Media.Knet.Ca

Would you like to continue with your education?  Would you like to do so without having to move away from home?  If so, Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education & Training Institute might be the answer for you!

At Oshki-Pimache-O-Win we recognize that our students are often employed full time or reside in Northern communities.  Our special delivery methods allow students to remain employed and reside in their home community for the majority of their program.  We offer the following programs through a modular/distance education format:

• First Nation Business Administration Certificate (September intake)
• Aboriginal Community Services Worker Diploma (September intake)
• Native Early Childhood Education Diploma (September intake)
• Anishinabe Recreation Leadership Certificate/Diploma (September intake)
• Basic Radiography Worker Certificate (September intake)
• Indigenous Wellness & Addictions Prevention Worker Diploma (September intake)

The application deadline for September programs is April 15, 2007

All of these programs are delivered in partnership with an Ontario college.  This means that you will receive a level of education that is equivalent to, and even exceeds that found in mainstream schools and you will graduate with a college diploma or certificate!  Our staff and instructors have a passion for working with and teaching First Nations students.  You will not get lost in the crowd!

To learn more about our programs and their admission requirements please contact our Student Recruitment Officer, Loretta Sheshequin, toll free at 1-866-636-7454 or by email at lsheshequin@oshki.ca .

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education & Training Institute
106 Centennial Square, 3rd Floor
Thunder Bay, Ontario  P7E 1H3
Phone: (807) 626-1880
Toll Free: 1-866-636-7454
Fax: (807) 622-1818
E-mail: info@oshki.ca
Website: www.oshki.ca

Last week, Robert Munsch video conferenced from his hometown of Guelph with First Nation young students from four First Nations gathering together at the Eel Ground First Nation school. The entertaining one hour session is available online on the K-Net streaming server. Click here to watch this entertaining presentation by Mr. Munsch.

ABC Canada (www.abc-canada.org) press release:

Children's author Robert Munsch and families get ready to celebrate ABC CANADA Family Literacy Day, January 27

TORONTO, Jan. 19 - Robert Munsch, renowned Canadian children's writer and this country's best-selling author, joins families across Canada next week in celebrating ABC CANADA Family Literacy Day(R), January 27. Family Literacy Day, now in its ninth year, is the national initiative created by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation and made possible by Founding Sponsor Honda Canada Inc. It celebrates families reading and learning together on a regular basis, engaging in numerous activities that help boost literacy skills in a fun way, including making up stories, singing songs, playing word games and puzzles, and measuring out ingredients for a recipe.

Robert Munsch, Honorary Chair of Family Literacy Day, will appear at a number of media and public events. "We're so pleased to continue to have Mr. Munsch's support in raising awareness of the importance of regular family literacy activities," says Margaret Eaton, ABC CANADA President. "He's a wonderful ambassador for creative and fun learning." Munsch will lead public-school children in Toronto in a storytelling time on January 23, and will appear for a public reading at the Port Moody Public Library in British Columbia on January 27.

Kids share ideas and read along with Robert Munsch
New this year, Munsch will be interacting with children and families across the country through two Corus Entertainment websites. In the weeks leading up to January 27, kids can post on the message board on www.ytv.com their own ideas for stories. Mr. Munsch has been reading their story ideas and will post his comments on the site on Family Literacy Day. Also, parents can submit audio clips of their children reading Mr. Munsch's story Mortimer on the www.treehousetv.com website. On January 27, the site will post a special compilation of kids reading the story, along with Mr. Munsch.

As a fitting end to a busy week of activities, Mr. Munsch will visit the home of the Blackley family in Port Moody, BC, where he will enjoy a Family Literacy Day party put on by the family and also attended by neighbouring parents and children. The Blackley's won the visit from Mr. Munsch in the national Munsch at Home contest, where families across the country who submitted descriptions of what they were doing for Family Literacy Day could win a visit from the author. "I really enjoy being a part of Family Literacy Day," says Munsch. "It's a natural with what I do, and this is an issue that makes such a dramatic difference in a person's life."

Hundreds upon hundreds of events across the country
While Robert Munsch is ABC CANADA's ambassador for Family Literacy Day, a legion of people in libraries, schools, literacy organizations and, of course, families participate in parties celebrating the day. Throughout the week leading up to January 27, these events are as wide-ranging as the imagination.

