Media.Knet.Ca

Check out fascinating webcam of Pete's Pond located in the heart of Botswana. It is real time video at this African Watering hole.  The sounds are so neat!

http://www9.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/wildcamafrica/wildcam.html

Following the August 23-25 2005 "Go Open Source Task Team' conference", South Africa's national policy on free open source software and open content (FOSS/OC) is currently being turned into an ambitious action plan, likely to become a major point of reference - best practice, if you will - for gov't adoption / promotion of Free Open Source Software / Open Content (FOSS/OC), see wiki for update and conference papers - http://wiki.go-opensource.org/taskforce and
http://radian.co.za/fossconference/GOSS_TTC_workingpaper101.pdf

Conference Declaration

Declaration on the South African National Strategy on Free and Open Source Software and Open Content ("National Open Source Strategy")

1. We, the delegates assembled in Johannesburg from 22-23 August 2005 for the Go Open Source Conference on the National Open Source Strategy, declare our common desire and commitment to the strategic use of information and communications technologies in order to further socio-economic development and affirm the central place that Free and Open Source Software and Open Content (FOSS/OC) have in realising this goal.

2. We recognise that FOSS/OC include both technological and environmental elements, that FOSS/OC are characterised by accessibility, collaboration, interoperability, open standards, transparency, customisability, contribution, and open licensing, and that FOSS/OC involve those who use, modify, enhance and create such technology and content.

3. We recognise that the South African national strategic objectives for socio-economic development are to improve competitiveness, support local innovation and investment, broaden BEE participation in the economy, build a better world, improve the reach and efficiency of government service delivery and in doing so reduce poverty and redress imbalances of the past.

4. We affirm that FOSS/OC help achieve these objectives by contributing to socio-economic development nationally, regionally and internationally in significant ways that other technologies and forms of content do not.

5. We conclude that it is strongly in the interest of all spheres of Government to adopt, support, develop and promote the use of FOSS/OC and its underlying principles

POLICY

6. The foundation of policy is for government to implement FOSS/OC unless proprietary software is demonstrated to be significantly superior. Whenever the advantages of FOSS/OC and proprietary software are comparable FOSS/OC must be implemented when choosing a software solution for a new project. Current proprietary software must be migrated to FOSS/OC whenever comparable software exists. When FOSS is not implemented, then reasons must be provided in order to justify the implementation of proprietary software. All new software developed using Government resources must be based on open standards, adhere to FOSS principles, and licensed using a FOSS license where possible.

7. An environment supportive of FOSS/OC must be created, ensuring that existing legislation on copyright, patents, trademarks, etc., do not present barriers to FOSS/OC utilisation. This must be done by developing awareness, capacity, knowledge and understanding nationally and within Government; developing broad FOSS/OC Research and Development initiatives; enforcing and giving preference to the use of FOSS and application of FOSS/OC principles in planning and procurement processes; creating opportunities for use of FOSS/OC. Creation of such an environment will require partnerships with relevant sectors of society.

8. Government should utilise the opportunities presented by the open and collaborative culture associated with FOSS/OC to promote access to information by citizens, by driving and embracing enhanced service delivery through electronic channels.

9. All content produced by Government or using public resources must be Open Content, unless analysis on specific content shows that proprietary licensing or confidentiality is substantially beneficial. Open Content and open standards will be encouraged generally within South Africa.

WE RECOMMEND

10. That national Cabinet formally adopt this policy on FOSS/OC within six months.

11. That national Cabinet mandate an appropriate multi-stakeholder entity to implement the National Open Source Strategy within twelve months.

12. The development of a FOSS/OC scorecard that will be used to evaluate progress of individual departments or clusters toward implementing this policy.

13. That relationships with regional and continental African organisations should be given special attention, including NEPAD's e-Africa Commission and Information Society Partnership for Africa's Development (ISPAD), and SADC, among others, in order to share the benefits of the National Open Source Strategy and for alignment with other ICT-related African development strategies. Similar attention should be given to IBSA collaboration.

IN CONCLUSION

14. As the policy, strategy legislative processes and their implementation move forward and in anticipation of their completion, we are committed to the implementation of FOSS/OC projects and open standards in our own organisations and areas of activity, and to helping address the many challenges that will be faced as the National Open Source Strategy is pursued.

