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AFN press release 

AFN Regional Chief Urges Government to Increase Funding and Allow Critical Input on Employment, Training Programs and Economic Development in Federal Budget

OTTAWA, Feb. 18 - In order to address persistently low employment rates, First Nations must increase their involvement in the decision-making process on the design, development, and delivery of employment and training programs. The AFN's 2008 federal pre- budget submission calls for at least $1.3 billion to close the growing gap in education, employment and training funding.

The following two articles demonstrate that provincial governments are finally recognizing the importance and value of working cooperatively with First Nations to ensure economic opportunities can grow in their regions ...

From the National Post

Making aboriginals part of the new Saskatchewan economy

Brad Wall, Premier of Saskatchewan - February 18, 2008

From CBC News online

ARDOCH ALGONQUIN FIRST NATION press release

From the National Post series Rethinking the Reserve

In Cape Breton, a success story - Membertou First Nation shows the way from poverty to riches

Allison Hanes, February 15, 2008

From property taxes to private schools, condos to casinos: How a new generation of aboriginal people is trading reliance on government for a return to self-sufficiency. This is the final instalment in a five-part series examining solutions to the challenges that plague the reserve system.

More and more young people are sharing their stories online, using the different social networks and by producing short videos that are posted online for others to watch and learn about their struggles and experiences. Now the students and staff at the Eel Ground First Nation school have won an important national award recognizing their work (see the story below).

The school is now fundraising to continue their Drama Club by selling DVD copies of their production, The Simon Bishop Story.

For more information about their production, contact the principal at

The Timmins Daily Press

Support for school testy topic

Keith Lacey

Should city councillors in Timmins be voicing their opinion about how senior levels of government conduct their business in remote communities hundreds of miles away?

From CNEWS

Environmentalists raise concerns over mining claims in Ont. boreal forest

By Michael Oliveira, THE CANADIAN PRESS
    
TORONTO - The approval of a new De Beers Canada exploration project and some 1,500 other mining claims in Ontario's northern boreal forest suggests the provincial government is putting the interests of the mining industry before the concerns of the region's residents, environmentalists said Wednesday.

Philipp Budka, a doctoral candidate at the University of Vienna, is in Sioux Lookout this week. He is interviewing people, meeting with organizations and First Nation community members to discuss how they are using MyKnet.org. This visit is Philipp's third visit to northwestern Ontario. He is traveling north to Fort Severn and Sandy Lake First Nation over the next two weeks. He is hoping to complete his doctoral thesis this year.

From the Winnipeg Free Press

Abandoned grand plan cost $55M - Nothing to show for run at native self-government

By Mia Rabson, Feb 12 2008

"It was a grand experiment, but it failed," said Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Association of Manitoba Chiefs. "Nobody wanted to upset the apple cart."