Media.Knet.Ca

406 consults within the NORTH Network for the month of January! What a start to the new year!

The NW was certainly responsible for a huge chunk of that activity as evident by the enclosed activity log. Use of the equipment for meetings is quickly gaining popularity. In January, two new specialists joined the increasing number of Thunder Bay Regional Hospital physicians willing to offer their services using Telehealth. Tracy Saarinen has been brought onboard as a temporary half time coordinator at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital and this has given me much more opportunity to fulfill my role as regional coordinator.

Many activities are occurring!

• Successful cardiology, surgery, medical, neurology, psychiatry, dermatology, geriatric, rheumatology clinics have all occurred to the region
• A second international education opportunity occurred, this time to Israel
• A Thunder Bay patient has been asked to participate in a photo op for NORTH Network
• NW District Health Council requested an article giving an update on NW Telehealth
• Teleradiology seems to be progressing smoothly
• Professionals are calling Telehealth office to request educational topics, to schedule meetings and to request a block of time in which they can run clinics
• Meetings using video conferencing are increasing weekly (Air Ambulance, OR Nurses, Perinatology group, NOMP, Criticall and Eating disorder Team to name a few)
• Educational opportunities occur weekly and, at some points, daily (palliative care, psychiatry, geriatrics, to name a few). These are offered by UHN and local clinicians.
• New ABC Manual has been mailed to all sites

NW Telehealth sites look forward to February and increased activity. We look forward to the installation of the stethoscopes and to the new bridge installation. NORTH Network Telehealth is never static!

Laurie Sherrington
NW Regional Telehealth Coordinator

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 18, 2003

Third Blockade Erected in Ontario, New One in Hornepayne First Nation

(HORNEPAYNE, ON) In response to the stand First Nations are taking over failed relationships with the Ontario government on issues related to forestry (and other natural resources issues), Hornepayne First Nation, along with members of the Constance Lake First Nation have erected a blockade of their own and are at this time considering how long it will stand. Forestry operations have been blocked on Newman’s Road off Highway 631, 20 kilometers north of Hornepayne.

They do so to show their support and to raise awareness of the common issues shared by all First Nations impacted by forestry activities. Grassy Narrows First Nation, have been blocking a forest access road north of Kenora since December 3, 2002 and Aroland First Nation near Nakina who have been blocking highway 643 since February 12, 2003. At that time, Chief Sonny Gagnon of the Aroland First Nation called for "an unequivocal response from the Minister of Natural Resources and the Premier of Ontario on how they plan to address Grassy Narrows First Nation, and to deal with the subsequent blockade Aroland First Nation has erected." Hornepayne First Nation has now added their name to this list.

Again the First Nation regrets that the loggers and truckers have to bear the financial brunt of the Ontario government’s unwillingness to discuss the matter with First Nations, in a statement to the press Chief Laura Medeiros states, "Why do we have to fight for our lands and resources when our people once used to once roam this land freely? We are not opposed to resource development but stand fast in the position that it must be balanced by its impact to our rights."

Conflicts surrounding the content of Aboriginal and Treaty rights, as well as judicial determinations with respect to Treaties, have been greatly intensified since Aboriginal and Treaty rights were deemed Constitutionally protected in 1982. It seems that this controversy stems from the reality that control of natural resources inevitably engages the broader issue of Aboriginal rights to self-determination, which Chief Laura Medeiros states is "a topic Ontario is not ready to discuss, and the Canadian public may not be ready for." One clear example of this was the work undertaken by the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council and the New Democratic Party to present a motion in the House of Commons to discuss a process for revenue sharing with First Nations. This motion was quashed overwhelmingly by the Conservative government in a December 2002 sitting of parliament.

First Nations and other groups have undertaken other activities to show support for Grassy Narrows. On Monday February 24, 2003, 2^nd year Aboriginal Law and Advocacy Students from Negahneewin College of Indigenous Studies of Confederation College are planning a Day of Action at the Ryan Hall Cafeteria from 11:00 – 2:00 pm, and all are welcome to attend.

