involuntary sexual sterilization of males and females upon their reaching puberty, as a matter of policy, in programs funded by Indian Affairs Department and operated by United Church and Roman Catholic missionary doctors in Church hospitals.

14. Involuntary sexual sterilization of non-Christian Aboriginals as a matter of policy and as punishment for refusing to convert to Christian denomination or to attend United Church, Anglican or Roman Catholic services, according to a “ quota system ” required by the federal government.

15. Deliberating contaminating children with tuberculosis and other infectious diseases by forcing them to sleep with others who were infected, in unventilated, locked dormitories, and forcing then to eat fetid and contaminated food; and concealing their resulting deaths from their parents through cover stories and false death records.

16. As a matter of regular practice, Inducing abortions in young women made pregnant by rape by school staff, clergy and visiting officials, causing miscarriages and deaths; and coercing women into abortions through threats and violence.

17. Deliberately killing the newborn babies of such pregnant mothers, along with the mothers, in order not to implicate the fathers; and burying the remains of mother and child in secret burial sites on Residential School and Church property; and subsequently falsifying school, government and mortuary documents to erase any record of these murdered persons.

18. Regularly drugging and involuntarily hospitalizing students and other eyewitnesses to murder, and other crimes by staff and clergy.

19. Illegal administering of drugs by staff and clergy not medically trained or competent, without the consent or knowledge of those persons drugged or their parents, causing illness and deaths.

20. Forcing children to walk by and observe the dead bodies of so-called “ suicide ” victims who were in fact murdered by staff and clergy.

21. Forcing children to routinely inhale gas until they passed out or died.

22. Involuntarily removing gold teeth from children and adults, and removing entire sets of teeth from others, without anesthesia.

23. Mass removal of organs and of appendixes, adenoids, and other glands for experimental purposes, causing deaths.

24. Kidnapping and imprisoning children as young as three on Church and Residential School property, denying parents access to them or knowledge of their location, in order to:

a. extort money from these parents

b. blackmail Native elders and parents into signing over land titles and resources

c. force parents and Native elders to bring all their children into the Residential Schools

d. “ rent out ” these children in secret pedophile rings, and

e. force parents and elders to convert to Christianity and comply with genocidal laws and practices

25. Regularly forcing children as young as three to eat spoiled and unhealthy food, including maggot-filled and regurgitated food, in direct violation of existing contractual obligations to the government, causing illness and death.

26. Deliberately denying food and water to children as young as three, for as much as three days or more, causing illness and deaths.

27. Physically confining children as young as three in small closets with no ventilation, for periods of more than one week, causing illness and deaths.

28. Forcing children and youths to engage in physical combat and sexual activity with each other, on threat of torture, causing severe injuries and deaths.

29. Forcing children as young as four to line up and perform oral sex on male staff and clergy, including the Principal, and making other children watch.

30. Forcing naked children as young as five to crawl down a line of other students and be beaten by them with belts, whips and sticks, causing severe injuries and deaths ( “ The Gauntlet” ).

31. Denying medical care and attention of any kind to sick and dying children, made ill by bad food and other deliberate practices by staff, and refusing to notify doctors and police officials of these sick and injured children, causing deaths which were then concealed from their parents and falsified on school, government and mortuary records.

32. As a matter of policy and standard practice, forcing children as young as three to live in and be confined to permanently sub-standard, unsafe and unhealthy conditions, in school dormitories and hospital wards, lacking heat, sanitation and ventilation which were prone to fires, causing illnesses and deaths.

33. Illegally consigning children as young as three to non-Native persons connected to organized pedophile rings, and concealing the children’s fate through police, Church and government complicity.

34. Illegally consigning children as young as three to adoption agencies, hospitals, private clinics and non-Native foster homes, for reasons unknown, and subsequently concealing the fate of these children.

35. Obstruction of justice and of police investigations.

36. Blackmailing, threatening and killing witnesses to these and other crimes.

37. Displacing Aboriginal families from their traditional lands, including by evicting non-Christian Natives from their homes and “ squatting ” Church-affiliated Natives on this territory, causing multi-generational conflict, genocide, poverty and abuse in virtually every Native community.

