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Release A Suicide Prevention Workshop was held in Poplar Hill this week. Micheal MORRISON (Nishnawabe-Aski Nation, Marlie SQUIRELS (Nishnawbe-Aski Police) and Dan MCLEOD (Northwest Patrol Unit,Ontario Provential Police) presented the 3 day workshop at the community's "E Centre". The workshop focused on helping the community to reconize signals of suicide and ways to prevent and to deal with suicidal persons. The main focus of the workshop was to inform participants that SUICIDE IS NOT ABOUT DYING, IT'S ABOUT STOPPING THE PAIN. The participants learned some of the SIGNALS OF SUICIDE, three of which are: i) giving away prized possessions (i.e such as a CD collection) ii) saying good bye in an important manner (i.e a letter saying they're going away) iii) correcting past mistakes (i.e making apoloyies, paying old debts) They also learned THE THREE STEPS TO PREVENTING SUICIDE which are: i) Ask directly if he or she is thinking about suicide. ii) Listen, don't judge. And don't say things will get better. iii) Get them HELP. NAN has the lead role in the cooperative effort netween themselves and other agencies that includes Nodin, Tikanigan Child and Family Services,OPP, RCMP, Mattawa and Delico. NAN is presently scheduling training sessions for Nothern Communities. If First Nations are interested in having a workshop in thier community the should contact Micheal Morrison, NAN at (807) 623-8228.

Keewaywin is getting their cable system hooked up to the hydro poles this week. The work began last week (Feb 1) and the crew from Blair Electronics are still hooking up the cable lines. It is amazing to watch how they attach the cable lines and use the telephone cable to piggy back on. I have been following them around and am being trained to hook up the houses and get internet access into the homes. I have been taking pictures to show you how they are doing this. We have our Computer Technician follow them around and another Band employee to see how they are hooking up the cable lines. Each of us are taking part in the training so there is always someone available to hook up the next new building to this broadband service. See the pictures of the cable system installation in Keewaywin

On Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2002, the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra (T.B.S.O.) came to Pelican Falls First Nations High School to perform for the students. The Niiwi Pines drum group from Lac Seul were there as well to welcome their guests to their traditional territory. The show was great. Everyone was awed by the performance. After the show was finished a luncheon was served in the main side of the school. Watch for the story in the coming weeks of Wawatay News. Hopefully the pictures work out so they can be published.

Dan Pellerin, K-Net’s Network Manager, attended a two day ICT conference hosted by SOCAM (Société de Communication Atkamekw-Montagnais) in Quebec City on Jan 30, 31, 2002. He wrote the attached report from Quebec. Interesting two days here, lots of presenters, politics, optimism and aspirations. K-Net was referred to time and time again as the model to aspire to. The video conference went well. People saw and talked with Brian Beaton and watched him jump when I called up the IP phone sitting beside him on the table. Discussions were held concerning how K-Net uses the network and how they see others participating and creating networks. Unfortunately the Fort Severn site had technical problems so Chief George Kakekaspan was not able to participate. Everyone hoped to be able to talk to them to understand their local network. Next time. Telehealth applications were shown by Christine Penner-Polle and Donna Williams from their health office in Balmertown. A shot of the inside of Donna's ear was seen on a 15 foot screen.. (way too much detail for me..), as well as a scar using the patient camera. The document camera was used to transmit an image. Raymond Mason and Darrin Potter talked about the the KIHS program and about changes to the community. People at the conference were able to ask questions throughout each live session. Great work everyone and apologies to those who were unable to get on as we ran out of time... *actually went into other people's time*. Other presentations at the conference were made by RamTel corporation and by Industry Canada representatives. At the beginning of day two there was a mixup in the travel schedules so Ernie Dal Grande was unable to attend to do a presentation. However.... Ernie was brought in via Video Conference so he was able to discuss his work at FNHIB and the telehealth initiatives. Yay to video. INAC representative Alain Drolet explained how he and a colleague were acting as technology conduits and helping communities with IT issues and bringing the private sector to the table. Their version of Carl Seibel at FedNor. Had a meeting with SOCAM and the Industry Canada representative to discuss and animate a meeting about a development strategy and to get to know who the players are at both the Federal and Provincial level. Some items learnt from attending this gathering are: * the challenges are very similar as in the NAN region, with multiple telcos to deal with... * People are looking at K-Net and hoping to create what we have done. There was discussion with the provincial Min of Education and Health about the network they were going to build. People listened and one fellow really did a passionate and eloquent piece on the aggregated model, even drew out a picture I made for him showing him the difference between aggregated and thin pipes. Later they discussed a structure to manage this.. (legal council brought this up). When the discussion started going around in circles, one fellow said... "Yesterday I watched the K-Net network ... there was telehealth, schools, people using a network and having opportunities. This is what I want for our communities. Let’s concentrate on this and worry about governance structures later." Very nice compliment for us. Imitation is the best form of compliment. Everyone is to be congratulated on the hard work and for carrying out the vision. Makes me proud to be an ambassador for K-Net.

