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As the AFN plans their legal options in regard to the appeal, filed in Saskatchewan, between the federal government and the Merchant Law Group, INAC Minister Prentice states in the press release below, "The Government strongly believes that the matter of the verification of the fees payable to the Merchant Law Group need not, nor should not, delay the implementation of the Settlement Agreement."

INAC press release ...

Minister Prentice Provides Update on the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement
 
OTTAWA (January 31, 2007) - The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, and Minister Responsible for Indian Residential Schools Resolution Canada, today provided an update on the progress made by Canada's New Government toward a fair and lasting resolution of the legacy of Indian Residential Schools.

"Since taking office, Canada's New Government has taken all the steps necessary to ensure that the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement is approved and implemented as quickly as possible," said Minister Prentice.

The Settlement Agreement requires the approval of the Courts in nine jurisdictions across Canada, and the Government is pleased to confirm that the Settlement Agreement has now been substantially approved by those Courts. "We anticipate that the formal approval of the Settlement Agreement may proceed in the coming weeks, and that we will in turn move further toward implementation of the Agreement with the commencement of the Opt-Out Period in the next few months," said Minister Prentice.

In recognition of the age of many former students, and in recognition of the length of time required for the approval of the Settlement Agreement, the Government launched an Advance Payment Program on May 10, 2006, for elderly former students who were 65 or older when the Settlement Agreement negotiations began on May 30, 2005. "I am proud to report that the Advance Payment Program, which ended on December 31, 2006, has provided $8,000 to each of 9,938 elderly former students who resided at Indian Residential Schools, totalling $79.5 Million," noted Minister Prentice.

Among other things, the Settlement Agreement provides for a Common Experience Payment to all former students who resided at an eligible Indian Residential School. Applications for the Common Experience Payment will be processed in accordance with the Settlement Agreement, and all applications will be verified against the Government's records. In cases where records are unavailable, other means of establishing the residency of a former student at a particular Indian Residential School will be possible.

The Settlement Agreement also provides for the payment of fees to legal counsel who represented former students in the Settlement Agreement negotiation process, and in many cases for some years prior to the beginning of the negotiations, for their work on behalf of former students. The Settlement Agreement sets out a verification process for all legal fees to be verified and approved by the Courts.

"The Government believes that it is important for all elements of the Settlement Agreement, including the payment of fees to legal counsel, to be subject to appropriate verification and approval by the Courts," noted Minister Prentice.

"Given that former students need to prove that they resided at an eligible Indian Residential School to receive a Common Experience Payment, it is only reasonable and appropriate that legal counsel should have their bills verified as well. Further, this is part of the agreement that the Merchant Law Group negotiated," said Minister Prentice.

Accordingly, the Government recently filed an appeal of the decision by the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench, respectfully seeking that the matter of the fees payable to the Merchant Law Group be verified by the Court in accordance with the Settlement Agreement. The Government strongly believes that the matter of the verification of the fees payable to the Merchant Law Group need not, nor should not, delay the implementation of the Settlement Agreement.

For more information, please contact:

Deirdra McCracken
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Jim Prentice
(819) 997-0002

The monetary value of developing some natural resources for short term gain verus maintaining and protecting the environment for the long term benefit of all concerned is presented in the report produced by the Canadian Boreal Initiative. During a CBC radio interview a local Inuit resident explained his position with the simple statement, "Today, I have very little but with healthy environment and all that nature provides for us, I, along with my children and all future generations will be able to survive for thousands of years."

Press release ...

Natural Wealth Of The Mackenzie Region Close To $500 Billion, Says Report

OTTAWA, Jan. 31 - The natural Wealth of the Mackenzie Region is close to $500 billion, according to a report released today by the Canadian Boreal Initiative (CBI).

The report, The Real Wealth of the Mackenzie Region, authored by two ecological economists Sara Wilson and Mark Anielski, estimates the ecological goods and services provided by nature in the Mackenzie watershed region to be 10 times the total economic value generated by natural capital extraction industries and other activities within the watershed.

"With this new study we have a stronger basis for demonstrating the value of Boreal conservation in efforts to combat climate change", said Larry Innes, acting Director of the Canadian Boreal Initiative. "Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time. Maintaining natural cycles and enhancing this huge carbon 'bank account' in the Boreal region should be seen as a part of the solution. The value of the Boreal forest as a sustainable storehouse of carbon shows that Boreal conservation is critical to the fight against global warming."