38. Illegally obtaining, selling and speculating in ancestral Native land and its resources, against the laws and wishes of traditional elders, and concealing these acts through intimidating, jailing and killing Native elders and other eyewitnesses.

39. Involuntarily transferring children as young as three to foreign regions, contrary to the provisions of the Indian Act and against the wishes of their parents, and concealing their location and fate from their parents.

40. Forcing children as young as three into Residential Schools and hospitals without first obtaining the consent or written release of their guardianship rights as required under federal law.

41. Operating a regime of terror against non-Christian Aboriginals and others resisting European colonialism, through private constables and police forces under the control of clergy of the United, Presbyterian, Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, with government consent.

42. From at least 1933 to the present day, operating secret pedophile rings for government, Church, judicial, police and Native officials, using children as young as three from Indian reserves and Residential schools; and concealing these child sex rings and the resulting deaths of these children through intimidation, murder, falsifying records and the active complicity of the most senior officials of the judiciary, Churches, RCMP and the federal government.

43. During the same period, using children from these sex rings in cultritual and sacrificial practices operated by wealthy men, both Aboriginal and Caucasian, especially in the regions around Victoria, BC, Thunder Bay, Ontario and Manitoulin Island, Ontario, and in connection with drug trafficking networks operated by Native leaders using Department of Indian Affairs money.

44. Secretly “ loaning out ” children from Residential Schools and reserves as live test subjects to pharmaceutical companies like Bayer and Upjohn Ltd., and to other corporations, in collaboration with Cornell University and the researchers from the US Department of Defense, through formal agreements between these agencies and the Roman Catholic and United Churches.

45. Continuing to medically experiment on Aboriginal People without their informed consent by indiscriminately forcing on them vaccinations, sterilizing agents and other lethal substances, under the guise of public health programs.

46. Systematically concealing all of these crimes, by murder, falsifying official records, destroying medical records, government and Church correspondence, and other evidence, and disinterring human remains, with the institutionalized collusions of the RCMP, medical personnel, government officials, and Church leaders.

The evidence and testimonies indicating these Crimes were obtained between October 14, 1994 and January31, 2001 from 158 Survivors of these and other Crimes against Humanity.

This evidence was compiled from:

1. Personal interviews.

2. Written affidavits.

3. Videotaped recordings.

4. Public Forums:

a. The Justice in the Valley Commission of Inquiry into Crimes

Against First Nations

Convened in Port Alberni, B. C.

December 1994

b. The Circle of Justice Healing Circle

Vancouver, B. C.

July 1997 to September 1998

c. The Tribunal of the International Human Rights Association

of American Minorities ( an affiliate of the United Nations )

Vancouver, B. C.

June 12 –14, 1998

Reverend Kevin Daniel Annett, B. A., M. A., M. Div.
Advisor and Researcher
The Truth Commission into Genocide in Canada
Vancouver, B. C.
February 1, 2001
1-888-265-1007 ( in Canada only )

On Wednesday, Feb 8 representatives from Health Canada's First Nation and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) met in Balmertown with representatives from Keewaytinook Okimakanak, the KO Telehealth team, Assembly of First Nations and Nishnawbe Aski Nation. Joining the meeting by video were:

• Dr. Valerie Gideon and Eugene Nicholas from AFN in Ottawa,
• Dr. Ed Brown from NORTH Network in Toronto,
• Miriam Johnston from the Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy in Toronto,
• Al Garman, Richard Leikkari and Mark Lavigne from FNIHB in Ottawa
• Dr. John Hogenbirk, Laurentian U in Sudbury (and a grad student)
• Dr. Ricardo Ramirez and Andres Ibanez at Guelph U
• Sandy Lake Telehealth and Health Services team for a demonstration
• Brian Beaton, K-Net Services in Sioux Lookout.

The full day meeting quickly became a discussion about the development and sustainability of the KO Telehealth service when FNIHB announced a four month bridge funding strategy to continue the existing services. The KOTH team will be meeting with their First Nation partners and the leadership over the next few months to determine their support for the continued operation of the KO Telehealth service.

