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Equay-wuk (Women's Group) is sponsoring: 

"Nishnawbe Women in Leadership Workshop - 2006"

January 24-26, 2006. in Sioux Lookout, ON.

* Women - Are you thinking of running in an election?

* Want to learn about campaigning?

* If you are interested in running in a Band Council or First Nation election, this is the workshop for you.

The main goal of this project is to promote women's participation in First Nation elections.

Equay-wuk (Women's Group) will be hosting the "Nishnawbe Women in Leadership 2006" workshop for women from remote aboriginal communities in northwestern Ontario.  The workshop will be carried out using the resource, "Nishnawbe Women in Leadership - A Handbook for Aboriginal Women Running in First Nation Elections."

Click here for an agenda and registration form.

Visit www.equaywuk.ca for further details.

Contact:  Darlene Angeconeb, Project Coordinator
              (807) 737-2214 phone
              (807) 737-2699 fax
              1-800-261-8294 toll free
              email: equaywuk@nwconx.net

The Aboriginal Human Resource Development Council of Canada (AHRDCC) was established in 1998 as a public-private partnership with the mission to increase Aboriginal peoples’ participation in the Canadian labour market. The Council is in the start-up stage of a new three-year national project designed to increase Aboriginal participation in trades and apprenticeship. The $2.6 million funding for this New Trades and Apprenticeship Project is from Human Resource Partnerships Sector Council Program at Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC).

The three year project aims to increase partnerships with AHRDA holders (such as the Sioux Lookout Aboriginal Area Management Board - SLAAMB - http://slaamb.on.ca), colleges, unions and other organizations focusing on Aboriginal employment and, in turn, better respond to industry's demand for a skilled workforce.

As part of the networking activities, the Council will hold six College Forums, an Eastern Aboriginal Trades Symposium and a National Aboriginal Trades Symposium, and develop an Aboriginal Engagement, Facilitation and Partnership Building workshop to be held in five cities.

From The National Report on Aboriginal Inclusion (Issue #8) at  http://ahrdcc.com/en_pdf/newsletterissue8.pdf

The Council is currently recruiting for two positions as Trades Liaison Manager. These positions will work closely with the Council’s partners on the successful completion of the project. As team members for a national organization the Managers will have an opportunity to work with a broad cross-section of interests and priorities that cut across provincial jurisdictions. Trade Liaison Managers will focus on the regional picture as a seamless component to the national scope of the project.

For more information about AHRDCC, its newsletters, services and other resources, visit http://ahrdcc.com

In celebration of Northern Ontario Business' 25th anniversary, we will be publishing a magazine featuring 25 extraordinary northerners. We are seeking input from individuals across the North, to help us compile a list of profilees. Please feel free to forward this message along to anyone you feel who could provide some input.

What is it that makes someone qualify as an extraordinary northerner? Some of the criteria we are looking for are: accomplishment in a chosen field, talent, struggle, overcoming the odds, sacrifice, resolve, determination, zest for life, caring for others, adventure, fearlessness, courage, positive attitude, organizing ability, focus, a love of the outdoors and a concern for the environment - to name a few. We're really looking for individuals who have left a footprint in the North. Although we are making some exceptions, for the most part the individuals should still have some connection to the North. We are looking for a cross-section of individuals, ranging from entrepreneurs to educators, health care professionals, athletes, artists, community organizers, volunteers, etc.

In addition to the name(s) of individuals, I am also looking for a short bio and explanation as to why you feel the individual is an extraordinary northerner, and where they can be contacted (you needn't provide the actual phone number if you don't have it available).

I will be conducting phone calls over the next week and half to compile the list and require the information by Jan. 13 (even sooner if possible).

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at 705-858-4430 (this is a home number, and also my business number) or e-mail me.

Thanks for your time,
Sari Huhtala, chacha@isys.ca

To vote, you must be a Canadian citizen and be 18 years of age or older on polling day.

Elections Canada is trying to make sure that EVERYONE who is eligible to vote gets a chance to voice their opinion on OR before election day of January 23. YOUR VOTE does count!

Your vote helps the party and the person you support. Every party gets an annual revenue based on the number of votes it obtains during each election. Every candidate is eligible for some federal funding based on the level of support they obtain from their riding. Therefore YOUR VOTE is important financially to both the party and the candidate you support. But most importantly, your vote goes towards helping send someone to Parliament Hill in Ottawa to represent our riding!! So be sure to cast your ballot on OR before January 23!

VOTE BY MAIL by calling 1-866-239-2831 (the Elections Canada office in Kenora) to get your mail-in ballot sent to you. You must complete the necessary forms and send them in before January 17 to be able to vote by mail. These forms are also available on-line at http://www.elections.ca

ADVANCE VOTING DAYS - January 13, 14 and 16 - If you are travelling to or through Sioux Lookout on any of these days, everyone in the Kenora Riding is able to cast their vote on any of these days at the Sioux Lookout Recreation Centre (85 King Street). Other advance polls are available on these days in other major centres across the riding.

VOTE IN PERSON before January 17 in KENORA at the local Elections Canada office at the B.D.C. Building, 302-227 Second Street South (open 7 days a week).

ON ELECTION DAY (January 23), every eligible voter is entitled to walk into any polling station in your riding, complete an application to vote and cast your ballot on that day.

For special assistance (a language interpreter) call the Elections Canada office at 1-866-239-2831 before January 19 so arrangements can be made to have someone available to help you vote.

EVERYONE CAN VOTE in this federal election!

WELCOME to 2006!!

The team at Keewaytinook Okimakanak would like extend BEST WISHES to everyone for his new year.

