Media.Knet.Ca

from  the Canadian Press ... JUDY MONCHUK

CALGARY (CP) - Canada's premiers agreed Tuesday to support a 10-year plan that aims to eliminate aboriginal poverty and right historic wrongs.

"The gap that exists between aboriginal Canadians, First Nations and the general public is something we should all be ashamed of", B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell said Tuesday after the premiers met with aboriginal leaders. Campbell, who will help draft the agenda for a first ministers meeting on native issues in the fall, said the changes will not come overnight.

"That plan should be created by the aboriginal leadership to lay out a plan for us that we can commit to and act on," he said. "The federal government will have to be part of that solution as provinces are already."

Native leaders wanted the leaders of the provinces and territories to support the ambitious plan, which was presented to Ottawa in June. It will address health care, housing, economic development and forging a new relationship between Canada's aboriginal peoples and the different levels of government.

The premiers met with aboriginal leaders in Calgary before their annual gathering, which begins in Banff on Wednesday.

Phil Fontaine, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, was thrilled with the endorsement.

"We'd like to see those changes happen yesterday, but if we can keep what we agreed to (Tuesday) as the starting point of this new relationship and a commitment to closing the gap, we'll be happy," said Fontaine.

"When we meet again in the fall, we won't spend our time debating the utility of such a commitment."

Living conditions in Canada's aboriginal communities ranked 63rd in a recent United Nations report, while Canada overall ranked third.

"I don't think we're going to get much argument that too many First Nations communities live in Third-World conditions," said Fontaine.

Ontario's Dalton McGuinty said it's important that the deal calls for concrete steps to change those conditions.

"We've decided collectively we want to move the yardstick forward," said McGuinty. "It talks about a 10-year timeline where we establish indicators to show Canadians that things are getting better, not in some academic, esoteric manner."

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said there are critical health issues that must be addressed, noting that in his province, six aboriginal people each day are diagnosed with diabetes. That's three times higher than the rest of the population.

Doer said it's time to focus on prevention and getting treatment for aboriginals in their own communities as much as possible.

Numerous studies have shown that aboriginals are at higher risk for various diseases and that their overall health is poorer than other Canadians.

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein, who is hosting the premiers meeting, said it's also important for the federal government to live up to its commitment to cover aboriginal health for those who live off reserve.

And while no price tag has been assessed for reforms, Ottawa's projected surplus of $8 billion means there is money available.

"We're not suggesting the entire surplus be directed to our issues, we just want a fair share of the resources," said Fontaine.

P.E.I. Premier Pat Binns said improving the situation for aboriginals will benefit the entire country.

"In Atlantic Canada, we know that a rising tide raises all boats," said Binns. "If we can raise the prosperity level of native people, we'll all be better off."

© The Canadian Press, 2005

Click here to read the CBC on-line coverage of this story

Click here for the AFN press release and position on this issue.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Calls on Premiers to Work With First Nations to “Close the Gap” in Quality of Life During Council of the Federation Discussions

Today in Calgary, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine called on provincial and territorial leaders to address First Nations issues as part of an effort to close the gap in the quality of life between First Nations and the rest of Canada. He issued the call at a meeting with provincial and territorial premiers and national Aboriginal leaders prior to the Council of the Federation meeting in Banff, Alberta.

“We have had a very positive and constructive dialogue with the Premiers and territorial leaders. They are recognizing that our approach is one of constructive engagement: we are presenting concrete proposals and options to address the issues that we raise,” stated the National Chief. “Simply put, we want to close the gap between ourselves and other Canadians and to enjoy the same quality of life and opportunity.”

The National Chief reiterated his calls to set a 10 year goal to “close the gap” in the quality of life between First Nations and other Canadians; establish an ongoing political relationship by convening a series of First Ministers’ Meetings to adequately address all health determinants, which includes housing, education and economic development and self-determination; and adding economic development to the First Ministers’ Meetings agenda, given its importance in improving socio-economic outcomes. He first issued the challenge at a meeting with federal, provincial and territorial ministers of Aboriginal affairs in June.

The National Chief also called for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to address First Nations priorities by integrating or coordinating government programming and services under increased First Nation control, with comprehensive models for financing services to First Nations people, including those living away from their communities.

“Focusing exclusively on 3 or 4 health determinants will not be sufficient to close the gap,” said the National Chief. “In our model, we have identified 14 key determinants that affect our overall health and well-being, including education, employment, justice, language and lands, in addition to the ones I have already mentioned. Here in Western Canada, we are already seeing pressure on the skilled and educated workforce. The First Nations population is young and growing and represents the workforce of Canada’s future. Here is an example of a shared priority that benefits both First Nations and Canada.”