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Media Enquiries: Chief Laura Medeiros, Hornepayne First Nation (807) 868-2040

Kwayaciiwin

Educational Resource Centre

Grand Opening

March 4, 2003

Master of Ceremonies: Roy Morris

Nishnawbe Gamik Friendship Centre

1:00 Opening Prayer: Victoria Maxwell and Able Johnup

Welcome: Chief David Gordon, Lac Seul First Nation and Mayor John MacDonald

Opening Remarks: Saul Williams Chairperson DEPC

Speakers: Minister Robert Nault, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (confirmed)
National Chief Matthew Cooncome, AFN (invited)
Regional Chief Charles Fox, COO (invited)
Grand Chief Stan Beardy, NAN (invited)
Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic (invited)
Richard Morris, Education Director, Lac Seul First Nation (confirmed)

Presentations Minister Nault, Richard Morris, Frank Beardy

Gifts Barb Fritz, Mourasia Duffus

Kwayaciiwin Educational Resource Centre

Ribbon Cutting
Elders: Victoria Maxwell and Able Johnup
Children: Mya Fiddler and Hosea Mamakwa
Minister Nault
Saul Williams

Open House at the Centre
Food and Refreshments

The blockade at Grassy Narrows is still up and running despite some reports suggesting they came down. There are two or three different blockades just a few minutes from the reserve. This blockade will be up for a long time because they believe that the loggers will not leave that easily.

In a Wawatay Interview one of the spokespersons for the blockade said that the loggers pulled out but that was just one of the small sub-contractors.

The Logging and Clear-cutting continues and as long as they continue the blockades will remain.

We are asking people to join this blockade because we need more man-power.  In addition, we would appreciate any support from different native organizations in terms of letters, clothing, blankets and financial donations.

If you would like to help you can call Roberta Keesic at 925-2201or Judy Dasilva at 925-2077.

Donna Williams, KO's Telehealth Coordinator and Carol Wood, Menoyawin Health Centre's Telehealth Coordinator provided workshop participants with an orientation session about the use of the telemedicine suite of tools. A live connection with the Deer Lake Nursing station was completed with Lily Sawanas, the Deer Lake Telehealth Coordinator (see the pictures from the session).

Clarification about the telemedicine suite and video conferencing equipment that is now available in most Sioux Lookout First Nations was discussed using the hand-out prepared for this gathering.

Workshops held in Fort Severn during the week of February 10 highlighted many of the achievements made over the past two years of the Smart Communities Demonstration project. Pictures of the four day series of sessions and special events are available in the K-Net Photo Gallery.

The information from the two previous ICT community planning and community engagement sessions was reviewed and discussed each day to identify what has changed and how these communication tools are now being used in Fort Severn. These two sessions are available on-line (December 1999 session and the January 2002 workshops) for review. The remainder of each day was spent examining the work that remains to be completed during the final year of the Smart Communities demonstration project.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 12, 2003

Chiefs Call on the Ontario Government to Address Grassy Narrows Concerns

(AROLAND, ON) In response to a call to action, Aroland, Hornepayne, Moose Cree, Constance Lake, Cat Lake, and Mishkeegogamang First Nations in northern Ontario have joined together in their support of the Grassy Narrows First Nation, who have been blocking a forest access road north of Kenora since December 3, 2002.

Aroland First Nation have erected a road blockade of their own for an indefinite period

of time to show their support and to raise awareness of the common issues shared by all First Nations impacted by forestry activities, Mishkeegogamang First Nation also plans to hand out information on their road, and others have sent in support letters, and others such as Hornepayne First Nation are considering erecting a blockade of their own at some later date.

Chiefs involved in this issue point out the direct relation between First Nation blockades and the Ontario government’s unwillingness to sit at the table to address fundamental issues such as Aboriginal and Treaty rights. A clear example of this was a December 2002 motion in parliament put forth by the NDP that pertained to revenue sharing with First Nations, that was quashed by the Conservative government.

