Media.Knet.Ca

"We are one with the land - A History of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug" is now available. It is being sold for $50 a copy from the KI band office in Big Trout Lake as well as from the IFNA office in Sioux Lookout.

From The Belleville Intelligencer ...

Tight budget frustrates aboriginal school
Samantha Craggs - Osprey News Network - August 02, 2007

A few feet from Karihwakeron Tim Thompson's desk is an image of what could be.

Laid out in an architect's drawing is the future for First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI). The campus building, the FNTI president and CAO hopes, will be constructed at a cost of $15 million, part of a $50-million bayside project on the reserve that includes a hotel and conference centre. But some days, it seems farther and farther away.

Now in its 22nd year, FNTI offers seven core post-secondary courses from its current building, which is six portables tied together with some office space tacked onto it. The institute plans to expand to 11 courses this fall, and 400 students are enrolled, up from 343 last year.

But as fall looms, Thompson said, FNTI is wondering how it can be done on the shoestring budget afforded by the federal and provincial governments. For the new environmental technology program, Thompson said, FNTI is receiving $18,000. For its Mohawk immersion program, it received $11,000.

"How can you operate a program with that?" he said. "How do you hire a teacher?"

At issue, Thompson said, is a "seriously flawed" funding formula that sees FNTI students get the equivalent of one-fifth what post-secondary students at mainstream institutions get. FNTI has no full-time teaching staff and lacks the full per-student funding enjoyed by its mainstream counterparts. Ontario's eight aboriginal post-secondary institutions operate out of a $2.58-million provincial budget, he said.

"We've been able to thrive and succeed despite these inadequacies," he said. "But year after year, it becomes ridiculous. It belies the government to show they care about these students."

FNTI wrote Chris Bentley, minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, in February asking to meet with him. So far, Thompson said, there has been no response. The province says aboriginal education is a federal responsibility, he said, while the federal government points back to the province, saying the Indian Act says nothing about post-secondary education. In a media release this week, Councillor Blaine Loft from the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte called Bentley's lack of response "issue avoidance."

FNTI is at the point where it may have to delay its new programs, Thompson said. Operating them would put the school in "serious debt," he said. Political talk of empowering aboriginal communities and decreasing dependence through education, he said, sometimes feels like lip service.

"We haven't had to cut programs yet, and I hope it doesn't get to that," he said. "We have a huge demand. We have a huge potential for growth. It just doesn't make sense that you would hesitate to invest in our success."

Assembly of First Nations Bulletin

A Communiqué from National Chief Phil Fontaine
July 31, 2007

The Assembly of First Nations issues regular updates on the National Chief’s activities and work underway at the national office

More information can be found at www.afn.ca.

28th AFN Annual General Assembly a Huge Success

On July 10-12, 2007 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Assembly of First Nations concluded what many Chiefs in attendance called the most productive and constructive Annual General Assembly ever held.

AFN Regional Chief Rick Simon (Nova Scotia / Newfoundland), along with the Atlantic leadership are to be commended for their outstanding efforts as hosts for our gathering. I want to personally extend a thank you to all who dedicated their time and energy into making the 28th AFN AGA a huge success.

Chiefs are to be congratulated on passing 32 resolutions on a broad range of issues important to First Nations. These resolutions provide the AFN with a strong mandate for the year ahead, setting out concrete and practical plans for our work together on behalf of First Nations citizens.

Some examples of the work approved in resolutions:

• A clear framework for moving forward on the Recognition and Implementation of First Nations Governments that speaks to achieving reconciliation, and supporting it with structural change and sustainable economies. This includes a commitment to coordination and national unity to ensure that all of our activities make progress towards these fundamental objectives.
• An important expression of Chiefs’ intentions for follow-up to the National Day of Action to ensure that we maintain the momentum that has been established through that historic event.
• Strong statements about the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, putting an end to racism, support for our Veterans and protecting First Nations rights.
• Excellent strategies for ongoing work in areas such as First Nations languages, health, education, housing, water management, resource revenue sharing, environment, economic development and human resource development.
• Timely direction on key files, such as the development of the new specific claims process, changes to the Fisheries Act, and our ongoing work on behalf of residential school survivors.
• Several expressions of support for regional and local initiatives and the efforts of individuals to improve the lives of First Nations people.
• And direction to continue the AFN’s work on internal renewal.

