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Join us at the Town Beach in Sioux Lookout July 29th to July 31th for the annual Sioux Mountain Music and Cultural Festival.

The Festival features over 100 exhibitors of the finest crafts, drumming workshops, visual arts, food products, music, along with children's craft activities and cultural entertainment. There will be musical performances by local artists such as YXL, the Most Certain End and Elizabeth Hill. The event will be held at the town beach.

For more information contact Patty Chabbert at 737-1501.

Sponsored by the Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee

• Music Festival Pamphlet
  

• Sioux Mountain Sponsorship Letter
  

• Festival Registration
  

From the official Treaty Nine Commemoration web site at http://treatyninecommemoration.on.ca/ ...

An exhibition of original Treaty 9 documents (including the original treaty) are on loan from the National Archives of Canada and available for viewing at the Sioux Lookout Library. The Treaty 9 Exhibit is free and open to public.

Dates and times of Showing are:

• Wed July 13 11am to 5pm
• Thu July 14 2pm to 8pm
• Fri July 15 11am to 5pm

Contact Sioux Lookout Public Library at 807-737-3660 for more information.

As a way to demonstrate broadband applications, Keeweaytinook Okimakanak is hosting a web cam at their Sioux Lookout office. Click here to check out the current image

A second web cam is located in Jamie Ray's home to overlook Pelican Lake with the float planes landing. Click here to click that Sioux Lookout scene.

Mishkeegogamang First Nation and Nishnawbe Aski Nation are hosting the 100 year anniversary celebration of the signing of Treaty Nine today.

Minister of State Ethel Blondin-Andrew, on behalf of the Minister of INAC, congratulated the people of Treaty 9 on their contributions to Canada over the past 100 years. "These contributions have shaped the history of this country, and have assisted in making it what it is today," she said. "As a signatory to the treaty, the Government of Canada looks forward to a successful and prosperous partnership with the people of Treaty No. 9 in the next 100 years."

Watch the live webcast of this event at http://webcast.knet.ca/nan/ and select the display set up you require. Click here to see some photos of the event.

News Release #2-02690

NISHNAWBE ASKI NATION COMMEMORATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF JAMES BAY TREATY NO. 9

MISHKEEGOGAMANG, ONTARIO (July 12, 2005) - Today, the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Northern Development), on behalf of the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, joined 49 First Nations from northwestern Ontario at Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation to commemorate the 100th anniversary of James Bay Treaty No. 9.

Minister of State Blondin-Andrew congratulated the people of Treaty No. 9 on their contributions to Canada over the past 100 years. "These contributions have shaped the history of this country, and have assisted in making it what it is today," she said. "As a signatory to the treaty, the Government of Canada looks forward to a successful and prosperous partnership with the people of Treaty No. 9 in the next 100 years."

Treaty No. 9, also known as the James Bay Treaty, was first signed on July 12, 1905 at Osnaburgh, (Mishkeegogamang). The treaty, which covers 90,000 square miles spanning much of northern Ontario, was the first "tripartite" treaty that involved the Government of Ontario as a third party. The Treaty was completed in 1906 with adhesions made in 1929 and 1930.

Fifteen Treaty No. 9 communities, who signed the treaty in 1905-1906, will be holding events during 2005-2006 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the specific dates when they first signed the treaty.

Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is providing approximately $570,000 to Mishkeegogamang First Nation and Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) in support of these events.  To date, this funding has gone toward assisting grass-roots fundraising efforts and the construction of an access road.  The funds will also help with costs associated with planning, coordination and hosting commemoration events.

Please see Backgrounder "James Bay Treaty No. 9" for further information.

The Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation is located approximately 320 kilometres north of Thunder Bay, Ontario.

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This release is also available at:  http://www.inac.gc.ca.

For further information, please contact:

Susan Bertrand
Senior Information Officer
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
(807) 624-1531
(613) 988-8688

Backgrounder
JAMES BAY TREATY NO. 9

The construction of the railway in the late 19th century brought changes, which, although generally positive for those Aboriginal people who lived near the railway line, interfered with the livelihood of the Cree and Ojibway people living further from the line.