It is still hoped that the new government will support the Aboriginal health blueprint introduced in Kelowna through the creation of a new program to fund telehealth services.

Click here to check out the pictures from this meeting.

Sioux Lookout District Chiefs Meeting: February 21-22-23,   Travelodge Hotel Airlane in Thunder Bay, Ontario The meeting will be broadcasted live via Wawatay Radio. For more information contact: Charlene Dyment 1-800-842-0681 or Charlene.Dyment@nodin.on.ca

Upcoming live call-in radio show on Wawatay Radio for Monday, February, 13, 2005 with Janet Gordon, Joe Beardy and Anna Mckay

Embrace Life Conference invites current, past, and new volunteers to attend the VOLUNTEER meeting.

February 13, 2006 @ 10:00 A.M
Luncheon to follow.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Office (3rd floor in Victoriaville Mall, Thunder Bay)

If you are interested in volunteering during the NAN Embrace Life Conference, which will be held March 7, 8, 9, 2006 please attend this meeting.

*If you are unable to attend the meeting, you are welcome to help when you attend the conference. There will be people in charge delegating responsibilites.

Volunteers are required for various responsibilities throughout the conference including:  COOKING, KITCHEN HELP-food preparation, SET UP & CLEAN UP, DRIVING-to pick up and deliver needed items, SECURITY, ELDER SUPPORT, CHILD CARE, as well other jobs.

If you have any questions please call Wilfred Moonias at (807) 623-8228.

AFN Press Release ...

National Chief Welcomes Health Council of Canada's Support of Blueprint on Aboriginal Health

OTTAWA, Feb. 7 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine welcomed the Health Council of Canada's strong endorsement of the Blueprint on Aboriginal Health process, contained in today's Second Annual Report to Canadians, Health Care Renewal in Canada: Clearing the Road to Quality.

"The Health Council recognizes that the urgent need to close the gap in poor health between First Nations and the rest of Canada can only be achieved through collaborative action," said National Chief Fontaine. "Over the past year, the Assembly of First Nations, based on input from First Nations regions and communities, developed a detailed First Nations-specific framework to the Blueprint on Aboriginal Health. This Framework received support from all provincial premiers and territorial leaders at the First Ministers Meeting in Kelowna."

The Blueprint on Aboriginal Health was a commitment first made by First Ministers and Aboriginal leaders in September, 2004. The AFN's contribution can be found at www.afn.ca
"It is reassuring that independent experts of the Health Council of Canada have closely examined the Blueprint and have recognized its 'historic importance' and 'tremendous potential' to improve Aboriginal health in the next decade," said the National Chief. "Canada's new Minister of Health, Tony Clement, has already informed the AFN that he is prepared to move forward on working through the details of the Blueprint. I look forward to our first face-to-face meeting in the coming weeks."

The First Nations Framework includes many transformative elements that can achieve common objectives identified by the Health Council of Canada: improving waiting times, protecting patient safety, building First Nations health human resources capacity, and clarifying roles and responsibilities among federal, provincial, territorial and First Nations governments. Reducing waiting times is a key priority for the new federal government and for all Canadians.

"New investments will be necessary to achieve the Blueprint's objectives," stated National Chief Fontaine, "Without securing the additional funding announced last November, the First Nations health system will be capped, resulting in funding shortfalls, which will translate to reduced, deferred, or the elimination of necessary services."

It is the AFN's position that a holistic approach addressing all health determinants is the long term strategy needed to ensure lasting and meaningful progress on addressing the gap in health status between First Nations and other residents of Canada.

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

-30-

For further information:

• Bryan Hendry, AFN, Health and Social Communications, (613) 241-6789, ext. 229 or cell (613) 293-6106;
• 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;
• Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief; (613) 241-6789 ext. 243 or cell (613) 298-6382

Dr. Roger Strasser distributed the following letter requesting Letter of Interest from qualifying First Nations to host the second NOSM "Follow Your Dreams" workshop scheduled for August 1-3, 2006. The deadline for submitting your LOI is February 18.

