Media.Knet.Ca

KORI’s Brian Walmark was one of thirty workshop leaders invited to the "Striving for Education Excellence In First Nation Communities," an education conference sponsored by the Wiky Board of Education (February, 3-4, 2006). Brian conducted a day long workshop dealing with on-line education. He focussed on the applications created by K-Net Services, the Regional Management Organization (RMO) Ontario for Industry Canada’s First Nations SchoolNet program.

Brian provided workshop participants in Wiky with a tour of the K-Net website including First Nations SchoolNet, G8, and KiHS. Participants were exposed to the Special Education, Literacy and Early Childhood Development on-line workshops and many registered. Some participated in a "live" session with a dozen other First Nations schools across the north from Fort Francis to Timmins to Bearskin Lake. Others viewed archived sessions on-line. Over three hundred and fifty principals, teachers, teaching assistants and the general public attended the two-day conference. Conference organizers want to make this into an annual gathering.  For more information, click here.

Aliya Pardhan, a University of Guelph graduate student, traveled to Sioux Lookout on Friday, Feb 3 to meet with the K-Net team and other health service providers. Aliya's research project title is "Exploring Key Stakeholder Perspectives for a Collaborative First Nations Health Research Protocol". She is flying to Fort Severn with Wesley McKay (from KORI) on Sunday to meet with community members and learn about their experiences and needs in terms of effective health research and appropriate protocols.

As well, Aliya is working with the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute - http://research.knet.ca to contribute to KORI's research protocol guide for health research protocols that support communities.

Aliya's professor, Ricardo Ramirez writes about her works ... "An important accomplishment we already have in hand is the approval by the University of Guelph Research Ethics Board of Aliya Pardhan's application to involve human participants. Her application was adjusted in accordance with the KORI community research guidelines. To my knowledge this is a first at this university. ... I also wish to thank KORI for the amazing support you have provided us in getting this project off the ground."

Be sure to watch http://firstnationshockey.ca for tournament updates.

 

NAN NEWS RELEASE - Tuesday January 31, 2006

NAN YOUTH LAUNCH SUICIDE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN

THUNDER BAY, ON:  Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler together with NAN Decade for Youth Council today launched the “We Care Yellow Balloon” suicide prevention campaign during a youth conference taking place at Thunder Bay’s NorWester Resort Hotel January 31 through February 3, 2006.

“We want to get the message out to the youth that it’s okay to ask for help,” said Catherine Cheechoo, a member of the NAN Decade for Youth Council.  “Sometimes it’s hard to ask for help and knowing that it’s available in difficult situations may prevent a young person from taking their own life.”

The campaign, which is a response to the growing number of youth suicides throughout NAN territory (an area covering two-thirds of Ontario), was initiated by the NAN Youth Council.

“The young people of NAN are taking a very hands-on approach, demonstrating both compassion and insight in their efforts regarding our suicide crisis,” said NAN Grand Chief Stan Beardy.  “This campaign is a positive approach to addressing this important issue.”

“In launching this campaign, it is clear that our youth have recognized prevention and early warning strategies are essential if our communities are to address crises before they evolve into full-scale emergencies,” added Deputy Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, who’s responsible for the NAN youth portfolio. “We need to be proactive, not reactive."

The “We Care Yellow Balloon” suicide campaign is comprised of posters and balloons – both in yellow as it’s the international colour for suicide prevention – that will be distributed to all 49 First Nation communities within NAN territory.

The Seven Sacred Teachings Youth Suicide Awareness Conference is focused on strengthening traditional culture and experiential learning as a way to prevent suicide.

“Traditional, cultural practices are a source of strength for our people,” explains Catherine Cheechoo. “We need to reconnect with the ways of our ancestors because these traditional teachings promote our well-being. Our culture will play a key part in helping to reduce suicide rates.”

***

For more information please contact:

Celeste Pedri, Communications Technician
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
(807) 625-4902
www.nan.on.ca

From Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal at http://66.244.236.251/article_3711.php

OPG expanding power station at Ear Falls
By BRYAN MEADOWS - Feb 2, 2006

Work has started on expanding the Ontario Power Generation hydroelectric power station in Ear Falls.

Blasting of a tunnel under Highway 105 began this week and is expected to continue until late March.

The OPG project involves the construction of an additional 12-megawatt hydroelectric generating unit at its Ear Falls dam on the far western edge of Lac Seul.

Site engineer David Sennill said Wednesday that blasting of bedrock will occur two to five times per day.