The third day of the workshop dealt with Band Administration and Economic Development. The turnout was exceptionally well. They discussed various topics throughout the day. View the pictures. Lots of ideas were thrown back and forth as the day progressed. GREAT IDEAS!!!

The Feast hosted by Keewaytinook Okimakanak in Fort Severn was a success. The turnout was more than we expected, seats filled up quickly. But there was plenty of food to go around. View the pictures.

NISHNAWBE-ASKI LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION Employment Opportunity EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (One-Year Term) Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation was established in 1990 by the Chiefs of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation to provide legal services to the 49 member First Nations in the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN). The geographical territory covered by NALSC is one-third the size of Ontario and spreads from the borders of Manitoba to Quebec with James and Hudson Bay to the north and above the CNR track line. This is the area covered by Treaties Number 9 and Number 5. The purpose of the Corporation is to plan, develop, deliver, coordinate and administer the provision of legal and paralegal services including community legal education, for the people of NAN in a manner sensitive to and respectful to their unique cultural heritage. The mandate of the Corporation includes legal, paralegal, public legal education and law reform services. Position Description: Under the direction of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will have the overall responsibility of planning, assessing and implementing the future direction and operation of the Corporation. During a 1-year transitional period, the Executive Director will examine and analyze the structure that is presently in place and make recommendations to the Board of Directors of organizational structures that could work for the Corporation. Salary: To commensurate with experience. Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario Qualifications: Applicants should have any combination of education and experience providing the required skill and knowledge. - University/College degree in management, law, social services or equivalent. - Experience in management preferably in an Aboriginal organization. - Ability to speak Ojibway, Oji-Cree or Cree is preferred. Closing Date: February 22, 2002 by 12:00 p.m. Please submit a resume and cover letter including 3 references to: Mail: Attention: Hiring Committee Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation 86 Cumberland Street South Thunder Bay, ON P7B 2V3 Fax: (807) 622-3024 Email: nalsaski@baynet.net Please note only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

NISHNAWBE-ASKI LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION Employment Opportunity PART-TIME AREA DIRECTOR (1-year Term) Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation was established in 1990 by the Chiefs of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation to provide legal services to the 49 member First Nations in the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN). The geographical territory covered by NALSC is one-third the size of Ontario and spreads from the borders of Manitoba to Quebec with James and Hudson Bay to the north and above the CNR track line. This is the area covered by Treaties Number 9 and Number 5. The purpose of the Corporation is to plan, develop, deliver, coordinate and administer the provision of legal and paralegal services including community legal education, for the people of NAN in a manner sensitive to and respectful to their unique cultural heritage. The mandate of the Corporation includes legal, paralegal, public legal education and law reform services. The Corporation is also an Area Office of Legal Aid Ontario. Duties: - Supervises and directs the application of eligibility criteria and determines eligibility for legal aid. - Supervises and directs the determination of coverage, reads opinion letters and authorizes legal proceedings. - Supervises the scheduling and coordination of all Duty Counsel for the fly-in courts held in NAN communities. - Makes decisions on applications and requested amendments. - Maintains legal aid panels and ensures panel members fulfill qualifications established by Convocations. - Provides summary legal advice to the Community Legal Workers, Restorative Justice Workers and members of NAN. - Prepares a written report once a year for the Board of Directors on the activities of the Area Office. Salary: To commensurate with experience. Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario Qualifications: - Must be a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada or eligible for membership. - Experience in criminal and family law an asset. - Five years of legal experience. Closing Date: February 22, 2002 by 12:00 p.m. Please submit a resume and cover letter including 3 references to: Attention: Hiring Committee Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation 86 Cumberland Street South Thunder Bay, ON P7B 2V3 Fax: (807) 622-3024 Email: nalsaski@baynet.net Please note only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

The first full day of the workshop dealt with Health Planning using ICT's. View pictures from the first day. The turn out for the Health Part of the workshop was good. People from Health Committee were in attendence, as well some of the Nursing Station Staff. The second day dealt with Education. The turn out for this one was exceptionally good, with the Education Board present, school principal, Chief George Kakekaspan, and various people tied into education. View pictures from the second day.

Keewaywin has finally started their winter road. The weather seems to be going against the completion of the winter roads this year. The road had to be made to hug the coast line as the ice is not yet thick enough on the lakes. In some places the ice is so thin that cracks form and slush forms on top of the ice. This just makes it harder for the completion of the winter road. I dread to think what will happen if there is no road this year. Imagine if the road is not completed, there will be no oil for the generators to produce our electricity, the oil for the homes will have to be airlifted. The prices of food will certaintly almost double. I went to see the progress of the road and it doesn't look too good. But considering the weather it is progressing. One of the loaders went through the ice this past weekend. The other loader is there to try to get it out. It is getting tougher every year for the road to be completed as so much depends on it. I took some pictures of the tractor half of it in the ice - for everyone to see.