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Ontario Government Improves Access Into Far North Community - December 14, 2005

Funds Will Help Fort Severn First Nation Build New Harbour And Road

SUDBURY – The Ontario government is helping Fort Severn First Nation on Hudson Bay improve transportation infrastructure essential for the community’s well-being and growth, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced today.

“Our government is working with James Bay communities to help them achieve real progress on shared goals that will improve quality of life,” said Bartolucci. “It is vital that Far North communities maintain and improve transportation options.”
 
The Fort Severn First Nation is using a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) investment of $590,320 to build a new harbour and seven-kilometre road to the community. The new facility replaces a deteriorating dock, and is being built in deeper water to better ensure safe navigation of the annual barge from Moosonee. Fort Severn, near the mouth of the Severn River on Hudson Bay, is Ontario’s northernmost community. It is accessible year-round only by air; however, the summer barge and a winter road provide less expensive ways to travel and ship fuel, building material, food and other goods and services.

“Many First Nation communities, including Fort Severn, are experiencing population growth,” said David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. “An important aspect of our government’s commitment to improving Aboriginal communities is to ensure they have the opportunities and the means to deliver efficient and cost-effective services to their families, children and youth.”
 
“Today’s announcement supports our government’s commitment to work with Ontario’s Aboriginal communities to build northern prosperity in a way that respects heritage and cultural values,” said Bartolucci, who also chairs the NOHFC. “We recognize that infrastructure development is key to supporting the northern economy.”

This NOHFC contribution is part of the government’s Northern Prosperity Plan for building stronger northern communities. The Northern Prosperity Plan has four pillars: Strengthening the North and its Communities; Listening to and Serving Northerners Better; Competing Globally; and Providing Opportunities for All.

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Contacts:

Laura Blondeau
Minister’s Office – Sudbury
(705) 564-7454

Michel Lavoie
MNDM/NOHFC – Sudbury
(705) 564-7125

www.nohfc.com      www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca

An agreement of cooperation and communication was signed between Chief Gordon Anderson and Minister Rick Bartolucci.

Since 2001, Kasabonika has been engaged in mineral development issues in and around its' community landbase.  Ongoing discussions with government and the private sector have culminated in a watershed agreement between Kasabonika and MNDM that formalizes their relationship.  In addition, the development vision crafted by community members and their leadership is being realized at a pace, and on terms, that the community determines.  As an example, the infrastructural base, which includes the hotel, will be modernized in order to support the community's mineral exploration efforts, tourism development, and the service sector.  For further information, please contact Deputy Chief Eno H. Anderson at (807) 535-2547, ext. 240.

KORI’s Coordinator, Brian Walmark, and the Grade 8 Supplementary Program Coordinator, Fernando Oliveira, lead workshops at the 11th Annual Conference of the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) in Vancouver, BC on Tuesday, December 13.  Fernando’s workshop focussed on FNMoodle and the adaptions to this open source educational platform to meet the needs of KiHS and other applications such as First Nations Schoolnet’s Grade 8 supplementary program in literacy, mathematics and science. Brian’s workshop focussed on how community members have shaped ICTs to address needs at the community level.

Visit http://www.fnesc.ca/conferences/Content%204.pdf for more information about this conference. The actual workshop description from the pamphlet follows ...

Measuring the Impacts of Broadband Services on Academic Achievement

Brian Walmark, Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute presented ... Over the past decade, millions of dollars have been spent on improving access to modern broadband technologies to Aboriginal communities in the northern, rural and remote areas of Canada. However, the impact of such broadband implementation has not yet been established. This workshop discussed the findings from a study that investigated the impact of broadband services on the academic achievement of First Nations Elementary School students in Northern Ontario. In addition, the impact of broadband services on community based agency employees in Northern Ontario will also be discussed.

MoodleFN: A Free e-Learning Platform Created for First Nations Schools 

Fernando Oliveira, G8 Program Coordinator, Keewaytinook Okimakanak presented ... This workshop focused on two new eLearning programs that are currently offered in Ontario under the First Nations SchoolNet www.firstnationschools.ca - umbrella. The workshop will consist of the following:

• A virtual tour of the G8 Program www.g8firstnationschools.ca
• A demonstration of the MoodleFN platform and how it is used for the Keewaytinook Internet High School, http://kihs.knet.ca
• A presentation outlining how participants can use ModdleFN to create their own eLearning programs without cost.
• A discussion period

Grand Chief Phil Fontaine addressed the Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak on the first day of their meeting in Winnipeg today. Geordi Kakepetum, KO Executive Director, presented the Grand Chief with a Briefing package that contained a strategy to address the various AFN resolutions passed by the Chiefs-in-Assembly at the AFN July 2004 and the AFN December, 2005 gatherings. 