In all, the Chiefs support for changes to the resolutions process is an obvious commitment to making this process work. As we continue to improve the function of the AFN, we look forward to support from Chiefs for even better results.

Our thanks to all.

AFN Executive Portfolio Changes

At the recent AFN Executive meeting in Halifax, I announced a few changes in portfolios and that a new position of Vice Chair for the AFN Executive Committee would be created. After looking into this, in terms of authority as National Chief and structure of the AFN, I am pleased to announce the appointment of

Regional Chief Rick Simon as the Executive Committee Vice Chair effective immediately. Additional portfolio changes include:

• Regional Chief Bill Erasmus will replace Regional Chief Rick Simon as chairperson for the AFN Finance Committee.
• Regional Chief Ghislain Picard will replace Regional Chief Rick Simon as chairperson for the International file. Regional Chief Wilton Littlechild will co-chair on the International file.
• Regional Chief Rick Simon will co-chair the Economic Development file with Regional Chief Wilton Littlechild remaining as Chairperson for Economic Development.
• Regional Chief Rick Simon will be the sole chairperson for the AFN Renewal Commission as part of the responsibility as Vice Chair for the Executive committee.
• Regional Chief Wilton Littlechild is replacing Regional Chief Rick Simon as a member of the AFN Finance Committee.
• Regional Chief Rick Simon as Vice Chair for the Executive Committee will be ex-officio to all portfolios within the AFN structure which is the same as the National Chief.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Update

Within weeks, the United Nations General Assembly must make a decision on the long awaited and urgently needed UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The international community will move ahead with final adoption as has been urged by Indigenous peoples and their supporters worldwide, or adoption of the Declaration will once again be delayed due to the demands of a small, yet vocal group of states being lead by Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Australia.

First Nations communities and citizens are encouraged to write to the president of the General Assembly of the United Nations. Please take this opportunity to support the Declaration.

More than 14,000 individuals and organizations have already signed a global petition hosted by Amnesty International Canada in support of the Declaration.

If you haven't already done so, please add your name and encourage many others to do so.

The petition, in English and French, can be found at:

http://www.amnesty.ca/ip_un_petition/UN_indigenous_rights_petition.php (English)

Meegwetch!

Assembly of First Nations, 473 Albert Street, Suite 810, Ottawa, Ontario K1R5B4 Tel: (613) 241-6789 Toll-free: 1-866-869-6789 Fax: (613) 241-5808 www.afn.ca

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The Aboriginal Committee's International Spectre
The Hill Times - Embassy, August 1st, 2007 - EDITORIAL

There was really no good reason for the Conservatives on the aboriginal affairs committee to come to Parliament Hill last week, unless they thought the opposition members wouldn't show up. Or maybe their presence had more to do with something else: the looming possibility that Canada is facing some embarrassment at the UN because of the Harper government's stand on a declaration that affects 375 million of the world's indigenous peoples–and their non-indigenous neighbours.

In any case, the unexpected appearance of the aboriginal affairs committee for a hasty vote on Bill C-44 was a mid-summer puzzle.

The three Tory committee members and the chair who called the meeting for the purpose of having a vote on Bill C-44 must have known that the vote would fail. More than a month ago, a majority of members from the same committee voted to put forward a motion to suspend committee meetings while it consulted with Canada's aboriginal communities over the bill's impact, though the House must still give its assent. They did this not because they were stalling or playing politics, but because Canada's aboriginal leaders, who are uneasy about the bill, asked them to.

So last week's vote, to no one's surprise, nullified the purpose of the unscheduled summer recess meeting. The result: Conservatives four to Opposition seven. Why did the government bother?

First, there's the problem of Bill C-44 itself and the ongoing debate over the way individual rights can sometimes undermine broader collective rights. And then there's the gathering storm over an international issue on which the Harper government is taking a lot of criticism, but not offering much of a defence for its actions.