The study considered 17 ecosystem services, including the value of carbon uptake and storage. The Mackenzie region is part of the Boreal Forest, the world's largest terrestrial storehouse of carbon, making it one of the world's best defenses against global climate change.

"This report is the first watershed-based natural capital review in Canada, if not the world", said Mark Anielski. "Canadians want sustainable development, but we also value clean air, clean water, and the countless other services that nature provides. Our country has been richly endowed, but these ecological services do not count towards our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) - the traditional measure of economic progress. We need to start counting the value of our natural capital so we can make informed stewardship decisions that balance broader ecosystem and cultural values with sustainable economic growth."

The values of the Mackenzie watershed for the Boreal forest and other land covers are preliminarily estimated at $448 billion per annum if they were in pristine condition, that is, undamaged by industrial and human disturbance. The estimated GDP of the Mackenzie driven mostly by the extraction of mining, oil, gas, forestry and agricultural sectors watershed was estimated at $41 billion in 2005.

Based in Ottawa, CBI brings together diverse partners to create new solutions for Boreal conservation and acts as a catalyst by supporting a variety of on-the-ground efforts across the Boreal by governments, industry, First Nations, conservation groups, major retailers, financial institutions and others.

The executive summary and full report are available on the CBI website: www.borealcanada.ca

For further information: Christine Choury, Director of Communications, (613) 230-4739, ext 222, Cell: (613) 355-6513; Andrew Dumbrille, Canadian Boreal Initiative, (613) 762-2525

Status:  Short-term Service Contract Position

Location:  Sioux Lookout, ON

Position:  Workshop Facilitator - March 2007

Responsibility:

The primary responsibility is to facilitate a three-day training session on the newly developed Healthy Families Healthy Nations Curriculum.  The curriculum is based on family violence prevention.  Participants will consist of service providers from the remote First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario.  The goal of the training is to teach northern service providers to deliver the Healthy Families Healthy Nations Curriculum in their home communities.

Description:

• facilitate a three-day training session to adult participants
• deliver material in an appropriate culturally sensitive manner
• knowledge of adult learning principles and techniques, particularly related to facilitation, presentation and delivery skills
• facilitator may need to adapt their style or approach to match the learning style of the individual or group
• respond appropriately to participant's needs for clarification or feedback
• motivate and empower participants through positive reinforcement
• support and encourage the learning process of participants

Requirements:

• employment experience as a facilitator is a must
• education/experience in the social work field would be an asset
• culturally sensitive and knowledgeable about First Nation and family violence issues
• excellent planning and presentation skills
• ability to effectively lead groups
• effective communication skills
• fluency in Ojibway/Oji-Cree language would be an asset

Deadline:  Friday February 16, 2007.

Please submit an outline of your experience as a facilitator.  Include your fees for service, expectations and details of past accomplishments.

Bids can be sent to:

Equay-wuk (Women's Group)

16 Fourth Avenue North

P.O.Box 1781

Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1C4

Fax:  (807) 737-2699

or

Email:   equaywuk@nwconx.net

Funding provided by the Government of Ontario.  The views expressed herein are those of Equay-wuk (Women's Group) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Government of Ontario.

A DISTRICT ( F.N. ) Hockey Tournament is scheduled for April 2 - 7th, 2007 at the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena!

It has three ( 3 ) separate divisions, including

• youth ( 16 - 24 years )
• Girls / Womens( 16 and up ) hockey Division
• Men's "elite"

In the mens hockey division is an "elite" division( junior and "AAA" calibre of play ) which has an open ice body checking!

The whole idea for this hockey tournament is attract a family atmosphere, and activities for the whole family ... men can sit in bleachers with their children and watch "MOM" play hockey! She scores!!!

Book a team now...visit our homepage at http://www.districthockey.myknet.org

More rules and regulations will be posted soon.

Thank you, and hope to see you all there!

Press release ....

Cree Singer Performs on Hockey Night in Canada

Date: 2007-01-30

On Saturday, February 3rd at 8pm (MST) the National Anthem will be sung in Cree by 13 year old Akina Shirt on CBC Hockey Night In Canada. Show your support by tuning in as she opens the Calgary Flames game against Vancouver Canucks.

