Media.Knet.Ca

For those who were not able to attend the actual event on January 19, the opening ceremonies consisting of video clips, pictures and stories are now available on-line for everyone to see. Visit http://smart.knet.ca/satellite/opening_ceremony.html to watch Geordi Kakepetum, Executive Director of Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic from Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Grand Chief Arnold Ouskan from the Keewatin Tribal Council in Northern Manitoba, Patrick Exekiel from the Kativik Regional Government in Northern Quebec, the Honourable Joseph Comuzzi (Minister of State for FedNor), the Honourable Roger Valley (MP for Kenora riding), and the Honourable Howard Hampton (MPP for Kenora Riding and leader of the New Democratic Party) share their stories and wisdom with the conference participants.

The background information, press coverage and other material produced and shared at this event are now all available on-line at http://smart.knet.ca/satellite

Some of this material includes:

>> History of NICSN <<

>> Partner Profiles <<

>> View the Agenda <<

>> KO Press Release <<

>> Telesat Press Release <<

>> Demonstrations <<

>> NICSN Video <<

>> Press Coverage <<

>> Community Impact Stories <<

Pelican Falls First Nations High School TRAVEL CLUB is hosting a RADIOTHON

Please support our fund raising efforts so we can visit LOS ANGELES this spring!

Radiothon starts Thursday, February 17 at 6 p.m. sharp and airs until 2 a.m. Tune into Wawatay 89.9 on your local radio channel or Wawatay on Bell Express Vu channel 962

To make your pledge please call:

Local:

807-737-4040

Toll Free:

1-800-661-5171

Thank you for your support

Please call Florence Sanderson at PFFNHS (807) 737-1110 for further information.

Tune in to listen to out exciting guests!

Libraries across Ontario are celebrating "First Nations Public Library Week" starting today. The theme, "Proud Past, Proud Future @ your library" celebrates the First Nation public library's key roles, that being, respectful keeper of the history of its community and the First Nation peoples, and vital contributor to the successful growth and development of individuals and the community overall. The winter timing for First Nations Public Library Week observes the traditional time for storytelling.

Some resources obtained from the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal to help celebrate this occasion include:

• http://www.anishinabek.ca/career/sand.html - learn about the beautiful art of sand painting
• http://www.sols.org/FirstNations/2005week/Activities.htm - ideas for activities to celebrate this week (stories, games and information)
• Books by First Nation authors for young people, including:
  • SkySisters by Jan Bourdeau Waboose
  • How We Saw the World: Nine Stories of the Way Things Began by C.J. Taylor
  • Song Within my Heart by David Bouchard
  • Morning on the Lake by Jan Bourdeau Waboose

Join the newly formed Boreal Prospectors Association and the Ontario Prospectors Association for their Symposium entitled "Exploring the Land Together" on February 22-23, 2005 in Sioux Lookout at the Sunset Inn & Suites.

Land use, economic development, and the minerals industry.  Participate, learn, and be heard!

On Wednesday, February 9, Carl Zoccole (Band Councillor responsible for Education), Terry Favelle (Economic Development Officer) and Tim Gardener (Youth Worker) met with the First Nations SchoolNet Regional Management Organization team (Keewaytinook Okimakanak) to discuss establishing a broadband connection to their First Nation school. The proposed solution is being funded by the First Nations SchoolNet initiative along with Health Canada to connect in the school and the community health programs into the Kuhkenah Network. Video conferencing and high speed internet are two planned applications to be carried on the network. The community plans to present a proposal to FedNor to develop their "last mile" solution for connecting all their houses, businesses, organizations and program services to this network.

The Ga Wiianiniiganiitamagoyak Children's Centre (GWCC) in Deer Lake First Nation is a new organization funded under Health Canada's Head Start program. It is evolving to become a fully accredited child care centre which has been its goal since its inception. Rather than being a stagnant entity the centre continues to be very proactive in its approach to reaching this goal.

The centre has achieved many successes with its innovative programming and its community based approach to developing local services that address local needs and objectives.

To achieve its goal, the Centre worked to develop an Early Childhood Education Program for its staff and interested community members in partnership with the regional college. This objective became a reality when funding was secured for a community based ECE Program to be delivered by Confederation College through the use of video conferencing. Students are able to attend classes in our community with regularly scheduled instruction and class time the college instructor who is located in Kenora. A virtual face-to-face classroom is now operating at the centre.

The broadband connectivity is being provided by Deer Lake's Broadband Community Network and the video conferencing equipment was provided to the Centre by the Regional Management Organization (KO) with Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet Program as a pilot project.

Sandy Lake's Aboriginal Head Start Program joined the initiative when they heard how the courses were being delivered. K-Net Services as a recognized leader in connectivity and telecommunications is providing the video bridge to connect Sandy Lake with Deer Lake and Confederation College for these courses.

----------------------------------------------Chiefs of Ontario----------------------------------------

Research Contract

AFFILIATION:   Chiefs of Ontario Education Department
STATUS/ CONDITIONS:  Contract for 5 weeks, ending March 31, 2005
CONTRACT AMOUNT:  Subject to Negotiation

DESCRIPTION:

 In the spring of 2004 a joint working group consisting of representatives of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) agreed to conduct a comparative study relating to the Band Operated Funding Formula (BOFF), which supports First Nations schools on reserve.   Regional simulations were conducted to determine the amount of funding First Nations schools receive under the BOFF, and the amount of funding they might otherwise be eligible for under provincial funding formulas.   The purpose of this research project is to conduct a critical assessment of the research methodology utilized to complete the comparative study for Ontario (hereinafter referred to as “the study”) and assess the validity of the conclusions of the study. 

DELIVERABLES:

The successful contractor(s) shall be responsible for a final report, which includes the following elements:

1. An assessment of the research methodology utilized in the study for the purposes of calculating the application of the band operated formula on a per capita basis.
2. An assessment of the research methodology utilized in the study for the purposes of calculating the application of the Ontario education funding formula on a per capita basis.
3. An assessment of the validity of the final conclusions in the study.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

 Recognized post-secondary credentials in Education Administration, Economics, or related field.   Working experience with the Band Operated Funding Formula and/or Ontario education funding formula   Experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis and synthesis.  Working knowledge of computer software MS Word and PowerPoint.  Excellent demonstrated written and analytical skills.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 

Monday February 21, 2005

PLEASE SUBMIT CURRICULUM VITAE, REFERENCES & WRITTEN WORK SAMPLE TO:

Karihwakeron Tim Thompson
Education Coordinator
Chiefs of Ontario
188 Mohawk Street
Brantford, Ontario
N3S 2X2

Telephone: 519 750-1016
Facsimile:  519 750-1316
e-mail: tim@coo.org

There's no place like home...

Nodin Child and Family Intervention Services delivered art therapy sessions utilizing the KO Telehealth private network to children in the remote First Nation Communities of Big Trout and Sandy Lake. Art Therapy is a therapeutic tool to support children with mental health needs. The sessions were extremely successful with positive comments regarding the sessions from all involved.