Media.Knet.Ca

A three day site visit from Jeff Anderson of R.A. Malatest & Associates Ltd. (Edmonton office) was part of the formative, mid-term evaluation work he is doing for the final report for Industry Canada. His visit that addresses the case study portion of the report, included:

• interviewing the Regional Management Organization (RMO) program and contracted team members;
• learning about the Keewaytinook Okimakanak organization and their Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) initiative, as it relates to Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet program;
• visiting Pelican Falls First Nations High School to learn about the impacts of the program and the use of ICTs within that environment;
• touring the Kuhkenah Network facilities and learning about its history and future development;
• meeting with First Nations SchoolNet / RMO supported e-learning program leaders (KiHS and the Grade 8 Supplementary programs);
• meeting with Carl Seibel, Industry Canada / FedNor program monitor for the Ontario region.

Carl's visit during these meetings also provided everyone with a stronger understanding about the important role that FedNor is performing in supporting the development of the broadband capacity and resources across Northern Ontario.

From the KO Telehealth web site at http://telehealth.knet.ca ....

KO Telehealth is pleased to announce that the expansion has increased to 16 fully operational KO Telehealth sites. The communities of Webequie and Neskantaga are now operational with comprehensive telehealth services.

The communities of Lac Seul, Bearskin Lake, Pikangikum, Fort Hope and Slate Falls are in the process of hiring Community Telehealth Coordinators over the month of April 2005.

The Community Telehealth Coordinator position has increased from part time to full time to accomodate the growing numbers associated with the program. The CTC's workplans now include a greater variety of responsibilities including the following: Scheduling, Education, Training, Administration, Technical Support, Clinical Support, Translation, Computer Skills, Community Promotion, Community Consultation, Meeting Participation, Liaison with Stakeholders and Partners and Communication Strategy with First Nations on a Provincial and National level, Sharing Knowledge and Expertise from Community Perspective.

Aboriginal Scholars - Listserve - Careers for Aboriginal Scholars

Connecting Aboriginal Faculty and Graduate Students in North America

Careers for Aboriginal Scholars is a new North American list serv focusing on Aboriginal scholars within North America. Its purpose is two-fold:

1. To recruit Aboriginal scholars for faculty positions and also;
2. To recruit Aboriginal students into graduate programs.

Careers for Aboriginal Scholars supports these objectives through the dissemination of employment opportunities directly to Aboriginal faculty candidates who are currently teaching or studying within an academic setting; esp. those who have acquired their PhD or are in the process of completing it. In addition, Careers for Aboriginal Scholars encourages the development of future Aboriginal academics through the dissemination of information on graduate programs at various universities across both Canada and the US.

The list was created and is maintained by Cathy Wheaton, Manager of Employment Equity at the University of Regina. There is no cost to join the list. Any university faculty member, Aboriginal scholar, graduate student or prospective graduate students may add their names to the list. It is not a discussion group but an information sharing network where universities may list faculty position postings or graduate student recruitment announcements. 

The list was originally compiled with a base set of e-mail contacts consisting of a cross-section of Aboriginal faculty and also departments where Aboriginal graduate students are studying. Department heads and graduate program coordinators from a number of institutions including the University of Regina, University of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College have also been added. There are now 170 names on the list. Outside of Saskatchewan list members have also been added from a wide range of faculties in institutions such as:

• University of Alberta
• University of Lethbridge
• University of Victoria
• University of Toronto
• University of Ottawa
• University of Manitoba
• University of Brandon
• Lakehead University
• University of Northern British Columbia
• Trent University
• Concordia University
• Laurentian University
• New York University
• Harvard University
• University of South Carolina
• Cornell University

Faculties are encouraged to use the list when recruiting both Aboriginal faculty and Aboriginal graduate students. As the list is cost-free and timely we are not restricted in its usage.

