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From the February 24 issue of the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal - http://chroniclejournal.com/story.shtml?id=25938

FedNor budget skyrockets

By Carl Clutchey - The Chronicle-Journal
February 24, 2005

The federal agency that helps Northern Ontario feel less like Ontario’s poor cousin got a huge boost in Wednesday’s budget.

Liberal MP Joe Comuzzi, the minister who oversees FedNor, could barely contain himself as the agency’s annual allotment officially skyrocketed.

“We’re talking about a base budget of $20 million going up to $52 million,” Comuzzi (Thunder Bay-Superior North) enthused minutes after listening to Finance Minister Ralph Goodale present the budget speech.

FedNor is divided into two parts. The main Northern Ontario Development Program is the beneficiary of the enhanced $52-million budget.

The other part of FedNor is a collection of 61 Community Futures Development Corporations across Ontario.

That program received an increase of $14.2 million over five years. Prior to the budget, each CFDC had received $250,000 to cover operating costs and replenish loan funds.

CFDCs provide business loans up to $125,000 in rural parts of the province. Twenty-four of the 61 are in Northern Ontario.

High on FedNor’s agenda, Comuzzi said, is to spend about $10 million of its expanded base budget on new telecommunications infrastructure.

That will bring high-speed Internet capability to the approximately 30 per cent of Northwestern Ontario communities still without what’s now considered an essential service.

The money, to be spent over two years, will pay for high-speed equipment and modern telecommunication lines at First Nations and other remote communities that lack the customer base to convince Internet providers to make those investments on their own.

Comuzzi said the high-speed capability will be a boon to doctors and other medical professionals in remote areas who currently can’t access services such as digital images.

Meanwhile, Comuzzi and fellow Northwest Liberal MP Ken Boshcoff (Thunder Bay-Rainy River) noted the $300 million earmarked for the development of an east-west power grid to allow cheap, Manitoba-based electricity to flow into Ontario.

Comuzzi said that project will be significant for Northwestern Ontario wood mills and mines currently facing some of the highest electricity costs in North America.

Boshcoff, a former Thunder Bay mayor, said he was pleased to see Goodale retain the GST exemption for Canadian municipalities, which saves his home city about $1.5 million annually.

Boshcoff also noted the $85 million the budget allotted for the disabled.

Parts of the budget are to be put to a vote in the House of Commons over the next few weeks.

Comuzzi said he isn’t worried that the Liberals, currently heading a minority government, will lose their hold on power in a non-confidence vote linked to the budget.

Don Burnstick visit to Red Lake on March 10 & 11, 2005,  is going to be a busy one.  Here is some information that may be of some interest to you...check it out if you want.

On Thursday, March 10, 2005 - The Evolution of a Teenager for Teens, Educators and Caregivers workshop will be held for pre-registered youth at no charge.  This workshop is from 9:30 to 2:30 pm at the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre. 

On Friday, March 11, 2005 the second event is an "I am Alcohol Play" and lunch with Don Burnstick at the Royal Canadian Legion from 11:30 am -2:00 pm.  This play is a vivid portrayal of a man's painful journey as he battles his loneliness and fear with alcohol.  This powerful and strong message that everyone needs to see.  This workshop is open and free to the public.  however, we will be selling Soup and Sandwiches at the play to assist with off setting the costs involved of bringing Don Burnstick into our community.  Donations are also welcome.

Friday, March 11, 2005 will also have the evening of laughter with Comedian Don Burnstick at the Royal Canadian Legion.  Tickets for sale at $15.00 each.  Doors open at 5:30 - local entertainment at 6:00 - Main Event at 7:00 pm

For more information call Shelley Mc Kenzieat the Red Lake Indian Friendship Centre at 727-2847 extension 39.

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) Parent Support Program, funded by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, is completing it's third and final year of the Program. It officially ends March 31, 2005.

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) staff would like to thank all communities and individuals for supporting and participating in the Program, by allowing us to visit and promote healing among our families.

May the healing continue.......Meegwetch.

The Government of Canada is committed to a renewed partnership with Aboriginal people and has initiated a Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable process that will be completed later this year.

