Media.Knet.Ca

National Chief Phil Fontaine's presentation to the federal Finance Committee on Tuesday, September 19 highlights the results of continuous government underfunding for remote and rural First Nations across Canada. A crisis situation exists in Canada with the facts facing federal politicians ...

• There are more First Nations children in care today than at any time in history --including residential schools
• 30-40% of all children in care are First Nations, Inuit or Métis
• Over 10% of First Nations children are in care
  • Compared to less than 1% of other Canadians
• This number is up 71.5% between 1995 and 2001 and is a direct result of a lack of adequate government funding
• Other key drivers of this situation include:
  • Poverty, poor housing and health issues

Below is the handout presented to the media and committee members. Click here for the 18 page presentation. (PDF, 1.2Mb)

"The greatest omission in the work that I see is that it fails to stress the reality that most of the mental health disorders affecting Canadians today begin in childhood and adolescence. Failure to recognize this fact leads us to dealing with a stage-four cancer, often with major secondary effects, instead of a stage-one or stage-two disease. Like obesity, mental health issues, if not addressed early in life, threaten to bankrupt our health care system. " Diane Sacks, Out of the Shadows at Last: Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Services in Canada. Final Report of The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology, May 2006, p. 135 September 21, 2006 Stigma is a serious issue affecting children and youth with mental health difficulties and families beleaguered by a fragmented system Research shows that perhaps up to 20% of Canadian children and youth are living with mental illness. In Ontario, many of these children have trouble in school. Whether they are being teased by their peers or waiting on long lists for referral and treatment, these children and families live every day with the stigma and shame that goes hand in hand with mental illness and mental health problems. Can stigma be reduced? Could our schools become the solution? The Provincial Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health invites all of us to work together to find out. Read the full report: Sticks and Stones: Breaking the stigma of child and youth mental health difficulties through our schools New from The Seventh Generation Project: events to mark International Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week in Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) communities "There is a suicide epidemic where I live in Northwestern Ontario." Find out what the NAN Decade Youth Council and VOICES are doing to commemorate Yellow Ribbon International Suicide Awareness and Prevention Week. And, read the recent youth report on the suicide epidemic in First Nations communities and what they're doing about it. Visit The Seventh Generation website Add your voice to Voices Got an idea for a report? Contact us. Know someone who would be interested in this report? Forward this e-Bulletin. Haven't joined our e-Bulletin service yet? Sign up now! Learn how your organization can sponsor a future e-Bulletin! is a registered charity dedicated to promoting the well-being of Ontario's young people. We disseminate knowledge and ideas to influence public awareness, policy and practice. We produce the information you need to know. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please contact: Cathy Vine, Executive Director, tel: 416-489-5485 or email: cathy@voicesforchildren.ca. Voices for Children is proud to acknowledge our sustaining partners: Child Development Institute, the Margaret and Wallace McCain Family Foundation and Scotia Capital.

Voices for Children turns ideas, knowledge and experience into positive lasting change for the well-being of Ontario's young people. If you would prefer not to receive future e-mails or e-Bulletins, please click to unsubscribe from our mailing list. Thank you. Click here to update your preferences or subscription information.

Visit www.nan.on.ca to see the NAN press release below.

NAN Decade for Youth Promotes Suicide Prevention and Awareness

Posted by: Communications and Media jyoung@nan.on.ca
9/18/2006

NAN Decade for Youth and Development kicked off events recognizing the 12th Annual Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention and Awareness week during a news conference in Thunder Bay Monday September 18, 2006.

Click Here for a full schedule of events of Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week September 18-23, 2006

Some of the events taking place during the Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week include youth forums and roundtable discussions on suicide prevention, ceremonial yellow balloon launch for NAN members lost to suicide, and powwow.

NAN Decade for Youth and Development is a 2001 initiative declaring an entire decade to empowering and mentoring youth within NAN territory. Suicide prevention is one of many focuses of the program which launched the We Care Yellow Balloon campaign in March.

Voices for Children promotes the well-being of children and youth in Ontario by disseminating information to influence policy, practice and awareness.

There have been 19 suicides in NAN territory this year. There were 25 suicides in 2005 which is almost double the national average.