Careers for Aboriginal Scholars E-mail list 

Purpose:

• To assist Aboriginal scholars pursing a career in academics
• To encourage emerging Aboriginal scholars to pursue study at the graduate level towards a career in academics

Audience

• Aboriginal Scholars seeking faculty positions 
• Aboriginal graduate students/Emerging Aboriginal scholars seeking graduate program information
• Departments recruiting Aboriginal faculty
• Departments recruiting Aboriginal graduate students

Content

• This list will encourage the distribution of faculty opportunities in all disciplines of interest to Aboriginal scholars.
• Institutions recruiting Aboriginal students for graduate programs in all disciplines.
• Programs do not have to be Aboriginal focussed to be included. We have Aboriginal graduates looking for graduate programs in all disciplines.

List Instructions

To add a name:

• For new members, simply send your e-mail addresses to: wheatonc@uregina.ca
• Please include "Careers for Aboriginal Scholars" in the subject line so I know which list you would like to join, I maintain 2 lists. 

*You are encouraged to forward messages to others who may be interested in receiving messages, esp potential graduate students and/or to forward their e-mail addresses to be included on the list.

To delete a name

• For members who wish to leave the list, send an e-mail to wheatonc@uregina.ca indicating they would like to deleted from the list.

To send a message

• Send position postings, program information or questions to: wheatonc@uregina.ca 
• Once the message has been reviewed, it will be posted if it meets the criteria for the list. 
• Please do not send attached files, those who have additional information may leave contact info so interested individuals may request additional files. Receiving unsolicited file attachments slows down and clogs others mailboxes. 

*Note: The list is blind so no one else on the list can see your e-mail address. This ensures that unauthorized mailings do not take place.

Cathy Wheaton
Manager of Employment Equity
University of Regina
Phone: (306) 585-5627
wheatonc@uregina.ca

The April 12, 2005, Vol.172, Issue 8 of the Canadian Medical Association Journal contains a research article entitled "Epidemiology of severe trauma among status Aboriginal Canadians: a population-based study". The Calgary based study found that the treaty status aboriginal Canadians in that region were nearly four times more likely to suffer a serious traumatic injury.

The study included the Calgary Health Region encompassing the city of Calgary and its surrounding areas which includes the three large First Nations (Stoney, Siksika and Sarcee [Tsuu Tina]). All adults (16 years of age or older) experiencing severe trauma  (1779 patients) living in the health region between Apr. 1, 1999, and Mar. 31, 2002, were included in the study.

Aboriginal Canadians were found to be at significantly increased risk of njuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes, assault and traumatic suicide. They are twice as likely to die as a result of their injuries.

From the CBC coverage of this report ...

The numbers don't come as a shock to Jason Goodstriker, the Alberta regional chief for the Assembly of First Nations. He has heard countless stories of injury and death among his people.

"Obviously there's a huge sense of disappointment," he said of the study.

"We've heard these numbers before and Canada – whether it's the population or the government – has had a tough time in dealing with that."

Goodstriker said First Nations communities need between $3 billion and $4 billion to address health and social concerns like the one addressed in the study.

The United Nations report entitled "INDIGENOUS ISSUES - Human rights and indigenous issues - Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Rodolfo Stavenhagen" was released in December 2004.

Canada would be placed 48th out of 174 countries if judged solely on the United Nations' human development scale for the economic and social well-being of its First Nations people, states an April 11 CBC report.

Excerpt from attached study

33. Among the 174 countries included in the United Nations Development Programme Human Development Report 2003, Canada ranked eighth, with a score of 0.937 (it had ranked first in 1999). When the Human Development Index (HDI) is calculated for Registered Indians, however, it reveals a substantially lower score for this population, which would be ranked about forty-eighth among the countries in the report, according to the information received by the Special Rapporteur from the Aboriginal organizations in Canada. Canada recognizes that key indicators of socio-economic conditions for Aboriginal people are unacceptably lower than for non-Aboriginal Canadians.

From the CBC article... 

"Poverty, infant mortality, unemployment, morbidity, suicide, criminal detention, children on welfare, women victims of abuse, child prostitution, are all much higher among aboriginal people than in any other sector of Canadian society," said the report issued by the UN Human Rights Commission.

"Economic, social and human indicators of well-being, quality of life and development are completely lower among aboriginal people than other Canadians," said Stavenhagen, who also warns the housing, health and suicide situation is reaching crisis proportions.