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

January 24, 2006

Dear Chief and Council:

Re:  Letter of Interest:  “Follow Your Dreams”, Follow-up Workshop

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM) is pleased to announce a second Aboriginal Workshop to be held on August 1, 2 and 3, 2006.  This workshop, will serve the Northern Ontario School of Medical as a blueprint for Aboriginal input in a follow-up from the “Follow Your Dreams” Workshop held in Wauzhushk Onigum in June 2003.

One of the key recommendations from the “Follow Your Dreams” Workshop was to establish an Aboriginal Reference Group.  This Group is made up of representatives from various Northern Ontario Aboriginal Communities and Organizations.  It has been working with the Director of Aboriginal Affairs to plan the follow-up workshop to the “Follow Your Dreams” Workshop held in June 2003. 

The Aboriginal Reference Group has appointed a steering committee for the planning of the Workshop. The Steering Committee consists of representatives from the Aboriginal Reference Group and the staff at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

The purpose of this Workshop is to inform the Aboriginal peoples of the progress made by the School and to provide a forum for continuing dialogue with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Our objectives for this workshop are as follows:

1. Provide a forum for Aboriginal peoples to communicate ongoing desired role within NOSM.
2. Provide an update of activities to date from the “Follow Your Dreams” workshop.
3. Evaluate NOSM progress in relation to its Aboriginal partners.

The Steering Committee is requesting a Letter of Interest from communities who are interested in hosting this Workshop. 

Listed below are the minimum criteria a Community would need in order to be considered for hosting the Workshop:

• Demonstrated involvement and/or interest in the Northern Ontario School of Medicine
• Demonstrated knowledge of Aboriginal issues around Health Research and Education
• Accommodations for at least 100 people or a short driving distance from the meeting site
• Facilities/meeting rooms for large and small group sessions to accommodate 100
• Catering of all meals and refreshments for all participants
• Evening Cultural Activities
• Event staff and security
• Transportation to and from the event site
• Audio/Visual equipment
• Broadband, connectivity, high speed internet, video conferencing capabilities (considered an asset)

All submissions are welcome and will be reviewed by the Steering Committee responsible for the coordination of the Workshop.

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is committed to its partners.  Please forward your Letter of Interest to the Steering Committee by February 18, 2006.

Attention:  Steering Committee
c/o Cathy Powell, Executive Assistant – Vice Dean, Academic Activities
Northern Ontario School of Medicine
ATAC Building 6th floor
955 Oliver Road
Thunder Bay, ON  P7B 5E1
(807) 766-7391
cathy.powell@normed.ca

Sincerely,

Dr. Roger Strasser
Founding Dean and Professor
Northern Ontario School of Medicine

CONGRATULATIONS TO PEGGY SANDERS who has been named to the Order of Canada along with other distinguished member of Canadian society. Peggy is well-deserving of this honour with all her community work and caring ways!

56 named to Order of Canada - Feb. 6, 2006.

OTTAWA (CP) - The Order of Canada has 56 new appointees.

The award, established in 1967, is Canada's highest honour for lifetime achievment in a variety of fields.

The appointees will be formally inducted into the order in a ceremony at a later date, says a statement from the office of Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

Along with Peggy, others joining the ranks this year include Maggie Hodgson who worked tirelessly with the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, David Suzuki who works on increasing awareness about the environment, Mike Lazaridis, president of Blackberry-creator Research in Motion, business mogul Gerald Schwartz and award-winning author Margaret MacMillan.

Appointed as campanions:

• Bernard Ostry, Toronto, public service.
• David Suzuki, Vancouver, environment.