Motorists may experience 10- to 15-minute delays during the blasting which is being carried out by Leo Alarie and Sons Ltd.

Sennill said crews are working just south of the existing power plant and blasting either way underground toward the English River and Lac Seul.

When the excavation and power house tie-ins have been completed, crews will remove the “rock plugs” from either end, he said.

OPG had halted work on the project last April, citing ongoing consultation with various parties and a reassessment of the “costs and risks associated with the expansion at the site.”

OPG did not elaborate on specific reasons for the cancellation. Nor was the company forthcoming on project details when contacted this week, saying only that an announcement would be made in the near future.

Lac Seul First Nation, located northwest of Sioux Lookout, had opposed the expansion, citing long-standing concerns about the Ear Falls dam and hydro development.

Chief David Gordon said there were “a number of things (the band) was trying to finalize” before it could endorse the project.

And apparently those concerns have been mitigated somewhat.

Lac Seul Coun. Rod Wesley said OPG has left the door open for more negotiations on possible benefits which might flow to the band from the project.

“We’ve asked to have more input into the project . . . (and) they’ve asked us to submit a proposal” on such things as jobs and training programs, he said.

Wesley added that he was unaware of what arrangements or agreements Gordon, OPG and Indian Affairs reached last week at a meeting.

Gordon was travelling to Toronto on Wednesday and could not be reached for comment.

On the heels of OPG’s expansion announcement a year ago Wednesday, Gordon issued a statement that flooding resulting from the dam at Ear Falls “has caused enormous suffering for our people.”

“We understand OPG’s wishes and are prepared to work with (the company) to create a plan that benefits all,” he said. “We will consent to reasonable development that includes aboriginal people. (But) we cannot consent to unilateral decisions to increase profits by impoverishing First Nations.”

For Ear Falls, the project means construction jobs and economic spinoffs over the next two years.

The existing OPG plant employs a dozen people and produces 17 megawatts of power with four units built between the 1930s and ’40s. New equipment was installed 10 years ago after the station building was destroyed by fire.

REsolve, a Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee (SLARC) initiative, is pleased to announce that YOUCAN, a youth oriented peace building and conflict resolving organization, will provide 40 area youth with the skills necessary to address and mediate conflict. The YOUCAN workshop, which runs from February 13th – 17th, will draw on students from Queen Elizabeth High School and schools reporting to the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council including, Pelican Falls, Dennis Franklin Cromarty (Thunder Bay) and Northern Eagle (Ear Falls).

“It was very important for REsolve to reach out to the youth in this town so that they could also benefit from our conflict resolving program”, said Don DeGenova, REsolve Project Manager. “When I heard about YOUCAN’s youth empowerment program to equip students with the skills necessary to build a conflict resolving community, I knew I had to find away to bring them to Sioux Lookout.” DeGenova goes to note that, “we couldn’t have done it without the help of Steve Poling and Rachael Paquette-Flanagan.”

YOUCAN’s mission is to equip youth so that they can engage and inspire others to peacefully resolve conflicts and develop healthy relationships in their communities.

“YOUCAN is extremely excited to partner with REsolve and CICR to make a difference with the youth community in Sioux Lookout”, noted Dave Farthing, Executive Director, YOUCAN. “An incredible partnership has now emerged with REsolve, the Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee, Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution, Keewatin Patricia District School Board and NNEC. YOUCAN is honoured to be part of a collaborative venture that will contribute to establishing a sustainable program that has the potential to equip youth with the skills to help their communities resolve conflict in more peaceful and lasting ways”.

Rachael Paquette-Flanagan, Special Projects Coordinator at NNEC states, “I see this is an exciting opportunity to expand on the ground-breaking work of the Sioux Lookout Anti Racism Committee’s REsolve project. YOUCAN will offer area youth leadership, conflict resolution and mediation skills, all of which are essential in navigating difficult teen years and are essential in building a healthy, confident, responsible person.” Paquette emphasizes “NNEC is proud to partner with QEDHS and SLARC in bringing YOUCAN to Sioux Lookout; we are always looking for initiatives that foster healthy lifestyle choices that are transferable. This project has the potential to reach and affect a lot of lives in Sioux Lookout and the Northern communities.”

Steve Poling, Vice-Principal, Queen Elizabeth High School, remarks, “QE’s character education committee welcomes the YOUCAN conflict resolution program to our school. It is a welcome addition to our other youth assistance initiatives including: Natural Helpers peer support program, native awareness activities, NNEC support team, transition, and At Risk programs which are already working to help young people be successful in their learning and in their interactions with others.” He goes on to note, “The YOUCAN program will be a positive and proactive addition to our Anti-bullying initiative.”