He said the condition of aboriginal people in the country was "the most pressing human rights issue facing Canada."

Among the problems highlighted in the report:

• Poverty affects 60 per cent of aboriginal children.
• The annual income of aboriginal people is "significantly lower" than other Canadians.
• Unemployment is very high among aboriginals.
• 20 per cent of aboriginal people have inadequate water and sewer systems.
• Aboriginals make up 4.4 per cent of the Canadian population but account for 17 per cent of the people in prison.
• Cases of tuberculosis are six times higher than the rest of Canada.
• Life expectancy among the Inuit is 10 years lower than the rest of Canada.

Feed My Sheep Ministries Support Group conducts this Gospel Music event in the Core area of Winnipeg, Manitoba for families and individuals who are in dire need. It is a place where individuals share their problems and receive counseling and support. It's a refuge place which gives a sense of belonging ... A place where you will feel God's presence. 

If you would like to receive information of our up-coming Gospel events send me an email. On April 28, 29 30, and May 1, everyone is most welcome to attend our Indoor Gospel Campmeeting in Winnipeg at 410 Pritchard Avenue (corner of Salter Street), starting @ 7:00pm Nightly. 

Next time you are in Winnipeg come and enjoy gospel music or get involved. Testimonies and singers are always welcome. We also pray for people in spiritual crisis, and we accept pray requests for all needs.

These gospel sessions take place every Friday Night @ 7:30 pm - 12:00am. At: 410 Pritchard Avenue (corner of Salter Street) in Winnipeg.

More information: MERV @ 1-204-694-4698 or
Email: mletandre@shaw.ca

The "Leaders of the First Peoples of the Great Lakes Watershed" are hosting their inaugural meeting in Niagara Falls at the Niagare Fallsview Casino and Resort on April 11 and 12. The meeting will be web cast.

Click here for the agenda.

Click here for the link to the webcast (Windows Media Player required)

On the second day starting at 1 pm EST, the Ontario ministry of Natural Resources will be doing a presentation entitled "No Diversion: The Position of the Government of Ontario."

85 schools kick off Lieutenant Governor's twinning initiative    

TORONTO, April 7 /CNW/ - Eighty-five public schools throughout Ontario have been twinned with a Native school in the first phase of an initiative established by Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable James Bartleman.

Today at an event held at Jarvis Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Mr. Bartleman was joined by Grand Chief Stan Beardy of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation; Sheila Ward, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Toronto District School Board; Doug Acton, President of the Ontario Principals' Council; and Andrew Gold, Principal of Jarvis Collegiate Institute in announcing the initiative.

"This twinning initiative will encourage Native and non-Native students to build bridges between their communities," said Mr Bartleman. "I am delighted that so many Ontario schools want to get involved."

The 85 schools, from 24 public school boards across Ontario, will launch the initiative aimed at promoting literacy among aboriginal youth. While all of the Native schools announced today are located in Ontario, Mr. Bartleman has also received requests from schools in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, and is in ongoing discussions to include Native schools from these Territories in the next phase of the program.

Over the course of the next few months, the public schools will:

• Establish a non-Native pen pal for each participating aboriginal student,
• Hold annual drives to collect used books, reference materials and musical instruments for First Nations children and young adults, and
• Host an aboriginal awareness week in participating non-Native schools each June.

"When we put our call out asking schools to take part in this program, we were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response from principals across Ontario," said Doug Acton, President of the Ontario Principals' Council. "Students are really excited to connect with others from another cultural background. It's the kind of learning opportunity that enhances the ongoing curriculum in schools."

In addition to the 85 public schools taking part in the program's first phase, another 50 public schools have expressed their interest in participating, and will be twinned with Territorial schools once those schools have been finalized.

"Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) is extremely pleased to be part of the Lieutenant Governor's twinning initiative. It not only focuses on the awareness and understanding at the institutional or school level, but also makes a difference by pairing and involving students at the individual level," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy. "This interaction and communication will go a long way in helping to sensitize young people in urban and northern communities."

