K-Net staff members travelled to Deer Lake this week to work with local network technicians to complete the wiring and networking requirements for the new school in Deer Lake First Nation. The team of Dan Pellerin, K-Net Network Manager and Jamie Ray, Computer Technician from the Sioux Lookout office of Keewaytinook Okimakanak travelled to Deer Lake on Tuesday. They are working with Oscar Meekis, Jeremy Sawanas and Darrell Ostamas to complete the preparations for the opening of the new school at the beginning of January.

The IP telephone system is now operational. The computer labs and data network connecting all the rooms throughout the school, along with the video conferencing services are being set up so students and teachers are able to use these tools from any location in the new school.

Pelican Falls First Nations High Schools' first annual Science and Technology Camp took place on November 18 and 19, 2004 at the school site.
	The camp's goals included educating the students about First Nation contributions to science and technologies, raising the profile of science and technology as a career choice and allowing the students to meet and discuss the recent and past innovations in science and technology made by aboriginal people. It is the hope of the staff that this science and technology camp and the curriculum will provide the students with the unique experience to see science and technology in a new light.

Videos from the different sessions include:

• Introduction to the Science and Technology Camp - High, Low 
• Ida Kenny - Traditional Medicines - High , Low

Wawatay Native Communications Society  and the staff would like to share their Christmas Greetings online with communties up north and around the world.

We are very greatful of this new technology, that's available to the First Nations.

To hear the greetings click Merry Christmas

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Institute

Instructor Position Available

Computer Mechanic - A+ Networking Certification Preparation Program

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Educaton and Training Institute was established by the chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation to develop, design and delivery post-secondary programs and services.  We will be offering a 10 week Computer Mechanic - A+ Networking Certification Preparation Program starting at the end of January 2005.  The Institute is inviting applications from qualified individuals for a contract teaching position for this course.  The program will be delivered at the Thunder Bay campus of the Institute on a fullt-time basis for ten weeks.

Qualifications:

• A+ Networking certification
• 2 - 5 years related experience
• an understanding of First Nations culture
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills; and
• a commitment to education as a life-long process.

Fluency in Ojibway or Cree would be an asset.

Interested candidates are requested to submit a letter, resume and 3 references by Friday, January 7, 2005 to:

Executive Director

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Institute

107 Johnson Avenue, 2nd Floor

Thunder Bay, ON P7B 2V9

Tel.:  807-346-2770

Fax:  807-345-2924

Email: info@oshki.ca

ANISHINAABE PEACE & JUSTICE COALITION  KENORA
Suite 225, 418 Second St. S., Kenora, ON   … safety and dignity  for all members of our shared community

For further information call Mary Alice Smith at 807-548-1470.   Email: maryalic@kmts.ca

MEDIA RELEASE
December 11, 2004

Making The Max Kakegamic Case “The Talk Of The Town”

The Kenora Anishinaabe Peace & Justice Coalition is counting on Chief Curtis of the Kenora Police Service to do the right thing behind closed doors in dealing with misconduct charges against officers in the investigation of the death of Max Kakegamic.  In the meantime the Coalition will focus its efforts on opening doors to keep this case “the talk of the town”.

Justice Hambly’s ruling of a mistrial and stayed charges this past March seemed to slam the door shut on hopes of ever finding out what really happened in the October 4, 2000 slaying of the young  father on the streets of Kenora. 

Speaking at a memorial on October 4, 2004 marking the fourth anniversary of her son’s death, Margaret Kakegamic of North Spirit Lake highlighted the family’s distress: 

“Our son was murdered, and a prime suspect was set free because the police had been dishonest … We know that someone is responsible for his death, but no one is being tried for his murder.  We know that there is an investigation of the officers of the Kenora Police Services, but that will not result in new charges against anyone.  Maybe the officers will be disciplined, but that will not bring our son back.  … It makes us wonder what kind of a justice system we have.  What will be done to solve our son’s murder? 

These unanswered questions challenge the justice system and citizens of the region to answer another question. Who cares? Or is this for most people just one more case of ‘another dead Indian’?  

While the Kakegamics wait to see “what kind of a justice system we have”, the Coalition will launch a public awareness campaign in the new year to support the family’s call for an inquest and public inquiry.  The question of “WHO CARES?” will be at the forefront. 

