Media.Knet.Ca

A former national Aboriginal leader praised the work of Keewaytinook Okimakanak for its leadership in telecommunications, connectivity, and community-based broadband applications at the Lakehead University Chancellor’s Dinner during convocation last weekend. Tony Belcourt, the former president of Metis Nation of Ontario and board member of the National Metis Council advised Lakehead University to build stronger bridges with Keewaytinook Okimakanak which is showing Indigenous Peoples all over the world how to migrate broadband to some of the most remote and isolated places on Earth and facilitates state of the art telemedicine and digital education. After retiring from MNO, Belcourt was elected president of the Indigenous Commission for Communications Technologies in the Americas (!CCTA).

During convocation week, Belcourt visited KO's Thunder Bay offices where he talked with teachers and students up north in KiHS using IP video conference. He also witnessed a demonstration of telemedicine at the community level.

"I've been aware of KO's good work for many years the best way to appreciate what they have accomplished is to see it for yourself." He identified K-Net Services, KO Telemedicine and the Keewaytinook Internet High School (KiHS) as models for improving access to broadband, access to health care and improving educational outcomes for Indigenous Peoples in remote and isolated communities around the world.

Belcourt was awarded an honourary doctorate for his career in Aboriginal politics in Canada. 

+++++++

MNO press release 

Métis Nation of Ontario Congratulates Tony Belcourt

OTTAWA, ON - May 28, 2010 --- The Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) extends sincere congratulations to Dr. Tony Belcourt who will receive an Honourary Doctor of Laws Degree from Lakehead University at its Spring Convocation today in Thunder Bay, ON.

As the founding President of the Métis Nation of Ontario, Tony helped to lay the ground work for the recognition of Métis rights enjoyed today,” said Gary Lipinski, President of the Métis Nation of Ontario. “It is fitting that his tenacity, determination and hard work in the areas of self-government, economic development, education and culture be recognized in this way.”

Dr. Belcourt founded the Métis Nation of Ontario in 1993. His participation in the Powley Case, which was ultimately heard by the Supreme Court in 2003, was pivotal in the recognition of Métis harvesting rights in the province and across the Métis Homeland. Prior to establishing the MNO, Tony worked for the Métis Assocation of Alberta and was key to the formation of the Native Council of Canada. Dr. Belcourt was also critical to ensuring that the rights of Métis people in Canada were enshrined, along with those of Canada’s other Aboriginal peoples, in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

“Métis people across Canada owe a debt of gratitude to Tony for his efforts on our behalf,” President Lipinski added.

The Métis Nation of Ontario will honour former President Belcourt at its upcoming Annual General Assembly, which will take place at Fort William Historical Park from August 21 to 23, 2010.

For more information, please contact:

Joanne Meyer, Director of Inter Governmental Relations
416-977-9881