Media.Knet.Ca

The Bolivian population which Indigenous people make up two-thirds of the total population of 8.5 million, has elected their first ever Indigenous president.

From http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/12/18/bolivia-election051218.html

Mon, 19 Dec 2005 00:02:29 EST

A leftist candidate appears set to win an election and become Bolivia's first indigenous president, after his main rival conceded defeat amid reports that he was trailing far behind.

Evo Morales, a former coca farmer and union leader, has raised hackles in Washington with promises to fully legalize coca leaf production and nationalize the country's oil and gas industry.

Presidential candidate Evo Morales waves to supporters after voting during general elections at Villa 14 de Septiembre, some 170 km from Cochabamba, Bolivia. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

Unofficial results tabulated by four local television stations gave between 47 per cent and 50 per cent of the votes in Sunday's election to Morales, who heads the Movimiento al Socialismo (Movement Toward Socialism or MAS) party.

Two independent surveys released after polling stations closed also indicated that Morales held the lead, with between 44 per cent and 45 per cent of the ballots.

His closest contender, conservative Jorge Quiroga, appeared to be trailing at between 33 per cent and 34 per cent, according to the exit polls.

Morales, 46, thanked a crowd of supporters in Cochabamba for his "great triumph," while warning them to wait for the official results.

"I am very content, very emotional about this," he said.

Quiroga conceded defeat Sunday night.

"I congratulate the candidates of MAS that have carried out a good campaign," said Quiroga, a former president who has strong support in areas that are rich in oil and gas production.

Morales support higher than expected

Morales appears to have won much more support than pre-election polls had predicted.

If he captures more than half the votes, he will be able to declare an outright victory. Otherwise, he will have to wait for the country's legislators to declare a winner in January.

Bolivians, who live in South America's poorest country, were also voting to choose a new parliament and regional governors.

Pledge to legalize coca worries U.S.

Morales, an Aymara Indian, has alarmed Washington with his pledge to fully legalize the production of coca.

Coca has traditionally been used by the country's indigenous population, including as tea.

However, it's also used to make cocaine and Bolivia is the third biggest producer of the drug, after Colombia and Peru.

Morales has never said he plans to legalize cocaine, but that hasn't reassured U.S. politicians who regard him as an enemy in their anti-drug campaign.

He's also antagonized Washington by flaunting ties to Venezuela's outspoken leftist President Hugo Chavez and Cuba's Fidel Castro.

"If [the U.S.] wants relations, welcome," said Morales, who waved a coca branch as he went to vote on Sunday. "But no to a relationship of submission."

Morales appeals to disenfranchised native population

Morales' promise to nationalize Bolivia's energy industry has raised alarm among the wealthy, largely white elite in Bolivia.

But it has won him widespread support in a country where about half the population of 8.5 million people is considered to live in extreme poverty.

Even though two-thirds of the population is indigenous, Morales is the first native leader to come within striking distance of the presidency.

Many of the country's natives feel the free-market economic policies of recent years have enriched the white elite at their expense.

Quiroga poses a stark contrast

His closest political rival couldn't be more different. A fair-skinned engineer educated in the United States who has already served in a previous government, Quiroga is pushing for closer ties with the United States and inviting more foreign investment.

Quiroga, who served as president from 2001 to 2002 after then-president Hugo Banzer became sick, has promised to continue a hard-line stand against coca production.

Bolivia has seen five presidents in four years, with street protests forcing out two presidents in the past two years.

Eduardo Rodriguez has acted as caretaker president since largely indigenous street protests ousted Carlos Mesa after only 18 months in office.

Press Release from http://www.ahf.ca

THE ABORIGINAL HEALING FOUNDATION’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO CONVENE 2006 REGIONAL GATHERINGS

(OTTAWA, Ontario, November 29, 2005) – The Aboriginal Healing Foundation’s Board of Directors have today announced that they will be gathering in six cities across Canada to engage in dialogue with Aboriginal people and to present a summary of the forthcoming AHF Final Report. The Aboriginal Healing Foundation last held Regional Gatherings in early 2004.

