From Wawatay's Sagatay magazine

Videoconferencing connects remote communities

Videoconferencing is like a winter road network that is open all year. As with the winter roads, videoconferencing is vital to northern communities. People use it to connect in real-time and face-to-face. But instead of travelling, they stay in their own communities and talk with people in other communities on a television screen.

From the Toronto Star

Fund to aid native groups in talks

May 16, 2008 - Robert Benzie

The Ontario government is creating a $25 million fund to help aboriginal communities hire lawyers and other advisers to "level the playing field" in treaty and business negotiations with Ottawa, the province and resource firms.

A heroic grandmother and her grandson are the victims of an early Saturday morning fire in Sandy Lake First Nation.

The grandmother was able to get her elderly mother to safety before re-entering the burning house in search of her grandson. Neither were able to escape the blaze.

The community along with family and friends from other remote communities are coming together to support those affected by this tradegy.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved!

Press release 

Jailed Algonquin Leader Begins Hunger Strike - Second Algonquin Chief Going to Jail - McGuinty Government Does Nothing

For Immediate Release - May 15, 2008(NNW) – On February 15, 2008 Ardoch Algonquin First Nation (AAFN) Spokesperson Robert Lovelace was sentenced in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Kingston to 6 months in maximum security, plus crippling fines, for peacefully protesting uranium mining in the Ardoch homeland. Chief Paula Sherman was fined $15,000 and given until today to pay the fine, failing which she will be jailed.

From Globe and Mail

Harper to issue formal apology to residential school survivors

KAREN HOWLETT - May 15, 2008

TORONTO — Prime Minister Stephen Harper will formally apologize to survivors of Canada's Indian residential schools on June 11.

FIRST ANNUAL

2008 

FIRST NATIONS

SUMMER ON ICE HOCKEY

TOURNAMENT

IN DRYDEN,ONTARIO

JULY 23, 24, AND 25TH, 2008

Abe Scatch Memorial School has been selected as an Indigo Love of Reading School for 2008.  Teachers, Kristin Ward, and Kirsten Ryan put together the application package in December 2007, and received a phone call yesterday announcing their success.  The school will receive $33,000 over the next 3 years to purchase new books for the school.

FROM: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2008/15/c8838.html

NAN - National Day of Action, Thursday May 29, 2008

Walk of Unity to Marina Park

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) invites you to join First Nation and non-Aboriginal leaders and community members in a unity walk promoting meaningful treaty relationships built on respect, dignity and fairness.

Time: Meet at 10 a.m.
Location: Lakehead Labour Centre, 929 Fort William Road, Thunder Bay
Route: Fort William Road to Marina Park. Gathering at Marina Park for speeches and refreshments to follow.