Media.Knet.Ca

From the Canadian Press

May 19, 2008

Legal fees, expenses and mystery band eat up millions in native Rama cash

OTTAWA — Millions of Casino Rama dollars meant to help lift First Nations out of poverty have been swallowed by legal fees, unexplained expenses and payments to at least one band that doesn't officially exist, suggest newly released audits.

YOUTH RALLY

There will be a Youth Rally at Pelican Falls Centre on Thursday May 29, 2008 starting 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Friday May 30 starting 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Main speaker is Darius Ferris. Calstock

Muscians are Roger Stevenson & Band.

Contact Info: Rosalie Davis - 737 - 3369

                      Helen Littledeer - 737 - 7474

                      Eunice Kakakayash - 737 - 2596

Ministry of Northern Development and Mines News Release

Action Begins On Development Of Northern Growth Plan

May 16, 2008

McGuinty Government Kicks Off Growth Planning

Over the next year, Northern Ontario residents, youth, Aboriginal peoples, community leaders, business and industry leaders and other experts will have a range of opportunities to participate in the development of a draft Growth Plan for Northern Ontario.

Penny Carpenter, K-Net's Business Manager and Tina Kakepetum-Schultz, KOTM's Community Liaison presented at the NE LHIN Aboriginal Summit, “A New Health Environment” that was held in North Bay on May 14 and 15. 

From Northeastern Ontario LHIN 13 web site

 Thunder Bay Youth Rally May 19, 2008.

 A shuttle bus will be departing at 9:00 am from Victoriaville Centre, 600 Victoria Avenue East, Archibald entrance. People who require a ride to the correctional centre are asked to be at Victoriaville at 8:30 am.

9:00 am   Leaving for the Correctional Centre

10:00 am - 12:00 pm  Youth Rally

12:30 pm -   4:00 pm  Youth Forum @ Fort William Community Centre, Fort William Reserve

From Wawatay's Sagatay magazine

Videoconferencing connects remote communities

Videoconferencing is like a winter road network that is open all year. As with the winter roads, videoconferencing is vital to northern communities. People use it to connect in real-time and face-to-face. But instead of travelling, they stay in their own communities and talk with people in other communities on a television screen.

From the Toronto Star

Fund to aid native groups in talks

May 16, 2008 - Robert Benzie

The Ontario government is creating a $25 million fund to help aboriginal communities hire lawyers and other advisers to "level the playing field" in treaty and business negotiations with Ottawa, the province and resource firms.

A heroic grandmother and her grandson are the victims of an early Saturday morning fire in Sandy Lake First Nation.

The grandmother was able to get her elderly mother to safety before re-entering the burning house in search of her grandson. Neither were able to escape the blaze.

The community along with family and friends from other remote communities are coming together to support those affected by this tradegy.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved!

Press release 

Jailed Algonquin Leader Begins Hunger Strike - Second Algonquin Chief Going to Jail - McGuinty Government Does Nothing

For Immediate Release - May 15, 2008(NNW) – On February 15, 2008 Ardoch Algonquin First Nation (AAFN) Spokesperson Robert Lovelace was sentenced in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Kingston to 6 months in maximum security, plus crippling fines, for peacefully protesting uranium mining in the Ardoch homeland. Chief Paula Sherman was fined $15,000 and given until today to pay the fine, failing which she will be jailed.

From Globe and Mail

Harper to issue formal apology to residential school survivors

KAREN HOWLETT - May 15, 2008

TORONTO — Prime Minister Stephen Harper will formally apologize to survivors of Canada's Indian residential schools on June 11.