The National Chief proclaimed his commitment to working with provincial and territorial premiers and governments to find solutions that will benefit First Nations and all Canadians.

“Provincial and territorial roles and agreements are especially important now, given that federal discussions are already underway,” said the National Chief. “We are keen to work with the provinces and territories to develop better relationships in order to work strategically with other governments. We enter this new millennium with a view of one another not as obstacles to progress, but as allies in partnership. We can work towards a new future and a new era of productivity and prosperity.”

The Assembly of First Nations is the national organization representing First Nations citizens in Canada.

Contacts:

Don Kelly, AFN Communications Director
613-241-6789 ext. 320 or cell 613-292-2787

Ian McLeod, AFN Bilingual Communications Officer
613-241-6789 ext. 336 or cell 613-859-4335

Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, Office of the National Chief
613-241-6789 ext. 243 or cell 613-298-6382

NNEC is auctioning off various items through their website. Beautiful donations from various individuals, local businesses and organizations are posted on-line and are now open for bids. Click here to visit the first page of the On-line Auction and then click on NNEC On-Line Auction to see the items currently available.

The instructions for participating in this fundraising event from the web site ...

NNEC is planning an auction called “I Buy”. It will be available to all Northern ON residents. All proceeds will go to the Pelican Falls First Nation High School hockey rink project. Please support our future hockey stars. *NNEC does not have PayPal* To place a bid: Phone (807) 737-2002 ext. 236 or toll free 1-800-465-3626.ext. 236 Mon.-Fri., between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM (Leave bidding price, name and number of item and your name and contact information). Please email IBuy@nnec.on.ca same information as above

All bids start today, Wednesday August 10 and close Friday, Sept 23, 2005 at 4:30pm.

--2005-08-08 1:05 pm -->Message from the Director-General on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. 

In 2004 the first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (1995-2004) came to an end. Its main merit was that it had centred the attention of the United Nations on the need for awareness of the problems encountered by indigenous peoples the world over. The time has now come to consider new perspectives and strengthen international cooperation in order to meet these peoples’ expectations.

The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, 9 August, marks the day on which the Working Group on Indigenous Populations met for the first time in 1982. It should act as an occasion for thinking about this process and taking part in it.

Faced with the reality of the living conditions of indigenous people, which often remain precarious, the General Assembly of the United Nations, at its 59th session, proclaimed a second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, from 2005 to 2014.

The second Decade will provide UNESCO with an opportunity to pursue and intensify its efforts to promote the cultures of indigenous people and their fundamental rights. It will also offer the occasion to emphasize the need to mainstream culture in every development policy. Such mainstreaming is all the more necessary when indigenous people are involved, since they have a holistic vision of the world and maintain a special link with their environment.

It is therefore essential to strengthen the partnership with indigenous people by improving the mechanisms for the consultation of communities and arranging their participation in projects undertaken in UNESCO’s fields of competence. A central plank of our work will be to give greater thought to an issue of overriding importance for indigenous people – namely their informed, free and prior consent – and its application in the processes of project formulation and execution.

Moreover, UNESCO will pursue its efforts to protect and promote the diversity of cultures and ways of life peculiar to indigenous peoples. I hope that in 2006 the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage will enter into effect, once it has been ratified by the thirtieth State Party. The Organization will also be presenting, at the 33rd session of the General Conference in October 2005, a preliminary draft convention on the protection of the diversity of cultural contents and artistic expressions. These international instruments may provide a framework for the protection of traditional indigenous forms of expression and the promotion of indigenous people’s contemporary creations.

We must at the same time emphasize the role of indigenous individuals, particularly women and young people, in the transmission and safeguarding of knowledge linked to their cultural and natural heritage. As guarantors of cultural diversity and biodiversity, young indigenous people should be proud of their identity and their culture and retain their specificity while taking their rightful place in a globalized world.

Consequently, UNESCO must renew its efforts, particularly in its action on education for all, to introduce curricula that are culturally and linguistically adapted to indigenous history, values and traditions. Formal and informal education for local communities, combined with the proper use of means of information and communication, should bring about an increase in the transmission of knowledge between custodians of traditional knowledge, young people and the rest of the world.

Finally, I wish to pay special tribute to indigenous women. Subjected to twofold discrimination, both as women and indigenous people, they are often especially vulnerable to all kinds of injustice. Nonetheless, their role in the safeguarding of traditions, in particular through the transmission of the mother tongue, is crucial for the planet’s cultural and biological diversity.

I conclude by expressing the wish that 9 August 2005 and the second Decade may provide an opportunity for making progress in the recognition of indigenous peoples’ cultures and rights, since their contribution is more vital than ever for the survival and development of humanity.

Poplar Hill First Nation elected a new chief on Friday, August 5 after for the former chief, Patrick Owen resigned at the end of July. 

