Media.Knet.Ca

Workshop instructors Jesse Fiddler and Cal Kenny worked with First Nation reps this week to develop First Nation school web sites using the open source Post Nuke document management platform. Several First Nation schools in the North sent local community members to this workshop that is sponsored by Industry Canada's First Nations SchoolNet program. The Sioux Lookout workshop provided participants with all of the knowledge necessary to create free web sites for their schools on the First Nations SchoolNet web portal at http://firstnationschools.ca. The Sioux Lookout Aboriginal Area Management Board once again supported the delivery of this workshop by providing the use of their boardroom.

If your First Nation school would like more information about these free workshops,  email brianwalmark@knet.ca (Special Projects Coordinator for the Ontario RMO project). These workshops are coming to a community near you in the new year!

The First Nations SchooNet Helpdesk (staffed by John Moreau - jmoreau@knet.ca and Jamie Ray - jamieray@knet.ca) prepared and supports a training lab for these workshops. Technical support for hardware and software issues is available by calling these two at 877-737-KNET (5638). Barb Wong (barbwong@knet.ca) is working with Brian as the SchoolNet project administrator out of her Sioux Lookout office.

Participants at the Sioux Lookout workshop included Simon McKay, Chairman of the Michikan Education Authority, Pauline Beardy (Bearskin), Michael Rashleigh and Rosemary Erb (Wapekeka), William Mekanak (Kingfisher), Robert Semple (Kasabonika), Shawn Kakegamic and Stan Beardy (Muskrat Dam) and Margaret Angeconeb (Windigo Education Authority).

Click here to view the photos from the workshop.

Rob Wesley
Network Administrator / Instructor
Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute
107 Johnson Avenue, 2nd Floor
Thunder Bay, ON P7A 2V9
(807) 346-2776 rwesley@oshki.ca

Thursday, December 18, 2003

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Dear Sir or Madam,

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute is pleased to announce the start date for our A+ Certification Preparation Program.  This 12-week full-time course, based in Thunder Bay, is scheduled to commence on January 19, 2004 and conclude on April 16, 2004.  Seating is limited to a maximum of 12 students, so early registration is highly recommended.

There is no academic prerequisite for the A+ Certification Preparation Program but basic computer knowledge would be considered an asset.  The cost for A+ Certification Preparation Program is $2420.00 and includes tuition, books, tools, and testing.  For those students travelling to Thunder Bay, we have a Student Support Worker on staff who is available to provide assistance, advice, and support to help them successfully complete the requirements of the program.

What is A+ Certification

A+ certification is the industry standard for entry-level computer service technicians and it is a foundational certification that employers seek.  Every organization uses computers and the demand for skilled technicians is increasing.  An A+ certification opens the door to exciting possibilities in the field of Information Technology (IT).

Having the A+ certification provides graduates with proof that they have a broad base of knowledge and competency in core hardware and operating system technologies including installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance, and basic networking.

A+ certification testing is administered by CompTIA and is backed by over 50 major computer hardware and software vendors, distributors, resellers and publications.

To become certified, students must successfully write two computer-based tests.  There are two certified testing centres located in Thunder Bay, one test is based on hardware, and the second is based on software.  The A+ Certification Preparation Program prepares students to successfully pass these tests through in-class instruction, hands-on labs, and various testing measures.

What A+ Certification can mean for graduates within your community.

• No longer would your community have to hire expensive technology firms for computer repairs, upgrades, or consultation.
• Based on advancements in information and communication technologies (ICTs), broadband (high-speed Internet) in all remote communities is imminent.  A+ certified technicians based within your community would have the knowledge to assist in the deployment and in management of ICT operations.
• Graduates would be asked by other community members for computer repair services, providing them with a potential source of income.

What A+ Certification can mean for graduates outside your community.

• Better job opportunities.
• More career options.
• A realistic career path
• Nationally recognized proof of professional achievement.
• Career advancement, pay raises, and promotions.
• Foundational knowledge for advanced certifications.

Employers Look for the A+ Certification

Major companies know the value of the A+ certification, companies like Dell, Sears, Radio Shack, and Futureshop all have A+ certification requirement for their IT employees.

A+ is a foundational certification that is usually a starting point for many people working in the field of Information Technology.  A+ is often an essential part of Information Technology curriculum at the college and university level.  The A+ credential can potentially lead to students attaining more advanced Information Technology certifications and currently can be applied as an elective towards the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA).  Obtaining additional advanced certifications further solidifies a graduate’s background and knowledge in Information Technology and significantly enhances their career opportunities.

For further information about our program or CompTIA, please visit http://www.oshki.ca or http://www.comptia.org .

Sincerely,

Rob Wesley
A+, Certified Novell Administrator (CNA), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)

Preparations for the much anticipated Pikangikum Youth Challenge are on their way. The tournament will be held during the last week of January and early February. So far there have been over ten communities interested but no one has confirmed yet.

Again, like every youth challenge all meals will be provided to visiting teams as well as accommodations but teams are encouraged to bring sleeping gear. The winter road to Pikangikum is now accessible. The first 8 outside teams to confirm with entry fee will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.

