AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE

Amnesty International re: jailing of Algonquin leader

February 18, 2008

Canada: Algonquin leader faces jail time while Ontario government ignores the law

Amnesty International expressed its concern today over the sentencing of Ardoch Algonquin First Nation negotiator Bob Lovelace to six months in jail and a fine of $25,000 for his role in a protest over uranium exploration on disputed land in eastern Ontario.

Ignorance and protection of the status quo (ie. their comfortable and unsustainable lifestyles) seem to be more the themes of the following published material from the National Post

Kevin Libin: The lip service must end

February 22, 2008

February 22, 2008

From Canadian Mining Journal

CANADIAN MINING PERSPECTIVES: Aboriginal unrest and responsibility

By: Marilyn Scales, Wednesday, February 20, 2008

More and more, Canada's aboriginal communities are taking an active interest in the country's mineral industries. They protest exploration on lands they believe are theirs. They condemn the environmental record of mining.

From CBC News

Rankin Inlet remains in state of emergency after power failure - Non-essential services stay closed as crews attempt to fix generator

February 21, 2008

The Nunavut hamlet of Rankin Inlet remained in a state of emergency Thursday after three of the community's four diesel electricity generators failed.

All schools, Nunavut government offices and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. offices are closed Thursday and only emergency services are running.

Press release ... 

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service Photo Contest

Shutterbugs Wanted

Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service is having a photographic competition. All employees of N.A.P.S., uniform or civilian, can submit any number of photographs with a chance to win great cash and prizes.

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Toronto Rock Captain and Northern Links are searching for a remote First Nation for Lacrosse Camps and Equipment!

Jim Veltman, Captain of Toronto Rock has approached Northern Links for assistance in seeking a Northern, Remote Aboriginal Community to donate his time to Lacrosse Camps and lacrosse equipment. It is preferred the community is remote and have access to an arena and/or outdoor box.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak's Health. Telemedicine (KOTM) and Kuhkenak Network (K-Net) program representatives met with the Chiefs of Ontario's (COO) Knowledge Management Advisory Group (KMAG) to discuss their strategy for integrating First Nation public health information with the provincial system as one step in the process for moving patient information online. The following article in Monday's Globe and Mail highlights some of the benefits of this development.

Two AFN Press Releases on this gathering ... 

Legal experts question Canada's arguments against the UN Declaration

VANCOUVER, Feb. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, on the second day of the symposium Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples a panel of international law experts will discuss Canada's stance on the UN Declaration. "The Declaration and Canadian Law" panel begins at 9:15 a.m.

From the Fort Frances Times