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Update - Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) Program

New application deadline - May 1st, 2007

This important new program is moving forward.  To date, 19 applicants have been recommended to Brock University for admission.  Between now and May 1st, the Program Management Committee hopes to find 11 more qualified candidates.  Anyone with Grade 12 (or the GED) and is interested in a career in education, is encouraged to apply.

The start date for the program has been delayed to the fall of 2007 by which time the accreditation process will be complete.  This is a community-based program.  First year courses will be face-to-face in Sioux Lookout - three weeks in November, February, May and July for a total of 12 weeks.  In the following years, the program will be a mixture of both face-to-face and distance education courses so that students will spend less time away from their communities.

Those interested can get the application forms from Brian Hawker  bhawker@nnec.on.ca .  Email is the best way to communicate with the B.Ed. office but applicants are welcome to call Brian toll free at  1-877-636-0667, ext. 25.

Why not think about it?  If you enjoy learning, you could become a fully qualified teacher and also eligible for other careers in education - adult education, curriculum development, youth worker, recreation planning and so on.   This program emphasizes both First Nations' values, culture and languages while giving teacher candidates the academic skills to teach anywhere in the province of Ontario.

Do you have questions?  Email or call Brian.  Do it now!

Brian Hawker, M.A.
Coordinator, B.Ed. Program
Northern Nishnawbe Education Council
P.O. Box 1419, 21 King Street
Sioux Lookout, ON, P8T 1B9

(807) 737-8859, ext. 25
toll free 1-877-636-0667, ext. 25
fax: (807) 737-2769
cell: (807) 737-0734

From http://www.cbc.ca/cp/health/070125/x012515A.html

Ontario targets aboriginal youth to reduce smoking rates among teens

Thursday, January 25, 2007 - Canadian Press: KEITH LESLIE

TORONTO (CP) - The number of aboriginal youth in Canada who smoke is three to four times higher than those of non-aboriginal teens, but the federal government is not helping Ontario's efforts to curb their tobacco use, Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson said Thursday.

Statistics from a 2003 Canada-wide survey found 61 per cent of aboriginal girls between ages 15 and 17 smoke, compared with the provincial average of 15 per cent, while 47 per cent of aboriginal boys smoke, compared with 13 per cent of non-aboriginal males in the same age group.

Other figures from Health Canada show the majority of aboriginal adults smoke, and that 52 per cent of them picked up the habit between the ages of 13 and 16.

Watson said Ontario's smoke-free strategy is being hindered by the federal government's refusal to stop reserves from passing their own bylaws allowing smoking.

"The feds indicated they're not prepared to take action to allow enforcement of these kinds of laws, which is regrettable," Watson said.

"The challenge we face is that this is larger than simply a health issue - it's a constitutional issue."

Dr. Malcolm King of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research said aboriginal youth smoking rates are a concern, and suggested the teens themselves would be the best ones to devise a public awareness campaign to help their peers kick the habit.

King also said Ontario would be wise to stick to its plan to work with aboriginal communities and forget about trying to get Ottawa to enforce a smoking ban on reserves.

"It's probably going to be more rewarding to work with First Nations and convince them to take the action that they need rather than externally imposing regulations," King said from Edmonton.

"From what I've seen, those kinds of approaches don't generally work that well."

Watson visited an aboriginal health centre in downtown Toronto on Thursday to announce a public awareness campaign that will target young aboriginals with radio spots as well as pamphlets and posters in five languages.

"One of the things that we have not done a good job of in the past is communicating in the language of the people we're trying to reach," he said.

"The federal government could be more co-operative, but at the end of the day, if we can't get their co-operation we will work with First Nations and aboriginal communities, like we are with this program."

Fiona Blondin of Anishinawbe Health Toronto said aboriginal teenagers need to be made aware of the dangers of tobacco and second-hand smoke.

"Our experience leads us to believe that there's a real overwhelming need in our community for prevention and for campaigns that focus in on prevention," Blondin said.

Dan Waboose, who performed a traditional drum ceremony at Watson's announcement, noted aboriginals have a long history of using tobacco in ceremonies, but said young people shouldn't confuse those spiritual uses with the abuse of commercial tobacco products.

"Modern cigarettes are filled with many, many toxins and poisons," Waboose said.

"It's important that we teach our people about tobacco."

The government says tobacco-related diseases cost the Ontario health-care system at least $1.7 billion annually.

Dr. John McLaughlin of Cancer Care Ontario said the public awareness campaign will be a critical step towards convincing young aboriginals about the dangers of smoking.

"This plan and the communities of aboriginal people have really helped to define new ways of thinking about the problem and helping us to deal with it," McLaughlin said.

"The use of commercial tobacco is the cause of more preventable deaths than anything else."

Tobacco companies complain they've been losing business to illegal cigarette sales, and say almost all black-market smokes sold in Canada are manufactured on aboriginal reserves.

Watson said Ontario has taken "a much more aggressive stand" in cracking down on illegal cigarette sales and manufacturing on reserves, "but clearly we still have a challenge with tobacco leaving the reserve and illegal tobacco products."

