Media.Knet.Ca

To all Fort Severn lady band members,

If you are interested in joining a ladies' broomball team for the 2005-2006 season.

Please contact,

Marie Carson, mariecarson@knet.ca
or
Valerie Kakekaspan, valeriekakekaspan@knet.ca

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute established by Nishnawbe Aski Nation offers post-secondary education and training programs.  We offer choice, accessibility, flexibility, opportunities and support services for our students.  The Institute is an independent institution and currently offers courses in business, social services, website development and early childhood education.

The Institute is inviting applications for a Finance and Administrative Officer.  Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Finance and Administrative Officer will ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, develop and maintain finance and administration budgets, maintain an internal control structure that ensures the integrity of information and maintain other documentation related to the overall operations of Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute.  The incumbent will also perform general bookkeeping and administrative services to assist the Executive Director and Program Coordinators, and to support the operation of the general office of the Institute.

Candidates for this position should:

• Possess a diploma or degree in Business Management, Accounting or in any related field;
• Have a minimum of 3 years experience in financial management and office administration;
• Be a highly motivated energetic self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills;
• Be proficient with computer accounting systems, database management, and word processing;
• Possess strong analytical , communications and problem solving skills;
• Hold a valid driver's license;
• Fluency in either Ojibway or Cree would be an asset.

Interested candidates are invited to submit a letter of interest and a resume, with three references, to:

For further information about this position, please contact:

Closing date for applications is Monday, September 19, 2005 at 12:00 pm.

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

September 8, 2005 - MEDIA RELEASE

Robinson Treaty promises broken for 155 years

NIPISSING FIRST NATION -- It has been over a century and a half since First Nations signed the Robinson Treaties, but Anishinabek people continue to struggle for rights to land and resources promised in those treaties.

First Nations in two regions of Ontario are commemorating the 155th anniversary of the signing of two historic and important treaties this week. The Robinson-Superior Treaty was signed on September 7, 1850 while the Robinson-Huron Treaty was signed two days later on September 9, 1850.

"There are many important and outstanding issues related to the Treaties. Our right to hunt and fish has been restricted by constant government harassment and interference, and annuities have not increased to reflect the resource development on traditional lands," said Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief John Beaucage.

"Most importantly, the Government of Canada has not respected the government-to-government relationship established under the treaties, so our jurisdiction and the authority of First Nation government has been undermined," added Beaucage.

Interest in Indian lands along the north shores of Lake Superior and Lake Huron began in the 1840's as many mining companies began to send prospectors, surveyors and engineers into the region. As mining companies successfully obtained licences to extract resources, many First Nations people in the region began to complain to the Crown that their claims to the land were being ignored.

The Robinson Treaties marked the beginning of an emphasis on a "cash-for-land" treaty approach by the Crown, which was to have far-reaching effects on First Nations, who regarded money just as they had regarded the trade goods offered in previous treaties - as gifts in exchange for their agreement to share the use of their traditional territories with settler populations.

To assist in the settlement and commercial development of the region, Lord Elgin, Governor General of Canada, ensured that treaty commissioner - and former fur trader -- William Benjamin Robinson was given a budget of 7500 pounds Sterling (approx. $30,000 Cdn in 1850) to purchase as much land as possible. He was successful in obtaining title to approximately 50,000 square miles (32 million acres) of Indian territory for approximately 66 cents for every square mile, or 640 acres.

Chief Michael "Eagle" Dokis of Lake Nipissing said after attending the treaty negotiations, "When Mr. Robinson came to the Indians to make a Treaty for their lands, they were not willing to give up their lands and would not sign a Treaty. He then told them they need not be afraid to give up their rights because Government would never do anything to make them suffer, he said you know yourselves where you have the best lands and there is where you have your reserves for yourselves and your children and their children ever after."

Every Chief's consent to the terms of the treaties was indicated by his "mark" - usually a totem or clan symbol - on the official document. The First Nations leaders could neither read nor write English and relied totally on the honesty of the treaty commissioner about what they were agreeing to.