Budget 2005 invests $735 million over the next five years, in addition to the $700 million over five years for Aboriginal health programs announced in September 2004, to address urgent needs, with a focus on children, youth and their families, including:

$345 million over the next five years for First Nations early learning and child care, special education, and child and family services.

$340 million over the next five years for First Nations housing on reserves, Aboriginal languages and culture, and the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

http://www.fin.gc.ca/budget05/bp/bpc3e.htm

Strengthening Aboriginal Communities

The Government of Canada is committed to a renewed partnership with Aboriginal people. The most recent Speech from the Throne noted that more must be done to ensure that the country's prosperity is shared by Canada's Aboriginal people and communities. The Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable, launched in April 2004, provides an historic opportunity to innovate, move forward, strengthen partnerships and set a new direction for the future.

Federal Ministers, in partnership with Aboriginal leaders and in cooperation with provincial and territorial governments, have been holding follow-up sessions on health, lifelong learning, housing, economic opportunities, negotiations and accounting for results. The conclusions from these sessions will be the focus of a policy retreat in the spring of 2005, followed by a First Ministers' Meeting in the fall of 2005. The Government looks forward to the conclusions of the Roundtable process and will take action, in partnership with Aboriginal people and provinces and territories, to close the gap in life chances for Aboriginal people.

While awaiting the completion of the Roundtable process, Budget 2005 provides investments of $735 million over the next five years, with a focus on children and youth and their families.

Aboriginal Children and Youth

The Aboriginal population is young and dynamic-a full third are under the age of 14 years. This young population is poised to make a significant contribution to Canada's society and economic growth, but must have the education and skills needed to succeed. Reflecting this priority, Budget 2005 provides new investments totalling $345 million over the next five years for:

• First Nations early learning and child care.
• Special education.
• First Nations child and family services.

First Nations Early Learning and Child Care

The Government's commitment to a national system of early learning and child care includes First Nations children and families on reserve and builds on recent budgets' commitments to strengthen programs on reserve for First Nations children, which have included:

$320 million over five years ($65 million a year ongoing) for early childhood development programming for First Nations and other Aboriginal children. A total of $45 million over three years ($14 million a year ongoing) for early learning and child care for First Nations children living on reserve. Budget 2005 commits an additional $100 million over the next five years, from the $5 billion provided for the five-year plan for a national initiative (see Chapter 4), to enhance early learning and child care opportunities for First Nations children and families on reserves. This will ensure that First Nations children share in the national commitment to the best possible start in life for Canada's children. Implementation of these funds will draw on the outcomes of community consultations, upcoming assessments of programs and how they are delivered, and the Aboriginal roundtable discussions.

First Nations Special Education

Investments in primary and secondary education have long-term benefits for both children and Canada as a whole. Some children, however, face special learning challenges in school. These can include fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and mild to severe physical or behavioural challenges. These children require extra resources, such as specialized teachers and equipment that can help them to overcome their challenges and tap into their full potential.

Budget 2001 provided $60 million over two years and $35 million annually thereafter for the Special Education Program for First Nations children living on reserve. Budget 2005 builds on that investment by providing an additional $120 million over five years. Combined with funding from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, this will bring funding for the Special Education Program to $125 million per year by 2007-08. The incremental funding provided in this budget will enhance the ability of First Nations to provide the additional resources (including teachers, specialized programs, assistive technology and modifications to physical surroundings) required to meet the demands on the program.

First Nations Child and Family Services

The health, safety and well-being of children are everyone's responsibility. One of the most difficult issues facing many Aboriginal communities and families is the high rate of placement of Aboriginal children in care outside their parental homes. There are about 100 First Nations child and family service agencies that are currently mandated and monitored by provincial governments and funded by the Government of Canada to provide essential child protection and family support services to First Nations communities.

A comprehensive strategy is being developed to help ensure that more First Nations children and parents get the help they need to prevent the types of crises that lead to intervention and family breakdown. In the interim, Budget 2005 provides an investment of $25 million a year to address immediate cost pressures.