Tentative dates for the tournament are Jan. 29, 30, 31, Feb.1.

I am currently working on getting scouts up here from Southern Ontario. If you require additional information please feel free to contact me.

Entry fee for the tournament will be $800.00 / team and this takes care of meals, transportation to arena, discount to nitely entertainment, and tournament passes.

Entertainment has been planned to keep youth and visiting teams busy after hockey games.

A feast will be held to close the tournament with an awards show to follow.

ENTRY FEE FOR THE TOURNAMENT WILL BE $800.00 / TEAM AND THIS TAKES CARE OF MEALS, TRANSPORTATION TO ARENA, DISCOUNT TO NITELY ENTERTAINMENT, AND TOURNAMENT PASSES.

ENTERTAINMENT HAS BEEN PLANNED TO KEEP YOUTH AND VISITING TEAMS BUSY AFTER HOCKEY GAMES.

A FEAST WILL BE HELD TO CLOSE THE TOURNAMENT WITH AN AWARDS SHOW TO FOLLOW.

You are invited to attend our Annual New Year's Special Services which will be held on Dec 31, January 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Invited guests are:

Evangelist Carl Rushtion and

Perry Rushtion

Derrick and Myrtle Anderson

Guest singers (band):

Silas Woodhouse - Fairford, Manitoba

Murdo Woodhouse - Winnipeg, Manitoba

Wilfred Moar - Winnipeg, Manitoba

and others...

For more info you can contact Pastor Colin and Nora Kanate or Nora Brisket .

Or, you can out our new page at: http://www.freewebs.com/newlife_centre

hello outsider fanz ... how it doin ... it's me (fezzo)

Well our gig at the Thomas Fiddler High School was fantastic. Everybody went crazy, fanz taking pictures and enjoying our music. We made about  5 new songs. Our best song is called "hate industrie". Our new guitarist Eagle Rae made it possible to move to a higher level of jammin. But most of all we like to thank our fanz for being there and listening to our music

coming soon.....

Outsiderz self-release album ... there's going to about 8 songs on our cd. It is coming out this summer. We are making about 300 cds. Some fanz have already reserved the cd.

The December 11 issue of Wawatay News contains three more news stories about the work being completed within the Kuh-ke-nah Network of Smart First Nations demonstration project.

This week's issue of the Kuh-ke-nah page in Wawatay News include the following articles:

• Harnessing ICTs: a Canadian First Nations experience: Jesse Fiddler’s trip to the World Summit on the Information Society gatherings in Geneva, Switzerland is described in this article. The on-line multi-media production with various video productions describing the work completed under the Kuhkenah Smart First Nations demonstration project is also described. This production (and each of the accompanying publications) is available at http://smart.knet.ca/kuhkenah_flash.html.
• Telehealth to be offered in SL Zone nursing stations: Bob Nault, on behalf of Health Canada, announced the launch of the $6.4 million Keewaytinook Telehealth Initiative. Over the next two and half years, the Keewaytinook Okimakanak telehealth team will be working with our partners to support the development of telehealth services in all the health centres across the Sioux Lookout Health Zone. See the announcement.
• K-Net Showcase - contains photos from the K-Net photo gallery at http://photos.knet.ca and First Nation web sites describing the partnerships involved with K-Net to create innovative applications and deliver services with the communities across Nishnawbe Aski Nation.

Rick Garrick is researching additional stories for future articles. If you have a story that you want to share about this project and the work that is happening in your community to get connected, please send us an e-mail.

Various newspaper articles are being scanned and stored for reference purposes in this photo gallery.

All High School students from the northern communities are now on their Christmas Break. Starting tomorrow students will be home.

Located in Dryden, Ontario, the Keewaytinook Okimakanak (Northern Chiefs Council) and Crescive Corporation (a partner of the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board) consortium provides professional, technical and academic training for water plant operators. The delivery of safe potable water to individual community members is a priority for First Nation governments throughout Canada. Provincial regulations (Ontario Water Resources Act) are changing and operators are now required to obtain a valid water operator's license. Courses include: OIT Certification, Class 1 & Class 2 Operator Certification as well as Academic Upgrading. Visit www.watertraining.ca for a complete course calendar for 2004 or call TOLL FREE 1-866-889-1135.

Next Course starts January 5, 2003 in Dryden with staggered enrolment allowed up until January 15,2004. Call today (807)223-4970 for more information or to request a complete registration package.

Mini Pow-Wow & Multicultural Daze

When: December 17, 2003

Where: Dryden High School (Gordon Wood Auditorium)

Agenda

9:00 - 9:20am     Opening Remarks

9:20 - 10:00am     Thunder bay Troupe

10:00 - 11:00am      Zirka Dancers

11:00 - 11:20am     Elizabeth Garder Dance Troupe

12:00 - 1:00pm     Ceremonies

1:00 - 2:00pm      Grand Entry

2:00 - 3:00pm     Intertribals

3:00 - 3:20pm      Feast

    

Everyone Welcome!!!