The Coalition will also distribute ‘rights cards’ to youth and ‘street people’, offer training in advocacy and non-violent witnessing and look to other groups in the region such as the Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee to help develop community based dispute resolution processes for investigating and resolving other incidents of disharmony. 

Making the search for peace and justice in the Kakegamic case “the talk of the town”, could mark a turning point for Kenora … still referred to at times as ‘the Mississippi of Canada’. 

As Max’s mother stressed,   “We would like to see some good come out of this tragedy”.

For more information and references to this tradegy click here to see the October 9 coverage of the memorial march

The official opening of the Northern Indigenous Community Satellite Network (NICSN) and earth station in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, hosted by Keewaytinook Okimakanak Tribal Council is scheduled to take place in Sioux Lookout on January 19, 20 2005.

Community feasting and network demonstrations will take place at the site of the network hub. David Emerson, Minister of Industry Canada as well as other Federal government ministers and representatives have been invited to participate in the planned events.

Thirty-five Chiefs, Councillors and Mayors from the participating satellite network communities in the northern regions of Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec and representatives of the three partners who manage the network: Keewaytinook Okimakanak of Northern Ontario, Kativik Regional Government in Northern Quebec and Keewatin Tribal Council in Northern Manitoba. Attending as well will be the Ministers of Industry Canada, FedNor, Health and senior officials from Telesat, Bell Canada, and other major public and private sector investors.

The Northern Indigenous Community Satellite Network (NICSN) is the first inter-provincial community owned and operated broadband satellite initiative in Canada. It is a cooperative venture connecting over 30 remote communities from the northern regions of Manitoba, Quebec and Ontario. It is being administered through an innovative partnership of Keewaytinook Okimakanak, Keewatin Tribal Council and the Kativik Regional Government.

NICSN is the result of four years of development and over $5 million in strategic capital investment by Industry Canada and has brought together partnerships from industry, not-for-profit and government to serve the broadband needs of the participating communities. Keewaytinook Okimakanak and its Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) has led this development for the past four years.

For more information about this event and background information about this strategic partnership visit http://smart.knet.ca/satellite

For pictures and the video of the 7.3M satellite dish begin put in place visit http://tech.knet.ca/photos/satellite

Two members of CBC television flew from Sioux Lookout on Thursday, Dec 9 to Fort Severn to meet with community leaders, parents and students concerning their school closure. The local school had to be closed since June due to severe mould contamination.

Proposals by the community leadership over this past summer to address this situation are on hold as INAC insists on a third engineering assessment to determine how this situation should be addressed. The chiefs from the Assembly of First Nations passed a resolution during their National Assembly in Charlottetown in July (click here to read AFN resolution 62/2004) directing among other things "that Indian Affairs begin working in partnership with Fort Severn leadership to develop an interim and long term strategy to ensure local educational facilities are put in place in that community."

Click here to read Wawatay's lastest news brief on the Fort Severn School closure.

Click here to read the last KNews story with copies of the INAC letters to the community.

A SIDE CHAMPIONS $15,000.00

A SIDE FINALIST $8,000.00

B SIDE CHAMPIONS $4,000.00

B SIDE FINALIST $2,000.00

C SIDE CHAMPIONS $1400.00

C SIDE FINALIST $600.00

12 team tournament format,

Two divisions:

top 8 teams advance to A/B side & bottom 4 teams drop to C side

2 LOCAL TEAMS & 10 OUTSIDE TEAMS

ENTRY FEE: $1200.00

TO CONFIRM 50% DEPOSIT NON REFUNDABLE

ROSTER 20 players

FOR MORE INFORMATION

MARCEL MCKAY 537 2259 or 9994 fax 537 2568

JOEY MCKAY 537 2263

DEADLINE

TO CONFIRM: THURSDAY JANUARY 20TH

&

THE SCHEDULE WILL BE FAX TO TEAMS ON FRIDAY JANUARY 21ST

OR marcelmckay.mynet.org

CERTIFIED REFEREE’S WILL BE USED AT THIS TOURNAMENT

Highlights of new initiatives announced last Friday (click here to see the entire announcement):

Through the Northern Prosperity Plan, the Ontario Government is implementing a range of targeted initiatives to stimulate growth, create jobs and promote a better quality of life for Northern Ontario.

