Media.Knet.Ca

Thunder Bay, Tuesday 9th November 2004: The Chiefs of Matawa First Nations are publicly stating their collaborative rejection of the proposed Hydro Site Allocation policy that is set to be announced by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Following a presentation by Minister David Ramsey at the NAN Chiefs Assembly in Thunder Bay on November 4th 2004, the Matawa Chiefs agree that the proposed policy does not meet their expectations or provide the adequate foundations for First Nations to pursue Hydro development opportunities.

The Matawa Chiefs believe that the proposed policy neither addresses the need to engage First Nations in a formal communications format, nor provides sufficient clarity with respect to First Nation involvement in hydro development opportunities in the North. The Minister was able to divulge the content of the policy during the meeting last week but when questioned by the Chiefs, he could not adequately explain how the policy will be implemented in a practical manner for First Nations. The Matawa Chiefs were seeking a much stronger definition surrounding the MNR’s commitment to economic development opportunities.

On behalf of the Matawa Chiefs, Chief Charlie O’Keese of Eabametoong First Nation stated; “What the Minister had to say may sound good on the surface but we need a hard written definition in order for our communities to support this policy. At present, the Minister is asking us to support a policy that we have not seen and that he has only talked about. Historically, this approach by government to First Nations has resulted in the loss of opportunity for First Nations. If this policy is as good as Minister Ramsey claims, then why has it not been presented to First Nations for a thorough review?”

Chief Veronica Waboose says; “It is completely inappropriate for the Ministry to ask the First Nations to blindly approve a policy that we have not been given the opportunity to review. One particular note of concern from my understanding of the policy is that it divides Ontario First Nations, giving some First Nations in the far North direct award of sites but telling the rest of the First Nations in the South that they will not be offered the same level of opportunity. I find it inconceivable that the Province would want to introduce such a divisive and contentious document at a time when the Matawa communities have worked so hard to build relationships with the Province and its various ministries.”

The Matawa First Nation Chiefs have sent an official letter to the Premier, Dalton McGuinty to request intervention and mediation in resolving these issues for the benefit of all concerned parties.

The Matawa communities have repeatedly stated that they are not opposed to development but that they are no longer prepared to witness the ongoing lack of opportunity provided to First Nation communities.

-30-

For more information please contact: Stephanie Ash or Vakerie Marasco at: 807 767 4443 or email: stephanie@firedogpr.com.

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) presents:

First Nations Youth Art Contest!

SANDY LAKE FIRST NATION 1st ANNUAL GIRLS BROOMBALL TOURNAMENT

November 25, 26 & 27, 2004.

AGE LIMIT: 11 yrs-16 yrs

MAX: 15 players & 2 goalies

ENTRY FEE:

Local Teams: $500.00

Outside Teams: $400.00

CHAMPIONSHIP:         $1800.00 + trophy & medallions

RUNNER UP:          $1000.00 + trophy & medallions

CONSOLATION:           $500.00 + trophy & medallions

RUNNER UP:          $300.00 Cash ONLY

AWARDS :

Best Coach, Best Centre, Best L-Wing, Best R-Wing, Best L-Defense, Best R-Defense, Best Goalie, Most Valuable Player, Most Sportsmanlike Player, High Scorer

ALSO:

Teamstar Mini tophies

Game Star Dog Tags

Skunk trophy

Entry fee deadline: November 15, 2004.

Rules & Regulations to be given out to CONFIRMED TEAMS ONLY.

CONFIRMED TEAMS ARE:

SANDY LAKE JR. WYLD FIRE

SANDY LAKE FIRST NATION TEAM

CAT LAKE FALCONS

CAT LAKE TIGERS

SACHIGO FIRST NATION TEAM

FOR MORE IFORMATION:

Daniel Kakegamic                                                      Priscilla Rae-Ballantyne

Special Events Coordinator                                        Broomball Organizer

774-3421                                                                  774-1035

Over the past week, the concept for the new KO Virtual Health Access Centre to be developed in Balmertown was shared with a number of groups. Lead by the support of the KO Chiefs' resolution from their October 22 meeting in Dryden, the KO team is now sharing this innovative concept and service with other groups to secure their support.

On Tuesday, the KO team met with the team from the new Northern Ontario School of Medicine to discuss how their team would benefit from this development. Then on Thursday, the team met with the consultant from the HayGroup that is preparing "A Study of the Role of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and the Development of a Regional Service Plan for Northwestern Ontario" to share how the Virtual Health Access Centre would support the telehealth services across the region. Click here to see the concept paper distributed to these groups.