The Robinson-Superior Treaty was negotiated with the Chippewas of the Sault Ste. Marie area and gave the Crown, "the shoreline of Lake Superior, including islands from Batchewana Bay to the Pigeon River, inland as far as the height of land." The Treaty stipulated an upfront payment of $8,000 (all amounts Cdn) and an annual payment of $200 each year thereafter. This is an area of over 20,000 square miles, stretching approximately from present day Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in the east, past Thunder Bay, Ontario, in the west.

Two days after William Robinson had negotiated the Robinson-Superior Treaty, he negotiated with Chief Shinguacouse and the Lake Huron Chippewa Indians for the Lake Huron shoreline, "including the islands, from Matchedash Bay to Batchewana Bay and inland as far as the height of the land."

An agreement was made to surrender territory, except for the reserves, for $8000 and an annual payment of $240 for over 30,000 square miles.

In addition to the cash, each Robinson Treaty included a list of reserved lands, indicating size and location of each reserve assigned to each Chief. The Huron Treaty included 21 such reserves but Superior only listed three.

The Robinson Treaties also guaranteed to First Nations the "full and free privilege to hunt over the territory now ceded by them and to fish in the waters thereof as they have heretofore been in the habit of doing."

However, said Beaucage, "First Nations continue to be subject to harassment by provincial Ministry of Natural Resources conservation officers in the field, and there are instances of First Nations people being prosecuted under provincial legislation despite these treaty rights."

"The government of Canada does not honour our treaties in the spirit they were entered into," said the Anishinabek Nation leader.

The Anishinabek Nation incorporated the Union of Ontario Indians as its secretariat in 1949. The UOI is a political advocate for 42 member First Nations across Ontario. The Union of Ontario Indians is the oldest political organization in Ontario and can trace its roots back to the Confederacy of Three Fires, which existed long before European contact.

For more information contact:
Jamie Monastyrski, Communications Officer
Union of Ontario Indians
705-497-9127 (2290)
monjam@anishinabek.ca

While in Sioux Lookout today, the honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of State for Public Health and the honourable Roger Valley, MP for Kenora riding, met with Keewaytinook Okimakanak Health Director Robert Thomas and K-Net's Network Manager Dan Pellerin. In attendance at the meeting was Gavin Brown, FNIHB Regional Director and Mike Lovett, Sioux Lookout Zone Director. Discussions focussed on KO's Telehealth Sustainability and Expansion proposal to Health Canada.

Identifying strategies to ensure the current First Nations Telehealth initiative continues after the Aboriginal Health Transition program is completed in March 2006 is now everyone's priority.

The three members of Canada's Telecom Policy Review Panel met with community champions in Whitehorse, Yukon on Friday, September 9. Brian Beaton, K-Net Coordinator shared two presentations. The first presentation addressed "Community Readiness for Broadband. The second presentation provided information about the "Lessons Learned after the introduction of Broadband Connections in Remote First Nations".

Information about this gathering and all the presentations are available on-line. Everyone is invited to share their stories concerning access to broadband in your community in the on-line discussion forum being hosted on their web site at http://www.telecomreview.ca/epic/internet/intprp-gecrt.nsf/en/Home

The team from Keewaytinook Okimakanak Telehealth and K-Net will be hosting an operational telehealth environment at the upcoming AFN Telehealth Summit starting on Friday, Sept 23 in Winnipeg. Broadband connections are being installed at the Fairmount Hotel to demonstrate the use of IP video conferencing, telemedicine applications, IP telephone services and on-line First Nations health education services.

Canada's newest Medical School opens its doors

TUESDAY, SEPT. 13, 2005

Canada's first new Medical School in a generation was opened today in high-tech fashion by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty following a telemedicine roll call to more than 10 far-flung communities that will be involved with the new School.

The Ontario Premier declared the Northern Ontario School of Medicine officially open after establishing two-way video conference links to a series of cities, towns and villages across Northern Ontario.

The first Medical School in Canada to open its doors in the Internet Age, it is also the country's first twin site Medical School, with a West Campus located at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, and an East Campus hosted by Sudbury's Laurentian University.

The Grand Opening this morning was a two campus videoconference, with Premier McGuinty and His Excellency John Ralston Saul among the distinguished guests at Laurentian University, while Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper and Ontario Minister of Health George Smitherman were among the featured speakers at Lakehead.  Ontario Lieutenant Governor James Bartleman and Canada's Commissioner of Official Languages Dr. Dyane Adam joined the proceedings by videolink from Toronto and Ottawa, respectively.