In response to the requests by Aboriginal people of Ontario for support from the federal government, in 1903 a new treaty was proposed for the Superintendent-General's consideration. This was to be called Treaty No. 9, or the James Bay Treaty.  Treaty 9 was unique because, while most post-confederation treaties in Ontario involved only the Government of Canada and First nations, it was the first of a few that involved the Government of Ontario as a third-party.  This type of treaty is known as a "tripartite" agreement.  On May 8, 1905, Frank Pedley, Deputy Superintendent-General, sent the Commissioner of Crown lands a draft order-in-council outlining the proposed terms of the treaty.

The province requested two important changes: that reserves be chosen by the treaty commissioners with one of them being a provincial appointee; and that the federal government bear the cost of the treaty and pay the Ontario commissioner. An agreement was formally signed on July 3 and by Order of His Excellency in Council, dated 29 June 1905, two federal commissioners, and an Ontario commissioner, were appointed to negotiate a treaty with the Indians.

While other treaties were signed with chiefs gathered in a central location to sign, Treaty No. 9 was brought to signatory communities to secure the signatures of the chiefs. Treaty No. 9 was first signed at Osnaburgh (now known as Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation) on July 12, 1905.
After the signing, the treaty commissioners paid out a gratuity of $8 to nearly 350 people, with an annuity of $4 to be received thereafter. The traditional Chief, Missabay, was also presented with a twelve-foot Union Jack.

During the remainder of 1905, the treaty commissioners continued to secure the signatures of Fort Hope, Marten Falls, English River, Fort Albany, Moose Factory, New Post, and Abitibi. In 1906, the tour continued to include Matachewan, Mattagami, Flying Post, New Brunswick House, Chapleau, and Long Lake.

In 1923, discussions, between Ontario and the federal government commenced on the subject of adhesion to Treaty No. 9 and an official tour set out during the summer of 1929. On July 5, 1929, the commissioners arrived at Big Trout Lake where the adhesion was signed by the traditional chief, Sampson Beardy. The following summer, in 1930, adhesions were signed at Windigo Lake, Fort Severn and Winisk. Together, with the territory acquired in 1905-1906, Treaty No. 9 took in more than two-thirds of what is now the Province of Ontario.

For more detailed information regarding the signing of Treaty 9 and to see the treaty document, please visit the Treaties website at http://www.ainc-ianc.gc.ca/pr/trts.

10th Annual Men's Invitational Baseball Tournament
August 4 - 6, 2005

$10,000.00 Championship
$ 7,000.00 Runners Up
$ 5,000.00 Consolation
$ 3,000.00 Runners Up

Plus Trophies & Medallions
All Prizes Guaranteed

$ 800.00 Entry Fee Per Team

"TOWARDS A NEW BEGINNING - A Foundational Report for a Strategy to Revitalize First Nation, Inuit and Métis Languages and Cultures" - Report to the Minister of Canadian Heritage by The Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, June 2005.

Click here for a copy of the Executive Summary of the report. Copies of this report will be available electronically at http://www.aboriginallanguagestaskforce.ca. Comments are also welcomed at the same web site or Toll-free number at 1-866-353-3178 or by E-mail to info@aboriginallanguagestaskforce.ca