Aliya Pardhan, a University of Guelph Masters of Science graduate completed the defense of her thesis this past summer. Her thesis, "EXPLORING KEY STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES FOR A COLLABORATIVE FIRST NATION RESEARCH PROTOCOL", is an important publication for anyone interested in working with First Nations in the delivery of health and other services.

Dr. Ricardo Ramirez was her Academic Advisor at the University of Guelph for this work. Aliya visited Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and Fort Severn to complete the research portion of her thesis, working with the Keewaytinook Okimakanak team and Fort Severn leadership and community members.

From the abstract ....

This thesis proposes a set of recommendations to assist the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute (KORI) in developing codes of conduct of research with the First Nation. 

It places the discussion of research ethics in the context of cultural world view and the struggle for self-determination as peoples and nations. 

It affirms that the First Nation Peoples have a right to participate as partners in research that generates knowledge affecting their culture, identity and well-being.

To provide the context and rational for the recommendations presented, the thesis outlines how ethics are framed in the First Nation with respect to research design, informed consent, entry into the field, confidentiality, approaches to data collection, participant roles, ownership of data and dissemination of results.

The thesis also describes how First Nation perceptions of reality and ethical behavior contrast with the norms prevailing in western research.  The perspective of community ethics suggests that representation of multiple voices, enhancement of moral discernment, building capacity, empowerment, and self-advocacy need to be critical components of research. 

This study emphasizes that the research process needs to be reciprocal and collaborative, with communities, researchers, research organizations, academic institutions, research councils and funding agencies working together to shape the conception, definition and direction of research in the North.

Click here to read the entire 201 page thesis (918K, PDF document)

Concerning her future adventures, Aliya writes ... "I actually did get accepted into a PhD program here at Guelph in epidemiology/population medicine. I do intend to build on my thesis with more of a health/infectious disease perspective. My research is being funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada."

Keewaytinook Okimakanak congratulates Aliya on her successes and looks forward to working with her on her doctoral research.

The North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is a new organization designed to plan, integrate and fund health services in Northwestern Ontario, including hospitals, community care access centres, home care, long-term care, community health centres, community support services and mental health and addiction services.

The North West LHIN has been working with health service providers, communities and the public to develop an Integrated Health Services Plan (IHSP) for Northwestern Ontario. This plan will set out broad health care priorities and strategies for our area for the three year period beginning in April 2007.

The Integrated Health Services Plan will be submitted to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care by October 31, 2006 and will include:

• An assessment of health needs, services, issues and challenges across Northwestern Ontario;
• The North West LHIN’s vision, values and principles;
• Priorities for health system improvements; and
• Action plans to address priority health care issues during the three-year period.

A draft plan is now available and the North West LHIN is
seeking public input on this document.

You can access the draft plan and the accompanying feedback survey on the Northwest LHIN web site at www.lhins.on.ca, or you can contact the North West LHIN for a copy.

Contact: Maria Harding
Administrative Assistant
Toll-free: 1-866-907-5446, ext. 2009
Tel.: 807-684-9533, ext. 2009
E-mail: maria.harding@lhins.on.ca

The North West LHIN will receive feedback on the plan until October 10, 2006.

George Ferreira, a University of Guelph doctoral candidate successfully defended his thesis, "PARTICIPATORY VIDEO FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT IN REMOTE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES" on Monday, Sept 18, 2006. Doctor George is now available to take on new and exciting challenges that will hopefully further his research and production work.

The two hour session was video conferenced with professors, students, friends, co-workers and special guests (Don Snowden's family members) at the the University of Guelph, University of Toronto and Keewaytinook Okimakanak's Sioux Lookout office linked together for this special event. The video conferenced session is archived for online viewing. Click here to watch George's defense of his doctoral thesis.

George began working with Keewaytinook Okimakanak back in the spring and summer of 2003, becoming part of the Kuhkenah Network's Smart Communities evaluation team (Don Richardson, Helen Aitkin and Ricardo Ramirez). He travelled to each of the KO First Nations providing video production training and capturing how the KO First Nations were utilizing ICTs. His footage has been used in the production of a number of online video presentations about K-Net and our partners. Cal Kenny, K-Net's Multi-media Producer and others worked with George over these past few years to develop some great video material that is available on the K-Net website.

