Aboriginal Artworks Group of Northern Ontario (AAGNO)

Victoriaville Center Mall, Thunder Bay, ON

The students at Eel Ground First Nation are using information technologies in a special way to share their Christmas greetings with everyone. The Atlantic First Nation Helpdesk shared the following link to this year's on-line Christmas card. Everyone is invited to check out their Christmas presentation at http://firstnationhelp.com/2004christmascard

During this special time of year it is nice to see the children working so hard to produce such a special presentation that can be shared with everyone. Their singing, their background scenery, their video production work ... everything that went into posting this Christmas Card for everyone to see is an example of the type of quality work that every First Nation school is able to produce with these communication tools.

The situation in Fort Severn continues to deteriorate as more families feel the need to temporarily re-locate to urban centres so their children can attend school. While some families are moving out of the communities other residents continue to try to make the best of a very difficult environment. Using a combination of temporary facilities and home schooling, the teachers and students are trying to ensure that the students who remain in Fort Severn do not lose their school year.

Following up on previous correspondence with INAC, letters have now been sent to the Prime Minister of Canada requesting his assistance in resolving this situation in Fort Severn and inviting him to visit the community. A copy of this letter is available by clicking here. As well, the actual letter that was sent to INAC in response to their two previous letters can also be read by clicking here.

The links to other newspaper stories and information about this situation can be found by clicking here to read the Nov 28 K-News story.

On Saturday, December 11, Keewaytinook Okimakanak celebrated Christmas with the annual Children's Christmas Party.  It was a fun day with lots of activities for all who attended.  See pictures at http://photos.knet.ca/albun74.

The party started with entertainment from KO's Jim Teskey and his musical antics and a sing song.  

The KO kids participated in lots of fun and engaging activities including a tradition bone tossing game, a trip to Santa's Fishing Hole, Cookie Decorating, and Colouring.  The important event occured when a special visitor came.  Santa came loaded with bags of toys for all the kids present.

Lots of food made sure everyone left full and it definitely was "A Party to Remember".

The western campus dean, Dr. Dan Hunt and his team flew into Sioux Lookout yesterday to meet with First Nation leaders and organizations to discuss strategies for establishing placements for first year medical students in First Nations across the region. The team consisted of Dr. Hunt and Orpah McKenzie (Director of Aboriginal Affairs) along with four other members of their team.

A meeting at Keewaytinook Okimakanak continued the discussions around finding a strategy to work together to support First Nations across Northern Ontario to develop the infrastructure required to ensure every community is able to host a successful placement for first year students. Issues relating to accommodations, broadband infrastructure to support a successful learning experience, local hosts and other logistical matters were discussed.

Webequie First Nation

PRESENTS

NEW YEARS POW WOW 2005

January 7,8,9 2005

Host Drum

Old Man Bear Singers

Webequie, Ontario

Master of Ceremonies

Ralph Johnson

Sioux Lookout

Arena Director

Ron Kaminiski

Head Dancers

Bob Wabasse-Webequie

Esther Jacob-Webequie

Confirmed Drums

Redstone Singers-Webequie

Roundsky Singers-Webequie

Whispering Wind Singers-Webequie

North Buffalo Singers-Webequie

All participants must cover their own travel expenses

Accomodation will be available

Invited drums only

(maximum 12 drums)

Honorarium for singers and dancers

For more info please contact the following.

Bob Wabasse (807)353-6531 ext.245

Charles O'kees (807)353-1398/1027

There will be no alcohol or drugs allowed during this event

K-Net staff members travelled to Deer Lake this week to work with local network technicians to complete the wiring and networking requirements for the new school in Deer Lake First Nation. The team of Dan Pellerin, K-Net Network Manager and Jamie Ray, Computer Technician from the Sioux Lookout office of Keewaytinook Okimakanak travelled to Deer Lake on Tuesday. They are working with Oscar Meekis, Jeremy Sawanas and Darrell Ostamas to complete the preparations for the opening of the new school at the beginning of January.

The IP telephone system is now operational. The computer labs and data network connecting all the rooms throughout the school, along with the video conferencing services are being set up so students and teachers are able to use these tools from any location in the new school.

Pelican Falls First Nations High Schools' first annual Science and Technology Camp took place on November 18 and 19, 2004 at the school site.
	The camp's goals included educating the students about First Nation contributions to science and technologies, raising the profile of science and technology as a career choice and allowing the students to meet and discuss the recent and past innovations in science and technology made by aboriginal people. It is the hope of the staff that this science and technology camp and the curriculum will provide the students with the unique experience to see science and technology in a new light.

Videos from the different sessions include:

• Introduction to the Science and Technology Camp - High, Low 
• Ida Kenny - Traditional Medicines - High , Low

Wawatay Native Communications Society  and the staff would like to share their Christmas Greetings online with communties up north and around the world.

We are very greatful of this new technology, that's available to the First Nations.

To hear the greetings click Merry Christmas

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Institute

Instructor Position Available

Computer Mechanic - A+ Networking Certification Preparation Program

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Educaton and Training Institute was established by the chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation to develop, design and delivery post-secondary programs and services.  We will be offering a 10 week Computer Mechanic - A+ Networking Certification Preparation Program starting at the end of January 2005.  The Institute is inviting applications from qualified individuals for a contract teaching position for this course.  The program will be delivered at the Thunder Bay campus of the Institute on a fullt-time basis for ten weeks.

Qualifications:

• A+ Networking certification
• 2 - 5 years related experience
• an understanding of First Nations culture
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills; and
• a commitment to education as a life-long process.

Fluency in Ojibway or Cree would be an asset.

Interested candidates are requested to submit a letter, resume and 3 references by Friday, January 7, 2005 to:

Executive Director

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Institute

107 Johnson Avenue, 2nd Floor

Thunder Bay, ON P7B 2V9

Tel.:  807-346-2770

Fax:  807-345-2924

Email: info@oshki.ca