Jacob Strang takes over the leadership role in Poplar Hill after being elected by his community membership. There were 5  people that ran for the position of chief.

The rest of the council include Elie Moose, Gary Owen, James Suggashie.

The Honourable Rick Bartolucci announced this afternoon that the Province would contribute over $146,000 to conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability of building an all-season road to connect the KO communities with the Ontario highway system.

Chiefs and mayors attended the announcement in Balmertown. The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund announcement supporting the all weather road into the far north was video conferenced with representatives from Deer Lake, Keewaywin, North Spirit Lake, Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay attending. To learn more about the announcement, click here.  To see photos, click here.

All-Weather Road Would Link First Nation Communities to Northern Highway System

RED LAKE, August 09, 2005 – The Ontario government is helping connect Northwestern Ontario’s remote First Nation communities by investing in an all-weather road study in the Far North, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced today.

“The unique transportation issues faced by remote First Nation communities are amplified by the prohibitive costs of moving people and goods,” said Bartolucci.  “The McGuinty government is committed to working with First Nations communities and the federal government to address such long-standing challenges that hinder the health and prosperity of the Far North.”

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) will provide $146,297 to enable the Northern Roads First Nations Transportation Authority to undertake the first stages of planning for a proposed all-weather road system.  The system would extend northwards from the end of the existing all weather road north of Red Lake to Sandy Lake First Nation, linking Deer Lake, Keewaywin, North Spirit, McDowell Lake and Poplar Hill First Nations. 

These remote communities are currently only accessible by air service and by seasonal winter roads.  The mandate of the transportation authority is to manage and oversee all the activities associated with the planning, design, development, construction, operations and maintenance of the proposed all weather road. The project’s initial steps include assessing economic impacts and benefits, strategic planning and defining the roles and responsibilities. 

“Residents of our Far North hope for transportation infrastructure that we in the more populated regions of the province take for granted,” said Bartolucci, who is chair of the NOHFC.  “I am pleased we can help take these first steps toward the day when northerners can travel and goods can be delivered in remote communities on a road system that is available on a year-long basis.”

This NOHFC project 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.

-30-

Contacts:

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

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

www.nohfc.com

The ministry's press release promises ... The report Is Valuable Advice For North West Ontario Local Health Integration Network

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT
Integrated Service Plan for Northwestern Ontario : Report of the Special Advisor, Tom Closson
16 pages | 190 k | PDF format

FULL REPORT
Integrated Service Plan for Northwestern Ontario : Project Report Submitted to the Special Advisor
284 pages | 981 k | PDF format

THUNDER BAY –Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman today released a report developed by Special Advisor Tom Closson that will serve as valuable advice for integrating and improving health services for northwestern Ontario residents.

"I want to thank Tom Closson for spearheading a truly collaborative and comprehensive report and the steering committee for their energy and ideas," Smitherman said. "The analysis and recommendations will be invaluable to the North West Ontario Local Health Integration Network as it works to improve local health services for area residents."

Smitherman provided the report to Dr. John Whitfield, Chair, North West Ontario LHIN, today to use in local health planning efforts. Smitherman said that the report may serve as a model for how LHINs across the province can approach local health care planning.

Last May, Closson, then president and CEO of the University Health Network, was named by the government to work with the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, other local providers and the ministry on a plan to help the hospital better achieve its role as a regional hospital and to improve health service integration throughout northwestern Ontario.

The Closson report contains 21 recommendations on how to better integrate and coordinate local health care services, including acute hospital care, primary care, long-term care, mental health and addiction and regional health management.

"The North West Ontario LHIN will carefully consider the recommendations in Tom Closson's report," said Whitfield. "The insights and advice were the result of broad community input and will challenge us to work together to raise the quality of local health care."

"It is my hope that Mr. Closson's recommendations will allow us to solve the challenges of providing equitable and appropriate care to the diverse communities that make up the north west," said Michael Gravelle, MPP Thunder Bay-Superior North. "The recommendations will help ensure that Thunder Bay Regional Hospital is open to the entire region."

This initiative is part of the McGuinty government's plan to build a health care system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians healthy, reducing wait times and providing better access to doctors and nurses.

For further information :

Members of the media :

David Spencer, (416) 327-4320 Minister's Office

Dan Strasbourg, (416) 314-6197 Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Members of the general public : (416) 327-4327, or (800) 268-1154

+++++++++++++++++

June, 2005

Vision for the Restructuring of Health Services in Northwestern Ontario :
Improve the health status of people in Northwestern Ontario through an emphasis on health education, disease prevention, health maintenance and access to health services that incorporates the physical and mental health of the population.