Bill C-44 seeks to apply Canada's Trudeau-era human rights laws to Canada's native communities. On the surface that seems like a good thing. But aboriginal leaders have repeatedly told the committee they are worried about the way the Charter's individual rights will work in communities that are structured around traditional, collective rights.

"In a bid to push ahead with this legislation, the Conservatives have stated that the bill will help individuals seek redress against band councils. This portrays the band councils as corrupt and engaging in bully tactics, and plays into the perception among Conservatives that the councils oppress their people," wrote Cree author and columnist Doug Cuthand in The Saskatoon Star Phoenix last Friday.

For all of the noise it made, last week's committee appearance failed on two counts. It failed to change the committee's position on consultation. And it failed–if that was its intent–to run some kind of interference for the problem the Harper government is facing at the United Nations. If anything, it brought the UN problem to the foreground by causing people who attended the committee meeting to wonder if the issues were linked.

The temperature has been rising lately over Canada's refusal to sign the UN's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Paul Martin government had put some effort into drafting the declaration, which has been accepted by most of the world's nations, with a few notable exceptions. But those exceptions are formidable.

The Harper government now sides with the U.S., Russia, Australia and New Zealand in opposing the declaration. Many observers now see Canada as playing a prominent obstructionist role while turning a deaf ear to aboriginal leaders from around the world who have been pleading for the declaration.

The declaration's friends, including a long list of aboriginal organizations and NGOs like Amnesty International, admit that the declaration is only aspirational. But they say the government of Canada is now creating the perception that it no longer aspires to enhance the lives of some of the world's–and Canada's–poorest people.

So far the Harper government has been surprisingly inarticulate at home about its reasons for rejecting the declaration. The government's friends would like to believe it is stalling the declaration, along with its coalition of unwilling partners, because it has identified flaws that need to be ironed out for the benefit of both indigenous and non-indigenous people.

Those who are suspicious of Mr. Harper are more apt to believe he and his UN partners are objecting to the declaration for less-palatable reasons.

In any event, it is time that Canada's own indigenous people be officially consulted about Bill C-44. And it is time that the Harper government make it clear to Canadians what parts of the UN declaration it finds unacceptable and what it proposes to do about them.

The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Bill C-44 may not be political problems for the Harper government on the scale of Afghanistan. But stunts like the summer recall of the aboriginal affairs committee make us think someone in government is rather worried about these issues.

Sask government Press Release ...

FINAL REPORT ON ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM RELEASED

The final report on the national symposium on Aboriginal economic development held in Saskatoon in January is now available online.

Excellence in Action: Best Practices in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Economic Development was jointly sponsored by the Government of Saskatchewan, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and the Clarence Campeau Development Fund (CCDF). The final report contains suggestions for next steps that need to be taken by Aboriginal communities, governments and industry to encourage and support Aboriginal economic success.

Among these suggestions are the development of an integrated policy framework for Aboriginal economic development; government funding of Aboriginal programming that does not disproportionately favour social over economic development; and universal support for strategies that specifically enable First Nations, Métis and Inuit women to become empowered and actively engaged in the economy.

"What we have here is the result of an insightful and productive symposium that covered a broad range of economic and business development topics from a national perspective," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "This report and the next steps it identifies are a vital key to enabling increased Aboriginal participation in the economic mainstream, not just in Saskatchewan but in all of Canada."

"The Clarence Campeau Development Fund was truly honoured to be part of the Excellence in Action Symposium," CCDF Vice-Chair Ron Rivard said. "The significance of this symposium was evident from the interest of Aboriginal, government, community and business representatives taking part in this event. The themes and workshops we shared with the First Nations, Inuit, and other Métis representatives was truly a valuable experience for all participants. We will take the lessons learned in this historic event and apply them to the future betterment of all Aboriginal people in Canada."

"The symposium convinced me of the need for innovative partnerships between First Nations and business, supported by government," FSIN Chief Lawrence Joseph said. "This report documents a number of valuable lessons on the need to strengthen our focus on economic development and how that will pay dividends for the well-being of our communities."