Consider these events:

- A roster of guests at the Regina Family Literacy Network, including Premier Lorne Calvert, Deputy Police Chief Troy Hagen and Saskatchewan Roughrider Matt Dominguez, will be reading children's stories throughout the day, and a city-wide 'Read-in' encourages people to register and read with a child between 1:30 and 1:45 on the afternoon of Saturday, January 27;

- The Dollard-des-Ormeaux Public Library on the west island, Montreal, is hosting separate English and French screenings of films from the National Film Board's Talespinners series, targeted to children age 4 to 8;

- Vancouver-based Literacy BC will host, at the Vancouver Public Library, its annual week of literacy-focused seminars and events leading up to the day, when there will be an afternoon of literacy activities for children age 5 to 12 featuring writers Bob Heidbreder and Melanie Jackson;

- Port Hope Public Library in Ontario will have the Victorian Operetta Society, cast of next spring's production of Into the Woods, read fairy tales, and will promote a collection of hockey books by having a pick-up hockey game in their parking lot with members of the Predators hockey team;

- Toronto Public Library features a number of storytelling and book-reading events in its many branches;

- Aboriginal storytelling in the Cree language for Inuit and Metis families and children at the Minwaashin Lodge in Ottawa includes activities such as families painting T-shirts with native images; and

- Wolfville Memorial Library in Nova Scotia is holding its 4th annual Library Sleepover for families with children age 6 to 11.

"We encourage all families to read and learn together," says Eaton. "The 15 minutes or so that you take each day to read go a long way to preparing your child for the challenges ahead, and for a lifetime of reading enjoyment."

Fundamental to ABC CANADA Family Literacy Day's success is the financial contribution made by its Founding Sponsor, Honda Canada Inc.

ABC CANADA also acknowledges the generosity of numerous corporate and media supporters enabling, among other things, the distribution of materials and public service announcements that bring literacy and learning messages to millions of Canadian families.

For information on FLD events in your area - Check with your local library, school or literacy organization. There are also a number of events posted at www.abc-canada.org/fld.

---------------------------------------------------------------
ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation is the national charity committed to promoting family, adult and workplace literacy to the general public and to the private sector. ABC CANADA's focus is on public awareness programs, providing promotional support to local literacy groups, and conducting research to further the development of a fully literate Canadian population. For more information, visit www.abc-canada.org.

For further information: Media, please contact: Jim Pollock, Director of Communications, ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation: (416) 218-0010, ext. 126, or 1-800-303-1004, ext. 126, cell: (416) 524-8267, jpollock@abc-canada.org.

Ontario government press release ...

McGuinty Government To Make Major Investment In Youth Entrepreneurship

TORONTO, Jan. 19 - The Government of Ontario is providing over $1.5 million through the Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships initiative to foster a culture of entrepreneurship amongst Ontario's youth, Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship Harinder S. Takhar announced today.

"Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships provides Ontario's young people with opportunities to develop the critical business and life skills that are so important to their future," said Takhar. "It's important that our young people learn these skills early in life, so they will be ready to lead our businesses on the world stage and drive Ontario's economy forward for years to come."

Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships provides grants to non-profit organizations for programs that promote the development of entrepreneurial skills in youths. Fourteen projects representing $1,597,000 in funding have been selected in the second round of proposals.

This second round of Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships represents the largest amount of grant funding provided to non-profit organizations. In June 2006, $673,000 was awarded to six successful associations in the first round of the Partnership project.

"It's a goal of our government to support the skilled young people of Ontario by providing them with opportunities to learn, grow and succeed," Takhar said. "An investment in our youth is an investment in an even better Ontario for the future."

For more information on the Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship's Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships and other youth programs, visit: http://www.sbe.gov.on.ca/ontcan/sbe/en/youth_main_en.jsp

Since 2003, investments in infrastructure, postsecondary education, research and innovation and key economic sectors have helped strengthen Ontario's economic foundations and continue to build opportunity.

www.sbe.gov.on.ca

Backgrounder
---------------------------------------------------------------

MCGUINTY GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO SUPPORT YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships provides grants to non-profit organizations to run programs promoting the development of entrepreneurial skills in young people.

The primary goal of Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships is to influence the way Ontario youth think about entrepreneurship by:

• introducing enterprising principles to youth in school and in their early career
• creating excitement about entrepreneurship in all industry sectors - building a team of informal entrepreneurship ambassadors.

Through collaboration with key stakeholders and influencers including educators, community organizations, parents and private sector partners, programs will connect with diverse youth groups across Ontario.