For more information on Akina see: www.akinashirt.com. Inquiries about Akina's Music are welcomed at by Jean or Dale at: Phone: (780) 433-9692 or: info@akinashirt.com.

Ontario government press release ...

New Mill Proposal Could Create Jobs And Investment In The Northeast

CHAPLEAU - January 30, 2007 - The Ontario government is working to strengthen the economy of northeastern Ontario by making cedar resources available for a proposed new processing facility that could create about 40 new jobs, Deputy Premier George Smitherman announced today on behalf of Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay.

“This proposed new facility would provide new jobs and bolster the local economy for Chapleau and neighbouring communities,” said Smitherman. “Our government is working to increase prosperity and opportunities for Ontarians.”

Approximately 128,000 cubic metres per year of cedar are currently under-utilized in northeastern Ontario. The allocation of this wood supply is a first key step that could result in an infusion of millions of dollars for land, buildings and equipment, as well as an ongoing contribution to the economy of northeastern Ontario through operation of new facilities.

Cree-Tech Inc. has been chosen as a successful proponent in the competition for cedar, announced in February 2006. It proposes to construct a sawmill in the community of Chapleau that, if built and operating, could create about 40 new jobs. The company plans to use its allocation of 60,000 cubic metres per year to produce a variety of value-added lumber products, such as siding, door and window components, mouldings and logs for log home construction.

“We were extremely pleased with the positive response from our call for proposals and were impressed with the tremendous effort made by the proponents,” said Ramsay. “If Cree-Tech is successful in bringing its proposal to fruition, it will provide an important boost to the local economy.”

“I am delighted that our company was successful in this process, and look forward to moving ahead with our plans,” said Wade Cachagee, president of Cree-Tech. “With this allocation of wood, we’ve taken the first step in our proposal to build a facility that would provide local employment and make value-added wood products.”

This is just the latest example of how the McGuinty government is working to create a stronger and more prosperous north. Other initiatives include:

• Making more than $1 billion available over five years in assistance to the forest industry
• Securing almost $80 million in investment based on accumulated government support of about $15.5 million through programs administered by the Forest Sector Competitiveness Secretariat
• Investments since October 2003 by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation totalling $187 million.

Federal government press release ...

2007 Canada Day Poster Challenge

Each year, students 18 years of age and under are invited to take part in the Canada Day Poster Challenge by designing a poster that illustrates their pride in Canada and in being Canadian. This year’s theme is A Portrait of Canada: Celebrating 140 Years.

The 13 provincial and territorial finalists will win a trip to Ottawa to celebrate Canada Day on Parliament Hill. In addition, the winning entry will become the official poster of Celebrate Canada! which includes:

• National Aboriginal Day, June 21
• Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, June 24
• Canadian Multiculturalism Day, June 27
• Canada Day, July 1

From June to September, the Canadian Children’s Museum at the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau, Quebec, exhibits the artwork of all 13 provincial/territorial finalists.

The deadline for submitting a poster, along with an entry form, is February 28, 2007.

Click here to download a print-friendly version of the Poster Challenge brochure.

The 2007 Canada Day Poster Challenge is underway! This year,we have even more reason to celebrate because 2007 is the 140th anniversary of Canada’s Confederation.To mark this special birthday, this year’s theme is A Portrait of Canada: Celebrating 140 years.

We invite you to illustrate how the people, places and events of the past 140 years have shaped our nation. Think about how Canada has evolved through significant social, cultural and historical achievements and technological innovations.There are countless reasons why we can be proud to be Canadian, from our country’s magnificent natural beauty to its unique cultural diversity, from our many national heroes to Canada’s place in the world as a model of democracy and freedom.

So show us what Canada means to you! We challenge you to design an original poster that brings together significant elements from our past and present.You could win great prizes including an exciting 3-day trip to the National Capital Region to take part in the Canada Day celebrations.

Best of all, the winning entry will become the official poster of “Celebrate Canada!”, a celebration across the country that includes National Aboriginal Day, June 21; Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, June 24; Canadian Multiculturalism Day, June 27; and Canada Day, July 1.

The artwork of the 13 provincial and territorial finalists will be part of a special exhibit from June to September 2007 at the Canadian Children’s Museum located in the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Gatineau,Quebec.