The Briefing Note describes five of the current issues challenging First Nations and Keewaytinook Okimakanak at this time. Click here to see this Briefing Note (64K - PDF document).

The background Information about each of these five issues provides details about how these issues influence the development of First Nation services and programs. Click here to read these Background Notes (310K - PDF document).

The first two video clips (raw footage) about this meeting have been posted and are available for viewing (watch for the edited and compressed versions over the next few days). Click here to watch Phil's arrival at the Chiefs' Meeting.(wmv, 2 minutes)

Click here to watch the first section of Phil's presentation to the chiefs about the residential school settlement (wmv, 13 minutes)

Click here to view the pictures from this meeting.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak as the Ontario Regional Management Organization (RMO) is compiling a series of good news ICT stories from First Nation schools across the province.  These stories will be published online and will take a similar format as the presentation from the publication produced by the Quebec RMO (see below).

Everyone is invited to use the form located at the SUCCESS STORIES link on the left hand side bar to e-mail us stories about how your school is utilizing the communication tools in your school as well as any other story you would like to share with other readers. We will be posting all these stories online at the http://firstnationschools.ca web site.

The Regional Management Organization in Quebec (the First Nations Education Council) recently posted the second publication of "Technology in First Nation Communities - SchoolNet Success Stories". Click here to learn how other First Nation schools are effectively integrating communication technologies in their classrooms and communities.

From the publication ...

During the NAN Education Committee Conference this past week in Thunder Bay, the Honourable James Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario announced his plans to expand the number of literacy camps in First Nations next summer ...

from http://www.nan.on.ca ...

Kakegamic and Bartleman Attend NAN Education Committee Meetings

Posted by cpedri@nan.on.ca 12/8/2005 11:22:12 AM

NAN Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic and the Honourable James Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario attended NAN Education Meetings held this week to address both positive developments in Aboriginal education and areas requiring vast improvements.

NAN Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic and the Honourable James Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario attended NAN Education Meetings held this week to address both positive developments in Aboriginal education and areas requiring vast improvements.

Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic commented on the need to close the gap between Aboriginal education and education received by the rest of the province, highlighting the fact that while NAN communities only have schools, other urban cities have many other resources such as school boards and consultants.

During his presentation Bartleman remarked on how  he looks forward to expanding the youth literacy camps which took place this past summer in five NAN Communities to include an additional 15 First Nations next year.

The literacy camps ran in the NAN communities of Kingfisher Lake, Fort Albany, North Caribou Lake, Neskantaga and Fort Hope.

The Aboriginal Literacy Summer Camp initiative is led by a steering committee representing seven organizations belonging to the Lieutenant Governor’s Literacy Coalition. These organizations include Scouts Canada, the YMCA of Greater Toronto, Frontier College, the National Indigenous Literacy Association, PhotoSensitive, the Toronto District School Board, and World Literacy Canada.

from http://www.ceaa.gc.ca/050/Viewer_e.cfm?SrchPg=1&CEAR_ID=13610

NOTICE OF COMMENCEMENT of an environmental assessment 

North Spirit Lake First Nation New School Construction Project
North Spirit Lake Indian Reserve (ON)

August 10, 2005 -- Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will conduct a screening commencing on August 10, 2005 of the project: North Spirit Lake First Nation New School Construction Project.

The proposed project will be developed on-reserve in the central area of the community and involves development of a 4.75 ha. area which is currently undeveloped, forested land in close proximity to the Flanagan River and North Spirit Lake. The school building will house Grades K4-10 and will have a floor space of 1,545 m2 encompassing 4 standard classrooms, 1 kindergarten, and rooms for administration, library/resource centre, auditorium/gymnasium, computer, staff room, educational storage, councillor and quiet room. On-site fuel storage will be limited to a 2-week supply complying with current TSSA standards. In addition to the school construction, the project scope includes development of a new bus turn around to serve the school, extension of the munipical water system to the school site, connection to the community sewer line, construction of an unheated warehouse with a footprint of 100 m2, and construction of fenced playfield including soccer fiels and baseball diamond, play structures, hard surface play area, hockey rink with lighting, bus loop, and parking area. The project will confirm to a number of standards including the National Building Code and the Canada Labour Code. Disposition of the existing school and remediation of any contaminated soils associated with this site are being addressed under a separate project.

Under section 5 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, an EA is required for this project because Indian and Northern Affairs Canada may provide financial assistance to the proponent for the purpose of enabling the project.