15. As a multi-stakeholder conference with delegates from all spheres of government and across all government departments, from private sector companies, from civil society, and as private individuals with specific expertise in the area of FOSS/OC we urge the recommendations in this Declaration be carried forward.

1. OJIBWAY LANGUAGE BEGINNER COURSE (Western Dialect)

October 18 to December 6, 2005 ( 8 weeks)

DATES

 Tuesday Evenings

TIME

7:00 P.M. to 9 P.M.

LOCATION

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute, 107 Johnson Avenue, 2nd Floor, Thunder Bay, Ontario

INSTRUCTOR

Agnes Hardy

TUITION

$200 / PERSON

For Further Information / Registration Please Contact:

1-807-346-2770 or Toll Free: 1886-6367454

++++++++++++++++++

2. COMPUTER MECHANIC - A+ Certification Preparation Program

A+ Certification is a vendor neutral testing program that certifies the competency of entry-level computer service technicians.  The program is administered by CompTIA and backed by over 50 major computer hardware and software vendors, distributors, resellers and publications.  Upon completion of the Computer Mechanic Program, the student will be ready to take the A+ Core Hardware Service Technician and A+ Operating System Technologies examinations in order to receive their A+ Certification.

SPECIAL ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE

We know that it can be very expensive for a community to send students to programs in Thunder Bay.  We want to make it as easy and inexpensive as possible while providing optimal support to ensure that students complete the program successfully.  So we've arranged a special all-inclusive program for students who have to travel into Thunder Bay to take the Computer Mechanic Program.  PLUS - send two students and we'll reduce the tuition cost!  We will arrange for and coordinate:

• Accommodation at the Landmark Inn in Thunder Bay.
• Breakfast and dinner daily at the Landmark Inn.
• Lunch at Oshki as part of the Computer Mechanic Program.
• Transportation to and from classes daily.
• A weekly payment of $75 to the students for incidentals.

STARTS OCTOBER 12th!  The Computer Mechanic Program is a 10 week full-time program held at the Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Institute at 107 Johnson Avenue, 2nd Floor, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

For further information contact:

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute is pleased to offer three programs starting in January 2006 ...

• Aboriginal Community Services Worker Program
• Native Early Childhood Education Diploma Program
• First Nation Business Administration Certificate

1. Aboriginal Community Services Worker Program

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute in partnership with Confederation / Negahneewin College

The ACSWP is a 2 year ((4 semester) program that provides students with a comprehensive and culturally relevant educational experience.

The distance education delivery format of the Aboriginal Community Services worker Program allows students to remain employed in the social service field within their home community throughout the training.  The program is also available to anyone interested in beginning a career in social services.

ACSWP graduates pursue the followin career opportunities:

• Program Coordinators
• Alcohol Workers
• Mental Health Workers
• Community Health Representatives
• Health Liaison Workers

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

2. Native Early Childhood Education Diploma Program

The program will be delivered in January 2006 in partnership with Cambrain College

The NECEP is a two year, four semester program that provides a comprehensive and culturally relevant educational experience.

Students will:

• travel to Thunder Bay to participate in two 2-week on-campus sessions per semester
• earn their ECE certification for employment in licensed child care settings
• develop knowledge and skills to organize and maintain a safe, stimulating learning environment to ensure the child's total development.
• examine the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of the child.

Graduates may be eligible for advanced standings when entering other diploma or degree programs.  The modular delivery provides students with the flexibility of earning a NECE diploma while remaining employed in their home community.  Oshki-Pimache-O-Win provides students with support services to help ensure student success.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Delivered January 2006 by Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute in partnership with Cambrian College

The First Nation Business Administration Certificate Program is a one-year, two semester program, providing a comprehensive and culturally relevant educational experience that will:

• Increase human resource capacity within the First Nation communities and Aboriginal organizations.
• Increase employment opportunities for graduates through development of up-to-date, marketable skills.
• Offer graduates eligibility for advanced standing when entering diploma or degree programs.
• Allow flexibility and access to employed students through the use of a modular format - two intensive on-campus sessions per semester.
• Student support services to help ensure student success.