Task Force Recommendations

1. The Link between Languages and the Land
   That First Nation, Inuit and Métis governments and the federal, provincial and territorial governments enter into government-to-government agreements or accords on natural resources, environmental sustainability and traditional knowledge. The agreements or accords should recognize the importance for First Nation, Inuit and Métis people of maintaining a close connection to the land in their traditional territories, particularly wilderness areas, heritage and spiritual or sacred sites, and should provide for their meaningful participation in stewardship, management, co-management or cojurisdiction arrangements.
2. Protection of Traditional Knowledge
   That Canada take a more comprehensive approach on the protection, use and benefits arising from traditional knowledge under the international Convention on Biological Diversity and that greater recognition be accorded to First Nation, Inuit and Métis people, particularly the Elders, in the collaborative planning process under the Convention.
3. Legislative Recognition, Protection and Promotion
   That Canada enact legislation that recognizes, protects and promotes First Nation, Inuit and Métis languages as the First Languages of Canada. This legislation, to be developed in partnership with First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples, must recognize the constitutional status of our languages; affirm their place as one of the foundations of First Nation, Inuit and Métis nationhood; provide financial resources for their preservation, revitalization, promotion and protection; and establish the position of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Language Commissioner.
4. Equitable Resources for Language Support
   That Canada provide funding for First Nation, Inuit and Métis languages which is, at a minimum, at the same level as that provided for the French and English languages.
5. Language Support from All Federal Departments
   That funding for First Nation, Inuit and Métis languages not be limited to that provided by the Departments of Canadian Heritage, and Indian Affairs and Northern Development. All government departments, and particularly the Departments of Justice, Health, and Human Resources and Skills Development, need to adopt policies and provide funding sufficient to allow for delivery of services and programs which promote First Nation, Inuit and Métis languages, in the same manner as for the French and English languages.
6. Restitution and Reconciliation
   That Canada implement as soon as possible the recommendation of the Assembly of First Nations to pay a lump-sum award by way of compensation to any person who attended an Indian Residential School. Alternatively, Canada and the churches establish a restitution fund to pay a lump-sum award to any person who attended an Indian Residential School, as compensation for emotional and psychological trauma brought on by loss of connection to family and community and to language and culture.
7. A National Language Strategy
   That a National Language Strategy be developed through community-based planning by First Nation, Inuit and Métis language communities, as well as by their regional and national representative organizations, with coordination and technical support to be provided by the proposed national language organization.
8. Baseline Language Survey
   That as the first component of a national long-term strategy, the national language organization coordinate a baseline survey of language conditions. The baseline survey will be conducted by First Nation, Inuit and Métis people as part of community-based language planning and needs assessments. Further, we recommend that funding for this work be provided separately from current commitments.
9. Funding of Critically Endangered Languages
   That Canada provide funding, in addition to what will be available under the current commitment, for those First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities whose languages are critically endangered, in order that they may undertake additional work to preserve their languages.
10. Funding of Immersion Programs
    That Canada provide additional funding for First Nation, Inuit and Métis language immersion programs, at a level equivalent to that provided for the French and English languages through the Minority-Language Education component of the Development of Official-Language Communities Program.
11. Funding of Immersion Programs for Youth
    That Canada make available bursaries to enable First Nation, Inuit and Métis youth to attend five-week immersion courses in their languages and cultures in the same manner as is provided to French and English youth in the Second-Language Learning component of the Enhancement of Official Languages Program.
12. Equitable Funding for First Nation Schools
    That funding of First Nation schools by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development be provided at the same level and standard as that provided to Ministries of Education through Master Tuition Agreements.
13. Language Education in Correctional Institutions
    That the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Commissioner of Corrections use their powers under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to provide federal funding for language programming and strengthen cultural programming to federally incarcerated First Nation, Inuit, and Métis persons.
14. Training Opportunities for Post-secondary Students
    That Canada, and the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada establish, as part of their Action Plan on Aboriginal education, a program to encourage First Nation, Inuit and Métis university students entering the teaching profession, particularly in language education, to become proficient in their languages by entering into master–apprentice programs or undertaking other cultural education in their communities. Specifically, that summer bursaries or employment programs be made available in the same manner as is provided for French and English youth language training programs.
15. Language Teacher Training
    That First Nation, Inuit and Métis organizations and the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada conduct a review of progress made on First Nation, Inuit and Métis teacher and language teacher training initiatives relevant to recruitment and retention. Further, as part of this review, that the role of First Nation, Inuit and Métis post-secondary institutions in delivering language teacher training be reviewed, particularly with respect to immersion language teacher training.
16. First Nation, Inuit and Métis Post-secondary Institutions
    That the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development provide additional resources to First Nation, Inuit and Métis post-secondary and existing institutions to enable them to establish language teacher training programs and, more specifically, immersion language teacher training programs.
17. A National Language Organization
    That a permanent body of First Nation, Inuit and Métis representatives (Aboriginal Languages and Cultures Council or “LCC”) be established.
18. Establishment of the LCC
    That current Task Force members be named as Interim Council members and have the responsibility of establishing the LCC. The Interim Council members will act for a period of one year and carry out the following duties:
    • finalize the governance structure of the LCC;
    • develop a three-year strategic plan;
    • establish operations by preparing operating budgets, identifying staffing requirements and recruiting staff;
    • negotiate transfer of Aboriginal language funds from Canadian Heritage;
    • develop terms of reference and oversee a planning study for a language clearing house;
    • plan and carry out the necessary research for implementation of a baseline survey and community-based language planning;
    • seek nominations for the LCC; and
    • shortlist candidates and provide list to national First Nation, Inuit and Métis organizations for final selection.
19. Provision of Services to French-Language Speakers
    That funding be provided under the Official Languages Support programs to enable the LCC to provide a full range of services to French language speaking First Nations, Inuit and Métis.
20. Use of Short-Term Funding
    That the existing commitment of $160 million be provided on an urgent basis to First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities for language preservation and revitalization efforts over a five-year period, rather than the proposed 10-year timeframe, taking into consideration the critical state of languages and the needs identified by the communities.
21. Establishing a Language Endowment Fund
    That Canada provide funding to establish an endowment fund to finance community-based language programs in perpetuity.
22. Administration of Short-Term Funding
    That the majority of funds committed by Canada be decentralized to allow existing First Nation, Inuit and Métis language decision-making structures to continue with their work. The current national allocation of funding under the Aboriginal Languages Initiative, that is, 75 percent to First Nation languages, 15 percent to Inuit languages and 10 percent to Métis languages, should be maintained until a long-term national language strategy is developed and implemented within the next five years.
23. Allocation of Interim Funding to First Nation Languages
    That regional funding allocations for First Nation languages take into account varying populations and languages. Funding formulas should be developed which provides for base funding at the current level, with additional funding adjustments made for regions having large populations and many language communities.
24. National Projects Fund
    That ten percent (10%) of the annual budget allocation from the $160-million commitment be set aside to establish a National Projects Fund to be administered by the LCC, in partnership with the national First Nation, Inuit and Métis political organizations.
25. Innovative Projects Fund
    That Canada provide funding to the LCC for the creation of an Innovative Projects Fund that will support innovative projects, research and the use of new technology in language education and revitalization efforts. The Innovations Project Fund is to be established with funding separate from the $160-million dollar commitment and should reflect participation and support by all federal government ministries.

Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation has their broadband radio equipment in place and ready for the Nishnawbe Aski Nation 100 year commemoration of the treaty signing. A team from Superior Wireless lead by John Lyon worked all day on Saturday along with Dan Pellerin to make sure the wireless connection was properly installed and ready to carry a live two way video conference from the school site. The live session will be broadcast on Tuesday afternoon. The morning session will be taped and broadcast that same afternoon.

A team from Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Shibogama First Nations Council  and the Kwayaciiwin Education Resource Centre are leaving on Monday to set up the video and internet connections at the site. The taping and broadcasts will be done at the site on Tuesday throughout the day. Team members include Jeannie Carpenter, Cal Kenny, Jamie Ray, Jesse Fiddler, Derek Kenny and Sol Mamakwa.

The Nishnawbe Aski Nation Decade for Youth and Development selected seven youth to be honoured at the upcoming Keewaywin Conference with Youth Achievement Awards. Celebrations at Mishkeegogamang begin this weekend with the "2nd Annual Intertribal Powwow - Celebrating our youth and their achievements" (July 8, 9, 10 and 11). Then on Monday there is the 20km "Youth Commemorative Walk and Friendship Feast" that starts at the Missabay Community School and ends at the historic treaty signing site. On Tuesday is the full day of events scheduled for the Commemoration of the Signing of the treaty. Then on Wednesday and Thursday, the Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation will be meeting in assembly where the following youth will receive their awards ...

• Kayla Gregoire, 15, Mattagami First Nation - Athletics/Recreation
• Kevin Christopher MacDonald, 21, Webequie First Nation - Education/Academics
• Conredge Solomon, 21, Kashechewan First Nation - Leadership/Community Involvement
• Paige Mawakeesic, 18, Wawakepewin First Nation - Arts & Culture
• Miranda Carey, 25, Moose Cree First Nation - Youth Council Award
• Talon Neekan, 10, Mishekeegogamang Ojibway Nation - "Leaders of Tommorow" Honourary Youth Award for ages 14 and under
• Scott Allen Iserhoff, 13, Constance Lake First Nation - "Leaders of Tommorow" Honourary Youth Award for ages 14 and under

For more information about these special NAN Youth role models check out the NAN Decade for Youth web site at http://nandecade.ca

Dan Pellerin, K-Net Network Manager and Brian Beaton, K-Net Coordinator met with Roger Valley on Thursday to discuss strategies for working together to support First Nations across the region in developing telecommunication broadband infrastructure.