Fourteen projects representing $1,597,000 in funding were announced on January 19, 2007, as the successful candidates of the second round. They are:

- East Central Ontario Training Board: Will receive funding over a three-year period to fund its "Community of Entrepreneurs" initiative. This project is a community-wide effort in support of rural and remote youth and students in Trans Hills, Havelock-Norwood and the North Kawartha region. It will provide young people with a range of entrepreneurial activities and resources, including camps, support services, and resource material.

- Heritage Skills Development Centre: MSBE will fund the centre to support its African-Canadian Youth Entrepreneurship project. Through educational and development opportunities, the project will facilitate the development of an enterprising culture among 150 marginalized African-Canadian youth in Scarborough.

- Enterprise Centre Sault Ste. Marie: MSBE will support the Entreprise Centre's production of Youth Initiatives DVD and Youth Network. The promotional DVD and web content will highlight programs and services related to youth entrepreneurship.

- The Learning Partnership: Will be provided funding over a three-year term to support the Province-wide expansion of the Entrepreneurial Adventure Program. This initiative aims to expand the existing program by developing a bilingual Entrepreneurial Adventure resource kit.

- Community Opportunity and Innovation Network Inc. (COIN): MSBE will grant funds over a three-year span in support of Peterborough's Rural Youth Entrepreneurship Program. The program will deliver COIN's Team Entrepreneurship training curriculum to 30 young people per year, assist with business plan development and provide support to post-secondary students to help create businesses.

- Youth in Motion: MSBE will support Youth in Motion to aid in the launch of its Freedom, Flexibility and Financial Rewards:
Entrepreneurship Has It All program. Youth in Motion will host two, one-day interactive learning courses in Toronto for 500 grades 7-10 students and 100 at-risk youth to promote entrepreneurship.

- Employment & Resource Services of Georgian Bay Area: MSBE will fund Employment & Resource Services of Georgian Bay Area over three-years to support its Tracks to Business program. This program will engage rural youth in the Collingwood area by exploring entrepreneurial concepts and helping to grow their own businesses through the creation of a "storefront" operation.

- Impact: The group was funded to aid the launch of its Impact Leadership Conference. The conference will be held in Toronto on November 17, 18 and 19. Three hundred students from across Ontario are expected to attend.

- Nbisiing Secondary School: MSBE will support the Nbisiing Secondary School "Company" Program. The program will facilitate the development of an enterprising spirit among Aboriginal youth in Nipissing and the surrounding Aboriginal communities by giving them a series of educational and entrepreneurial opportunities involving elders. The program will be offered in both the English and Ojibwe languages.

- The Business Centre - Nipissing Parry Sound: MSBE will provide the centre with a grant, spread out over a three-year span, to support its Business Centre in a Box initiative. The initiative will include a comprehensive toolkit, DVD, lesson plans and an interactive website to encourage youth to pursue entrepreneurship as a career. It will be distributed to grade 12 secondary school business class teachers in the Nipissing and Parry Sound area.

- Centre des jeunes francophones de Toronto: MSBE will grant funding over three years to support Ouvrir les portes de l'entrepreneuriat aux minorites ethnoculturelles. Through workshops, seminars and mentoring in the Greater Toronto Area, this French-language program will assist racial minority and ethnocultural francophone youths in the business planning process.

- Junior Achievement of Central Ontario: Will receive support for the expansion of the JA Titan project. This project develops students' entrepreneurial and leadership skills through interactive learning opportunities and web-based simulations. Students will work in teams to compete as companies in a fictitious market. In the first year of operation more than 100 JA Titan projects were launched in high schools across Ontario.

- Conseil de la Cooperation de l'Ontario: MSBE will fund the Conseil de la Cooperation de l'Ontario over three years to support the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Cooperatives. This French language program targets post-secondary youth, ages 18-29, across the province and encourages them to start their own cooperatives through a three-staged approach.

- Le Cle d'la Baie: MSBE will provide funding over a two-year period to aid the Programme partenariat jeunesse. This program will prepare rural francophone youths in Simcoe County for careers as entrepreneurs through workshops, training and mentoring sessions. The program will also help young Ontarians launch their own businesses under the guidance of their mentors.

Non-profit organizations interested in learning more about the Youth Entrepreneurship Partnerships initiative should visit the website at: http://www.sbe.gov.on.ca/ontcan/sbe/en/youth_main_en.jsp

PRESS RELEASE ...