They wish to also bring attention to fact that they feel the manner in which the Grassy Narrows issue is being dealt with is flawed. At present, district MNR officials have made statements of failed discussions with Grassy Narrows, but they neglect to add that the reasons behind this is because First Nations’ concerns can only be resolved at the Ministerial level. At this point, Chief Sonny Gagnon of the Aroland First Nation is, "calling for an unequivocal response from the Minister of Natural Resources and the Premier on how they plan to address Grassy Narrows First Nation, and to deal with the subsequent blockade Aroland First Nation has erected."

First Nation leaders are beginning to believe that it is "very cowardly of the Ontario government to allow the loggers and private business owners to be on the front line and be lead to believe that First Nations are against them." First Nations feel that it is time for the public to know that by not doing anything, their government is only perpetuating the problem. The issues of Aboriginal and Treaty rights, as entrenched in Canada’s Constitution, will not go away if ignored. Once and for all, some one in government has to find the courage to do the right thing and deal with Aboriginal people with respect and understanding.

Activities taking place on February 12, 2003 include a fundraising dinner and social in Grassy Narrows at the school auditorium at 6:00, tickets available at the door and all are welcome to attend.

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Media Enquiries: Chief Sonny Gagnon, Aroland First Nation (807) 329-5970

This affects the satellite communities of:
* Fort Hope
* Webequie
* Weagamow Lake
* Slate Falls
* Sachigo Lake
* Fort Severn
* Kasabonika

Between the dates of February 22nd and March 3rd, 2003, short periods of network unavailability will occur as the sun passes directly behind the satellite.

This generally lasts about 7 to 15 minutes. Below is a chart of expected start and end times for the outages.

Outage Date	Start GMT (hh:mm:ss)	End GMT (hh:mm:ss)	Duration (Minutes)	Max C/N degrad. (dB)
FEB. 25	19:43:05	19:50:17	7.2	1.81
FEB. 26	19:40:55	19:52:07	11.2	4.76
FEB. 27	19:39:32	19:53:08	13.6	10.36
FEB. 28	19:38:46	19:53:34	14.8	14.66
MAR. 1	19:38:22	19:53:34	15.2	16.76
MAR. 2	19:38:10	19:53:22	15.2	16.5
MAR. 3	19:38:22	19:52:46	14.4	13.84
MAR. 4	19:38:57	19:51:45	12.8	8.99
MAR. 5	19:39:56	19:50:20	10.4	3.42
MAR. 6	19:42:30	19:47:18	4.8	1.64

Thanks to SSI Micro for providing the table.

Dan Pellerin
Network Manager
K-Net Services.

This year, the Community ICT Planning Workshops are being planned and hosted by the local Smart teams in each of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations. Simultaneous sessions are being held in Fort Severn and North Spirit Lake beginning the week of February 10.

On the first evening of the week long workshop some participants from each of the two communities met to discuss the plans for the upcoming sessions. In Fort Severn, Madeleine Stoney (e-Centre Manager), Barney Turtle (Multi-Media Producer), Angus Miles (Network Technician) and Anne Koostachin (CAP Worker) have worked with the different community programs and boards to plan a full session for everyone involved in Health, Education and Economic Development activities in their community. In North Spirit Lake, Darlene Rae (e-Centre Manager), Arnold Thompson (Multi-Media Producer), Paul Campbell (Network Technician) and James Rae (CAP Worker) are coordinating the workshops for their community.

Tuesday, Feb 11, will bring the local health teams together to discuss how they wish to see ICTs used in their workplace and in the development and provision of services for community members. The folks involved providing education services and programs in the communities will come together on Wednesday. The workshops wrap up on Thursday with interested community members, businesses and leaders discussing various economic development efforts and how ICTs can be used to complement and support their efforts.

On the morning of February 6, Howard Hampton, MPP for Kenora-Rainy River and leader of the NDP, presented Ennis Fiddler with the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal for his contributions over the years in his community and across the region.

The entire event was broadcast live over Sandy Lake community radio and webcast from the Kuh-ke-nah Network office in Sioux Lookout.

The event is archived and available for viewing from the http://smart.firstnation.ca web site. Read the entire story Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal Presentation to Ennis Fiddler, watch the 20 minute video clip on-line and leave your congratulatory comments for Ennis.