Media.Knet.Ca

From the government's official Residential School Website at http://www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca/english_index.html

The residential schools settlement has been approved.  The healing continues.

This is the official Court website for the settlement of the In re Residential Schools Class Action Litigation.

The Indian residential schools settlement has been approved by the Courts. Now, former students and their families must decide whether to stay in the settlement or remove themselves (opt out). 

Click the links below to read the Court-ordered notices, the Settlement Agreement, or to contact the administrator. Check this website periodically for updates.  The opt out deadline is August 20, 2007.  Claim forms will be available after August 20, 2007.

• Main
• Summary Notice 
• Detailed Notice  
• Opt Out Form 
• Send Me a Claim Form 
• Settlement Agreement  
• List of Residential Schools  
• Independent Assessment Process 
• The Lawyers  
• Updates 
• Court Documents 
• Contact the Administrator 

If you have questions click here or call 1-866-879-4913.

KAIROS press release ...

Thousands of Canadians Demand Ottawa Endorse Water as a Human Right on World Water Day 2007-KAIROS and Other Groups Spearhead Cross Country Events

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(CCNMatthews - March 22, 2007) -

Canadians across the country are taking to the streets, hosting public forums and writing politicians this week to draw attention to a range of water justice issues, including Canada's refusal to ensure that access to clean water is a human right. They're also concerned about problems created by bottled water consumption.

The events are being held in communities from Saint John to Salt Spring Island to mark World Water Day (WWD) 2007 on March 22nd and many have been organized jointly by KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, the Council of Canadians and CUPE, building on the huge success of WWD events last year. KAIROS is a faith-based social justice organization that works in Canada, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

Over one billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water - including Canadian communities that are constantly under boil water orders. Aboriginal communities in Canada have been particularly disadvantaged, with more than 80 communities currently under long term boil water orders.

In the face of a deepening global water crisis, the United Nations (UN) has recognised water as a right but, in 2002 Canada was the only country to take a position against the right to water at the UN. Backed by thousands of supporters across the country, many organizations such as KAIROS, the Council of Canadians and CUPE have been advocating that the federal government change its position and make the right to water a fundamental principle in a comprehensive Canadian water policy.

Meanwhile KAIROS and others have taken a stand against the use of bottled water when safe drinking water is readily available. They are concerned that bottled water consumption is bad for the environment and undermines water as a human right. In Canada, expensive bottled water buoys corporate profits as people pay up to 5000 times the cost of safe tap water, while filling dumps with unnecessary waste. Bottled water operations can reduce clean groundwater that would otherwise be available to communities and farmers.

"Water is a necessity of life and, therefore, must be considered a fundamental human right. And access to clean drinking water must remain in public or municipal control," says Sara Stratton, KAIROS Campaigns Coordinator. "The very notion of buying bottled water, when a safe and publicly-funded utility provides drinking water, undermines the collective understanding of water as something which we all need to live".

Citizens, faith groups, labour, and other social justice activists have for years called on the federal government to establish a Canadian policy that preserves water as a public trust. In Canada, such a policy would ensure national standards and provide an investment strategy for communities with crumbling infrastructure, such as Kashechewan, Ontario.

Over 180 municipalities across Canada have signed declarations supporting water as a public trust. Hundreds of thousands of individual Canadians have called on the federal government to say 'no' to privatization and 'yes' to water as a public good. They want their politicians to act against privatization in Canada's domestic and global water policies. They're making special efforts to have this message heard on World Water Day and throughout the coming year.

CONTACT INFORMATION

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
Adiat Junaid
(416) 463-5312 ext. 223
Email: ajunaid@kairoscanada.org.
Website: www.kairoscanada.org

Thunder Bay, Ontario – Friday, March 23, 2006    Wasaya Airways LP is proud to announce their pledge of $50,000, to be paid over 5 years, to the ‘Save a Heart – Phase II’ Campaign. Tom Morris, President & CEO of Wasaya Airways and Dean Cromarty, Chair of Wasaya Group Inc., will be presenting a cheque to Georgie Hari, President & CEO of the Foundation, and Board member Ken Bittle in the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre main lobby on Monday, March 26th at 2:00 p.m.