Course List

• Introduction to Accounting
• Mathematics of Finance
• Business Communications I
• First Nation Funding Arrangements
• Spreadsheet Management
• Managerial Accounting
• Organizational Behavior
• Writing Fundamentals
• Introduction to Marketing I
• Introduction to Marketing II
• Business Mathematics
• First Nation Human Resource Management I
• Introduction to Computer Competency

For Further Information Contact Admissions at:

SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY

The Sioux Lookout Anishinabe District Health Plan: What we have done and need to do?

What is the District Health Plan?

The District Health Plan is a planning project funded by the Province of Ontario and Health Canada through March 31, 2006. The goal is to provide better access to coordinated health services.

What we have done?

• Working groups have been established to ensure your voice is heard.
• 385 individuals in 26 communities have participated in a survey about health needs in community. You have told us that –
• The major health priorities are: diabetes and its complications; asthma and respiratory conditions; addictions; heart disease; and mental health.
• The causes of poor health include: lifestyle factors such as change in or poor diet, lack of exercise; and loss of traditional lifestyle; environmental issues such as pollutants, mold and dust; self-destructive behaviors such as excessive alcohol intake and drug abuse.
• This information is being used to plan services for the communities.
• 168 health workers responded to a survey about the available health services.
• Health Canada, the Province of Ontario and the physicians are committed to and working with us to make this plan a success.
• We have looked at the work of other Aboriginal communities who have come together to provide better health services to their communities.
• We have reached consensus on our vision, mission, and principles for the primary health care system.

What needs to be done?

A tight timeline lies ahead to complete the design and implementation plan. The work includes:

• Planning what services are provided and where.
• Identifying the team of health care providers, what they do, where they work and how they work together.
• Negotiating the physician agreements to ensure access and stable funding.
• Determining how we will govern this health system.
• Determining the financial and human resource requirements to make the system work.
• Developing a district health plan for the reinvestment of federal savings.
• Designing the implementation plan.

For more information or to provide feedback contact the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority at 1-800-842-0681 and ask for the Communication Coordinators. Anna Mckay or Joe Beardy or email anna.mckay@nodin.on.ca and joe.beardy@nodin.on.ca    Any input is welcomed, please share anything that you think is important in regards to health.

Broadband infrastructure and the assoicated applications such as telehealth are becoming a priority for national leaders. Presentations in recent days are indicating that leaders will be working to create new opportunities for communities to build the required broadband connections that will support various applications including telehealth (two way symmetrical video conferencing capabilities).

Grand Chief Phil Fontaine promised the participants in last week's AFN Telehealth Summit in Winnipeg that he will seek the resources required for all First Nations to be able to develop broadband infrastructure so they can access telehealth services.

Industry Minister Emerson made similar commitments during a presentation in Toronto (as reported by Canadian Press) ...

Minister seeks cash for renewed broadband push

TORONTO - Industry Minister David Emerson said Wednesday he will be seeking increased federal funding for initiatives to improve the country's broadband infrastructure, an essential component of high-speed Internet communications.

Canada's competitive advantage in terms of broadband communications has begun to slip and it's time for the federal government to make a renewed push to ensure the country doesn't fall behind, Emerson said.

"Without Internet access today, people and communities simply cannot get into the game. They're not able to get into the economic mainstream," Emerson said in a lunch-time speech to the Empire Club.

He added that the federal government needs to "finish the job" of building Canada's broadband capabilities, referring to initiatives championed by previous Liberal industry ministers.

"We've slowed down a bit in the past year, budgetarily, but we've cleaned up pretty well all of the projects that were started and I'm going to be asking for a budget enhancement to take it over the top," Emerson told reporters later.

He wouldn't say how much he would be asking for from Finance Minister Ralph Goodale for the next federal budget.

"Telecommunications and broadband technology are the most transformative technologies of our generation. It is the infrastructure that connects us with the global information economy. Canadians without high-speed access to the Internet will be increasingly out of the game... in terms of economic opportunities, education and even health care."