"In addition," he continued, "the replenishing of books and the annual Aboriginal days will encourage involvement among young people. Promoting literacy will lead to increased educational aspirations, and an improvement in the quality of life for our community members."

The Ontario Principals' Council is a voluntary professional association representing 5,000 principals and vice-principals in Ontario's public elementary and secondary schools. Established in 1998, OPC advocates on behalf of public education and provides professional supports to its Members. 

Note - a list of all participating First Nation schools follows.

Lieutenant Governor's Twinning Initiative

The following schools will participate in the first phase of the twinning initiative:

• JR Nakogee Elementary School
• Michikan Lake School
• White Pine Ridge School
• Titotay Memorial School
• Dokis Indian Day School
• Aglace Chapman Education Centre
• Gabbius Goodman Memorial Learning Ctre
• Vezina Secondary School and Vezina Adult Education
• Lydia Lois Beardy Memorial School
• Biinjiti-waabik Zaaging School
• Kettle & Stoney Point Hillside School
• Migisi Sahgaigun School
• Missabay Community School
• S.G.E.I. School
• Delores D. Echum Composite School
• Wiiji Nimbawiyaang
• Walpole Island Elementary School
• Eenchokay Birchstick School
• Standing Stone School
• Moravian Town Kindergarten
• Standing Stone School
• Pelican Falls High School
• Wasse Abin High School
• Pontiac Elementary School
• David Kejick School
• Simon Jacob Memorial School
• Beedaban School
• Netamisakomik Centre for Education
• Pic Mobert Private High School
• John C. Yesno Education Centre
• Shawanowsowe School
• Thomas Fiddler Memorial High School
• Adults in Motion
• Chief Simeon Mckay Education Centre
• St. Andrews School
• The Georgina Island Indian Day School
• Niimki Miigizi Secondary School
• Miigizi Wazisin Elementary School
• Pic River Elementary School
• Baibombeh School
• Nibinimik Education Centre
• Bimaychikamah School
• Beausoleil Adult Learning Centre
• Keewaywin First Nation School
• Kinomaugew-gamik Elementary School
• Constance Lake Day School
• Kenjewin Teg High School
• M'Chigeeng Literacy and Basic Skills Program (Adult Learning Centre)
• Kenjewin Teg Alternative
• Laura Mckenzie Learning Centre
• Victoria Linklater Memorial School
• Rev. Eleazar Winter Memorial School
• Pegamigaabo School
• Samson Beardy Memorial School
• Neskantaga Education Centre
• Native Sena School
• Wapshki Penasi School
• Northern Eagle High School
• Peetabeck Academy - Elementary 
• Oliver M. Smith- Kawenni: IO Elementary School
• Mary Ann Aganash Memorial School
• Sakatcheway Anishinaabe School
• Lakeview Public School
• Tsi Snaihne Davey School
• Batchewana Learning Centre
• Francine J Wesley Secondary School
• Lloyd S. King Elementary School
• Waninitawa-gang (Chief Cornerstone Christian School)
• Wasauksing Kinomaugew-gamik Elementary School
• Big Island School
• Thomas Fiddler Memorial Elementary School
• Akwesasne Mohawk School
• Nbiising Secondary School
• Ma-tah-ha-mao Public School
• Constance Lake Alternative School
• Morris Thomas Memorial Christian School
• Henry Coaster Memorial School
• Constance Lake Christian School
• I L Thomas Odadrihonya-ni'ta' School
• Kana:Takon School
• Chippewas of Nawash First Nation Elementary School
• Lac La Croix High School
• Lac La Croix Elementary School
• A.Scatch Memorial School
• Martin Mckay Memorial School

For further information: please contact:
Peggy Sweeney, Ontario Principals' Council, (416) 322-6600;
Nanda Casucci-Byrne, Office of the Lieutenant Governor, (416) 325-7781;
Jenna Young, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4952, (807) 628 3953 (cellular)

Sandy Lake First Nation

Present's

1st Annual Derek Kakegamic Memorial Invitational Hockey Tournament -

May 4, 5, 6 & 7, 2005

Sandy Lake First Nation Present's

Ladies Invitational Broomball Tournament

April 28, 29, & 30, 2005