Media.Knet.Ca

Career day at the Reverend Eleazor Winter Memorial School in Wapekeka First Nation included presentations by Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) personnel. Included in the presentations was video conferencing connections with the Sioux Lookout office using the school's new polycom unit. The different classes enjoyed meeting Cal Kenny, K-Net's Graphic Artist and Web Site Designer and Jamie Ray, K-Net's Helpdesk Technician.

Click here to check out the pictures

Students indicated they are using the internet for their own personal homepages and spend a lot of their time visiting other people's web site at http://myknet.org.

Lakehead University's Aboriginal Education faculty members visit the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute in Thunder Bay  ...

Dr. Rosemary White Shield, Dr. Cecil White Hat of Lakehead University's Aboriginal Education and Dr. John O'Meara, Dean of Graduate Studies visited the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute (KORI) on April 6, 2005 to discuss research opportunities and Keewaytinook Internet High School (KiHS). The visit included a KiHS presentation by Fort William's KiHS teacher Craig Hardy by video conference. The many successes of KiHS were the topics of conversation as well as the mode of delivery of the secondary courses and of future plans.

For a look at some pictures of the visit click here

to visit the KiHS site click here

The Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute completed a report for Industry Canada's National Satellite Initiative (NSI) detailing the impacts of the use of the Public Benefit allocation provided to the Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) and its partner communities. The report details the use of this satellite bandwidth since this resource was first made available early in 2002. It provides a snapshot about the development process, the community and regional engagement work, the management of the C-Band Public Benefit resource and the many impacts on the satellite-served communities that were able to utilize this resource. With Industry Canada's National Satellite Initiative along with FedNor's local infrastructure development dollars, ten remote First Nations in Northern Ontario now are able to access broadband applications and services. 

Click here to see the report.

Sign Language: Talking Hands - Communication Series presented by Sheila Wilson, Sign Language Instructor

Every Tuesday in April 2005.

From the new National Centre for First Nations Governance web site at http://www.fngovernance.org ...

The National Centre for First Nations Governance will develop programs and services that are culturally enriched and empowered by First Nations traditions, customs, laws and inherent governing powers.

The Centre has a two-pronged mandate. First, it is designed to support First Nations as they seek to implement their inherent rights of self-government and second, it will assist First Nations in the further development of their day-to-day government operations.

This means the Centre will support First Nations in their efforts to implement and put into practice their jurisdictional authorities and to achieve the well-designed characteristics of good government.

The Centre is based upon the principle of choice. First Nations may draw upon its services as they see fit and will not be required to do so by legislation or any other means. The Centre will operate under the control and direction of First Nations and is designed to be completely independent from the Government of Canada and our own political organizations.

The organizational structure of the Centre will consist of six corporate units and five regional units co-located in five offices across the country. This reflects an important principle underlying the Centre – that of having a strong regional presence across Canada.

Check out the videos from presentations at a Centre-sponsored Youth Think Tank.

• The Challenge - Patricia Monture uses her own experience to discuss good governance as it promotes healthier social, cultural, community and economic development for First Nations
• The Research - The University of Arizona's Stephen Cornell and Osgoode Professor Kent McNeil talk about current legal and economic research in First Nations governance
• The Centre - NCFNG Interim President Herb George discusses the launch and future role of the Centre, and the "role of our people in determining what the Centre will be and what it will do."

Four stories in today's Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal highlight the importance of consultation with First Nations as plans are made that affect lands, resources, lifestyles and culture. The Supreme Court ruling that requires corporations and governments to work with First Nations before developments and plans move ahead is finally being respected. Unfortunately, the tone of the stories tend to reflect a rather biase media system.

The front page headline reads "Ear Falls hydro project on hold". It describes the frustrations of the Ear Falls reeve and how the "Ontario Power Generation plans to expand its hydro-power station at Ear Falls have been put on hold while the company “negotiates” with the Lac Seul First Nation and other area parties." Of course the story misses the important point that the people of Lac Seul have been trying to negotiate a settlement without any success to their flooded lands since  the dam was first constructed in the 1930's. Click here to read the entire story.

Another story entitled "Resource sharing talks continue" highlights the discussions about "how resources from traditional aboriginal hunting grounds should be accessed and shared". Click here to read this story.

Then the last story that is posted on-line is called, "First Nations get development help", covering the announcement from this past Thursday for the water and waste treatment plants in remote First Nations. The story is introduced with the statement "The federal government has earmarked almost $11 million for capital and economic development projects at five First Nation communities in Northwestern Ontario." Click here to read this story.

A fourth story is a copy of a commentary by a Toronto Star reporter James Travers and is called "Martin's chance to atone for native abuse". It talks about how the federal government is once again ignoring calls from First Nation groups from across the country as well as the Canadian Bar Association for the prime minister and his team to abandon their offensive Alternative Dispute Resolution process. Travers calls on the government to settle this "dark part of Canadian history" by working with First Nation leaders to identify a solution that addresses everyone's needs.

Hi, I'm Rob Wesley, I am very pleased to officially announce that Aboriginal Connections is back online (Sunday April 3, 2005) after a hiatus that was unfortunately unavoidable.

Web Directory - The Aboriginal Connections Web Directory has undergone an extensive upgrade and has been reorganized to better reflect all Indigenous groups worldwide.

http://directory.aboriginalconnections.com/

Forums - Also, I am pleased to provide you with a new addition to the site, the Aboriginal Connections Forums. An online venue to discuss various topics relating to all Indigenous peoples.

http://forums.aboriginalconnections.com/cgi-bin/gforum.cgi

Sincerely,

Rob Wesley
Aboriginal Connections
http://www.aboriginalconnections.com/

From Turtle Island Native Network ... Click here for the complete story

The Hupacasath First Nation on Vancouver Island is working with a number of partners to develop this environmentally friendly power plant. Read more from the various press releases and project background information ...

Nothing quite demonstrates sustainability like developing your own renewable energy resource. That's the path being taken by the Hupacasath First Nation. The small community in Port Alberni, BC, is developing a mini-hydroelectricity plant on China Creek that will produce 6.5 MW of 'green' electricity — enough to meet their own needs and sell the remaining to BC Hydro.

"What's really important for our community is finding diverse economic development projects that fit within our traditional values, such as sustainability," says Chief Judith Sayers.

The China Creek development is projected to offset greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10,000 tonnes each year. It's a small but important contribution to a bigger picture.

Contact: Judith Sayers, Chief Councillor , Hupacasath First Nation
Primary Phone: 250-720-9328
E-mail: judith@hupacasath.ca

Hupacasath First Nation . . .
http://www.hupacasath.ca/

INAC press release: GOVERNMENT OF CANADA SUPPORTS FIRST NATION HYDRO PROJECT

PORT ALBERNI, BRITISH COLUMBIA (April 1, 2005) - The Government of Canada today announced $2 million in federal funding to assist the Hupacasath and Ucluelet First Nations and their partners construct and run an environmentally-friendly, 6.5 Megawatt run-of-the-river hydro power facility at China Creek. The announcement was made on site during a groundbreaking ceremony for the facility’s powerhouse generator by the Honourable Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport), on behalf of the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians.

The Hupacasath First Nation and its joint venture partners, which include the Ucluelet First Nation, the City of Port Alberni and Synex Energy, have formed the Upnit Power Corporation. Upnit has a 20-year contract to supply power to BC Hydro.

This green power initiative will enable the Hupacasath First Nation as well as the Ucluelet First Nation to generate annual revenues that can be reinvested back into their communities to support other economic ventures. Other economic benefits include training and employment opportunities. Regional benefits include creating a new reliable and steady power source that will help to ease the increasing heavy demand by Vancouver Island users on the hydro grid.

“The Government of Canada is committed to working with First Nations to support community economic development in British Columbia,” said Minister Scott. “The initiative shown by the Hupacasath First Nation is a testament to their commitment to build a strong economy for their members while creating opportunities that provide benefits for their neighbours and the region.”

“Once complete, this unique facility will assist in reinvigorating a region hard-hit by the softwood lumber dispute,” said Minister Owen. “Western Economic Diversification Canada’s involvement in this initiative is reflective of the Government of Canada’s commitment to helping communities build long-term sustainability.”

“Having representatives from all levels of government here at the groundbreaking signifies the importance of progressive community development projects like China Creek that help Canada meet its Kyoto commitments in reducing greenhouse gases (GHG),” said Upnit Power Corporation president Chief Councillor Judith Sayers. “The project removes the equivalent of 8,000 cars off the road in reduction of GHG’s.”

An additional $925,000 in a repayable loan for this initiative was provided by Western Economic Diversification Canada through its Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative. The $110-million initiative is a national program designed to address the adjustment and transition needs of forest-dependent communities across Canada. In B.C., over 2,500 jobs have been created or maintained in more than 140 communities.

An additional $250,000 for planning and development was provided by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada through its Aboriginal and Northern Community Action Program. The program, which promotes the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, is focused on engaging Aboriginal and northern communities to become partners in taking action to address climate change.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, through its economic development programs, is helping to foster strong First Nation communities and economies by facilitating partnerships with the private sector, reducing obstacles and increasing access to economic opportunities.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada through activities that promote and assist Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Communities.

-----------------
Project Background

PWGSC was instrumental in helping the Hupacasath First Nation set up an advisory group to identify renewable energy projects of economic, environmental and social benefits to Vancouver Island First Nations. It also found funding to assess the environmental impacts of the China Creek plan and helped the band council make contact with financers, such as a credit union, to pay for the $16 million project.

As a Pacific Region representative for Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), PWGSC is taking a lead role in carrying out the mandate of the national Aboriginal and Northern Community Action Program (ANCAP) — working with First Nations communities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and develop sustainable energy resources.

Many isolated BC First Nations communities want alternatives to costly and environmentally harmful energy sources such as diesel generators. PWGSC's role, for INAC, is to reduce the isolation and help generate solutions.

"We are working as a team with First Nations to create strategic linkages — to work with other partners that can help them develop solutions for alternative energy sources," says Biren Juttun, PWGSC's representative for INAC.

"These projects build capacity, skills and create jobs," says Mr. Juttun. "But this work is also very important because we are working with First Nations to help the Government of Canada fulfil its commitment to reduce greenhouse gases."

"We are really excited about creating sustainable electricity,” says Chief Sayers. "We want to be part of the solution."

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by teaming up with First Nations and other Government of Canada departments is another example of PWGSC reaching out to create partnerships for a better future.

For more information on the Pacific Region ANCAP strategy, please contact Biren Juttun at (604) 666-9747 or biren.juttun@pwgsc.gc.ca

- - - - - - -
BUSINESS BACKGROUND

Synex International invests in China Creek Project
TSE : SXI

VANCOUVER, Dec. 16, 2004
Synex International Inc. announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Synex Energy Resources Ltd. has invested $500,000 for a 12.5% share of the Upnit Power Limited Partnership (the "Limited Partnership") which includes a 12.5% share of the General Partner of the Limited Partnership. The other limited partners are the Hupacasath First Nation, the Ucluelet First Nation and the City of Port Alberni. The Hupacasath First Nation holds the majority of the shares of the Limited Partnership and the General Partner.

The Limited Partnership was formed to develop, own and operate the 6.5 MW China Creek Hydroelectric Project to be located near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The China Creek project is currently under construction and is scheduled to be in commercial operation in the fall of 2005.

The electrical output is to be sold to BC Hydro under a 20 year electricity purchase agreement that was executed November 5, 2003. Sigma Engineering Ltd, an affiliated company to Synex Energy Resources Ltd., has been providing engineering services during the development of the project and anticipates providing engineering services during the construction and operation phases.

Synex International Inc. is a public company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange with businesses that cover the development, ownership and operation of electrical generation facilities and the provision of consulting engineering services in water resources, particularly hydroelectric facilities.
----------------------
Greg Sunell, President
For further information: Greg Sunell, President, 400 - 1444 Alberni Street, Vancouver BC, V6G 2Z4, Phone (604) 688-8271 Ext. 309, Fax (604) 688-1286, E-mail: sunell@synex.com
Web Site: www.synex.com

To find out what is happening across the remote parts of Northern Ontario, a lot of people are spending time visiting some of the Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) on-line services. The month of March is once again showing a marked increase in on-line traffic on a number of services.

MyKnet.org traffic once again increased dramatically with nearly 100 MILLION hits (98,561,022) in March from over 1 MILLION visits (1,014,887). This is a result of DAILY traffic from over 32,000 visits (32,738) with over 3 million hits (3,179,387).

The KNet.ca server also experienced a noticeable increase with over 6 million hits in March (6,352,979) and over 218,000 visits (218,051) throughout the month. On a daily average, there were 204,934 hits and over 7 thousand visits on this server.

Click here to see the on-line traffic reports but please note that due to some hardware and software configuration changes and upgrades over the past few months, all the reports are not complete.