Archive - 2007

December 20th

Ontario Lieutenant Governor and police launch 2008 book drive for aboriginal youth in remote First Nations

Press release ...

Lieutenant Governor announces book drive for aboriginal youth

    TORONTO, Dec. 19 - The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, announced a book drive for aboriginal youth  in the Lieutenant Governor's suite at Queen's Park.

    In the tradition of former-Lieutenant Governor James Bartleman, the Honourable David C. Onley launched the book drive that will begin on Tuesday, January 1st, and last until Friday, January 18th. Only brand new children's books will be collected during this drive.

Race-based study results in media headline stating "Canadian aboriginals come out on top"

Race based research and mainstream media coverage presented in this article shows how little is still understood about First Nations by academics and urban Canadians. This type of material seems to be more about how to keep First Nations poor by helping Canadians believe that everything is okay. Any study comparing groups of indigenous people from different countries is just about looking at the disadvantaged in our society. Using a survey tool that is intended for a completely different purpose definitely produces some interesting conclusions for some people.

December 19th

Ontario Winter Roads Program Connects Remote Communities with 2,944 km of seasonal roads

Ontario News Release - Ministry of Northern Development and Mines

Province Invests In Better Access To Services And Supplies For Ontario’s Far North

TORONTO – December 19, 2007 - Communities in Ontario’s Far North will benefit again this year through investments by the Ontario government under the winter roads construction program, Northern Development and Mines Minister Michael Gravelle announced today.

Canada Health Infoway to provide 100% funding for some First Nation Telehealth initiatives

AFN press release ...

Assembly of First Nations and Canada Health Infoway Funding Decision Transforms First Nations Access to Health Care

OTTAWA, Dec. 19 - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine congratulates Canada Health Infoway's (Infoway) Board of Directors for its decision to provide 100 per cent funding to First Nations telehealth projects linked to existing projects within provinces and territories.

December 18th

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug leaders concerned about AFN agreements with mining groups

Open Letter Submitted by Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) Leadership

Phil Fontaine, National Chief
Assembly of First Nations
Trebla Building
473 Albert Street, Suite 810
Ottawa, Ontario
K1R 5B4

December 12, 2007

Dear Chief Fontaine,

RE: Protecting our Customary Homelands

December 17th

NAN Decade annouces Seven Sacred Teachings Youth Gathering 2008 in Thunder Bay

The NAN Decade Youth Council and Decade for Youth & Development will be hosting

the Seven Sacred Teachings Youth Gathering

from January 31st - February 3rd, 2008.

The third annual gathering will take place in Thunder Bay, ON at the Best Western Nor'Wester Resort Hotel. The gathering will provide an opportunity for youth, community workers, and traditional teachers to come together to share and learn about our culture, traditions, and living healthy lifestyles.

First Nations SchoolNet presents rich broadband online applications with other INAC programs

First Nations SchoolNet's three thematic videoconference information sessions are now available online in Windows Media format for everyone to view.

Along with INAC's Economic Development Branch and Northern Programs, the First Nations SchoolNet program hosted a series of three thematic videoconference information sessions about rich broadband telecommunication applications addressing the following subjects (click on the session to view):

December 16th

Aboriginal title of First Nation traditional territory court ruling being challenged by Harper government

From the Globe and Mail ...

William land-claims decision contested

JUSTINE HUNTER - December 15, 2007 - VICTORIA -- The federal and B.C. governments yesterday set the stage for an appeal of a landmark native land-claims decision, brushing aside an offer for a temporary truce that would have allowed time to negotiate a settlement out of court.

First Nation land use plans documenting development regions and traditional actiivities required

AFN resolution past at last week's assembly concerning "the free-entry system in the southern N.W.T. should be replaced by land-use plans that show prospectors in advance where development will be welcomed" would be an excellent addition to an overhauled Ontario Mining Act.

From Google News ...