January 15, 2007 - Iqaluit, Nunavut

Alianait Arts Festival organizers are looking for musicians to perform in Iqaluit, Nunavut June 21 to July 1.

Musicians who are interested in performing at the Festival are invited to apply between now and the deadline of February 25th. Percussion and rhythm (vocal, instrumental, etc.) musicians will be featured at this festival to align with this year's theme of Polar Rhythms.

Application forms and requirements are available on the Alianait website at www.alianait.ca or by phoning (867) 975-6131.

You can download an application here.

For more information contact: Heather Daley

Background:

From June 21-July 1, 2007, Nunavut’s capital city will host the Alianait Arts Festival. This marks the third year of the festival – this time around, it promises to deliver an even bigger, more diverse and exciting array of performers and artists from across Nunavut, Canada and the circumpolar world.

For eleven days, and sunlit Arctic nights, festival audiences will be treated to music, dancing, arts, crafts, theatre, Nunavut films, storytelling and more.

Alianait is presented by a coalition of arts groups including the Iqaluit Music Society, L’Association des francophones du Nunavut, the Nunavut Arts & Crafts Association, Ajjiit Nunavut Media Association, Qaggiq Theatre Company, Part-Time Players, the Office of the Languages Commissioner and the City of Iqaluit.

For more information about the Alianait Arts Festival, or for details on how to sponsor or volunteer, please visit our website at: www.alianait.ca or send an email to info@alianait.ca

The National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation (www.nnapf.org) hosted their annual training conference in August 2006 in conjunction with the Healing Our Spirit Worldwide (HOSW) 5th Gathering in Edmonton (http://www.hosw.com) . The report from this training conference is now available online (Click here to download NNAPF National Training Report 2006)

The National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation recently had its new liaison office in Ottawa officially opened with Tina Keeper, MP participating in its launch.

NNAPF’S TRAINING CONFERENCES

From the National Native Addictions Partnership Foundation, Strategic Plan, June 2003 ...

Annual Training Institutes and idea exchange Forums will be hosted annually by NNAPF. These institutes will not only provide formal Training but will serve as venues for the sharing of ideas, consulting and securing input into program renewal Plan.

MISSION OF NNAPF

Building on the national Review of NNADAP in 1998, and other Regional and individual studies, our challenge is to advocate, develop, facilitate, and monitor strategies designed to continuously upgrade and enhance the quality of ideas, information, program methodologies, financial allocations and skills of service providers comprising the program.

In its short form

The National Native Addictions Foundation is committed to promoting a capacity building strategy to renew NNADAP.

Created in January 2000, the National Native Partnership Foundation Inc. is the National Voice for Aboriginal Addictions issues.

Members of NNAPF’S National and regional network consider Community empowerment as the key to sustainable, long term healing and NNAPF’s structure, representation and mandate ensures that community needs and solutions in the area of wellness and addictions are tabled at regional, provincial, territorial and federal levels.

To serve our Vision and Mission, our efforts are focused on the building of a strong and cohesive network of Aboriginal Health and Addictions Specialists – traditional Healers, paraprofessionals and professionals – and in forging and maintaining partnerships at local, regional, provincial, territorial and federal level.

NNAPF’s efforts are also dedicated to the development and maintenance of a qualified Aboriginal workforce involved in the field of Aboriginal Wellness and Addictions and the recognition of its existing, unique expertise and experience.

We strongly believe in our role as a catalyst for change and believe this change is facilitated by the opportunities our conference offers us to listen to your concerns, your successes, your challenges, hopes and dreams.

Further information is available from our Information Kit and our website at www.nnapf.org

From http://cgi.bowesonline.com/pedro.php?id=3&x=story&xid=281731

Grassy Narrows renews calls for clearcutting ban

By Mike Aiken - Miner and News - Thursday January 18, 2007

Grassy Narrows Chief Simon Fobister declared a moratorium on all industrial activity within the First Nation’s traditional land use area Wednesday.

The chief targeted forestry companies Abitibi and Weyerhaeuser, as he continued to criticize the province for allowing resource extraction without consulting the First Nation.

“We have been seeking, for many years, a constructive solution to this untenable situation, but the response has always been to talk and log,” he said.

“We cannot sit back and watch the demise of our way of life, which disappears every time more cutting areas are extended to Abitibi and Weyerhaeuser,” he added.

Fobister said the moratorium doesn’t have any legal weight, but is a strong statement that clear-cutting is hurting the aboriginal community and nothing else has worked.

