Media.Knet.Ca

NAN press release ...

NAN and Kakegamic Family Disappointed with Decision by Chief Coroner to Deny Appeal

THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 4 - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler together with Margaret and Isaac Kakegamic are disappointed with the decision of the Chief Coroner to deny the appeal made for an inquest into the death of Max Kakegamic.

"This is just another example of how the system has failed Max and his family at every level. There seems to be a double standard when it comes to applying these laws on First Nations. There is no consistent application of rules," said Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler who, together with Margaret and Isaac Kakegamic, appealed a previous regional decision to deny an inquest to Chief Coroner Dr. Barry McLellan on March 27, 2006. "This would have been a good case for an inquest."

North Spirit Lake First Nation community member Max Kakegamic was killed on the streets of Kenora October 4, 2000. When the case went to trial January 2004, charges against the only suspect were stayed because of irregularities in the investigation. Kenora Police Services' Lloyd White, Tom Favreau, and Const. Chris Ratchford were cited for police misconduct in the ruling by Superior Court Justice Peter Hambly.

Kenora Police Services confirmed with NAN shortly after the 2004 judgement the investigation into the death of Max Kakegamic was not proceeding.

"We had hoped the appeal would have been approved. We have been waiting for answers for the last six years and we really thought this was going to be our opportunity to get those answers. It's difficult for our family to heal without knowing that justice has been served," said Max's mother Margaret Kakegamic from her home in North Sprit Lake First Nation - one of 49 communities part of NAN.

Among the reasons cited in Chief Coroner Dr. McLellan's letter denying the appeal was that in this case he did not feel a jury would be in a position to make recommendations that would help the avoidance of death in similar circumstances nor did he feel it was desirable for the public to be fully informed of the circumstances of the death through an inquest.

For further information: Kristy Hankila, Communications Assistant, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625 4902, (807) 472 9604 (mobile.); Kimberly Murray, Executive Director, Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto, (416) 408-4041 ext 225

Conference announcement and Call for presentations ...

Promising Practices in the North Workshop 2007
with a focus on: 
Behavioural Difficulties and Early Intervention & Screening

Goal: 

The workshop will provide an educational and networking experience for caregivers and professionals who support youth living in northern and rural Canada.

Focus of the Workshop

• Behavioural Difficulties
  Examples:  conduct disorder, aggressive & disruptive behaviour, juvenile offenders, substance abuse, and behaviour management strategies
• Early Intervention  &  Screening
  Examples:  development milestones, small and large motor, nutrition, speech and language,  social development and healthy development

Anticipated Audience
·             Families/caregivers
·             Community service providers
·             Education providers
·             Health care providers
·             Early Childhood Educators
·             Remote, rural and Northern community members

Workshop Date:  March 22 & 23, 2007 at the Valhalla Inn, Thunder Bay. 

Hours:  Thursday 9am to 4pm & Friday 9am to 3:30 pm

Workshop Displays/Posters:

Vendors and service providers will be invited to have a display or poster presentation.  Please complete page 2 to register (see attached).  

How to submit your proposal (deadline January 22, 2007).

1. Complete page 2 (see attached) and submit via fax or mail to the contact information listed below.   
2. Please attach a 150-300 word summary of your presentation to this application.

Videoconferencing:  It is our goal to have the workshop sessions presented to remote and northern communities through video conference and online (webcast) technologies which will archive sessions to be available for viewing at any time.   Currently, our team is negotiating to have  videoconferencing available for the first time.  Details will follow.

Presentations should:

1. Provide access to evidence-based information.
2. Promote culturally appropriate theories, models, and strategies. 
3. Reduce isolation by increasing networks of rural, remote and northern resources. 
4. Educate the audience about interventions that can be immediately implemented.
5. Initiate dialogue and exploration about the unique needs of families in the North.

Please contact Jodi with further questions.

Jodi Kurzhals, Site Coordinator
Centre of Excellence for Children and Adolescents with Special Needs
Learning and Communication
955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON  P7B 5E1
Phone:  807.343.8196
Fax:  807.346.7956
Email: jodi.kurzhals@lakeheadu.ca
Website:  www.lcnorth.ca  and www.coespecialneeds.ca