From http://nan.on.ca

INAC press release

Minister Duncan Announces Funding for A New School at Attawapiskat First Nation

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 19, 2011) - The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, today announced that his department has set aside funding over the next three years to accelerate progress on the detailed design and construction phases of a new elementary school for the Attawapiskat First Nation.

Press release

National Chief Congratulates New Cabinet - Calls for Focused Action to Advance First Nation Priorities with 41st Parliament

OTTAWA, May 18 /CNW/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo said today he looks forward to advancing First Nation priorities with the new federal cabinet and all of Parliament.

Caring Society Report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child highlights Canada's failure to ensure culturally based equity for First Nations Children

Jordan & Shannen:  

First Nations children demand that the Canadian Government stop racially discriminating against them

Shadow Report: Canada 3rd and 4th Periodic Report to the UNCRC

From the Report Acknowledgements

Dedicated to Jordan River Anderson (age 5) and Shannen Koostachin (age 15)

AFN Press release

From the Toronto Star

James Bay native band alleges century of neglect in massive, multi-million lawsuit

Peter Edwards - May 16 2011

More than a century ago, a blind Ojibway Chief from northwestern Ontario named Missabay marked an “X” on a treaty written in English, a language he did not speak.

Press release

First Nations Centre Launches Special Health Toolkits

Ottawa, ON (May 16, 2011) – The First Nations Centre (FNC) of the National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) has launched four toolkits of information relating to specific health issues. The four toolkits are: Making Your Home Safe for Your Baby; Understanding Immunization; Cancer Awareness; and Sexual Health. These toolkits are dedicated to increasing awareness about these issues and improving the physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health of First Nations.

UNESCO is hosting the following panel @ WSIS Forum 2011, we invite you to attend in person or virtually.

Theme: Indigenous education and ICTs
Tuesday 17 May: 14.45–16.15, Room II
Conference centre of the ILO Genève – Switzerland

Registration: http://groups.itu.int/wsis-forum2011/Register.aspx

Remote Participation: http://groups.itu.int/wsis-forum2011/About/RemoteParticipation.aspx

International Indigenous Summit on Energy & Mining
27th to 29th June 2011
Niagara Falls, ON 

Visit the event page

The following two articles highlight how decision-makers in the United States are recognizing and confronting the realities and challenges involved in serving remote and rural First Nations. It would be nice if Canada could demonstrate the same type of leadership and vision instead of tying First Nations to 200 year old legacy Indian Act legislation (making Section 28-2 resolutions a requirement) as First Nation leaders attempt to work to construct the infrastructure and create digital opportunities in their communities.

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