Media.Knet.Ca

New Life Campmeeting 2001

Where: Weagamow Lake, Ontario
When: July 19, 20, 21, 22, 2001
Guest Speaker... Peggy Kennedy
She well be Ministering in the Word This Year... For more Info Please Send your emails To
james.benson@knet.on.ca

On Friday July 6, Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations will be celebrating the launch of the Kuh-ke-nah Network of SMART First Nations. See the invitation to attend the celebration at our Balmertown office

Similar celebrations will be occurring in each of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations (Deer Lake, Fort Severn, Keewaywin, North Spirit Lake and Poplar Hill). The offices in each community will be connecting with each other using the video conferencing services over the Kuh-ke-nah Network. Everyone is invited to stop by the office in your community to participate in the celebration of this launch.

The Kuh-ke-nah SMART project is a three year initiative that officially began in April 2001. The project will demonstrate how Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) are being used by the communities to support their economic and social development. Funding for this multi-million dollar project is being provided by Industry Canada's Smart Communities and FedNor programs, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund, Office of Learning Technologies (HRDC) and the Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board (SLAAMB).

Partnerships with a number of different corporations, businesses, organizations and governments are making this project a nationally recognized undertaking. Representatives from many of these groups will be attending the gathering in Balmertown. Watch the K-Net web site for further updates on this launch.

“Kuh-ke-nah” is the Oji-Cree word for “everybody” in English. Keewaytinook Okimakanak Chiefs and staff want to invite everybody to work with us and share in this exciting development.

Northern Chiefs Office in Balmertown celebrated National Aboriginal Day at Pakwash Park, which is located just south of Red Lake. Several of the staff and their families camped overnight at the campground, while other staff and families arrived at the park for breakfast and lunch on June 21st. The children had a wonderful time fishing and playing in the water, while the rest of the people enjoyed the beautiful weather by relaxing in the sun, hiking in the park, and thoroughly enjoying this special day. Check out the pictures of this gathering.

Elizabeth Pahkala
Health Secretary

On Monday, June 18, 2001, we held the first graduation ceremony at our new Children's Centre.Ten children, 4 years of age, have graduated. They have began their education towards becoming our Future Leaders.

Pictures of the students and some of the families at the Wellington School Grade 8 Graduation ceremonies held on Tuesday, June 19, 2001 can be seen at http://216.211.97.41/general/2001-06-19

On Tuesday, June 12, Dan Pellerin and Al Morrison were able to get on a Windigo First Nations Council charter to go and complete a site survey for the new satellite dish that is being installed in Slate Falls First Nation. Slate Falls First Nation is preparing to offer a Grade 9 and 10 program for their students in partnership with the Keewaytinook Internet High School starting in September 2001. See the pictures that Dan took on this trip.

The launch of the National Broadband Task Force report entitled "The New National Dream: Networking the Nation for Broadband Access" took place on Monday June 18 at 10 am. Brian Beaton, a Task Force member joined the event from the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Sioux Lookout office along with others from the KO First Nations. Read the story and link to other news about the report.

Due to increased volumes of email and conference messages the K-Net server was shut down Friday evening from 5:00 to 9:00 pm to install new larger hard drives. User home pages were reinstated as well. You may have to hit refresh on your browser to access the pages. This is the final scheduled shutdown until the migration to knet.ca and myknet.org is completed. Thank you for your patience.
Dan Pellerin, Network Manager.

Anyone interested in a career in Welding/Machine Shop please contact David Neegan or Les Meekis at 1-800-387-3740.

The duration of the apprenticeship is three years and the location will be in Red Lake. Once the required time is completed, the individuals will be fully certified welder and/or machinist. Individuals must have at least a grade 10 education.

Albert and Eli James are in development of their tourism camp on the southern shores of McDowell Lake. Currently two cabins are being built with four additional cabins to be constructed at a later date. The tentative date for operation is summer of 2002.