With a special emphasis on rural and remote medicine, NOSM will pioneer the marriage of technology, education, research, and health care delivery, promised Founding Dean Dr. Roger Strasser.  The School is based on the premise that medical students tend to practice where they have studied, and NOSM graduates will contribute to reducing the critical shortage of physicians in Northern Ontario.

"Since beginning our work on this project three years ago, the staff of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine has promised to create 'A Medical School like no other,'" Dr. Strasser noted.  "We want to reaffirm that promise to the people of Ontario, and to you students of the Charter Class, here today."

The School's first 56 undergraduate class members arrived on their respective campuses ten days ago, and have already begun their studies which will be undertaken in a wide variety of community and health science settings across Northern Ontario.

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For more information contact: 
Yonaniko Grenon           
Communications Officer - East          
(705) 662-7243 or (705) 669 -7943
yonaniko.grenon@normed.ca

Tracie Smith
Communications Officer - West
(807) 766-7314 or (807) 624-7862
tracie.smith@normed.ca

NAN HOSTS ANNUAL DAY OF PRAYER

THUNDER BAY, ON Monday September 12, 2005:  Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic will host the fourth annual NAN Day of Prayer in Thunder Bay this week.

DATE:            Wednesday September 14, 2005

TIME:             10:00 a.m.

LOCATION:   Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Main Boardroom, 710 Victoria Avenue East Victoriaville Mall, Third Floor (Centennial Square entrance/Victoria Ave. entrance)

NAN Day of Prayer is a spiritual event designed to raise community awareness and support of the rising number of suicides among First Nation people, particularly in NAN territory - an area covering two-thirds of Ontario spanning East to Quebec's border, West to Manitoba, and North of the 51st parallel to the coasts of James and Hudson's Bays.

Community members, including elders, women, and youth across NAN territory are expected to participate in the event.

* * *

For more information please contact:
Jenna Young
Communications Officer
Nishnawbe Aski Nation
(807) 625 4952
(807) 628 3953 (cellular)

RALLY ON PARLIAMENT HILL SEPTEMBER 16TH 2005 AT 10:00 AM!!!

MARTHA JOSEPH’S VICTORY WALK FOR JUSTICE  FOR ABORIGINAL RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SURVIVORS

This day will mark a historic day in Canada! Martha Joseph, from the Gitxsan Nation, a 67 year old survivor of the Port Alberni Residential School will arrive in Ottawa on Parliament Hill. Martha’s Journey started on May 26th 2005 from the door steps of the Okanagan Métis Children and Family Services in Kelowna, British Columbia. Aboriginal Residential School Survivors, Aboriginal Citizens and Non-Aboriginal Citizens walked with Martha to the city limits as she and friends began their quest to walk to Ottawa.

We invite press, Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal dignitaries, and citizens of Canada to Parliament Hill on September 16th 2005 at 10:00 am to welcome Martha’s Victory Walk for Justice.

This Rally is to bring awareness to all Residential School Survivors in all of North America. In addition, Dennis Weber a first cousin of Louis Riel and a well known Métis Artist, will be presenting his original painting on behalf of all Residential School Survivors to Parliament.

Please refer to our website www.okanaganmetischildrenandfamilyservices.ca for the upcoming agenda on the Victory Walk for Justice Ceremony and Celebration!

PLEASE join us in this historic event!

For further information please contact the Okanagan Métis Children and Family Services at

(250) 868-0351 and locally (613) 798-1488.

from Kelly Kubik k.kubik@telus.net, Director of the Kelowna Metis Children and Family Services

Gavin Brown, Associate Regional Director and Richard Leikkari, e-Health Solutions Program Manager from First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB) of Health Canada are meeting the next two days in Balmertown with the KO Telehealth team. Discussions include:

• an update on the KO Telehealth initiative
• the sustainability of the KO Telehealth initiative
• the network operations
• the service level agreements

Members of the KO Telehealth team participating in these meetings include Robert Thomas, KO Health Director, Kevin Houghton, KO Telehealth Project Manager, Dan Pellerin, K-Net Network Manager and other KO Health staff members.