The three-day symposium attracted approximately 700 participants representing First Nations, Métis and Inuit people from across Canada. Six Premiers were in attendance, as well as representatives from a number of national, provincial and territorial Aboriginal organizations and communities. It also featured a wide range of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal enterprises ranging from large corporate enterprises to medium and small business ventures. In addition, 65 youth delegates from across the country conducted their own youth forum after the formal symposium proceedings.

The full report, which was prepared by the Saskatchewan Institute of Public Policy, can be accessed at http://www.excellenceinaction2007.ca

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For more information, contact:

Jamie Shanks
Industry and Resources
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2202
Email: jshanks@ir.gov.sk.ca

Our annual campmeeting starts Wednesday August 8th and runs to Sunday August 12th.

Speakers will be posted on Amos Rae's homepage at http://amosrae.myknet.org or on a daily update leading up to the campmeeting.

For info call call Amos or Marianne Rae at 807 775 9827

Accommodations and meals and return fares will be provided for all guests as long as you call and let the pastor know how many are in your group.

God bless you  

Tom Terry's 45 year love for the north, the land, the waterways, the people, detailing his canoe route adventures is now available in print in his recent release of the "Canoe Atlas of the Little North".

This large book is available from a number of online bookstores including:

• Amazon.com
• Overstock.com
• Powells.com
• Barnes & Noble.com

From Sioux Bulletin ...

Canoe atlas covers waters in Little North
Marc Paulichenko, STAFF WRITER - August 1, 2007

MOST authors are adults by the time they start to outline their ideas for a book, but authors  and canoeists Thomas Terry and Jonathan Berger started collecting their information before they could hold a paddle.

The two have collaborated with their collection of maps and route knowledge in northern Ontario for the “Canoe Atlas of the Little North.”

“I started when I was probably in my teens, just doing trips and collecting route information,” said Terry, 56, a Sioux Lookout resident. “We have been gathering
the information since we were young.”

Berger, who lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, called Terry looking for canoe route information back in 1985.

Since then the two have been discussing the idea for the atlas.

“I talked to him for a couple of hours that first time and discovered we both had a similar idea to try to document all the routes in this huge area,” recalled Terry. “At the time our coverage complemented each other considerably.

“We combined resources right through the whole thing.”

Berger contributed the majority of the book’s sketches, as well as some of the writing in the  introduction.

They started actively working on the atlas and developing ideas  after initial talks.

The actual leg work for the maps and gathering of historical information from the experienced canoeists started 15 years ago.

“The history is all over the place. Some of the history we gathered really is from people who still use the water ways.”

Some historical information came from the Hudson’s Bay Company archives.

The time for a canoe atlas in Ontario’s north was long overdue, said Terry.

“I think it’s overdue because it adds to the knowledge of northern Ontario, the culture landscape. Really there’s very, very little information on northern Ontario and in some ways, intentionally or not, there’s a lots of information in terms of mapping and that’s the prime motivation for the atlas.”

The original map sheets their atlas is based on were last printed in the 1920s.

“At that time there was considerable canoe route information on the maps, but…there was less and less,” described Terry.

“When the maps first came out, canoe route information was important for anybody from the outside who wanted to get into the area. It was the only way to travel.”

Over the years, the airplane became the preferred travel choice and the canoeing information, in the government’s eyes, became less important.

Now if canoeists were to get copies of the maps they’d find them out of date and would realize people occupy the land, Terry said.

“These routes supported culture for hundreds of years, hundred of generations, and they’re still valuable as a transportation network.”

A small print run was used for the 144-page book with only 1500 copies, each selling for less than $95.

Both Terry and Berger contributed $5000 each to maintain the oversize format to keep the map’s condition.

The atlas covers more than 20 major lake and river systems within 1.3 million square kilometres.

“We thought it was really important to maintain the integrity of the maps,” said Terry.

“Many route publications are now a strip map treatment. They present the routes along the water ways.

Our presentation is based on the northern network.”

The term Little North is a name from the fur trade era.

The first traders from Montreal called it “Le Petit Nord” and The Northwest Company adopted that name for the area.

Rather than focusing on going from point A to point B, the book’s emphasis is on connection, said Terry.

“You can travel from one end of the Little North to the other,” Terry said, speaking of the west end of James Bay to Lake Winnipeg, and south of Hudson Bay to Lake Superior.