The community of about 1,250 set up a permanent blockade along the Slant Lake Road four years ago, and they have set an end to the controversial logging practice as a precondition for a settlement with Abitibi, who own the wood rights for the area.

Weyerhaeuser also uses wood from the Whiskey Jack Forest in its Kenora plant, and it’s been the subject of demonstrations, including the closure of the Trans-Canada and the English River Road last summer.

MNR willing to talk

Representations of the Ministry of Natural Resources extended an invitation to restart talks last July, following the roadblock on the bypass, but negotiations haven’t restarted. Staff have noted the province’s laws for logging meet international standards.

The ministry has invited band members to take part in consultations for the 2009 to 2019 forest management, which is currently underway. Spokesman Anne-Marie Flanagan noted the ministry has also offered band leaders the opportunity to create their own consultation process.

Representatives from Abitibi and Weyerhaeuser say they are following the rules set out by the province. While Abitibi has closed their operation in Kenora, Weyerhaeuser points to an ongoing relationship with Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) First Nation, which includes benefits sharing.

KFP decision not delayed

Flanagan noted a decision on the proposal from Kenora Forest Products won’t be delayed because of the declaration by Grassy Narrows. She hoped a decision would be made by the end of February or early March, as previously suggested.

She noted the province has set aside the harvesting of 112,000 cubic metres of wood a year within the forest management area for First Nation businesses. Aboriginal companies are also welcome to bid on the remaining 495,000 cubic metres up for bid in the Red Lake, Kenora and Dryden area.

Kenora Forest Products is hoping to be awarded the wood rights previously owned by Abitibi, so it can finance an expansion project that could bring 250 jobs to the city.

CPAWS Wildlands League and Sierra Legal press release ...
http://www.cpaws.org/news/archives/2007/01/groups_slam_ont.php

Groups slam Ontario for poor oversight of public forests - Complaint highlights mismanagement of northern timber resources

Toronto -- Two of Ontario's leading conservation organizations, CPAWS Wildlands League and Sierra Legal, filed a critical submission to the Environmental Commissioner today highlighting serious concerns over how public timber resources are allocated to the logging industry. The groups state that the province’s current approach to managing and accounting for public forests fails to adequately protect the environment and the rights of Aboriginal Peoples, and is delivering a dreadful return on investment for Ontarians.

“If a bank were to manage the finances of its clients in the manner that the Ontario government manages the wood from its public forests, it would be bankrupt very quickly,” says Trevor Hesselink, Director of Forests for CPAWS Wildlands League.

This complaint comes on the heels of Grassy Narrows First Nation calling for a halt to all development in its traditional territory in the Boreal Forest, and after the province called for proposals to redistribute wood volumes that were originally assigned to the closed Abitibi mill. This redistribution process or tendering has raised the ire of First Nations, industry, and environmentalists. Much of the woodshed in question is the subject of a long-standing conflict with Grassy Narrows, who has asked for a halt to clearcut logging on their traditional territory.

“This tendering process is the tip of the iceberg of an allocation system fraught with problems,” says Hesselink. In their application to the Commissioner, the organizations describe the overarching transparency and accountability gaps in the system, including a lack of consistency of approach across the province and systemic reporting problems from the companies operating in the forests. Moreover, because the management tools used to oversee the entire undertaking are inordinately complicated, oftentimes the numbers don’t match up, are missing, or are out of date.

“Moving forward with the tendering process is a slap in the face to the community,” says Dr. Anastasia Lintner, Staff Lawyer & Economist for Sierra Legal. “It is as if the people of Grassy Narrows can’t be heard over the felling of trees in the forest.”

“This is a serious concern because it is communities like Grassy Narrows and the public that ultimately bear the costs of this mismanagement,” says Lintner. “Without a rational, transparent and fair allocation process we can expect to see more conflict and uncertainty in the Boreal Forest in the future,” Hesselink adds.

The groups are calling for a new model: one that would deliver business stability, forest conservation and public trust, without generating conflict for northern communities.

-30-

Contacts:
Trevor Hesselink CPAWS Wildlands League (416) 707-9841
Dr. Anastasia Lintner Sierra Legal (416) 368-7533 ext. 30

Background:
Background materials available at www.wildlandsleague.org

1. See full text of the submission: “Request for Review Of Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources Crown Timber Allocation Regime”
2. See Grassy Narrows Press Release: “Grassy Narrows Declares Moratorium and Challenges MNR Tender Process Currently Underway”

Ontario government press release ...