For more information, fun games and activities, and additional resources, visit the Poster Challenge Web site at: www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/affiche-poster

Pelican Falls 3rd Annual

Mixed Volleyball Tournament

3 guys 3 gals

Saturday, February 24th

$150.00 entry fee

contact Duane Ogemah 737-1283 work 582-3908 home

Everyone is invited to share their myknet story and experiences within the online discussion forum at http://meeting.knet.ca/moodle/mod/forum/view.php?f=263 ...

Please encourage other people you know who use MyKnet for their homepage to join these discussions as well so they too can share their myknet experiences within this online sharing space.

The K-Net team is working with three graduate students who are writing a paper about MyKnet. Adam Fiser (Toronto), Philipp Budka (Vienna) and Brandi Bell (Montreal) are interested in speaking with as many people as possible who have been using MyKnet over the years or who began using MyKnet and are now using some other service for their homepage.

If all goes well MyKnet will be featured in a special "Social Network" edition of the Journal of Computer Mediated Communications alongside Myspace and Youtube.

The three PhD graduate candidates would like to spend some time with you online (email, chat) or over the phone, to discuss your experience with MyKnet?  Their deadline for producing this paper is February 28th.

They are trying to address three major themes in their paper:

 1) The History of MyKnet.
 2) The Role of Youth.
 3) Cultural issues and opportunities.

They want to talk with and hear from as many of MyKnet's pioneer users and innovators and write the paper using as many original voices as they can. Maybe you could suggest some other people for them to contact as well?

Please visit their research site on the meeting space.
http://meeting.knet.ca/moodle/mod/forum/view.php?f=263.

It would be GREAT if you would be willing to share your MyKnet story and experience with others within this online discussion. You need to sign up for a Meeting Space account if you do not already have one.

This opportunity would really help them with their paper and let others know about your work on myknet!

Thanks for your help with this work!

NAN press release ...

Ontario Attacks Aboriginal and Treaty Rights in Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) Litigation

THUNDER BAY, ON, Jan. 29 - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) spokesperson John Cutfeet are outraged by the Government of Ontario's attack on Aboriginal and treaty rights during Friday's court proceeding in the case of KI vs. Platinex.

"Ontario's legal argument dismisses constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights based on First Nation culture and spiritual connection to the land," said KI spokesperson John Cutfeet after the third court proceeding since Toronto-based mining company Platinex sued his northern First Nation community for $10 billion after they requested drilling equipment be removed from their traditional territory last Spring. "The mining act is an outdated piece of legislation, whereby the McGuinty government grants permits without consulting the First peoples where lands will be affected by the various impacts of mining. The McGuinty government claims the provincial mining act trumps all constitutionally protected rights recognized under section 35 of the Canadian constitution for all First Nations."

Government of Ontario lawyer Owen Young argued for intervener status in Thunder Bay's Ontario Superior Court Friday January 26, 2007.

"It's clear the McGuinty government has a twisted interpretation of the spirit and intent of James Bay Treaty 9, not to mention sixteen years of Supreme Court decisions that have ruled for consultation and accommodation with First Nations prior to land exploration, let alone drilling," said NAN Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler.

Despite a community declared moratorium on resource development recent Supreme Court rulings to consult and accommodate, including Mikisew (November 2005), Platinex received permission from the Government of Ontario to drill in KI territory February 2006.

KI brought a constitutional challenge to the Ontario Mining Act June 2006, claiming the Act fails to prioritize Aboriginal and Treaty rights deeming it unconstitutional.

In July an Ontario Superior Court decision halted Platinex from drilling in KI territory until the mining company and Province of Ontario fulfil obligations to consult with the First Nation community. In this decision, Justice Patrick Smith specifically referenced the impacts of mining on not only the right of First Nations to fish, hunt, and trap, but also on impacts to the cultural and spiritual connection to the land.

The next scheduled date for court proceedings is April 2, 2007 in Thunder Bay.

KI is a signatory to the 1929 adhesion of James Bay Treaty 9. The community is located approximately 600 km north of Sioux Lookout.

For further information: Jenna Young, NAN Director of Communications at (807) 625-4952; or John Cutfeet, KI Spokesperson at (807) 627-9062