The production of the "Turning the Corner" video in the winter of 2005, provided George with the opportunity to meet with a number of government officials to further his research on the use of video as a means of influencing public policies and programs. Click here to see the KNEWS story about the "Turning the Corner" video presentation in Ottawa.

Click here to see some pictures of George's thesis defense session.

Brian Walmark, Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute Coordinator, was part of George's advisory team and thesis review committee along with Doctors Ricardo Ramirez, Al Lauzon and Isobel Heathcote at the University of Guelph. Dr. Susan O'Donnell from the National Research Council in New Brunswick was part of George's thesis review committee.

From George's thesis abstract (the link to the entire thesis will be added once it is finalized) ...

This research is based on the Fogo Process which used film to bridge communication between a group of remote Newfoundland fishing communities and government policy makers and politicians in the late 1960’s.  The research expands the scope of the Fogo Process by integrating principles from participatory video, a development strategy used to build local capacity around socio-economic issues, participatory action research and advances in video technology.

This thesis is an investigation of the role of participatory video as a tool to influence government policy making. The research is set within the context of a group of five remote Aboriginal communities in northwestern Ontario, Canada. These communities, collectively know as Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO), were part of a federal pilot program to encourage innovative broadband infrastructure development across the country.  These communities represent a rare research environment because prior to the introduction of broadband services, they were minimally serviced in terms of telecommunications, with one telephone available for all the communities needs.

The research was initially made possible because of the need for program evaluation data. Video was used to gather testimonial stories in support of KO’s Smart Program evaluation report. Video was chosen because it was felt by the evaluation team and KO leadership that Industry Canada, the primary funding agency, could make a more informed assessment if the data was contextualized through the provision of real life accounts and experiences with broadband. Very few Canadians have ever visited communities such as these and the impact that broadband was having on health care, education and community development required a communication mechanism beyond conventional evaluation approaches.

Local leadership quickly realized the potential of video to link their needs with policy makers located thousands of kilometers away. Research continued into the development and dissemination of locally produced videos in the service of policy needs. During the course of the initial video productions, I provided training workshops in the communities thereby creating a critical mass of people who could produce their own video media and, in turn, teach others.

After the collaborative production of twenty two videos, and numerous others produced independently by former trainees, the research culminated in the production of Turning the Corner. This was a 17 minute video produced in cooperation with the Privy Council of Canada’s Aboriginal Affairs Secretariat and KO leadership. The purpose of the video was to relay the message that bottom-up planning and funding strategies were essential to the success of broadband expansion across Canada’s Northern Aboriginal communities. This message was based on the lessons and experience of the KO communities where broadband had transformed community life from telehealth applications and internet assisted education to overcoming isolation and community development. The video made real the need for local planning and initiative to be brought into the planning process for broadband infrastructure through a series of screenings to senior policy makers in the nation’s capital, Ottawa. 

http://healthyontario.com provides Ontarians with a world-leading web destination for trusted health information, services and advice for healthier living. HealthyOntario.com annually receives over 2 million visits and is increasing as more people feel empowered to manage their health, discover their options, and connect to services and people that can help them on their path to wellness.

HealthyOntario.com provides quick and easy access to health information. The Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion created HealthyOntario.com, which launched in October 2002, as way to demonstrate the ministry's commitment to providing trusted health information to help the people of Ontario to live healthier lives.

This is from a media release from Ontario's Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson ....

http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE/2006/09/15/c6514.html?lmatch=&lang=_e.html

Ontarians can now access information on nutrition and healthy eating through a new, province-wide online service called EatRight Ontario, part of the existing, highly-acclaimed website, http://HealthyOntario.com. EatRight Ontario includes an online resource which will allow people to ask specific nutrition related questions and receive feedback.

"Access to reliable nutrition information is key to promoting good health," said Minister Watson. "In addition to programs such as the Northern Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program, which has a strong educational component, we are also developing additional information resources for Ontarians who are seeking to improve their health and quality of life through healthy, nutritious eating."

"This pilot project supports our local agri-food industry by promoting the consumption of fresh, high quality Ontario produce," said Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. "It also gives schoolchildren the opportunity to choose healthier snacks."

"Fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with better health. Research indicates that it's important to develop healthy eating habits early in life," said Dianne Oickle, Chair, Ontario Society of Nutrition Professionals in Public Health. According to the recent Canadian Community Health Survey, the 59 per cent of Canadian children and youth aged 2 to 17 who reported consuming fruit and vegetables less than five times a day were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese than those who ate fruit and vegetables more frequently."

The Northern Fruit and Vegetable Pilot Program is one of the new programs that has come out of Ontario's Action Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living, launched by the government in June. The Action Plan responds to key findings in the Chief Medical Officer of Health's report entitled Healthy Weights, Healthy Lives, which called for a broad, province-wide effort across sectors and communities to combat obesity. The government's $10 million action plan offers new programs and strategies, and builds on existing ones to support healthy eating and active living in Ontario.

G8 Program Registration is Now Open
 
The G8 Supplementary Courses Program ("G8 Program") was created to help First Nation students prepare for the demands of high school. This program provides First Nation grade 8 classrooms with online courses that highlight key skills and knowledge in the areas of Science, Math and English Literacy as outlined by the Ontario Ministry of Education.

All courses are free and run for about 2 months. It is important to stress that these courses are supplementary in nature. While a number of grade 8 curriculum expectations are covered throughout this program, these courses are not meant to act as a substitute to the regular classroom instruction. 

The first course (English Literacy) will run from Oct 8, 2006 to Jan 26, 2007. Students are required to be online for at least 3 hours per week (anytime). Registration is now open. 
 
The goals of the G8 Program are as follows:

• Promote academic skills and knowledge in the core subjects of Science, Math and English Literacy.
• Promote an understanding the high school system (ex. What is a credit?  What is the difference between elective and compulsory courses? How are different courses connected to different career paths? Etc.)
• Promote pride and awareness in First Nation communities, issues and people
• Promote computer literacy (file management, word processing, Internet research, graphics editing).
• Promote communication between students and teachers in remote and rural First Nation schools.
• Provide teachers with practical examples of how computers and the Internet can be used to enrich the learning of their students.

The courses are delivered via a secure online platform that was adapted to showcase First Nations communities across Ontario.  Students and teachers can use their online profile to exchange messages, chat and share pictures.  Students are asked to log in three times per week (the local teacher determines the actual day and hour). During this time, students review lessons and complete assignments.  The flexibility of the G8 Program allows teachers to make the program fit their local schedule. The course content is geared explicitly for Aboriginal students. Lessons often use subjects, places and situations that promote or reflect First Nations topics and environments. To find out more about the G8 Program, please visit www.g8.firstnationschools.ca.

FINAL ROUND VOTING HAS BEGUN

VOTE NOW!
Until 11:59 PM CDT, October 13th, 2006

Click here to see the APCMA NOMINEES

The APC Music Awards (http://aboriginalpeopleschoice.com) is the only event where you, the fans, have the opportunity to choose which artist will be honoured in each category. Be a part of Canadian Aboriginal music history - sign up today to cast your vote. Online voting, world wide, begsn September 13, 2006.

The Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards is the first awards show of its kind. It provides an opportunity to showcase Aboriginal music to the rest of the world and to expose Aboriginal recording artists to a national fan base, music industry, and media.

This inaugural event will serve to give Aboriginal artists increased profile, and bring the artists, industry and fans closer together. A four-year plan is in place for Manito Ahbee and the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards.

The Awards show will take place at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, MB on Friday Nov 3, 2006 starting at 7:00 PM (click here for online ticket purchases). Manitoba Lotteries is the Presenting Sponsor in the inaugural year, with a financial commitment towards the festival and awards show.

Click here to learn more about the 109 music artists profiled on the site (listen to clips of their music)

From http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com./story.php?id=254733

National Chief appalled by conditions at Whitedog school

By Mike Aiken - Miner and News - September 15, 2006

National Chief Phil Fontaine blasted the federal government for its inaction Thursday during a visit to Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) First Nation.

With up to 20 students using the front room of a teacher’s residence for a classroom, delays at Wabaseemoong School are shameful, Fontaine said.

“It’s a terrible situation. I’m absolutely appalled,” he said, during a tour of the facility.

Fontaine was looking around at the unfinished floor and makeshift table, which doubled for desks in the temporary setting.