“Our pledge to this campaign fits within our mandate to provide benefits and services to our membership communities and other First Nation Communities throughout the province,” says Morris.

“We are pleased to make this pledge that will help meet the equipment needs of the Health Sciences Centre and the residents in Northwestern Ontario.”

The ‘Save a Heart’ Campaign was launched to support the purchase of new cardiac equipment for the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab. Wasaya Airways has been welcomed as a member of the Chairs’ Council level of giving that will help ensure that quality cardiac healthcare is accessible to the community and region.

Morris said that Wasaya’s philosophy is to not only work with Aboriginal groups, but to also work with organizations like the Health Sciences Centre Foundation that service First Nation communities.

“Our company has been built on partnerships, and we would not be where we are today without unique partnership agreements and strategic business decisions made to benefit our First Nations.”

Wasaya’s investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to the Health Sciences Centre as well as the residents of northern communities.

Ontario government press release ...

Budget 2007 - Aboriginal Highlights

The government is working on initiatives to close the socioeconomic gap between Aboriginal Peoples and other Ontarians.

- In June 2006, the government released draft guidelines for ministries on consultation with Aboriginal Peoples related to rights and treaty. This Budget includes $7 million to support the government’s capacity to engage in productive consultations with Aboriginal Peoples.

- The government launched the Aboriginal Education Strategy, investing $13 million to improve achievement by First Nations, Inuit and Métis students.

- The government is allocating $80 million to housing for Aboriginal Peoples living off reserve; see Section A: Expanding Opportunities for Children and Families.

- The Province is investing $2 million to support the implementation of “Keeping the Land, a Land Use Strategy” for the Whitefeather Forest in Ontario’s Far North, in collaboration with the Pikangikum community. Keeping the Land has been created in good faith between Pikangikum First Nation and the Government of Ontario. Rooted in mutual respect for the aspirations of both partners, this strategy provides guidance for future land use activities in the Whitefeather Forest and adjacent areas.

The First Nation community of Attawapiskat will benefit from the construction of Ontario’s first diamond mine and from the creation of 375 full-time jobs once the facility begins operations in the spring of 2008.

Section A: Expanding Opportunities for Children and Families

New Housing Initiatives

With the $392 million federal Affordable Housing Trust and Off-Reserve Aboriginal Housing Trust, the Ontario Government proposes to launch three new housing initiatives to assist low-income families in Ontario. The first will immediately provide $127 million to municipalities for new affordable housing or to rehabilitate existing housing.

To help low-income working families with children pay rent, the government’s second new initiative would create a new provincial housing allowance program that would provide up to $100 per month, for a maximum of five years, to eligible families.

This five-year, $185 million program would begin in January 2008 and create more than 27,000 new housing allowances for low-income working families. This would bring the total number of new housing allowances to 35,000.

Full details, including information about the application process, will be provided by the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing later this spring.

The third new housing initiative would provide $80 million in funding for up to 1,100 off-reserve housing units for aboriginal families that the government would allocate in partnership with aboriginal communities. This would enable Aboriginal Peoples to participate in the determination of how affordable housing is delivered in their communities, building a sustainable future and better quality of life.

Canoe.ca article ...

Native rhetoric blasted - Minister 'fearful' of violence
By JORGE BARRERA, NATIONAL BUREAU

Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice says First Nations leaders will be responsible for the consequences if they continue their heated rhetoric about a coming summer of "barricades, blockades and balaclavas."

Many First Nations leaders across the country reacted with outrage to the federal budget, which they say ignored the misery in many of their communities. They warned of impending confrontations if government does not start taking them seriously.

'ON THEIR HEADS'

"I think people should be responsible in their public comments. I don't agree with or condone people who are calling for those kinds of things because I am fearful that somebody will get hurt," said Prentice. "If that happens, it will be on the heads of people who are calling for that kind of conduct."

Members of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte community planned last night to reclaim a quarry 20 km east of Belleville that sits on land they say the federal government has admitted was stolen.

The Assembly of First Nations has also called for a national day of action June 29 that is expected to shut down some rail lines, highways and ports across the country.

Nunavut Liberal MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell, an Inuit, said it's the Conservative government triggering the unrest. She said Prentice "doesn't respect" aboriginal people.

'HE DOES NOT LISTEN'

"I don't think he actually cares about them. He does not listen to the people," said Lindell, usually a soft-spoken MP. "What I see from this government is a 1960s style of doing things for us again, without input."

The increased strife overshadowed what should have been a good news day for the Conservatives, who unveiled a progress report on First Nations drinking water. The government cut the number of "high-risk" water systems to 97 from 193 over the past year, said the report. Prentice, however, could not guarantee all on-reserve Natives would have clean water by next year.

The Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak met together several times throughout the past week to discuss various issues requiring their attention as directors of the organizations.

Most of the meetings took place at the KO office building in Thunder Bay at 216 Algoma Street. The finance and budget meeting took place on Tuesday evening at the Travelodge Inn.

On Wednesday afternoon, a delegation from Bell Aliant including Mark Hanlon, the Chief Operating Officer, Ontario met with the chiefs and staff at the KORI office. Video conferencing connections with Balmertown, Weagamow and Saugeen Nation provided everyone with an update about KOTH and KIHS.

Sioux Lookout District First Nations Hockey Tournament 2007 is now accepting Hockey Teams to register asap.

We can accept up to 28 hockey teams maximum.

The tournament dates are April 2 - 7th, 2007 at the Sioux Lookout Memorial Arena.

To register please refer to http://districthockey.myknet.org

Thank you.

Eno C. 

AFN, ITK, Metis press release ...

National Aboriginal Organizations Applaud Passage of Private Members Bill to Honour Crown's Commitments on 2005 Kelowna Accord

OTTAWA, March 22 /CNW Telbec/ - The leaders of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Assembly of First Nations and Métis National Council - today welcomed the vote by the House of Commons to adopt a law signifying the Government of Canada's dedication to honour its commitments in the 2005 Kelowna Accord to tackle acute housing, health and education hardships among Aboriginal peoples. The law would also require the Government of Canada to report back to parliament on the implementation of the Accord.

The passage of Bill C-292 does not compel the government to fund the commitments of the Kelowna Accord. However, the ITK, AFN and MNC strongly urge all Canadians to show solidarity with Aboriginal peoples and press the government to implement the commitments of the Kelowna Accord.

Mary Simon, President of ITK said, "It is encouraging to all Inuit that the majority of Canada's elected representatives at the federal level have stood up clearly for two things: overcoming shaming gaps in Aboriginal living standards, and honouring commitments made by the Government of Canada once they have been made. In doing so, we believe that MP's are behaving in the way that the Canadian public wants and expects. We are also pleased that former Prime Minister Mulroney has lent his timely and much appreciated support to the Kelowna Accord."

"I am deeply proud of this bill's passing in the House of Commons, as the Kelowna Accord represents the greatest commitment ever shown to the Métis Nation," President Clement Chartier added.

"First Nations want to express their appreciation to the opposition parties who showed their unwavering support for Bill C-292. It is clear to us and to all Canadians that the majority of elected representatives support the targets and objectives which will help improve the quality of life for First Nations," said National Chief Fontaine.

The 2006 Conservative Party election platform clearly states that a Conservative government will accept the targets agreed upon at the recent Meeting of First Ministers and National Aboriginal leaders, and work with First Ministers and National Aboriginal leaders on achieving these targets.

"Today, I remind Prime Minister Harper of this commitment to work together with us to meet the achievable and affordable non-partisan plan agreed to by all in Kelowna to make First Nations even stronger," concluded National Chief Fontaine.

-30-

/For further information: Assembly of First Nations: Bryan Hendry, A/Director of Communication, (613) 241 6789 ext. 229, bhendry@afn.ca; Nancy Pine, Communications Advisor, (613) 241 6789 ext. 243, npine@afn.ca; Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami: Stephen Hendrie, Communications Director, (613) 277-3178, hendrie@itk.ca; Métis National Council: Zoran Vidic, Communications Officer, (613) 295-9298, zoranv@metisnation.ca/

+++++++

NAN sees Kelowna Accord as best base for closing gap

     THUNDER BAY, ON, March 22 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy agrees with Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Prentice that self-sufficiency is the key to First Nation progress, however the two leaders disagree that the 2005 Kelowna Accord passed by Parliament yesterday is the way to reach what Prentice calls "financial independence".

     "I agree that First Nations people need to become financially independent, however it's the regulatory framework of both the provincial and federal governments that prevents the people of Nishnawbe Aski from participating in the country's economy," said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy.

"With billions of dollars worth of natural resources being extracted from our territory annually, assisting in sustaining the prosperity of all Canadians, you'd think First Nations wouldn't have to be perceived as asking for hand-outs."

     Beardy also agrees with Minister Prentice that the Kelowna Accord needs further work to iron out details in terms of addressing the many underlying issues, however says it's a comprehensive package that could improve the on-reserve quality of life across the board.

     "I was hopeful coming out of the 2005 First Ministers Meeting that the agreement would lead to meaningful discussion and implementation processes that would prove to lessen the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians across the board," said Beardy of the Kelowna Accord which is the basis of former Prime Minister Paul Martin's Private Member's Bill C-292 passed yesterday in the House of Commons. "The passing of Bill C-292 provides a renewed hope, but without acceptance by the Conservative Government of Canada we'll continue to see the gap grow and continued and increasing frustration among First Nations, particularly the young people, who are seeking quality education and sustainable careers."

     The Kelowna Accord, reached by the Government of Canada, provincial Premiers, and Aboriginal leaders in Kelowna, B.C. November 2005, outlined more than $5 billion over the next five years to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians in the areas of education, health, housing, and economic opportunities.

     "The Harper government had its chance to present Minister Prentice's theory two days ago when they announced their 2007 budget," said Beardy. "If the Government of Canada isn't going to accept a decision by Parliament, what alternative will they present?"

     NAN is a political territorial organization representing 49 First Nation communities across two-thirds of Ontario, including Kashechewan and Pikangikum First Nations, which have made recent national headlines exposing Third World conditions in the areas of housing, water, and sewer.

-30-

/For further information: Jenna Young, Director of Communications, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, at (807) 625-4952, or (807) 628-3953 (mobile)/

Network technicians from remote First Nations in northern  Manitoba and Ontario are meeting in Sioux Lookout to discuss the operation and maintenance of their local satellite earth stations and community broadband network connections.

The technicians are meeting together to share local experiences and challenges; learn about the C-Band satellite network; obtain experience in the maintenance and operation of the equipment involved in sustaining their network connection; meet and network with other community technicians working with similar equipment in other communities; and to meet the network helpdesk staff from K-Net and Keewatin Tribal Council who are working together to support the provision of broadband services in these remote First Nations.

The training session is being supported by the First Nations SchoolNet program and each of the participating First Nations and organizations.

Sponsored by Equay-wuk (Women's Group)

Are you interested in Early Childhood Education Diploma Program by Distance Education?

ENROLL TODAY!

Students are now being accepted for the summer semester beginning May 2007.

Course Information:

• Two years - five semesters
• Students earn a monthly training allowance of $735.00 based on assignments completed
• Students must be willing to make a two-year commitment to work in their community after earning their Early Childhood Education diploma 

Admission Requirements:

• Aboriginal with status (Sioux Lookout District Zone)
• Provide a copy of your Grade 12 transcript
• Must provide a clear Criminal Record Check
• Access to a computer and the internet
• Unemployed

CALL

Equay-wuk (Women's Group)

for Rita

Phone:  (807) 737-2214

or

Toll Free: 1-800-261-8294

Before April 6, 2007