Ontario is also organizing an aboriginal tobacco strategy youth summit in Toronto in March to develop action plans to fight smoking.

AFN press release ...

Partnerships for Prosperity: National Chief Phil Fontaine Signs Memorandums of Understanding at National Aboriginal Economic Development Symposium in Saskatoon

OTTAWA, Jan. 24 - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine signed Memorandums of Understanding with Bell Canada and Siemens Canada at the AFN's Corporate Challenge Dinner last night in Saskatoon.

"In order to close the gap in poverty, First Nations must build partnerships for prosperity with corporate Canada," said National Chief Fontaine. "These Memorandums of Understanding with Bell Canada and Siemens Canada are a significant signal that two of the world's largest companies recognize the potential economic benefits of working closely with First Nations.

"The First Nations population is growing at a rate twice as fast as the rest of Canada," noted the National Chief. "Half of our population of 750,000 is 23 years of age or younger. We must take the initiatives now to create opportunities for this generation, and for our children, in order to break the cycle of poverty and despair that seems to grow worse each day."

The National Chief has challenged corporate Canada to establish, enhance, and increase their activities with First Nations governments and business in order to fully realize employment and economic growth potentials. "I know some of original partners like Adobe, Grand River Enterprises, SIXTech Information Management, Encana and Enbridge join with me in welcoming the latest partners to our corporate table."

"We are very pleased to be working with National Chief Fontaine and the Assembly of First Nations on initiating new projects and partnerships," said Gary Cameron, Vice President Professional Services, Bell ICT Solutions. "In particular, we believe that the ability of First Nations, government and the private sector to harness information technology will ultimately create significant and sustainable economic development opportunities for First Nations."

Added Frank Suraci, Aboriginal Relations Manager for Siemens Canada: "We are very excited to be working closely in partnership with First Nations communities and the AFN. We want to help realize the unlimited potentials of a growing First Nations' population in developing socio-economic programs and technology infrastructure that will enhance wellness, economic development and community growth."

Ken Hill, CEO of SIXTech stated: "Bringing our partner Adobe, one of the world's largest software companies to the AFN's corporate table a year ago was a real accomplishment and I am thrilled to see so many other corporations now accepting the National Chief's challenge. These companies can all make a positive difference in First Nations communities and I look forward to contributing to the success of the National Chief's vision."

"We look forward to many more companies - large and small - accepting our Corporate Challenge," commented the National Chief. "I look forward to reporting upon significant progress in the months and years and to come."

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

For further information: ON-SITE: Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief, Cell: (613) 298-6382 or npine@afn.ca;. Bryan Hendry, AFN, A/Communications Director, (613) 241-6789 ext. 229 or Cell: (613) 293-6106, bhendry@afn.ca.

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Federal government press release ...

Canada's new Government Signs Agreement with Siemens to Increase Aboriginal Employment and Economic Opportunities

SASKATOON (January 24, 2007) – Rod Bruinooge, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Frank Suraci, Director of the Aboriginal Sector at Siemens Canada Limited, on behalf of President and CEO Guenther Scholz, today signed an agreement to work together on the development of a partnership for Aboriginal employment.

"Canada's New Government is proud to sign an Aboriginal Workplace Partnership agreement with Siemens Canada, which will recruit, retain and promote Aboriginal employees," said Parliamentary Secretary Bruinooge. "By partnering with Siemens, we will be providing opportunities for Aboriginal people to enter careers in business, science and the skilled trades."

The parties agree to work together to generate opportunities that can provide mutual benefits for Aboriginal people, the Government of Canada and Siemens Canada. They will focus on identifying and working to eliminate barriers in the workplace that limit Aboriginal employment opportunities, and supporting career and business development projects for Aboriginal youth.

"Our strategy considers not only the technologies required for clean water, health care, telehealth and wireless connectivity, but also requires Siemens to build local capacities to maintain and operate these systems," said Mr. Scholz. "We are committed to developing infrastructure that fosters employment, economic development and community growth."

Today's signing took place at the National Symposium on Aboriginal Economic Development, hosted by the Province of Saskatchewan, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and the Clarence Campeau Development Fund. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is also a member of the Saskatchewan Government Working Group that organized the event, whose theme is "Excellence in Action: Best Practices in First Nation, Métis and Inuit Economic Development."

The Government of Canada, through the Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative (AWPI), promotes employment partnership agreements throughout the country. AWPI is part of the federal government's commitment to help Aboriginal people build stronger, healthier and more self-reliant communities by increasing their participation in the labour market.

Siemens is one of the largest and most diversified companies in the world, providing innovations in areas such as automation and control, power, transportation, medical, information and communications, and lighting. In Canada, Siemens is headquartered in Mississauga, Ont., with more than 7,500 employees located in 76 offices and seven major manufacturing facilities.

For more information, please contact:

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Media Relations at (819) 953-1160

Backgrounder - Aboriginal Workforce Participation Initiative