Media.Knet.Ca

OTF press release  

The following statement from Australia's parliament highlights the importance of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for recognizing and respecting First Nations everywhere. Only the Canada's Conservative government remains against this declaration as President Obama pledged to examine his country's support for this important declaration.

KO and its partners on the VideoCom research project have been successful in two grant proposals to continue the work for at least another three years. The project is focused on video communications (videoconferencing and online video) in remote and rural First Nation communities.

K-Net and KORI have played a key role in the project since it began in 2006 and will continue in the next phase, now funded to 2012.

If you want to see direct evidence of racism towards First Nations with lots of "blaming the victim" and "shooting the messenger", just scan the comments made by Canadians about this story. Those of us living and working in the north with First Nations have always known these realities and now, thanks to Dr. Smylie, who took the time to come and work in Sioux Lookout and in the north, her research is highlighting the inadequacies and inequalities in the delivery health services in First Nations.

From the Globe and Mail Opinion

Time to invest in aboriginal infrastructure

VERA PAWIS TABOBONDUNG - March 31, 2009

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate Release

(SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – MARCH 31st, 2009): Local gamers who are in search of new challenges will soon be able to get first crack at some new titles that can’t be found in stores. Members of the community are being invited to come out and play video games that have been designed by Algoma University students. The free event will take place on Wednesday April 1st from 1pm to 2:30pm in computer lab NW203 on the Algoma University campus.

From Canwest News

Aboriginals 'astoundingly poorer' than other ethnic minorities: Study

By Shanon Proudfoot, Canwest News Service - March 30, 2009

The income gap between aboriginals and other Canadians is so wide it should trump concerns about other ethnic disparities in this country, a Canadian economist says.

The Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak are meeting this week (March 30 and 31) in Thunder Bay at the Valhalla Inn.

The Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak form the board of directors of the organization providing direction to the staff for the development and operation of the programs and servics that address their First Nation needs and priorities.

First Nation representatives attending this week's meeting include:

From the Community Power Fund

Grant Profiles

Windward Co-operative Homes is a federal housing co-op on the Toronto waterfront. Last fall, they successfully completed a feasibility study for a solar thermal installation, which was funded by the Community Power Fund. Now they have been approved for a project development grant for $47,000 to complete the remaining development work and they hope to begin construction in April of this year.

From Toronto Star

Air ambulances a lifeline for the North - Ontario's air ambulance system, Ornge, is critical for the 800,000 people living north of Sudbury

March 29, 2009 - Megan Ogilvie - HEALTH REPORTER

SIOUX LOOKOUT, ONT. – The King Air 200 grinds to a stop.

Within moments, Marc-André Charbonneau cracks open the door of the twin-engine turboprop and steps onto the gravel strip.

It is dark and cold and still.