For some people the atlas will be more than a collection of canoe routes.

“It really speaks more of how people used the land in the past and how they use it now and how they continue to use it in the future to support their economy,” said Terry.

So far this summer Terry has found it hard to find time for canoe tripping, however he plans to hit the waters in the upcoming months.

“(Canoeing) offers a very pleasing, stressfree way to experience the outdoors and for many people they find it’s simplicity and… getting away from the common stresses and distractions,” he said.

Press Release

UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Please speak out!

PLEASE POST or PASS IT ON!

Within weeks, the United Nations General Assembly must make a decision on the long awaited and urgently needed UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Either the international community will move ahead with final adoption as has been urged by Indigenous peoples and their supporters worldwide, or adoption of the Declaration will once again be delayed due to the demands of a small, yet vocal group of states.

Please take this opportunity to support the Declaration.

More than 14,000 individuals and organizations have already signed a global petition (see below) hosted by Amnesty International Canada in support of the Declaration.

If you haven't already done so, please add your name and encourage many others to do so.

The petition, in English, Spanish, French and Russian is online at:

http://www.amnesty.ca/ip_un_petition/UN_indigenous_rights_petition.php (English)
 

GLOBAL PETITION

"We reaffirm our commitment to continue making progress in the advancement of the human rights of the world’s indigenous peoples at the local, national, regional and international levels, including through consultation and collaboration with them, and to present for adoption a final draft United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples as soon as possible."

-- 2005 World Summit Outcome,
adopted by the UN General Assembly, 24 October 2005

In every region of the world, the survival or well-being of Indigenous peoples is threatened by grave and persistent violations of their fundamental human rights.

A strong and uplifting United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is urgently needed to establish minimum international standards to inspire and urge states and others to respect and uphold the rights of Indigenous peoples without discrimination.

We call upon all states to support as a priority the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (Human Rights Council, Res. 2006/2, 29 June 2006, Annex) and its adoption by the General Assembly.

Even though the people made it clear during the different consultations that they need to relocate their community, the conservative government will announce funding sometime today to rebuild the community at its present location on the Albany River flood plain. See INAC press release below ...

From the Toronto Star ...

Ottawa to rebuild Kashechewan reserve: Sources
Canadian press - Jul 29, 2007

OTTAWA – Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice will sign an agreement Monday to rebuild, but not relocate, the flood-prone Kashechewan First Nation, The Canadian Press has learned.

The remote northern Ontario reserve, near the coast of James Bay, is on low-lying land that has flooded twice in the last three years.

Residents were also evacuated in 2005 because of a dirty water crisis that made international headlines.

A report produced by consultants hired to survey the community said most people want to move to higher ground within their traditional territory. They say it's just a matter of time before their homes flood again.

The former Liberal government promised to relocate Kashechewan over 10 years, at an estimated cost of $500 million. The Conservatives said the Liberals never officially budgeted that cash, and that it's too expensive to move the reserve.

Instead, sources say the new agreement will establish a working group to assess the First Nation's long- and short-term needs, but will not move it off the flood plain.

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INAC press release ...

Government signs agreement with Kashechewan First Nation to redevelop community

     OTTAWA, July 30 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada's New Government today signed an agreement with Kashechewan First Nation to redevelop a healthy and sustainable community in its present location.

     The agreement was signed by the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, and Chief Jonathon Solomon of the Kashechewan First Nation.

     "This agreement provides the framework for the people of Kashechewan to build a well-functioning, safe and healthy community," said Minister Prentice. "The decision to rebuild on the current site respects the wishes of residents to stay on their traditional land, and makes use of existing infrastructure."

     "I am pleased that our Government has negotiated this agreement that will work towards long-term, sustainable improvements to the lives of all Kashechewan residents," said Minister Clement. "This process will allow us to better protect the health and safety of Kashechewan residents by further improving public health services in the community," added the Minister.

     All parties will immediately begin work on a comprehensive community planning and redevelopment process to address priority areas such as: skills development; on-reserve housing; socio-economic sustainability; health programs and facilities; public safety; infrastructure development, remediation and maintenance; and schools and community facilities.