The Ministry of Northern Development and Mines is leading efforts to build prosperity in the North by investing $520 million this fiscal year in the North and in Ontario's mineral sector, an increase of nearly $100M over our budget last year.

Key Northern Prosperity Plan initiatives include:

• Refocusing the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to support job creation and economic development while continuing vital investments in community infrastructure. Since October 2003, almost 1000 jobs have been created from NOHFC investments. (click here to see targeted programs under the new themes that include Growing Jobs - Enterprises North Job Creation Program, Youth - Northern Ontario Young Entrepreneur Program and Northern Ontario Youth Internships and Co-op Program, Community Development - Infrastructure and Community Development Program, Emerging Technologies and Telecommunications - Assistance Supporting Emerging Technology Projects in Northern Ontario, Energy Conservation Opportunities - The Small Business Energy Conservation Program)
• Supporting the northern film and television industry: $1.5 million to the City of Sudbury to support the local animation industry (Chilly Beach) and $1 million dollar loan to support the making of the Shania Twain movie. These are jobs that attract and retain youth in the North.
• The proposed Grow Bonds Pilot Program to help small and medium-sized businesses in the North develop and expand by increasing the amount of capital available to them.
• Launching the GO North investor program to market Northern Ontario internationally and attract new business to the region.
• A dialogue with northerners, including visits to the North by all cabinet Ministers. Announcing the creation of four Northern Development Councils to provide a direct link from northern communities to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines.
• A Northern Highways Program 2004-2005 allocation of over $256 million, an increase of $33 million over last year: the first two tenders have gone out for advanced contracts on the planned 20km, four-lane Highway 69 corridor south of Sudbury, another 10 km of four-laning on Highway 11 south of North Bay was recently opened, and a contract was recently awarded to construct a new two-lane alignment of Highway 11-17 (Shabaqua Highway) in Thunder Bay. Overall, through the Northern Highways Program 32 major rehabilitation contracts will be awarded across the North, involving the reconstruction/resurfacing of almost 360 km of pavement and rehabilitation or replacement of 14 bridges.
• Renewing the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission by protecting jobs, improving services, and helping it chart a course toward a viable future.
• Supporting the new Northern Ontario School of Medicine. More than 2200 applications have been received, leading to more doctors, better healthcare, and youth working in the North.
• Forging new partnerships with First Nations and Far North communities.
• Launching the Ontario Mineral Industry Cluster Council, which is working to foster a rising standard of living from Ontario's mineral industry and win more prosperity for communities.
• Investing $10.5 million to clean up former mining lands through Abandoned Mines Rehabilitation Program.
• Increasing Northern Ontario's emergency access by enabling Local Services Boards to arrange for 911 emergency access services.

A team of First Nation workers are meeting in the Fort William First Nation Learning Centre to learn and create new on-line resources for their community schools and communities. The workshop is lead by a crew of K-Net members including Tabatha Jourdain (Couchiching), Jamie Ray (Flying Post), Cal Kenny (Lac Seul), Jesse Fiddler (Sandy Lake) and Jeannie Carpenter (Lac Seul). This workshop also has representatives from the First Nations of

• Bearskin Lake,
• Fort Severn,
• Rainy River,
• Shoal Lake 39,
• Lac Seul,
• Kasabonika,
• Slate Falls,
• Poplar Hill,
• Cat Lake,
• Whitedog,
• Kashechewan,
• Aroland,
• Ongegaming.

Others members of the First Nation SchoolNet Youth Initiative will be gathering early in the new year for a second workshop that is being planned for southern Ontario.

Workshop topics include network development, video conferencing, computer service and maintenance, web site development, video production and editing, along with networking with other workers involved in this SchoolNet Youth Employment Initiative.

This project is sponsored by Keewaytinook Okimakanak's Regional Management Organization program with funding support from Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet program and the First Nations SchoolNet Youth Employment program. Cal Kenny put together a short video clip from the training session providing an overview of what was planned and delivered in terms of the training and the workshop objectives. Click here to watch the video

Click here to view pictures from the workshop.