The 2006 AHF Regional Gatherings will take place in the following locations:

• Winnipeg, Manitoba: January 26, 2006
• Vancouver, British Columbia : February 20, 2006
• Iqaluit, Nunavut : March 9, 2006
• Yellowknife, NWT: To Be Announced
• Quebec City, Quebec: To Be Announced
• Halifax, Nova Scotia : To Be Announced

The first Regional Gathering will occur from 2 PM to 8:00 PM, on Thursday,
January 26, 2006, at the Children of the Earth School, 100 Salter Street, in
Winnipeg.

The public is welcome to attend each gathering. There is no cost to attend, but participants must cover their own travel costs to the event, as well as the cost of accomodations. The Foundation will provide refreshment and a meal at no cost.

Details for the upcoming Regional Gatherings will be posted at http://www.ahf.ca.

For more information or to register (encouraged, but not necessary):

(613) 237-4441 or toll-free (888) 725-8886
To register by email: programs@ahf.ca

The Aboriginal Healing Foundation supports community-based initiatives which address the legacy of physical and sexual abuse in Canada’s Indian Residential School System, including intergenerational impacts.

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Joe Meekis, former chief and councillor of Keewaywin First Nation, made a passionate appeal for support to help his family through the ongoing crisis facing his son-in-law, Cameron Harper. Joe's presentation was made during the Keewaytinook Okimakanak board of directors' meeting in Winnipeg on Tuesday, Dec 13 with Grand Chief Phil Fontaine in attendance. Afterwards, Chief Raymond Mason passed his hat around and everyone contributed what they could to support Joe and his family during this crisis.

Cameron has been in hospital in Winnipeg for some time. He was the school bus driver in Keewaywin until he was diagnosed with tuberculosis this fall. His treatment for TB has now created further complications with several of his organs failing. His family is trying to support him in Winnipeg but the financial burden and the stress on everyone is creating many challenges for the family. It now looks like everyone has to now spend the Christmas season in Winnipeg and at the hospital.

The community of Keewaywin has rallied about Cameron and his family, raising money and doing all they can to support everyone involved in this crisis. If anyone is able to offer any assistance to Cameron Harper and his extended family, please contact Chief Raymond Mason or his staff at the Keewaywin First Nation band office at 807-771-1210 or raymondmason@knet.ca

Volunteers Sought for Matawa Regional Crisis Task Force

NEWS RELEASE

Ontario Government Improves Access Into Far North Community - December 14, 2005

Funds Will Help Fort Severn First Nation Build New Harbour And Road

SUDBURY – The Ontario government is helping Fort Severn First Nation on Hudson Bay improve transportation infrastructure essential for the community’s well-being and growth, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced today.

“Our government is working with James Bay communities to help them achieve real progress on shared goals that will improve quality of life,” said Bartolucci. “It is vital that Far North communities maintain and improve transportation options.”
 
The Fort Severn First Nation is using a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) investment of $590,320 to build a new harbour and seven-kilometre road to the community. The new facility replaces a deteriorating dock, and is being built in deeper water to better ensure safe navigation of the annual barge from Moosonee. Fort Severn, near the mouth of the Severn River on Hudson Bay, is Ontario’s northernmost community. It is accessible year-round only by air; however, the summer barge and a winter road provide less expensive ways to travel and ship fuel, building material, food and other goods and services.

“Many First Nation communities, including Fort Severn, are experiencing population growth,” said David Ramsay, Minister Responsible for Aboriginal Affairs. “An important aspect of our government’s commitment to improving Aboriginal communities is to ensure they have the opportunities and the means to deliver efficient and cost-effective services to their families, children and youth.”
 
“Today’s announcement supports our government’s commitment to work with Ontario’s Aboriginal communities to build northern prosperity in a way that respects heritage and cultural values,” said Bartolucci, who also chairs the NOHFC. “We recognize that infrastructure development is key to supporting the northern economy.”

This NOHFC contribution is part of the government’s Northern Prosperity Plan for building stronger northern communities. The Northern Prosperity Plan has four pillars: Strengthening the North and its Communities; Listening to and Serving Northerners Better; Competing Globally; and Providing Opportunities for All.

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Contacts:

Laura Blondeau
Minister’s Office – Sudbury
(705) 564-7454

Michel Lavoie
MNDM/NOHFC – Sudbury
(705) 564-7125

www.nohfc.com      www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca

An agreement of cooperation and communication was signed between Chief Gordon Anderson and Minister Rick Bartolucci.