For further information on this environmental assessment, please contact:
Dan Baxter
Capital Management Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Suite 101, 100 Anemki Drive
Thunder Bay  ON  P7J 1A5
Telephone: (807) 624-1569
Fax: (807) 623-3616
Email address: baxterd@inac.gc.ca

and refer to CEAR reference number  05-01-13610

Renewal Commission's 18-month long study affects all First Nations peoples

OTTAWA, ON, Canada – December 7, 2005 – The Assembly of First Nations Renewal Commission (AFNRC - http://www.afnrenewal.ca/english/home.htm), formed 18 months ago to examine the purpose and structure of the national organization representing nearly a million First Nations citizens across Canada, today released its nearly 300-page report containing 47 recommendations for the renewal of the AFN.

Among other recommendations, the report calls for the National Chief of the Assembly to be elected through a universal vote of all First Nations citizens. It says the AFN should be given greater standing in the Canadian confederation. And it recommends that the AFN focus on political advocacy of aboriginal rights and issues, forging protocols and strategic alliances with First Nations themselves and with other aboriginal organizations to develop a unified voice and to facilitate the delivery of services to First Nations communities.

The report, subtitled “A treaty among ourselves,” will be presented to First Nations leaders at a Special Assembly in December, at which time the recommendations will be considered by the First Nations-in-Assembly.

The Renewal Commission was struck in December 2003 when National Chief Phil Fontaine requested its creation to examine the charter of the AFN and make recommendations on how to improve the organization. The AFN was more than 20 years old, and its structures and processes had not evolved in step with the First Nations communities. With recent court cases and land claims literally changing the landscape of Canada's First Nations, a huge contingent of First Nations peoples living in major urban centres, and an increasingly young demographic, it was time for a change.

First Nations citizens responded enthusiastically to the renewal initiative, and their input is the basis of the report, said Commission Co-chair Wendy John. “We listened to the First Nations peoples of Canada and this report is wholly representative of our peoples' thoughts and wishes for the national organization that represents them,” she said. “The recommendations are far-reaching, covering topics from self-government to women's rights, from organizational structure to youth initiatives.”

Co-chair Joe Miskokomon said the report is a powerful opportunity for AFN chiefs to strengthen their ability to represent their people, and he called on First Nations people to get behind the report. “The recommendations in the report effect all of our peoples,” he said. “The citizens' voices can and must be heard by the AFN chiefs. Our peoples need to become champions of their recommendations so that their chiefs will support the report.”

About the Assembly of First Nations Renewal Commission

The Assembly of First Nations Renewal Commission was struck in December 2003 to consult widely with First Nations people and to make recommendations on improving the only national organization representing all First Nations citizens. Its 11 commissioners were experienced individuals who, collectively, were representative of different geographic regions and of the different interests within First Nation society, including elders, youth and women, and urban, rural and remote communities. The Commission held 24 hearings across Canada attended by more than 1,100 people. More than 380 presentations were made at these meetings, with further input coming from three focus group sessions and nearly 90 additional submissions delivered by mail or email.

Media contact – For further information or to arrange interviews:

Linda Woods
inmedia Public Relations Inc.
(613) 234-7227 x234
(613) 769-7386 (cell)
lwoods@inmedia.com

Click here to download a copy of the report

As part of the National Indigenous Community Satellite Network (NICSN - http://smart.knet.ca/satellite), technical team members from each of the partner founding organziatons became certified KA-Band satellite system installers today. Working with a trainer from Barrett's Xplornet, nine technicians successfully completed their training program to be able to install these units in the NICSN partner Aboriginal communities.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak's K-Net Services is now an enterprise distributor for KA-Band units. In partnership with Barrett Xplore, the NICSN team will be installing a KA-Band unit in each of the satellite served partner communities to explore technical strategies for reducing the traffic load on the present C-band network. The goal is to increase the amount of video traffic that can be supported on the C-Band system.

As well, First Nation schools that presently are using the two way KU-band satellite services will see these units replaced with the lower cost KA-band systems in the near future.

Four members of the Manitoba First Nations SchoolNet Regional Management Organization team (Justin, Sam, Harvey and Dominic) travelled from Winnipeg to receive this training. JF Delorme travelled from Kuujjuaq in Northern Quebec to participate in the training. As well, John Moreau, Jamie Ray, Terence Burnard and Adi Linden from the K-Net team successfully completed the training.

Drew Perry from Health Canada's e-Health Solutions Unit in Winnipeg joined the training to familiarize himself with this system as well as learn about the Kuhkenah Network. While in Sioux Lookout, Drew was provided with tours of the local network infrastructure as well as the teleradiology and telehealth systems in place at the local Menoyawin Health Centre.

Click here to see pictures from the training session