Then on Thursday afternoon, the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs in assembly in Thunder Bay, passed a resolution supporting KO's efforts to develop this service.

Click here to read the story on the Telehealth web site - Be sure to visit the KO Telehealth web site for regular updates and reports about this initiative - http://telehealth.knet.ca

The community of Constance Lake First Nation is uniting with various local organizations in the area in a battle against the abuse of prescription drugs in their community. Although not a new phenomenon, the illegal sale and use of prescription drugs such as Oxycodone, Oxycontin and Percocet is becoming a growing concern to local council and healthcare workers.

Constance Lake officials are alarmed at the increasing supply of prescription drugs coming into their community on a regular basis. According to sources, individuals are coming into the community with as many as 900 tablets for sale at one time and at a cost of $9 per tablet. Community members have been warned that a No Tolerance policy has been adopted and shall be strictly enforced within the community against any individual found selling or abusing these drugs.

Says Chief Arthur Moore of Constance Lake First Nation: “The major challenges of this drug problem are accessibility and tolerance. We want to see more stringent policies being implemented by local pharmaceutical outlets when it comes to the sale and filling of their prescriptions. The abuse of these drugs can be linked to various health and social problems in the area such as break-ins, and not just on our reserve but in the surrounding towns too.  We would like to encourage as many people as possible to unite with us in this No Tolerance campaign and contact the authorities immediately if they see anyone abusing or selling prescription drugs.”

The community of Constance Lake is currently working closely with various other First Nation communities who are struggling with similar problems. Other organizations who are joining the campaign include; The Notre Dame Hospital in Hearst, on-reserve Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Crime Stoppers and Matawa First Nations Management Services.

The post office at the North Pole is ready and Santa's dedicated Postal
Elves are raring to go! Click here to read more.

Ottawa - The post office at the North Pole is ready and Santa’s dedicated Postal Elves are raring to go! Santa’s local post office is ready to receive the more than a million letters that he gets each year, and he is eager to begin reading each one. Children from around the world are encouraged to send Santa their holiday letters – or that special list – at his exclusive postal code at the North Pole. They can send their mail to:

SANTA CLAUS
NORTH POLE H0H 0H0
CANADA

Santa reminds all his young friends that it is very important to include a complete return address, so that Canada Post can deliver his reply.

Children will also want to check out Santa’s special web page (click here) where they can play some really cool games and discover easy holiday recipes and crafts. They can also send Santa an e-mail from this special Canada Post site.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation

Special Chiefs Assembly

November 2 to 4, 2004.

Jean-Francois Delorme (JF), with the Kativik Regional Government office in Kuujjuaq, arrived at K-Net's office in Sioux Lookout on October 31. He is spending this week working with the K-Net team to further develop the satellite network system that is serving the fourteen Inuit communities in northern Quebec.  Togehter, JF and the K-Net team are working together to establish the necessary protocols and procedures for maintaining and supporting our respective partner communities using the available satellite and earthstation resources.

Link here to read more about this work that began during his last visit to Sioux Lookout in April.

Sandy Lake Men's Invitaional Hockey Tournament 2004

November 24, 25, 26 & 27, 2004

Entry Fee: $1000.00

• Championship:  $10,000.00
• Finalist:             $ 5,000.00
• Consolation:     $3,000.00
• Runner up:       $1,000.00

For more information please call:  

• Rec. Director, Doug Crowe 807 774 5445 (wk), 807 774 5524 (hm)
• Frankie Fiddler, 807 774 5445 (wk), 807 774 5146 (hm)
• Norris Meekis, 807 774 5445 (wk), 807 774 1079 (hm)
• Greg Mawakeesic, 807 774 5445 (wk), 807 774 6110 (hm)
• Daniel Kakegamic, @ the Band Office - 807 774-3421

Five members of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine team (www.normed.ca) visited with Keewaytinook Okimakanak staff yesterday in Sioux Lookout. From the Thunder Bay campus, Dr. Dan Hunt, Campus Dean West, Dr. Jill Konkin, Associate Dean Admissions and Student Affairs, Orpah McKenzie, Aboriginal Affairs Director, were joined by Ann Moro, Clinical Sciences Coordinator and Dr. Tim Zmijowskyj, Clinical Curriculum Director from the Sudbury Campus of the new medical school. As well, Carl Seibel, Telecom Project Officer with Industry Canada FedNor joined the group for their two days of meetings with First Nation organizations, health care professionals and tours of the available resources.