REPORT OF THE HATE CRIMES COMMUNITY WORKING GROUP - Provides Recommendations On Fighting Hate Crimes And Strengthening Communities

TORONTO — The McGuinty government is marking International Human Rights Day by releasing the report of the Hate Crimes Community Working Group, Attorney General Michael Bryant and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Monte Kwinter announced today.

“Our society has zero tolerance for hate crimes, so I thank the chair and members of the working group for their thoughtful proposals,” said Bryant. “Our government is committed to maintaining its leadership role in promoting human rights, equality, diversity and tolerance. I will also work with the federal government to consider those recommendations that fall within its jurisdiction.”

Bryant said that the Ontario government is striking an inter-ministerial team to consider those recommendations that fall within its jurisdiction and to plan the investment of $1.3 million to help strengthen Ontario’s communities by taking action against hate crimes.

“I offer my congratulations to members of the working group, who have given so freely of their time and contributed their depth of understanding of Ontario’s diverse communities to completing this report,” said Kwinter. “The government looks forward to working with community groups and stakeholders to better protect Ontarians and to prevent future hate crimes.”

The Hate Crimes Community Working Group began its deliberations in January 2006 and met with stakeholders in Toronto, Windsor, Ottawa, Thunder Bay and Kenora. More than 600 Ontarians provided input. The working group reviewed best practices in other provinces and countries and conducted an on-line questionnaire to gather stakeholder views on hate crime issues, incidents and victimization. The group provided recommendations on ways to improve services for victims of hate crimes and to prevent further victimization.

“I was honoured to have been asked to chair the working group on this very important and timely issue,” said Dr. Karen Mock. “It has been a privilege to work with such a dedicated group of individuals representing diverse communities, and to be able to reach out to so many communities and stakeholders across the province. Many communities look forward to continuing to work with the government to implement a strategy to counter and prevent hate crime in Ontario.”

International Human Rights Day, December 10, is celebrated around the world, commemorating the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the General Assembly of the United Nations. This declaration affirms the human rights of people everywhere – the right to be treated with dignity, the right to freedom of religion and expression, the right to equality before the law and to protection from discrimination.

The McGuinty government has taken other significant steps to combat hate crimes, including:

• Expanding the categories of projects eligible for funding under the Community Grant Program to include community-based projects that support victims of hate crimes
• Providing specialized training in hate crimes legislation for a team of Crown counsel that provides legal advice to police and other Crown prosecutors on matters related to hate crimes
• Updating the Crown prosecution policy on hate crimes to ensure that it reflects legal developments and addresses the current social environment relating to hate activities.

The Hate Crimes Community Working Group was appointed by Attorney General Michael Bryant and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Monte Kwinter in December 2005. The group's mandate was to advise the ministers on approaches to address hate crimes in the province, including measures to enhance services to hate crime victims and to reduce hate crime victimization directed at both individuals and communities at large.

The 10 members brought to their task a diversity of community perspectives, expertise and experience in addressing hate crime. The working group reviewed published research, held regional community meetings and focus groups, circulated an electronic questionnaire to agencies involved in hate crime work, and met with academics, lawyers, government officials, victim services staff, prosecutors, police and educators. The working group heard directly from representatives of many victimized groups, such as the Aboriginal, African Canadian, Jewish, Arab, Muslim, South Asian, East Asian, and Lesbian /Gay /Bisexual /Transgendered /(Two-Spirited) /Intersexed communities. In all, the working group received input from more than 600 stakeholders and community members.

Proposed Strategy

The working group proposed a strategy to encourage proactivity, inclusiveness, innovation and effectiveness in response to hate crimes and hate incidents, and in support for victims of hate. The strategy goes beyond the hate offences identified in the Criminal Code. It addresses not only individual acts of hate but also attitudes, systems, structures and arrangements that may facilitate or excuse them.

The working group included goals and objective statements under each component of the strategy, and made recommendations to help achieve these. The strategy includes a broad range of areas in relation to hate and hate crimes, including the unique position of Aboriginal peoples, the role of communities, education and training for professionals who deal with victims, services to victims, response and remedies within the justice system, and public awareness and understanding.