Appointed as officers:

• Parzival Copes, West Vancouver, social sciences.
• Rev. Jean-Paul Desbiens, St-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Que., education.
• Frank Hawthorne, Winnipeg, science.
• Maggie Hodgson, Edmonton, social service.
• Mike Lazaridis, Waterloo, Ont., industry / commerce / business.
• Margaret MacMillan, Toronto, education.
• Frederick Mannix, Calgary, industry/commerce/business.
• Gudrun Parker, Montreal, arts/film.
• Timothy Parsons, Brentwood Bay, B.C., science.
• Susan Point, Vancouver, arts/visual.
• Gerald Schwartz, Toronto, industry/commerce/business.
• Mary May Simon, Manotick, Ont., public service.
• Pierre Viens, Neuville, Que., health care.
• John Wedge, Toronto, health care.
• Lynn Williams, Toronto, labour relations.

Appointed as members:

• Peggy Baker, Toronto, arts/stage/dance.
• Marjorie Bencz, Edmonton, social service.
• Walter Borden, Halifax, arts/stage.
• Bruce Buchanan, West Vancouver, voluntary service.
• Jack Chiang, Kingston, Ont., voluntary service.
• Sam John Ciccolini, Woodbridge, Ont., voluntary service.
• Ronald Cleminson, Ottawa, public service.
• Steven Cummings, Westmount, Que., voluntary service.
• Jon Dellandrea, Oxford, England, and Toronto, education.
• Louise Dennys, Toronto, communications.
• Paterson Ferns, Victoria, arts/film.
• David Fraser, Vancouver, science.
• Anne Archibald Fraser, Victoria, Calgary, and Halifax, voluntary service.
• Richard Garneau, Montreal, communications/sports.
• Sonny Greenwich, Vaudreuil, Que., arts/music.
• Christopher Harris, Ottawa, voluntary service.
• Wanda Koop, Winnipeg, arts/visual.
• Jacques Lacoursiere, Beauport, Que., writing/history.
• Helmut Lanziner, North Vancouver, engineering.
• Vincent Lemieux, Sainte-Foy, Que., social sciences.
• Michael Macklem, Ottawa, communications.
• Daphne Marlatt, Vancouver, arts/writing.
• Lorna Marsden, Toronto, education/administration.
• Randall Moffat, Winnipeg, industry/commerce/business.
• Sister Susan Moran, Toronto, social service.
• Willy Norris, Calgary, science.
• Bruce Oland, Halifax, voluntary service.
• Laurence Pathy, Westmount, Que. industry / commerce / business.
• Susan Patten, St. John's, Nfld., industry / commerce / business.
• Daniel Paul, Halifax, social service.
• Suzanne Pedicelli, LaSalle, Que., voluntary service.
• Rev. Jean Pochat-Cotilloux, N.W.T, religion / education / administration.
• Nazmuddin Rayani, Victoria, voluntary service.
• Clayton Ruby, Toronto, law.
• Margaret Anne Sanders, Sioux Lookout, Ont., voluntary service.
• Gordon Slade, Mount Pearl, Nfld., heritage.
• George Walker, Toronto, arts/writing.
• Frederick Wiegand, Westmount, Que., voluntary service.

Appointed as an honourary member:

• Salome Bey, Toronto, arts/music.

Seven Generations Hockey Tournament was a success this past weekend!! 

Many teams traveled to Thunder Bay last week Feb 2-5, 2006 for the tournament. There were 6 divisions (Tykes, Novice, Atoms, Peewee, Bantom and Midget) ranging from 4 - 17 year olds. 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE PARTICIPATING TEAMS!!!

A side Champions included:

• Tyke – Lac Seul Moose 
  • Runner up – Michikan Lake
• Novice – Lac Seul Moose
  • Runner up – Fort William
• Atom – Lac Seul Bruins
  • Runner up – Ginoogaming
• Peewee – Neskantaga
  • Runner up – Fort William
• Bantam – Constance Lake
  • Runner up – Ginoogaming
• Midget –  Fort William
  • Runner up – Lac Seul

B side  Champions included:

• Novice – Weagamow Lake
  • Runner up – Gull Bay
• Atom – Fort William
  • Runner up – Eabametoong
• Peewee – Constance Lake
  • Runner up –Lac Seul
• Bantam – Constance Lake
  • Runner Up – Lac Seul
• Midget – Sandy Lake
  • Runner up – Ginoogaming