REsolve is grateful for the on-going support received from the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution. Their assistance has taken the REsolve project to new heights. The YOUCAN initiative is also thankful for the generous financial assistance provided by the Best Western Sioux Lookout Inn and Johnny’s Food Market.

-30-

For further information please contact:

Don DeGenova, REsolve Project Manager
degedon@sympatico.ca
(807) 737-1501, (877) 737-5272

Steve Poling, Vice Principal
Keewatin Patricia District School Board
Queen Elizabeth District High School
Steve.poling@kpdsb.on.ca
737-3500 ext 224

Rachael Paquette-Flanagan, Special Projects Coordinator
Northern Nishnawbe Education Council
rpaquette@nnec.on.ca 
(807) 737-2002 ext. 234

Background Information:

YOUCAN

YOUCAN’s mission is to equip youth to engage and inspire others to peacefully resolve conflicts and develop healthy relationships in their communities. We are a national non-profit charitable organization dedicated to building a culture of peace among the youth of today. We are Canada’s leading organization run for-youth-by-youth. Our vision is to foster “a nation where all youth work in partnership with their communities to promote peaceful resolution of conflicts.”

YOUCAN became a federally incorporated youth-governed charity in 1997. Over the past 9 years YOUCAN has trained over 18,000 in conflict resolution coast to coast.

Queen Elizabeth District High School

Queen Elizabeth is a multicultural school in Sioux Lookout Ontario serving the students of Sioux Lookout and the Sioux Lookout District. There are 470 students at QE, 70 are from Northern communities and 45 are from the communities of Frenchman’s Head, Whitefish Bay, and Kejick Bay of the Lac Seul reserve. QEDHS if one of the schools under the direction of the Keewatin Patricia District School Board. 

Northern Nishnawbe Education Council

Northern Nishnawbe Education Council is non-profit organization that provides education programs and services to 24 First Nations in the Sioux Lookout District.

NNEC operates two First Nation highs schools, Pelican Falls First Nations High School and the Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School. To accommodate the needs of First Nation secondary students, who must leave their home communities and families to pursuer their education, NNEC also operates the Pelican Falls Centre on the traditional Territory of the Lac Seul First Nation, a Secondary Student Services Program in Thunder Bay and Sioux Lookout and the Northern Eagle Student Centre in Ear Falls.

Approximately 600 secondary students draw on NNEC secondary services and another 1200 use either the post secondary program or Wahsa Distance Education program.

Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR)

CICR was created in 1988 as a non-profit charitable organization based in Ottawa and operating out of St. Paul’s University. They are known for their efforts in dealing with deep rooted conflict and building conflict resolving communities both domestically and in countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda and Taiwan. Their mission is to foster, develop and communicate conflict resolution processes for individuals, organizations and communities and to embody the positive attributes of common sense, compassion and spirituality.

CICR’s community-based methodology is underpinned by the principle that everyone must have access to, and an understanding of the methods and principles used in conflict resolution. CICR helps communities identify and respond to conflict situations by providing citizens with the training, skills and tools necessary to become third-party neutrals and to identify and deal with deep rooted conflict in their efforts to build conflict resolving communities. To meet the definition of community, CICR delivers processes that are inclusive, barrier free and positively-centred. The Community-Based Conflict Resolution (CBCR) methodology is designed to build trust and establish new patterns of interaction within and between communities. This initiative will seek to build and promote a movement of Canadians toward mutual respect and understanding by establishing positive relationships, rooted in trust and in an atmosphere of collaboration which will contribute to a culture of peace and a community of good neighbours.

Brian Strom, Executive Director, (613) 235-5800 edcicr@ustpaul.ca

REsolve

The Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee, a non-profit, grassroots organization, was established in 1989 as a means of promoting cooperation and understanding between the Native and non-Native population of Sioux Lookout. Board Members include: Jay Curtis, Adrienne Fox-Kessic, Barb Carpenter, Bertha Jacques, Geraldine Guilfoyle, Mark Gaudet, Rachel Garrick, Rachel Paquette Flanagan, Susan Barclay, Terry Lynne Jewell and Jim Morris.

Sioux Lookout is a municipality in Northwestern Ontario that is home to approximately 5,000 people. The community has experienced many changes over the past twenty years. Once a predominately Euro-Canadian railroad town, it is now a cross-cultural community with over 50% of its population being of Aboriginal heritage. These changes have presented the community with many challenges in its struggle to respond to cultural differences.