This vision requires significant attention to the restructuring, integration and enhancement of primary community care and primary hospital care. The recommendations in this report will maximize the population's access to health services by integrating services along the continuum of care, emphasizing culturally sensitive service delivery and providing services as close to home as is feasible with respect to the safety of care, quality of care and the economics of the care delivery systems.

The Report of the Special Advisor contains the recommendations that will provide the best opportunities for system enhancement, while clarifying the important role of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) within the system. The Hay Report to the Special Advisor includes all of the data gathered over the past nine months in Northwestern Ontario, literature reviews, summaries of consultations that took place during that time and summaries of over 70 submissions received from the community with regard to the work of the Special Advisor. In addition, the Special Advisor received invaluable advice and assistance from a Steering Committee made up of community leaders and health care professionals who live and work throughout Northwestern Ontario.

Webequie First Nation Healing Empowerment Conference and Traditional Pow-Wow

The Healing Empowerment Conference is scheduled to take place in Webequie on August 30 - September 1, 2005. The theme of the conference is " Opening & Creating Healing Trails".

A Traditional Pow-Wow is also scheduled to take place after the Healing Empowerment Conference. The dates of the Pow-Wow is September 1 - 3, 2005.

Visitors are welcomed to come and participate in the events.

For more information :

contact ::

Lillian Suganaqueb @ 807-353-6531 or @ home 807-353-1196

Susan Okeese @ 807-353-1264 or @ home 807-353-1398

Bob Wabasse @ 807-353-1270

From their new web site at http://www.aboriginallanguagestaskforce.ca/e/e_index.html ...

In December 2003, as the Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, we were mandated to conduct research and make recommendations to the Minister of Canadian Heritage on the preservation, revitalization and promotion of Aboriginal (First Nation, Inuit and Métis) languages. We have completed this work.

On June 28, 2005 during an Honouring Feast in Winnipeg, we met with our Elders to celebrate our journey over these past months and to seek blessing for the work that remains to be done.

On June 29, 2005 in Ottawa we met with The Honourable Liza Frulla, Minister of Canadian Heritage and submitted to her our Foundational Report.

This Foundational Report represents a first step – a first step in a long journey to revive and restore the richness and the diversity of our First Nation, Inuit and Métis languages given to us by the Creator. All our languages are sacred – each one deserving of honour and respect. We have heard the wisdom of our Elders, of our Leaders and the many hopeful voices in our communities. We look to you, to our youth, to everyone to join the next leg of the journey towards a new beginning and the re-birth of our languages.

We hope that you take the time to read our Foundational Report and/or the Executive Summary.

Click here to see the recommendations from the task force in a previous KNews story

Several short notices have been posted this past week on the Network News items concerning the complex move of all the circuits and equipment serving the Kuhkenah Network partner communities. All the routers, switches and connections have now been successfully relocated from the Education Network of Ontario's server room at 20 Toronto Street over to the Teleco vault at 151 Front Street.

Posted by danpellerin on Tuesday August 02, 2005:
Circuit move from 20 Toronto to 151 Front is now completed.

Posted by adilinden on Tuesday July 26, 2005:
Cutover the Bell access to 151 Front Street. Move of the PVCs went smooth. However, some circuits are experiencing significant packet loss. Problem is being addressed by Bell tester.

We appreciate all the K-Net users' support and patience as we completed this move and apologize to everyone who might have experienced any brief interruptions to their service during this move.

This strategic move opens up more opportunities for Kuhkenah Network partner communities to be able to access other networks easily. Most major networks including Bell, Telus, AllStream, CANARIE, etc are located in this same facility providing direct routes to their partners, when proper arrangements are made.

An example of how this move will benefit K-Net is our direct fibre connection to the NORTH Network from 20 Toronto Street will eventually no longer be required resulting in significant cost savings. Another direct route to NORTH Network can now be established from the co-location facilities at 151 Front Street.

Thanks to Dan and Adi who have been working hard over the past few months to arrange this relatively seamless but critical transition of the Kuhkenah Network! Whenever K-Net users barely know that such a major achievement has been successful implemented without any interruption to their services, everyone can rest assure that we are in good hands.

A new member of the National Indigenous Community Satellite Network (NICSN) completed their community connections this past week with the assistance of Dan Pellerin, K-Net's Network Manager. Obedjiwan (or Opitciwan) First Nation with the assistance of the First Nations SchoolNet program's Quebec Regional Management Organization (the First Nations Education Council) successfully installed two roof mounted 2.4M C-Band satellite dishes to begin providing broadband applications for their community members.

Click on the links below for information about Opitciwan

• http://cepn-fnec.com/communautes/eng/index.html
• http://cepn-fnec.com/communautes/eng/opitciwan.html
• Miskisiw School (high and professional school) - 321 students
• Niska School (pre-school and elementary) - 346 students
• Aboriginal portal connectivity information