Media.Knet.Ca

The K-Net "shed" is getting a face lift. This is the space where the first MSAT / DirecPC connectivity solutions were tested, where the original K-Net Bulletin Board System was hosted for a number of years, where Peewee Linux and the K-Net router was hatched, where the multi-media team moved and entertained others from First Nations, where computers and servers were set up before being sent up north, where all these K-Net happenings and developments occurred over the past few years.

Now, while the snow flies at the end of September, the space is being doubled to accommodate additional office space along with the new server facility for Keewaytinook Okimakanak. The space is required to support the various broadband applications and on-line training and education services that are being developed under a FedNor funded project.

Dear Community Member:

The Sioux Lookout Substance Abuse Committee, would like to invite your members to attend a community meeting to discuss a substance-free SAFE GRAD. Ms. Kristin King is the coordinator for graduation and needs our help to disband the myth that graduating, celebrating, and having fun go hand in hand with getting drunk. Several other high schools in the Keewatin-Patricia District School Division have successfully promoted a fun and truly SAFE alcohol and drug free graduation event that the students work hard toward and look forward to. Together, as a community, we could do something similar. Janet Pilozow, who helped get SAFE GRAD organized in Dryden is eager to come to Sioux Lookout and share with us what they are doing in Dryden, how they got started, how they keep going, and how we could accomplish a memorable and enjoyable safe graduation night for our youth of this community.

This gathering will be about two hours long and will include a brief Power Point presentation, with discussion to follow, about SAFE GRAD. We hope to form a committee consisting of students, parents, staff, and community members who will work together for the safety of our youth in this community. Together we can accomplish more than we think!

Please join us at Queen Elizabeth District Highschool on Thursday, October 23, 2003 at 6:30 p.m., Room #19. Be a part of the first ever gala SAFE GRAD event in Sioux Lookout. We need you!

Yours truly,

The Sioux Lookout Substance Abuse Committee

2nd Annual Nish Women's Broomball Classic Tournament

Friday October 10th 2003 at Fort William First Nation Arena

• 1:00 pm  Big Trout Lake Blazers  vs  Fort William Wolverines
• 2:00 pm  Eabametoong Northern Lights  vs  Webequie Queens
• 3:00 pm  Team Mishkeegogamang  vs  Neskantaga Lady Hawks
• 4:00 pm  Team Webequie  vs  Eabametoong Charlie's Angels
• 5:00 pm  Wemindji Ice Stars  vs  Muskrat Dam Saints
• 6:00 pm  Waswanipi Northern Stars  vs  Michikan Lake Starz
• 7:00 pm  Neskantaga Lady Hawks  vs  Webequie Queens
• 8:00 pm  Fort William Wolverines  vs  Eabametoong Northern Lights
• 9:00 pm  Team Sandy Lake  vs  Chisasibi Stars

For the remainder of the schedule go to www.eteamz.com/7thgeneration

See you all in 2 weeks, good luck to all teams

All games will be played at the Fort William First Nation Arena

Hans Jansen, a consultant working with the provincial Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology's (MEST) Connect Ontario program and Industry Canada's BRAND program, spent Sunday and Monday (Sept 28 and 29) meeting with K-Net staff. He is examining the some of the "Best Practices" that have gone into developing the Kuh-ke-nah Network and the various broadband applications that are being delivered in the Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations.

On Monday afternoon, Hans and Carl Seibel flew to Fort Severn to meet with the community leaders and the local Smart team members to discuss how the network and broadband services are working for their community.

Here Hans is discussing some potential GIS applications with Robert Hunter, KO's Data Warehouse and GIS Coordinator.

Kejick Bay's

Open House

September 30,2003.

4 - 6 PM.

Come enjoy a cup of coffee or juice while visiting our classroom, meeting the students, Classroom Assistant and Teacher. You even could meet the Student Council.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Sorry we had to re-schedule our Open House to this new date!

Darrin Potter, KiHS Principal, along with Freda Kenny, KiHS Vice-Principal attended ministry workshops in Thunder Bay during the week of September 22 to 26, 2003.

Darrin comments about the workshops included:

• A very valuable and enjoyable experience with many worthwhile sessions that we were able to take part in.  
• The administration training is always useful, but there were also others sessions such as literacy in the secondary classroom that will be useful for KiHS.
• We learned about many strategies that can be used and over the course of the next few weeks, we will discuss how these can be incorporated into our program.  
• The good thing about most of the sessions was that they were facilitated by teachers who are in the classroom now.

"One session on Thursday was on Classroom Management and the presenter did a great job in giving some realistic suggestions.  Mainly his approach has always been to be prepared for our classroom and this will make all the difference. When we anticipate what we want to see, and what can happen, we will be prepared."

Economic Development officers, Community Futures program staff, and others gathered in Pinewa, Manitoba on Thursday and Friday, September 25 and 26 to discuss different community development opportunities and experiences. Dan Pellerin, K-Net's Network Manager, travelled over to the session for two panel presentations about the K-Net broadband network and its impact on community economic development in the communities across Ontario.

As part of the First Nations SchoolNet and Smart Communities initiatives sponsored by Industry Canada, Keewaytinook Okimakanak is providing on-line Grade 8 supplementary Science, Math and English courses for 12 First Nation schools in Ontario. Fernando Oliveira, a former Keewaytinook Internet High School teacher in Poplar Hill and Fort Severn, is developing and delivering these courses in partnership with the twelve Grade 8 teachers. To register your school and participate in this innovative program visit http://g8.firstnationschools.ca

This past winter, Fernando organized a pilot Grade 8 Supplementary program working with KIHS and Grade 8 teachers in several KIHS partner First Nations. The program was well received, as documented in the project evaluation and final report (click here to view). This school year's project is now being expanded to include more schools and more subjects intended to help the students, the teachers, the schools and the communities provide additional resources for their young people.

The latest press release from Matawa First Nations Management is appealing for support efforts to continue for the people of Nibinamik First Nation.

This press release about the community and the relief efforts is available on-line for everyone to read.

• Press Release # 9 - September 23

Efforts continue to coordinate the support systems required to assist the people of Nibinamik First Nation with teams working together from across the region. All donations and offers of assistance are appreciated. It is important that we work together to ensure the community receives the best possible care today and over the next few months.

Donations can be sent to:

Matawa First Nation Management - Nibinamik Emergency Fund
233 South Court Street
Thunder Bay, ON
P7B 2X9

If you have any questions, please call 807-344-4575 or 800-463-2249 and ask for Bruce Visitor, Director of Operations or Helen Franceschi, Finance Clerk.

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute has been established under the mandate of the Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation to develop, design and deliver post-secondary programs and services. The Institute is an independent institution offering courses in language and culture, social services, computer and information technology, management and administration, and teacher education.

The Annual General Meeting of Oshki-Pimache-O-Win will be held on October 1, 2003 at Chapleau Cree First Nation. All NAN First Nations or Education Authorities are invited to send one voting representative to the meeting. Representatives attending the meeting will be eligible to stand for election to the Governing Council. Following the meeting, on October 2, a workshop for board members and those who work with boards will be provided.

For further information, or to receive a registration package, please contact:

Ruth Baxter, Executive Director,
Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute,
107 Johnson Avenue, 2nd Floor,
Thunder Bay, ON  P7B 2V9

Telephone: 807-346-2770
Fax:  807-345-2924
E-Mail: rbaxter@oshki.ca