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CHIEFS OF ONTARIO press release

Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples report calls on federal government to remove decade old cap on First Nations post-secondary funding

     TORONTO, Feb. 13 /CNW/ - "No Higher Priority - Aboriginal Post-Secondary Education in Canada" is the title of an important report tabled in Parliament this week by the Standing Committee on Aboriginal Peoples and Northern Development. The report recommends the immediate removal of the 2% cap on Aboriginal post-secondary education spending which has been in place since 1996.

     "Federal post-secondary support has not kept pace with inflation, population increases, or provincial spending for post-secondary education" stated Ontario Regional Chief Angus Toulouse. He further added that "the recommendation by the Standing Committee to remove this discretionary cap is the most significant measure which the federal government can implement to ensure more First Nations people have the opportunity to access post-secondary education."

     "No Higher Priority" also calls upon provincial governments to address accreditation and funding challenges facing First Nations controlled post-secondary institutions. The Regional Chief pointed out that First Nations controlled post-secondary institutions in Ontario have proven to be more effective for First Nations students than mainstream colleges and universities. "It is time to ensure that First Nations controlled post secondary institutions are able to take their proper place alongside provincially recognized colleges and universities as equal partners" states Regional Chief Toulouse.

     Regional Chief Toulouse identified the ongoing jurisdictional disputes between the federal and provincial governments' is a detriment to addressing the issues, as neither level of government accepts responsibility for the issue of First Nations post-secondary institutions. The Regional Chief further noted that the recommendations and proposals contained within the report provide a reasonable foundation for addressing the gaps which exist in First Nations post-secondary education. "I want to express my appreciation to the members of the Standing Committee for this report and for encouraging all parties in the House to work cooperatively and expeditiously to ensure the implementation of the proposals and recommendations."

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/For further information: Pam Hunter, Communications Advisor, (905) 683-0322 or (613) 203-3233/

Northern Ontario School of Medicine press release - February 13, 2007
 
Northern Ontario Aboriginal Communities Prepare to Host Medical Students

Today, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine hosts the “Sharing Experiences” workshop.  Representatives of the 28 Aboriginal communities which will host first-year medical students are meeting at the School’s West and East campuses.  

From April 30 to May 25, 2007, first year NOSM students will spend four weeks on placement in remote and rural Aboriginal communities in Northern Ontario.  Workshop participants include the Local Community Coordinators (LCCs) who will provide liaison between NOSM and the students.  The LCCs represent the three major treaty organizations, Métis Nation of Ontario and health access centres of Northern Ontario. 

The two-day “Sharing Experiences” workshop provides participants with an overview of NOSM and its unique mandate and curriculum.  Experiences and lessons learned from last year’s placements will be discussed and applied to the development of weekly student schedules for the 2007 placements.  In addition, participants will tour the NOSM facilities and meet the students and many faculty members. 

The community placements enable medical students to learn the clinical skills required for the curriculum and examine the roles of health care providers in rural and remote settings.  Placements occur in clinical settings such as urgent care, after hours clinics, youth and school programs, substance abuse centres, outpatient settings with RNs, MDs and visiting health care professionals.

Culturally-focused activities are also a large aspect of the community placements.  Students will participate in activities such as feasts, hunting and fishing.  NOSM Director of Aboriginal Affairs, Orpah McKenzie, says the students will gain an understanding of the relevance of community culture to lifestyle and health.  “Immersion in these remote, rural Aboriginal communities broadens students’ cultural awareness and strengthens their communications skills,” she explains. “These are integral skills for effective medical practice in Northern Ontario.”   

Throughout their four years of medical school, NOSM students will experience several placements in Northern Ontario communities, and these placements in Aboriginal communities mark the first placement for first-year students.  NOSM’s Director of Undergraduate Medical Education Programs, Marie Matte says students receive the widest possible experience through distributed learning.  “Community based education ensures that students gain a diversity of clinical knowledge and skills, as well as experience for themselves the special features of Northern Ontario.”  

The Northern Ontario School of Medicine is a pioneering faculty of medicine. The School is a joint initiative of Lakehead and Laurentian Universities with main campuses in Thunder Bay and Sudbury, and multiple teaching and research sites across Northern Ontario. By educating skilled physicians and undertaking health research suited to community needs, the School will become a cornerstone of community health care in Northern Ontario.

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For further information, contact:
Tracie Smith
Communications Officer - West
807-766-7314
Tracie.Smith@normed.ca

Yonaniko Grenon
Communications Officer - East
705-662-7243
Yonaniko.Grenon@normed.ca

Pelican Falls Ladies Broomball Tournament

March 3, 4

Entry Fee $200.00

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