     "My community is pleased to be moving forward," said Kashechewan Chief Jonathon Solomon. "We have faced a number of challenges and uncertainty in the past. Working in partnership with the Government of Canada to create a safe and stable environment, we can now look ahead to a brighter future."

     A community development working group will prepare, plan, design and implement redevelopment projects to address the short, mid and long-term challenges of the community.

     The community has experienced chronic high rates of unemployment, severe shortages of housing and a lack of critical infrastructure.

     A steering committee of representatives from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Health Canada and Kashechewan Chief and Council, led by Patrick Chilton, an independent chair, will oversee the work as it progresses. Mr. Chilton is a member of the Kashechewan First Nation, with extensive involvement in community development in small isolated localities in northern Ontario.

     Kashechewan First Nation is an isolated Cree community located approximately 420 kilometres north of Timmins, near the west coast of James Bay.

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/For further information: Minister Prentice's Office: Deirdra McCracken, Press Secretary, Office of the Hon. Jim Prentice, (819) 997-0002; Minister Clement's Office: Erik Waddell, Office of the Hon. Tony Clement, (613) 957-0200; Media Relations - INAC: (819) 953-1160; Media Relations - Health Canada: Carole Saindon, (613) 957-1588; Kachechewan First Nation: Chief Jonathon Solomon, (705) 275-4440/4413; This release is also available on the Internet at www.inac-ainc.gc.ca/

From the Globe and Mail ...

Surfing in Saskatchewan goes wireless - Province aims to break the access barrier with free Internet availability
JOE FRIESEN - July 28, 2007

WINNIPEG -- Free wireless Internet service is now available in Saskatchewan's four biggest cities, making it the first province to launch a widespread, publicly funded network.

The initiative is part of the government's effort to position Saskatchewan as a high-tech learning centre that appeals to graduates and young professionals. They hope it will also help bridge the digital divide by making the Internet available to those unable to afford a connection at home.

"We're doing it to promote our cities as dynamic, progressive places to live and work and go to school," said Richard Murray, the policy and planning director in Saskatchewan's information technology office.

Anyone with a wireless adaptor is now able to log on to the network in the downtown areas of Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw, and that service will be extended to the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina and the four SIAST college campuses by September.

The service is not quite as fast as the high-speed cable or DSL connection available to most home subscribers, but it's many times faster than dial-up. Mr. Murray said it works well for browsing websites and checking e-mail, but downloading video isn't recommended. Since it's a publicly funded service, users will also be blocked from visiting sites associated with pornography or hate groups.

Frank Quennell, the minister responsible for information technology, said the idea came from a youth summit held in Saskatoon in February.

"Here we got a good idea from the young people of the province and we were able to respond to it phenomenally quickly," he said. "Automatic teller machines were brought in to Canada by Saskatchewan credit unions. There's no reason why a flexible, responsive government [can't lead in other areas of technology].

"In Saskatchewan, perhaps it's naiveté that helps us make this kind of progress, but it doesn't occur to people to say we couldn't do that here if they haven't done that in Toronto."

The project was completed in just five months, at a cost of $1.3 million, with technology provided by Cisco Systems.

David De Abreu, a Cisco vice-president, said similar networks exist in other cities but aren't as widespread. "We haven't seen a province that has got behind it and done it in four or five cities. This one is by far the largest wireless network at the provincial or state level in North America," he said.

Fredericton has a free public network. Toronto had one downtown, but the city started charging for service this year. Mr. Quennell said that won't happen in Saskatchewan.

"This is not a tease or a test or an introductory offer. This is what we plan to provide as a public amenity," he said.

Ganesh Vaidyanathan, head of accounting at the University of Saskatchewan's N. Murray Edwards School of Business, said these kinds of initiatives contribute to a positive atmosphere, even if they don't contribute much to creating jobs, attracting workers or keeping graduates in the province.

"We have to brand ourselves as being relevant. Our economy is really heating up and these are things that young people are beginning to expect," he said. "It's a question of how you project yourself to the outside world. This is happening right across the globe, and for Saskatchewan to be able to say we're plugged in too is important."