The REsolve Project looks to build a sustainable model that will address and respond to conflict at the community level. In Phase 1, community based conflict resolution models across Canada and internationally were reviewed, and although there are many programs dealing with restorative justice issues, there are very few programs focusing on community based conflict resolution. Sioux Lookout is likely to be the first community in Canada to adopt such a program at the town level. In Phase 2, a series of community consultations were conducted, the results of which are captured in a 136 page Public Consultation Report, along with a seven page Summary Report. Phase 3 witnessed the first round of Community Based Conflict Resolution training with 20 citizens and in partnership with CICR.

The REsolve initiative is sure to be precedent setting in that it will set the standard on how such a program should be developed, tested, implemented and integrated within a community.

Dakota House a.k.a "Teevee" star of the popular hit series North of 60 interviewed for Y2L from the NAN Decade conference in Thunder Bay this past week.

Listen on 962 Bell Expressvu or 89.9fm or local slkt calls to your favourite youth radio program Saturday, Feb 4/06 starting at 10am cst. Y2L will feature Dakota House, Barb Lamoureau of the Yellow Ribbon Program, Norma Kejick, Alvin Fiddler, Goyce Kakegamic, Rhoda Shingebis, Cheryl Anishinabie and a host of students that will ask questions and talk about their experience at this conference about suicide prevention and awareness. Listeners can call in to request for their favourite song and ask questions to our special guests toll free 1-800-661-5171 or local 737-4040. Participate in the on-line poll question of the week by visiting www.wawatay.on.ca. Listen for the community calendar announcements about upcoming events. If you have any questions about the program or sponsorships contact Jerry Sawanas at jerrys@wawatay.on.ca.

Roger Howse, Education Program Officer at Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, traveled to Balmertown on Tuesday, January 31 to learn about Keewaytinook Okimakanak education programs. Discussions about how to ensure the Keewaytinook Internet High School (http://kihs.knet.ca) is sustained and adequately funded included a half day charter into North Caribou Lake First Nation to visit the local school, KiHS classroom and Wahsa Distance Education Learning Centre. While in North Caribou, a video conference with the KIHS classroom in Fort William provided an opportunity for Roger to meet with Craig Hardy, KIHS teacher for his home community.

The Ontario Regional Management Organization with Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet program discussions included a video conference with Joe Poirier, Program Officer at the First Nations SchoolNet in Ottawa and Carl Seibel, Telecom Officer with FedNor in Thunder Bay.

Freda Kenny, KIHS Vice-principal was able to join the meeting via video conference from the KIHS classroom in Keewaywin First Nation.

Click here to check out the pictures from Weagamow visit

Presenting....

Sandy Lake's Winter Road

Kitchi- Bingo

February 28, 2006

2 jackpots of $ 5,000.00

90 & 10

Total Package $142.00

(includes, 3 specials, Jackpot cards, Mini)

extra cards will be sold - sold separately

Extra Cards - 2 for $5.00

Extra Specials 3 for $10.00

Outside Communities are welcome and encouraged to participate. A designated Hall will be provided for your convenience.

ALL PROCEED GO TOWARDS THE

COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

for more information

please call;

Jennifer Meekis (CAP coordinator) 774-5121 Ext. # 226

Doug Crowe (Rec. Director) 774-3421 Ext. #231

Ken Goodwin Jr (Radio Board) 774-5242

Today, the Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre hosted a special preview for residential school survivors and guests of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation's "Where are the Children" traveling exhibition that complemented a local presentation called "Residential Schools: the Red Lake Story". The official opening of these two powerful exhibitions is Wednesday, February 1. The exhibition will be at the Heritage Centre in Red Lake until March 31.

The "Where Are the Children" web site at http://www.wherearethechildren.ca/en/home.html provides a virtual tour with many of the pictures from the exhibition along with detailed information about the work of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation and the residential school legacy.

The Red Lake Residential School Exhibit Committee included:

• Kaaren Dannenmann
• Suzette Hunter
• Helen Yutzy
• Shelly McKenzie
• Patricia Hunter
• Tina Kakepetum-Schultz
• Louis Simard
• Kim Tennant
• Sara Petko (curator of the Red Lake Story)
• Michele Alderton

A special message from the Heritage Centre Board of Directors highlights the importance of this exhibition as an opportunity to "bring more understanding about this dark time in Canada's history. It is a time that should not be ignored, brushed aside or forgotten. To fully understand our community, we have to understand our collective history."