“The students must be simply outstanding to be where they are and the government should be ashamed, simply ashamed,” he said.

Overcrowding at the 34 year-old building has caused up to 60 teenagers to turn their backs on their education, said vice-principal Gaye McDonald.

“They say ‘We’re not going to get the attention we need.’ So they don’t come back,” she said.

Draft designs and proposals have been flying back and forth for years between band council and the federal government. At one point, the community thought they had approval for a plan to have construction completed on the project by 2007.

However, the latest word from Indian and Northern Affairs suggests they may not even start construction on the $18-million building until next year.

“We don’t need another study to figure out what needs to be done,” said principal Orvil Traverse, who presented a list of defects to the national chief.

Teachers have already lost their staff room and prep time.

Shops for technical trades and home economics have also been taken over, and the warped floorboards in the gym leave the future of intramural sports in doubt.

Flooding started last Christmas, after the heating system failed and the pipes burst. Parts for the furnace have to be machined, because they’re so old, and administrators are always afraid of more damage due to freezing during the winter months.

The crumbling wall has been braced by wooden trusses, which make elementary classrooms look more like construction sites.

Maintenance staff have also reported sparks coming from the electrical panel, due to heaving as the foundation shifts and settles on its clay base.

Student council president Mauricio Diaz admitted the conditions are a distraction. Due to overcrowding, not all students have access to seats or desks.

Donations of books to the library remain in boxes, because there isn’t enough room to put them on shelves. The resource centre has also been remodelled into a classroom.

“All of these issues which I’ve discussed are seriously affecting our learning every single day,” said Diaz, during his speech for the national chief.

Treaty 3 Grand Chief Arnold Gardner joined Fontaine on his trip to Whitedog, and they both pledged to take the students’ message to Ottawa where they hoped to convince the Minister of Indian Affairs changes are urgently needed.

The chairman of Abinoojii Ojibway Child and Family Services, Isaac Mandamin, added the community had another 200 children in care, and they would have trouble fitting into the school if they were able to return to their First Nation.

School staff note 70 per cent of their 300 students are under the age of 11, and current conditions don’t allow them to pursue plans for adult education courses.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Community Liaison & Student Recruitment Officer

The Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education & Training Institute established by Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) offers post-secondary education and training programs.  We offer choice, accessibility, flexibility, opportunities and support services for our students.  Still in it early stages, OSHKI is an innovative, independent institution that currently offers accredited courses in business, social services, and early childhood education.  New programs are also in the works.

We are looking for a highly, energetic and dynamic individual for the Community Liaison & Student Recruitment Officer position.  This is an exciting opportunity to help NAN members and other learners to increase their educational growth and successes.  The successful candidate will liaise with individuals, educators and leaders of the NAN communities and organizations and will actively promote OSHKI’s education and training programs to achieve or exceed minimum enrollment numbers for our programs.  Responsibilities also include: 

• Promptly contacting new learners referred by community agencies, and making timely responses to enquiries from prospective students
• Provide counseling and information services to prospective students regarding career and educational options and choices to ensure students are recruited into programs appropriate to their interests and needs.
• Liaise with colleagues at OSHKI and with partner institutions to clarify program goals, expectations and requirements in order to assist interested individuals in making informed decisions regarding entry into programs.
• Communicate course and program requirements, application processes, and funding options and eligibility criteria to prospective students
• Work with students, community-based agencies and partners to facilitate student entry into programs, by scheduling required testing and arranging for local invigilators.

Qualifications for this position include:

• Possess a diploma in Business Administration, Social Services or related program;
• One to three years of Marketing, placement, career clarification or guidance experience;
• Experience in one or more of:  student recruitment; administration of enrolment, registration or application processes; adult education or training;
• Excellent verbal communication and active listening skills;
• Presentation and public speaking skills;
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with First Nation communities and organizations.
• Ability to travel to the First Nations;  both remote and road access;
• Fluency in either Oji-Cree or Cree would be an asset.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest and a resume, with three references, to:
Executive Director
Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education & Training Institute
106 Centennial Square, 3rd Floor
Thunder Bay, ON  P7E 1H3
Fax:  (807) 622-1818
Email:  info@oshki.ca

Closing date: Friday, September 22, 2006 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

While we appreciate all applications for this position, only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted.