Media.Knet.Ca

APTN press release ....

Aboriginal Icon: An APTN Singing Contest 

February 27, 2007

The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is hosting a singing contest for Aboriginal people on their weekly news magazine, Contact. The contest is called "Aboriginal Icon" and they are accepting submissions as we speak.

On April 4th APTN is pleased to announce a special edition of Contact: Aboriginal Icon

If you are between the ages of 18-28 and think you have the talent to wow our judges, please send in audition tape along with your name, age, phone, number, and address to:
339 Portage Ave.
Winnipeg MB
R3B 2C3
Attn: Contact - Aboriginal Icon

The deadline for admission is March 23rd, 4 pm eastern standard time and don't forget to self-identify if you are First Nations, Inuk, or Metis.

The top three contestants will be contacted by telephone and flown to Winnipeg to perform Live across the nation on Contact April 4th 2007.

Audience members can send an email or call in to vote for their favorite finalist.

The Grand Prize winner will have their song professionally recorded in studio with Strong Front Productions and will be flown to Toronto to compete in the final auditions for Canadian Idol. Prizes will also be awarded to the second and third prize winners.

So send in your video tapes, and try out for the first ever Aboriginal Icon!

DISCLAIMER: Please be prepared to sing an original song on-air. Cover songs are acceptable for the audition tape but may not be sung for the on-air competition due to copyright issues.

The complete list of Rules & Regulations is available here:
www.aptn.ca/images/stories/Contact/abicon2007.pdf

For more information, please contact Dawn Isaac:

Dawn Isaac
Researcher/Writer, News & Current Affairs
Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
P: 204.947.9331 ext. 481
E: contact@aptn.ca

Visit the Aboriginal Circle web site at http://aboriginalsportcircle.ca/main/main.html

The Aboriginal Sport Circle is Canada’s national voice for Aboriginal sport, which brings together the interests of First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples. Established in 1995, the Aboriginal Sport Circle was created through a national consensus-building process, in response to the need for more accessible and equitable sport and recreation opportunities for Aboriginal peoples.

The Aboriginal Sport Circle is hosting information sessions on the Aboriginal Coach Manual

The Aboriginal Sport Circle will deliver training and educational workshops about the ACM to be presented to National Sport Organizations (NSO), Multi-Sport Organizations (MSO), Recreational Organizations, and other interested Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal organizations. READ MORE >>

Read More about Coaching Development at http://aboriginalsportcircle.ca/main/coachingcertification.html

and about the Aboriginal Coaching Manual at http://aboriginalsportcircle.ca/main/acm.html

INAC press release ....

Video Vignettes: Aboriginal Success Stories from Across Canada

February 26, 2007

These short 3-minute videos show First Nations improving the quality of life for their members.

Look and listen to these stories of success in First Nations communities. Whether it's about education, economic development or governance, they all have the same goal - improving the quality of life of First Nations people across Canada. These short 3-minute videos show First Nations improving the quality of life for their members.

Lac La Ronge

Lac La Ronge Indian Band is empowering its members by creating the opportunity for private home ownership in this First Nation. Comfortable, safe, energy-efficient homes are now a dream come true in this Saskatchewan Cree community.

Wikwemikong

The Wikwemikong Development Commission helps community members develop and realize economic opportunities from construction to modern communications, while keeping touch with their traditional values.

Westbank

In 2003, the Westbank First Nation signed a historic self-government agreement giving them the tools to make decisions over land, resources, culture and much more. See how this First Nations government is building a better quality of life for its members.

"Reclaiming Our Gifts & Glories to Share with our Families"

On March 17th & 18th, the NAN Women’s Council is hosting a “Reclaiming our Past Glories & Gifts to Share with our Families” Conference in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The purpose of this conference is to give First Nations Women from the NAN Communities an opportunity to participate, network, and to build capacity around Crisis Managment, Volunteerism, and Consensus Building. In order to register for this conference, First Nations Women from the NAN communities must send a letter of interest, explaining the following:

• Where you are from?
• Why you want to come?
• What type of volunteering you do in the community or why you would like to volunteer in the community?
• What your thoughts and feelings are on crisis prevention?
• What you feel you can do as a woman for your community.

For more information, and to receive a registration form, please contact Christine Simard or Colleen Berry at 1-800-465-9952 or via email at  csimard@nan.on.ca or cberry@nan.on.ca.

Ontario government press release ...

Notice of Proposed Regulation Under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 Aboriginal Health Council

February 26, 2007

Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs)

On March 28, 2006, the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 (LHSIA) was presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council and received Royal Assent. The Ministry is currently developing the regulations and operational policy needed to support the implementation process. Some sections of the Act are not currently in force and are expected to be proclaimed in the Fall 2006 and Spring 2007.

The draft regulation posted here relates to the Aboriginal Health Council that will advise the Minister about health and service delivery issues related to Aboriginal and First Nations peoples and priorities and strategies for the provincial strategic plan related to those peoples. The draft regulation lists the organizations from which Council members will be selected.

All proposed regulations under LHSIA will be published in The Ontario Gazette for 60 days and will be posted on the Ministry website for public review and the opportunity for feedback. Following the consultation period, the Minister reviews the comments received and reports any recommended changes to the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC). The final regulation is presented to the Legislation and Regulations Committee and Cabinet and then presented to the LGIC to sign it into law. Once the final regulations are filed with the Registrar of Regulations and posted in The Ontario Gazette, they are enforceable.

Click here for a copy of the Notice of Proposed Regulation Under the Local Health System Integration Act, 2006 Aboriginal Health Council 4 pages | 26k | PDF format.

Toronto Star story at http://www.thestar.com/article/186133

Planes bring books to remote reserves

Feb 27, 2007 - Louise Brown - Education Reporter

In two remote First Nations reserves, reached only by "winter roads" that have been thwarted this year by milder weather, literacy is landing by parachute this week as children wait below knee-deep in snow.

More than 7,000 children's books were dropped from a plane yesterday afternoon in tiny Fort Severn; novels and picture-books donated by families around the province as part of the second book drive for aboriginal children conducted by Ontario Lieutenant-Governor James Bartleman.

Another several thousand will be dropped today on the frozen waters of Sandy Lake, another fly-in community where poverty, low literacy levels and underfunding of federally run schools historically left bookshelves empty in both schools and homes.

While most of the 185,000 children's books collected last month from across Ontario are being driven to reserves across the province's northern woodlands by Canadian Armed Forces trucks, Fort Severn and Sandy Lake posed a problem because the winter roads were either too remote or too dangerous because of global warming, said Bartleman yesterday in a telephone interview from Fort Severn.

The vice-regal activist waited with local school children on the snowswept banks of the Severn River for the airborne book drop, and said it was a dramatic fly-by.

"It was spectacular! The sun was shining, it was 10 below and suddenly the big Hercules came swooping into view, tipped its wings from above 800 feet above us and out came eight parachutes with crates of books floating to the ground," said Bartleman from the tiny community about two hours from Hudson Bay.

"We all jumped on the back of snowmobiles and pulled sleighs out onto the ice to load up the books. Some of the children ripped open the boxes and started to read the books right there in the snow.

"It was beautiful to see; these children so excited about the books, starting to read on the river on top of four feet of ice."

Since taking office five years ago, Bartleman has championed the cause of literacy among northern native children in the province and collected more than a million books to help promote literacy and reduce the despair he sees in many of these communities.

An aboriginal Canadian himself, he believes reading is the key to confidence and opportunity for the children often forgotten by mainstream Canada.

The Canadian Armed Forces agreed to ship 110,000 of the donated books in the trucks that were heading north last week to deliver supplies and rations to the Canadian Rangers, which are special First Nations units of the reserve forces that serve in 15 remote communities, said Major Guy Ingram.

But the dilemma of delivering books to Fort Severn and Sandy Lake was solved when it was discovered the Air Force training base in Trenton had scheduled a training run to these communities.

"So we just piggy-backed His Honour's books as part of the para-drop, where the big Hercules flies by low, pops open the back and the chutes come out carrying the books in special heavy plywood boxes," said Ingram, commanding officer of the 3rd Canadian Rangers Patrol.

Other books are being delivered to less remote communities by army trucks, which annually resupply the First Nations patrols with military stores, training equipment and rations, said Ingram.

Bartleman said more books are slated to be delivered this spring to First Nations communities by the private trucking firm Manitoba Transport and the native-run Wsaya Airways, but this week's army deliveries helped get the books quickly to some of the province's most needy children.

"It took extraordinary means to get these books to the kids, but it was particularly needed in Fort Severn, where the school building was shut down two years ago because of mould contamination and the old library books were condemned.

"The kids are still going to school in portables, but at least they have books for a library again."

Bartleman also will ship some of the donated books to children in Cree communities in northern Quebec, and to Inuit children across Nunavut.

He has also started a book club across Ontario's north, where each of 5,000 schoolchildren receives a new book four times a year. Bartleman's term is slated to end this summer.

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) is pleased to announce:

Train-The-Trainer 2007 Workshop

March 26-30, 2007.

Sunset Inn, Sioux Lookout

• Are you a community workers seeking facilitator training?
• Are you committed to promoting healthy communities?
• Are you committed to deliver a workshop/s in your community?
• If so, this is the training for you

The main goal of the Healthy Families Healthy Nations Program is to empower community workers to begin healing within their home communities.

Equay-wuk will be hosting a Train-The-Trainer workshop to assist workers in carrying out family violence prevention activities in their communities.  It has been recognized that family violence is an issue that has negative effects on all members of a family and community.

The workshop will be carried out using the newly developed resource, "Minoyawin Dibenjigewining Minoyawin Tashekewining Natamakewin" Healthy Families Healthy Nations Program - Family Violence Prevention Kit.

This workshop will be the 1st of 3 workshops available.  Target communities are those serviced by Equay-wuk (Women's Group). 

Equay-wuk is able to cover all costs for 2 delegates per community.  The first 30 registered will be accepted.  Those registered thereafter will be placed on a waiting list and will have priority seating for the next available training (dates to be determined).

Workers who should attend:

• family violence prevention workers
• family support workers
• shelter/healing centre staff
• NNADAP workers
• mental health workers
• community health representatives (CHR's)
• Health Directors
• other front line workers

Contact Jennifer or Linda:
Phone:  (807) 737-2214
Toll Free:  1-800-261-8294

Or visit our website for more information:

www.equaywuk.ca  (registration form available on-line)

Deadline for registrations is March 16, 2007.

NETWORKING NORTH RETURNS AFTER TRIUMPHANT 1st YEAR

Wasaya Airways is doing its part to promote local and surrounding area businesses to First Nation Communities in Northwestern Ontario

Thunder Bay, Ontario -- Tuesday, February 27, 2007   Wasaya Airways LP will be hosting the 2nd Annual Networking North conference and trade show on Thursday, March 1st, 2007 at the Valhalla Inn Ballroom from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Based on the huge success last year, the event will be open to over 35 local and surrounding area exhibitors. Networking North is a significant forum that brings First Nation communities and businesses together to network.

“We gained more exposure for our store, and created awareness of the products we carry and the packages we are able to put together for First Nation communities,” said Mike Fonso of Play It Again Sports following last year’s event.

The delegate numbers have tripled this year, with delegates from 21 communities across Northwestern Ontario, all communities that Wasaya Airways services. Representatives from each community consist of a member of the Chief and Council, store owners and operators, the Economic Development Corporation, or a band manager or administrator. These are the decision makers of the First Nation communities.

Mayor Lynn Peterson will be welcoming delegates to Thunder Bay in the morning, and media are encouraged to attend. Interviews with Tom Morris, President & CEO of Wasaya Airways LP, can also be scheduled.

Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council (OFNYPC)

4th Annual Youth Symposium on Culture, Language and Tradition

For First Nations Youth 15 to 29

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

MARCH 8th, 2007
 
(Depending on availability of space, late registrations may be accepted until March 13th, 2007)

Registrations limited to 300 participants

Check online at
www.chiefs-of-ontario.org/youth
for
Agenda & Listing of Workshops

Host Community Profile
Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, Manitoulin Island

Bring your dancing regalias!    

For more information, please contact Laura Calm Wind, Youth Coordinator 1-807-626-9339 or by email at laura@coo.org

Drug and Alcohol Free Event!!

Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council
4th Annual Youth Symposium on Culture, Tradition and Language

“Now is the time for our generation to learn and preserve our sacred gifts.”

REGISTRATION FORM

Name:_________________________________________________________________

Age:___________________________________________________________________

Gender:_______________________________________________________________

First Nation Community/Organization:________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________________

Telephone:____________________________________________________________

Fax:___________________________________________________________________

Email:_________________________________________________________________

Are you a student?              ____YES ______NO

Academic Institution:_________________________________________________

Why do you want to attend?:__________________________________________

You may be required to share a room. Who will you share accommodations with?_______________________________________________

Are you representing a youth council?_____YES_______NO

If yes, what is the name of your council?______________________________

Mode of transportation to Wikwemikong:

_____Driving _______Airline_______  Bus _______Other

Please fax to:

Laura Calm Wind, Youth Coordinator, Chiefs of Ontario 807-626-940
For additional information, please call
807-626-9339 or email laura@coo.org

www.chiefs-of-ontario.org/youth 

FIRST AID/CPR INSTRUCTOR COURSE

An EMP Canada – Medic First Aid Core (first aid and CPR) Instructor course costing $570.00 has been scheduled:

When:  May  2, 3, 4, 2007

Where:  

Regional Training Center
15 Ocean Av., 2nd Floor
Kenora, ON
(The old St. Joseph Hospital, down the street from Lake of the Woods Dist. Hospital)

The course will include the EMP Canada College Classroom Communicator Self-Study Guide, Basic (Emergency), Basic Plus (Standard), and all levels of CPR. The Self-Study guide must be done 2 weeks in advance and returned.

Register now……

Deadline for Registration is April 14. 2007

Please complete and fax or mail this form to the address at the bottom of the application:

Name: ______________________________________________________________
Company/ Organization: _______________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________
City: __________________________________  Prov.: ______ P.C.: _____________
Tel(W): (       ) _____________   Tel (H): (       ) _________________
Fax: (       ) ______________   e-mail: _________________________

Payment ($570.00): ____________