The full report is available on the ministry website at http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/hatecrimes

- 30 -

Contacts:
Brendan Crawley
Ministry of the Attorney General
Communications Branch
416 326-2210
 
Anthony Brown
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Communications Branch
416 314-7772

Joyce Atcheson (joycea@kanen.on.ca), Policy Development Officer with Ka:nen Our Children Our Future in Thunder Bay worked on getting the Summary Report translated into Cree, OjiCree and Ojibway. Click on the links below to view this summary document in these languages.

• Cree
• Oji-Cree
• Ojibway

Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre is hosting a conference for Immersion teachers and Native language teachers and it will be taking place on Feb. 13, 14, and 15 at the Sunset Suites in Sioux Lookout.

Day 1 of this conference will be a training session on how to use the Phraselator P2 Language Companion. The Resource Centre is purchasing a number of these units and two trainers will be coming from California to do this session. For more information on the phraselator, check out the Thornton Media website at http://ndntv.com 

Click here to also read the CBC news about these devices being used in Alberta on KNews.

Day 2 and 3 of the agenda will focus on assessment.

Please call Charlotte at 807-737-7373 or 1-866-326-1077 ext 21 if you would like to register for this conference.

Sandy Lake First Nation Nation Presents:

Youth Invitational Hockey Tournament

March 1, 2, 3 & 4 , 2007

Margaret Angeconeb, from Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre, reports ... We are purchasing 10 phraselator units (7 to go to our Immersion schools, and 3 for our Centre).

From http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2007/01/18/language-device.html

First Nation uses translation machine to save language
January 18, 2007 - CBC News

A translation device developed for the U.S. military after the Sept. 11 attacks is helping an Alberta First Nation and other aboriginal groups across North America preserve their languages.

The Phraselator (http://www.phrasalator.com/products.aspx), used by U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, translates English phrases into the language chosen by the user. The hand-held device, about 10 by 18 centimetres, is programmed with thousands of phrases deemed to be useful in a specific situation.

When a person speaks English, it repeats the phrase in the programmed language.

A teacher at the Siksika First Nation just east of Calgary said young people in particular could be helped by the device.

"Siksika is one of the languages that is decreasing. It's not being taught at home anymore," said Herman Yellowoldwoman. "The only people that are teaching the language are the schools, and very little is being taught at home."

Developed by VoxTec International of Maryland for military use in Afghanistan after Sept. 11, 2001, it has now been adopted by U.S. law-enforcement organizations and aboriginal groups.

Thornton Media of California, owned by an American Indian, has worked with more than 40 tribes in the U.S. and Canada to help them control their own language destiny, the company website said.

"If your kids aren't learning the language, it doesn't matter how many speakers you have. If your kids aren't learning it, then your language is in trouble," Don Thornton said.

Most Siksika speakers older 

On the Siksika reserve, about 40 per cent of residents are fluent in the language, but most of them are over 45. Yellowoldwoman said even teachers have a hard time giving lessons to students.

"One of the biggest things is the sounds. When you write and read the Siksika language, the sound is not correct. And the only way they can ever get the correct sound is by listening."

The Phraselator has the sounds. And the machine can be programmed.

"You can also enter songs or words," Thornton said. On its website, Thornton Media promises the hardware, software and training so users can program "in YOUR language" — at $3,300 US a unit.

On the Siksika reserve, teachers want to use the tool one on one with students. They like the idea.

"It's [the language] a very important part of our culture. We want to keep it alive before it slowly disappears," said Larissa Calfrobe, 18.

Staff at the medical centre will also use the Phraselator so they can better communicate with patients who are more comfortable using their mother tongue.

Algorithms key to device

The Phraselator uses speech recognition algorithms, but is based on a different concept from most machine translation systems, the VoxTec website said.

Most efforts over the past 50 years of intense research have been based on the problem of recognizing phonemes — the smallest phonetic units that convey a distinct meaning, such as the "b" in bat — and universal translation.

Progress on the phoneme front has been slow, but VoxTec went at the problem by looking for a way to deal with phrases, recognizing that for most situations, there is "a specific lexicon that can effectively be communicated using a pre-defined, well-organized set of functional phrases."

Phraselator uses modules, groups of phrases in a given language designed by experts for specific uses such as disaster relief, the military or law enforcement, and then translated by linguists from the region where the language is spoken.

The modules advertised on its website range from Albanian to Vietnamese.

Don Thornton (and his wife) will be at our office on Monday, Feb. 12 to show us how to use the units and to start recording voices. We have invited a couple of elders to join us and we will be getting them to input some phrases.