The e-Community concept paper outlines Keewaytinook Okimakanak's strategy for working with other First Nations and organizations to develop broadband telecom infrastructure and applications across the province. Click here to see the e-Community concept paper.

As well, Roger was provided with an update on the "Turning the Corner" video presentations in Ottawa. Roger expressed his support for this work and indicated his willingness to facilitate meetings with other First Nation groups interested in developing these resources in their regions.

For more information, everyone is invited to view and share the following resources ...

1. DVD - video production “Turning the Corner – Using Broadband Effectively in Canada’s North”. The content of the DVD is available on-line at (May 2005) …http://streaming.knet.ca/turning_the_corner_high.wmv
2. Turning the Corner with First Nations Telehealth position paper - May, 2005 http://knet.ca/documents/KOTelehealth-Position-Paper-May2005.pdf
3. E-Community Concept paper (April 2005) - http://knet.ca/documents/EComm-concept-final.pdf
4. Community Aggregation Model (April 2005) - http://knet.ca/documents/community-aggregation.pdf
5. Report of Keewaytinook Okimakanak C-Band Public Benefit Initiative (March 2005) - http://research.knet.ca/images/upload/05-03-29-Summative-Overview-C-Band-Public-Benefit-KNet1[1].pdf
6. KIHS information video http://streaming.knet.ca/KiHS/KiHS_300k.wmv
7. Keewaytinook Okimakanak Telehealth (KOTH) information video http://streaming.knet.ca/telehealth/TH-Evaluation_300k.wmv
8. DVD video entitled "The K-Net Story ... Weaving the Networked Economy in Kuhkenah First Nation Communities" … (Dec 2004)
   • Introduction 13:04 - http://streaming.knet.ca/fednor/intro_300k.wmv
   • Economic Development 2:36 - http://streaming.knet.ca/fednor/economic_300k.wmv
   • Partnerships 9:51 - http://streaming.knet.ca/fednor/partnerships_300k.wmv
   • Building the Network 2:36 - http://streaming.knet.ca/fednor/network_300k.wmv
   • Education 5:58 - http://streaming.knet.ca/fednor/education_300k.wmv
   • Health 3:29 - http://streaming.knet.ca/fednor/health_300k.wmv
   • Visions for the Future - http://streaming.knet.ca/fednor/future_visions_300k.wmv
9. The Case Studies produced for the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA) entitled “Harnessing ICTs: A Canadian First Nations’ Experience” (December 2003) – http://smart.knet.ca/kuhkenah_flash.html (contains videos for each case study listed below)– contains the PDF files along with video footage for five case studies including:
   * Executive Summary – http://smart.knet.ca/flash/eng/pdf/summary.pdf
   * Introduction to K-Net – http://smart.knet.ca/flash/eng/pdf/introduction.pdf
   * K-Net Network Development - http://smart.knet.ca/flash/eng/pdf/network.pdf
   * K-Net Case Study on Economic Development - http://smart.knet.ca/flash/eng/pdf/economic.pdf
   * K-Net Case Study on Health - http://smart.knet.ca/flash/eng/pdf/health.pdf
   * K-Net Case Study on Education - http://smart.knet.ca/flash/eng/pdf/education.pdf
10. If you go to the K-Net news archives at http://knews.knet.ca and do a SEARCH (on the left hand column) for the word video ... you will get a list of the various video products that have been produced for distribution.

Gaetan Lacoursiere, Business Solution General Manager with NorthernTel traveled to Sioux Lookout to meet with K-Net team members to discuss possible connectivity solutions in their region.

Interest in exploring connectivity possibilities probably has something to do with the Angus TeleManagement Group's Telecom Update #484, June 3, 2005 announcement in their newsletter ...

IS BELL EXITING RURAL PHONE BUSINESS? There's no official comment from Bell Canada, but published reports say the telco is hoping to raise $3 billion by selling 850,000 local telephone lines in rural Ontario and Quebec. Rumoured buyers include Bell Nordiq (a Bell subsidiary) and independent telco Amtelecom.