May the coming months bring good health, happiness and prosperity to one and all.

It is through everyone's efforts to work together, to help each other and to care about our neighbours that we each are able to contribute to a safe and growing environment.

Our children and future generations depend upon us!

We look forward to working with everyone once again in this new year.

As Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean said during her New Year's message ... the Canadians she has met on her travels all "dared to dream big, determined to act for the greater good against violence, against indifference, against exclusion, to respect others, to encourage dialogue, to demand equal opportunity."

See http://www.gg.ca/gg/index_e.asp for more information about the Governor General of Canada

Kasabonika Lake First Nation - Councillor Levi Brown has passed on to the spirit world today.

Leader, entrepreneur, husband, father, grandfather...some of the many titles and responsibilities held by the late Councillor Levi Brown who passed away today in Kasabonika Lake First Nation.

Many condolences to his wife and family; and to the whole community on their loss during this time of year.

For further information please contact Deputy Chief Eno H. Anderson at (807) 535-9070 or (807) 535-2547 ext. 240, or at enoha@kasabonika.ca.

Casino Rama began as a dream by Anishinabek leaders looking for a way to create wealth and share it among the 134 First Nations in Ontario. So begins a discussion paper entitled "Maintain, Protect, Enhance - A Discussion Paper on Casino Rama" available on the Union of Ontario web site at http://www.anishinabek.ca/uoi/pdf/FINAL-Casino%20Rama.pdf. Now it seems that the only people getting rich off of Casino Rama are the lawyers.

The unilateral imposition of a surtax on Casino revenue by the Mike Harris government in 1996 marked the beginning of a transformation of that dream into a legal nightmare.

The paper describes the so-called 20% Win-Tax that the Ontario gov't imposed on Casino Rama and that has been tied up costly court battles ever since. On November  21, NDP MPP Gilles Bisson raised this issue in the Ontario Legislature with the following discussion (from his web site at http://www.gillesbisson.ca/newsitem.php?id=75)

Question to Premier: Casino Rama win-tax

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): My question is to the Acting Premier. You'll know that in 1996 the Harris government, without consultation, imposed a 20% win tax on gross revenues from Casino Rama. This is money that should have rightfully gone to First Nations to assist those communities to do what is necessary to function. We figure that, including the interest, the win tax has stripped away almost $1 billion and climbing from First Nations as we speak. Your government made a commitment to create a new relationship with First Nations in this province, yet you've maintained the win tax and you're tying up First Nations in a process that will end up pushing them into court. I'm asking you today in this House, will you do the right thing and return the money that rightfully belongs to First Nations that has been stripped away by the win tax to First Nations, which need the money?

Mr. Bisson: I'm not sure what's contentious. What's contentious is that money has been taken away from First Nations and they could have used that money to do things in their communities that are necessary. Communities like Marten Falls, Pikangikum and others that need services in their communities are not able to do so because they don't have the money. So I don't know what's contentious.

You can do the right thing. You can say today in this House that you're prepared to say to First Nations across this province that you'll return almost $1 billion plus court costs to First Nations so they can do what's right. I ask you the question: Will you drop this and will you give the money that's rightfully owed to the First Nations directly?

Native Leadership Scholarship program inviting pre-applications (from Cultural Survival Weekly Indigenous News December 28, 2005)

A full page ad in the December 29 issue of Wawatay News provides an update on the status of the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority District Health Plan.

Jim Morris, Executive Director of SLFNHA writes:

"The Anishinabe Sioux Lookout District Health plan is an important step in the development of a health system that is First Nations focused and driven; it is a system that takes into account the uniqueness of health service delivery which is unlike that of the rest of Ontario. The project planning  to date has reflected the uniqueness and also the sameness of First Nations health needs. It is about developing a health system that will allow the communities to form ownership and pride in a health system that will enhance the current health system and ensure that the future First Nations generations will have the opportunity to benefit and to participate in a health system that will address both illness and preventive health. This Anishinabe Dirstrict Health Plan project is rooted in healing our communities rather than just being treatment focused. We look forward to hearing more comments, feedback and most important of all direction in the New Year from First Nations people, health service workers and First Nation leadership."

To read more about the Anishinabe District Health Plan online, everyone is invited to view updates and information about the plan on the SLFNHA web site at http://www.nodin.on.ca/dhp.htm. To provide feedback and ask questions contact SLFNHA directly by calling Anna McKay or Joe Beardy at 888-842-8681 or by e-mail at anna.mckay@nodin.on.ca or joe.beardy@nodin.on.ca

Upcoming meeting dates about the District Health Plan are:

1. Sioux Lookout area First Nations Health Directors and Primary Healthcare Working Group will meet on January 24-26 in Sioux Lookout.
2. Sioux Lookout District Chiefs Meeting on February 22-23 in Thunder Bay

The NAN Residential School project is planning a "Train the Trainer" Session the week of January 23-27, 2006. The training session is open to 15 participants, seats are limited, so book early.

The training will take place at the Nor'westor Resort Hotel in Thunder Bay. Participants are responsible for their own travel and meals but 15 rooms have been blocked at the Nor'westor Resort (block #101782 at a rate of $74.95 per night). Call 800-528-1234 for hotel reservations.

The training is for frontline workers in NAN communities and deals with the effects of residential schools. Participants should have presentation skills.

NAN will cover the cost of the meeting room and provide lunch for each of the 3 days of the training session. Participants will be provided with a resource manual for their use in their communities.

For more information and to register, contact:

Sam Achneepineskum, Residential School Project Coordinator
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Tel: 807-623-8228
Fax: 807-623-7730
E-mail: sachneep@nan.on.ca