Strengthening Aboriginal Social Foundations

Children and their families also need the basic foundations of healthy communities. Budget 2005 provides new investments totalling $340 million over five years on:

• First Nations housing on reserves.
• Aboriginal languages and culture.
• The Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

First Nations Housing On Reserves

Adequate housing is one of the basics of life, an essential support for developing one's potential. Yet there is a critical and growing shortage on First Nations reserves. The Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable identified housing as one of its top priorities and the most recent Speech from the Throne stated that "these are the intolerable consequences of the yawning gaps that separate so many Aboriginal people from other Canadians," including unacceptable gaps in basics like housing.

Since then the Government of Canada, Aboriginal organizations, provinces and territories, and housing experts have launched in-depth discussions about what transformative changes are required to improve housing conditions for Aboriginal people. But while these discussions are ongoing, there is an opportunity to take immediate action to start addressing the housing shortage.

Budget 2005 provides an investment of $295 million over five years, of which $200 million will be for the next two years, for housing construction and renovation on reserves. The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will build on their current programs to stabilize the housing situation on reserve by constructing 6,400 new units and renovating 1,500 existing units-enough to stem the growing shortage of housing units and begin to eliminate it. Capital contributions will be limited to new construction or renovations, and rents will be paid on these units. The Government will consider further proposals, including a First Nations Housing Authority, after the Roundtable process is completed.

Support for Languages and Cultures

Aboriginal languages and cultures are an integral part of Canada's cultural heritage and an important source of pride and identity for Aboriginal peoples. The Government of Canada and a number of provincial and territorial governments support and promote Aboriginal languages and cultures both directly and indirectly, often by assisting communities to take the steps they believe are needed to preserve and revitalize their languages and cultural practices. Yet more is needed to ensure that Aboriginal languages and cultures remain a vital part of the diverse and vibrant Canadian heritage.

In December 2002, the Government announced $172.5 million to support the creation of a new Aboriginal Languages and Cultures Centre. Recommendations from an Aboriginal advisory task force regarding the activities and operations of this centre are anticipated shortly. Budget 2005 provides funding of $5 million to extend the Aboriginal Languages Initiative, which supports community-based Aboriginal languages projects, for one more year until the centre becomes operational.

Aboriginal Healing Foundation

The Aboriginal Healing Foundation (AHF) was established in 1998 with a $350- million endowment and a mandate to support community-based projects that would address the legacy of the physical and sexual abuses that occurred in the Indian residential school system. Consistent with its mandate, the foundation has now committed all its funds and is winding down its affairs.

The AHF has helped many thousands of individuals and hundreds of communities begin their healing journeys and has contributed to a deeper understanding of the legacy of the residential school era. However, individuals and communities are at different stages in their healing work. While the Government takes stock and considers how best to move forward with regard to this important work in the context of the Aboriginal Roundtable process, Budget 2005 will provide an additional $40 million in 2004-05 for the Aboriginal Healing Foundation to continue supporting healing projects and to promote public awareness and understanding of healing issues. The $40 million will enable the Foundation to fund projects over the next two years.

The Government will continue to work with residential school claimants and their representatives, Aboriginal healers and leaders, and the churches to find ways to expedite the resolution of claims of physical and sexual abuse in Indian residential schools.

Building Relationships

Canada's Relationship With the Métis Community

In the 2003 Powley decision, the Supreme Court of Canada recognized the Métis Aboriginal right to harvest for food in the Sault Ste. Marie area of Northern Ontario, and allowed for the possibility that such rights might exist elsewhere in Canada.

In response to this decision, Budget 2004 set aside $20.5 million in 2004-05 to work with Métis leadership, provinces and territories to address Métis Aboriginal harvesting issues. Over the last year, the Government of Canada has been working with stakeholders to assess the broader implications of the decision, develop possible approaches to implementation, and facilitate responsible harvesting while ensuring public safety. But more work needs to be done.

To that end, Budget 2005 provides an additional $30 million over the next two years to continue work with provincial and territorial governments, Métis organizations and other stakeholders to fully assess the implications of the decision for Métis communities and ensure effective implementation of the Supreme Court decision.