Since 2001, Kasabonika has been engaged in mineral development issues in and around its' community landbase.  Ongoing discussions with government and the private sector have culminated in a watershed agreement between Kasabonika and MNDM that formalizes their relationship.  In addition, the development vision crafted by community members and their leadership is being realized at a pace, and on terms, that the community determines.  As an example, the infrastructural base, which includes the hotel, will be modernized in order to support the community's mineral exploration efforts, tourism development, and the service sector.  For further information, please contact Deputy Chief Eno H. Anderson at (807) 535-2547, ext. 240.

KORI’s Coordinator, Brian Walmark, and the Grade 8 Supplementary Program Coordinator, Fernando Oliveira, lead workshops at the 11th Annual Conference of the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) in Vancouver, BC on Tuesday, December 13.  Fernando’s workshop focussed on FNMoodle and the adaptions to this open source educational platform to meet the needs of KiHS and other applications such as First Nations Schoolnet’s Grade 8 supplementary program in literacy, mathematics and science. Brian’s workshop focussed on how community members have shaped ICTs to address needs at the community level.

Visit http://www.fnesc.ca/conferences/Content%204.pdf for more information about this conference. The actual workshop description from the pamphlet follows ...

Measuring the Impacts of Broadband Services on Academic Achievement

Brian Walmark, Keewaytinook Okimakanak Research Institute presented ... Over the past decade, millions of dollars have been spent on improving access to modern broadband technologies to Aboriginal communities in the northern, rural and remote areas of Canada. However, the impact of such broadband implementation has not yet been established. This workshop discussed the findings from a study that investigated the impact of broadband services on the academic achievement of First Nations Elementary School students in Northern Ontario. In addition, the impact of broadband services on community based agency employees in Northern Ontario will also be discussed.

MoodleFN: A Free e-Learning Platform Created for First Nations Schools 

Fernando Oliveira, G8 Program Coordinator, Keewaytinook Okimakanak presented ... This workshop focused on two new eLearning programs that are currently offered in Ontario under the First Nations SchoolNet www.firstnationschools.ca - umbrella. The workshop will consist of the following:

• A virtual tour of the G8 Program www.g8firstnationschools.ca
• A demonstration of the MoodleFN platform and how it is used for the Keewaytinook Internet High School, http://kihs.knet.ca
• A presentation outlining how participants can use ModdleFN to create their own eLearning programs without cost.
• A discussion period

Grand Chief Phil Fontaine addressed the Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak on the first day of their meeting in Winnipeg today. Geordi Kakepetum, KO Executive Director, presented the Grand Chief with a Briefing package that contained a strategy to address the various AFN resolutions passed by the Chiefs-in-Assembly at the AFN July 2004 and the AFN December, 2005 gatherings. 

The Briefing Note describes five of the current issues challenging First Nations and Keewaytinook Okimakanak at this time. Click here to see this Briefing Note (64K - PDF document).

The background Information about each of these five issues provides details about how these issues influence the development of First Nation services and programs. Click here to read these Background Notes (310K - PDF document).

The first two video clips (raw footage) about this meeting have been posted and are available for viewing (watch for the edited and compressed versions over the next few days). Click here to watch Phil's arrival at the Chiefs' Meeting.(wmv, 2 minutes)

Click here to watch the first section of Phil's presentation to the chiefs about the residential school settlement (wmv, 13 minutes)

Click here to view the pictures from this meeting.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak as the Ontario Regional Management Organization (RMO) is compiling a series of good news ICT stories from First Nation schools across the province.  These stories will be published online and will take a similar format as the presentation from the publication produced by the Quebec RMO (see below).

Everyone is invited to use the form located at the SUCCESS STORIES link on the left hand side bar to e-mail us stories about how your school is utilizing the communication tools in your school as well as any other story you would like to share with other readers. We will be posting all these stories online at the http://firstnationschools.ca web site.

The Regional Management Organization in Quebec (the First Nations Education Council) recently posted the second publication of "Technology in First Nation Communities - SchoolNet Success Stories". Click here to learn how other First Nation schools are effectively integrating communication technologies in their classrooms and communities.

From the publication ...