Keewaytinook Okimakanak's Telehealth (KOTH) initiative was highlighted at last week's AFN Telehealth Summit. The KOTH project involves the expansion of the telehealth services to include all twenty-five First Nations across the Sioux Lookout zone. The project is  funded by Health Canada's Health Transition fund and FNIHB along with other partners including the First Nations, Industry Canada FedNor, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and NORTH Network.

At the gathering, the KOTH booth was set up to demonstrate the various tools involved in operating this telehealth service in these remote communities. The booth was maintained by the Community Telehealth Coordinators (CTCs) who were able to attend this summit in Winnipeg. As well, the KOTH team delivered a number of presentations about their work during the various conference sessions. Click here to view some pictures from this gathering and the team involved in putting it together.

The new video production about the CTCs' work in each First Nation was premired at the booth, with parts of it being shown during the presentations. Cal Kenny, K-Net's Multi-media Producer, is working with his team to complete this video as part of a Canada Health Infoway initiative. Click here to watch this 17 minute video. (requires windows media player) 

More updates on this video will  be posted on the KOTH web site at http://telehealth.knet.ca

A memorial service for the late Curran Strang will be held on Wednesday September 27, 2005 at 2 pm. The service will be held at Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School Gym with some singing and sharing.

Strang was last seen on last Thursday, September 22 at the Intercty area. His body was discovered five days later in that area by the Ontario Provincial Police Dive Team. According to a news release, foul play is not suspected.

PRESS RELEASE - A story of a young man's journey "home" and a spiritual quest for discovery.

Internationally Award Winning Film Maker Shirley Cheechoo premieres JOHNNY TOOTALL starring Adam Beach at imagineNative Film and Media Arts Festival.

Recognized internationally as the first Aboriginal person to write, direct, act and producer a dramatic, narrative feature, Shirley Cheechoo chose imagineNative as the Canadian premiere of her second film, JOHNNY TOOTALL. The cast is lead by Adam Beach and Sheila Tousey (Silent Tongue) and introduces newcomer Randi Knighton and rising stars, Nathaniel Arcand and Alex Rice.

"The growth of this festival since it's inception is phenomenal and I wanted JOHNNY TOOTALL to premiere at our own Aboriginal festival before screening it abroad." says Cheechoo, " This festival has an international reach and makes an important contribution giving us a wonderful arena for our voices to be heard."

JOHNNY TOOTALL is the opening night film at imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival 2005 in Toronto.  Opening night screening is at 7pm, October 19th at the Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St. West.

JOHNNY TOOTALL SYNOPSIS

JOHNNY TOOTALL is a film about re-birth, recovery and a metaphor for truth. It is the story of a young man's journey "home" and a spiritual quest for discovery of not only his true self but also a right of passage to re-claiming his own power.

Discharged from Bosnian war, Johnny carries the weight this war on his shoulders. He left the war with a dark and frightening secret, the murder of a young Bosnian boy that haunts him.  But Johnny carries many demons.  The death of his father, running from his destiny as Chief of the Band and abandoning the love of his life, Johnny must return home, the wolf spirit has called. Upon his return, he finds a new war. His estranged brother is leading his people in a revolt to save their sacred land. Johnny faces a dilemma; does he fight to save is people, or does he save himself.  His journey will guide him to realizing that they are the same. In a blink, his world changes and in death, his brother guides him on a spirit walk to meet his destiny as leader of his people.

Directed by filmmaker Shirley Cheechoo, co-written by Andrew Genaille and Shirley Cheechoo, produced by Danielle Prohom Olson, JOHNNY TOOTALL was developed through CHUM's New VI Drama Initiative with Brightlight Pictures executive producing.

Starring Canadian actors, Adam Beach, ("Wind Talkers", "Smoke Signals"), Nathaniel Arcand ("Ginger Snaps 3", 'Black Cloud" and TV series "North of 60" and Alex Rice ("On The Corner" and "Thunderbird"). JOHNNY TOOTALL also stars American actor Sheila Tousey ("©~Law and Order©~ "Ravenous").  The film introduces a local island girl Randi Knighton, discovered during an open casting call in Nanaimo.

Info: imagineNATIVE Film and Media Arts Festival :  416-585-2333 and Shirley Cheechoo can be reached at   705.377.4141