Post-Secondary Scholarships for Aboriginal Canadians

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the educational aspirations of Aboriginal Canadians. In 2003, the Government established a new post-secondary scholarship program for Aboriginal students with a one-time $12- million endowment, to be administered by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

To further support and encourage the achievement of higher levels of education among Aboriginal students, Budget 2005 commits an additional $10 million in 2005-06 for the Post-Secondary Education Program administered by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

Inuit Secretariat

Inuit organizations have long argued that their unique issues, needs and priorities have not received adequate attention from the Government of Canada. In response, at the April 2004 Canada-Aboriginal Peoples Roundtable, Prime Minister Paul Martin announced the creation of an Inuit Secretariat, to reside within Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. The Secretariat will bring a strategic policy focus to discussions and decisions that impact on the policies, programs and services that shape the federal government's relationship with the Inuit. Budget 2005 provides $10 million over the next five years to establish and operate the Inuit Secretariat.

KO Telealth and the Kuhkenah Network will be delivering workshops at the upcoming Chiefs of Ontario e-health conferences being held in Toronto on March 2 and 3 and in Thunder Bay on March 9 and 10. The workshop information follows ...

Building into the Future

The theme for the meeting in Sioux Lookout, “Building into the Future”, was chosen to reflect the rich and cutting edge experience KiHS students and staff enjoy. This past week the KiHS staff and Steering Committees met in Sioux Lookout to discuss ideas that will make KiHS an even better program for the students and the communities in the future. Having the administration, teachers, classroom assistants as well as the Steering Committee members from the different communities work together towards finding ways to make KiHS an even more dynamic program was a rewarding experience for all.

Please go to the photo gallery at  for some great pictures of the Steering Committee and staff.  Click here

Some of the ideas that were discussed had to do with greater interactivity between the teacher of a course and the students taking the course. We all know that it is very important that students and teachers be given the greatest possible access to each other. It is amazing how many more things can be done with computer technology now than a mere 4 years ago when KiHS first began. We are all determined to incorporating more of this exciting new technology into our courses and the KiHS program. The KiHS principal, Darrin Potter and vice-principal, Freda Kenny have been researching a number of different on-line platforms that will provide all of us in the KiHS community with more interactivity. We were all introduced to a couple of these programs to see how they worked and whether KiHS could utilize them effectively. 

Having the teachers and students see one another over a web-camera while being able to talk to one another live was one option that was discussed and which everyone felt would be a great idea for staff and students. We all agreed that working together is the key to success for the students and the KiHS program and are committed to finding more ways for this to happen. The week gave all who attended a lot to think about and a number of really interesting ideas were brought up and discussed such as the following:

1. Better communication throughout the program between all members of the KiHS community.

2. A land-based/ traditional component with community participation. Perhaps a few days in the bush with guides/elders from the community.

3. Wider use of available technology in all courses.

4. Closer working relationships with the community Steering Committee.

5. Ensuring a better understanding of KiHS in the communities. The credits are the exact same as credits earned outside of the community and are transferable.

6. Expansion of the existing KiHS program with alternative community partnerships to better meet the diverse community needs.

More of these ideas will be written about in the KiHS newspaper which will be on-line March 1st, 2005 so you can “READ ALL ABOUT IT “ at that time!!

Connecting Youth In Canada is broadcasting its fifth webcast "Growing Up Métis", in a live Internet series that engages Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal youth about issues that matter to them.Connecting Youth In Canada consists of 30-minute live webcasts with First Nations, Métis and Inuit high school students.

Schools and educators across Canada can go online, watch and send questions by e-mail to be answered in real-time by students participating in the webcast.

The upcoming webcast with Métis high school students will be broadcast from Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 23, 2005, at 11:30 a.m. EST.  The theme of the webcast is Growing up Métis.

We know that non-Aboriginal teens want to learn about their peers; in surveys filled out before the webcast, a majority of youth told us they are "very" or "somewhat" interested in learning about Aboriginal youth. An estimated  30,000 students and teachers watched the first four webcasts in Iqaluit (Nunavut), Chehalis First Nation (BC), Whitehorse (Yukon) and Sept-Îles (Québec).

Connecting Youth In Canada challenges misconceptions non-Aboriginal youth may have about their Aboriginal peers and increases awareness about Aboriginal youth living in different parts of Canada.

To find out more information or to view the archived webcasts, visit www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/connex or send an email to connex@<a href="mailto:ainc-inac.gc.ca.prudorit@inac-ainc.gc.ca">ainc-inac.gc.ca.

On Thursday and Friday, Feb 17 and 18, Brian Beaton travelled to AKRC and their member communities of Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing (Big Island) and Big Grassy River First Nation to discuss various broadband solutions for their schools. The meetings with AKRC team addressed their connectivity plans for their existing video conferencing and T1 connections that are presently in place in their office in Northwest Angle #37 territory. Denise Bluebird, the AKRC Education Advisor, is looking forward to seeing other member community schools connected so they are able to work with them on common issues and events.

The school in Big Grassy River First Nation is well outfitted with computer work stations. Their Public Library in the school also acts as their Community Access Centre. Their two-way satellite connection provides internet services for two computer labs and the computers in each of the classrooms. There are at least 30 computers in the school which serves about 60 students. Click here to see the pictures taken during this trip. The Pegamigaabo Elementary School staff created a web site at http://pegamigaabo.firstnationschools.ca/ a year ago. They also created an excellent on-line resource about their land claims negotiation and treaty information as part of Industry Canada's Digital Collections - http://bgfn.on.ca/index.html. The school internet connection also serves the local health centre through a DSL connection. This sharing of this resource makes their school very attractive for a broadband connection because then other groups in the community can help support the T1 service on an ongoing basis if the school subsidy under the First Nations SchoolNet ever ceases to exist.

Pictures of the school at Big Island First Nation are also available. The students and staff were on an outdoor adventure day so a visit to the band's new administration building proved valuable.

On November 6, 2004, Minister of Education Gerard Kennedy announced the Parent Voice in Education Project to give him advice on how to create an independent, representative province-wide parent voice. Twenty parent leaders, chosen to be as representative as possible of the parent constituencies in Ontario, came together to look at ways to increase parent involvement and participation in the education system at the local, regional and provincial levels.

A discussion paper was prepared, intended to provide ideas, points to consider, and possible models to review. It also contains questions on which they would like parents’ input. A link to it is below on this page.

This information has been circulated to school councils, principals, trustees, district school boards and other people interested in education. The deadline for responses has been extended into March. I encourage you to visit the different sections of the website to learn more about the Parent Voice in Education Project and about parental involvement.

The input the PVEP receives during this consultation process will be used to write recommendations for the Minister of Education by the end of March.

Among Ontario’s parents is a vast and largely untapped reserve of knowledge and experience. Everyone is invited to participate by sending us your ideas and suggestions.

Letter from the Minister of Education
Consultations and Discussion Paper - PDF
Response Form - MS Word
Response Form - On-line submission

News release and backgrounder - January 31, 2005

Latest news about the consultations

The Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation's Soar With Science road show came to Sioux Lookout on Thursday and Friday. Three shows were hosted for youth to learn about exciting career opportunities in science and technology.

Bob Loree, a retired engineer and Dr. Valerie Davidson, an internationally-recognized food and biological engineer presented the "Soar With Science" program at Sioux Mountain School on Thursday afternoon for the local students. That evening a second show was held for the public in the hope of attracting local youth from the high school or in the community to consider a career in Science and Technology. On Friday, the team attended the Pelican Falls First Nations High School Career Fair and did a third presentation for the students attending that school.

Two aboriginal women were introduced as science and technology roles models and spoke about their career paths and choices to enter into their respective fields. Carla Chisel, a Lac Seul First Nation member and former Sioux Lookout resident, returned to our community to speak about her education and career. Angela Crozier who is working with OFNTSC in Thunder Bay also shared information about herself and her career with the youth in attendance.

Newspaper coverage of the program is also available at http://chroniclejournal.com/story.shtml?id=25824. A Thunder Bay CBC radio interview with Valerie, Bob and Carla was also aired on Thursday afternoon. The "Soar with Science" presentation at the Keewaytinook Internet High School classroom at the Fort William First Nation Learning Centre was webcast and archived on-line.