Northwestern Ontario Technology Association and Thunder Bay's Fast Forward Present:

ENABLING I.T. IN NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO
Finding Direction & Celebrating Excellence

Featuring the presentation of the second annual ITAC Community IT Hero
Awards.

Date: Thursday May 15th/2003 at the Victoria Inn, Thunder Bay
Time: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Cost: NOTA Members $20.00, non-members $25.00, Students $15.00

Register online at www.nota.ca

Come Celebrate Northwestern Ontario's 2003 IT Heroes!

Scott Dougall - Skystream Networks
John Fullerton - Northern Supplier.com
Joan Main - Confederation College
Jesse Fiddler - K-Net

Each winner will be giving a 10 minute presentation on their IT accomplishments.

About the Awards

As part of Canada's 2003 IT Week celebrations (May 2-11 2003), the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC), in conjunction with Industry Canada, created the Community IT Hero Award to recognize individuals who have assisted their communities in a significant way through the use or application of information technology (IT).

This awards program achieves the grassroots objective of getting communities involved in IT Week through identifying and selecting heroes who have made a significant difference in the lives of people in their communities. The selection committee consists of people from communities all across Canada including local representation.

Fort Severn First Nation will be having a Nomination Meeting and General Election for  the Chief and four Councillors.

The Nomination meeting will held on Wednesday , May 21, 2003 at the community Youth Centre starting at 7:00. The General Election is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2003 at the E- Centre.

The voting will start 9:00 a.m. and run until 5:00 p.m. The newly elected officials will be announced at the local Radio Staion once the counting process has been completed

For more information, please contact the Electorial Officer : Victoria Matthews

On Monday, May 12, 2003 the community of Deer Lake was asked to evacuate their homes as the fire threatened to burn a few homes in the area.  The fire began early in the morning and burnt until the water bombers were called in late in the afternoon to put out the blaze.  For precautionary reasons, the school was also cancelled for the day when the fire was first noticed in the morning.  

A great team effort was displayed later that afternoon to save a house from the flames when community members and MNR firefighters stopped the fire from reaching the house.  Soon after, the people were informed to evacuate the Deer Lake side of town, when another fire was reported to be closing in.

The water bombers soon arrived and after roughly  an hour of dumping water on the fire and surrounding area, the fire was put out, but the community members weren't allowed to go back to their homes until it was safe to. Eventually everyone living on the Deer Lake side of town were sent back to their homes later in the evening.  

To view the pictures, check out the photogallery at http://www.deerlake.firstnation.ca

On May 27,2003 around 6 or 7 p.m. a fire destroyed our Band Office and Gymnasium. The school was saved just in time.

The Band Office was connected to the Gym. The Gym was connected to the school. As the fire was going through the Gym, the people worked to try and put the fire out. They had a bulldozer cut off the Gym from the school. This effort saved the school.

The local fire fighters helped along with the local people.

A helicopter came in and dropped some fire fighters off so they could help out too.

No one was hurt ... that was a good thing.

Everyone in the community watch as all this was happening.

We took some pictures of all this and posted them at http://photos.knet.ca/albun24.

Our community website can be seen at http://poplarhill.firstnation.ca

Keewaytinook Okimakanak, (KO), created the position of an energy expert for an initial period of one year, (January - December 2003), to raise awareness, build capacity, promote and assist in the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and programs among First Nation (FN) communities in Ontario, as outlined in the Federal Government’s Action Plan 2000.  This will provide a mechanism for First Nation communities to become, within a very short time period, more actively involved in energy and climate change issues that affect them.  

Its intention is to promote and implement appropriate renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies that help build local self-sufficiency, provide economic development opportunities, and develop indigenous capacity, all the while respecting local customs, traditions and beliefs.  From a First Nation’s perspective it is essential that renewable energy technologies and energy conservation measures promote self-sufficiency and be complimentary to local philosophies and beliefs.  The Assembly of First Nations believes this is not only the right thing to do, but it is also the best way to develop and implement practical solutions to local problems.

To reduce greenhouse gas production in the FN communities the energy expert will create awareness of energy production and use in global warming, the effects of using less energy more effectively and the mitigating effects of generating more of the energy needed for improved quality of life and economic development from renewable sources.  Developing First Nation capacity in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and techniques, identifying, facilitating and deploying  the knowledge is a priority.

The energy expert, Robin Hughes - Energy Advisor/Facilitator, will travel to many communities and to various Aboriginal meetings and functions to raise awareness of the issues involved.  He will use KO’s K-Net network and Tribal Council, technical and Band Council meetings to promote the objectives and progress of the program.  He will constantly review and modify proposed community approaches, activity plans and progress with elders, Band Councils, Tribal Councils and staff at KO to ensure that traditional knowledge, community customs and culture are respected and used to benefit the program.

When asked about the progression of the project Robin replied, “We have completed awareness presentations at North Spirit FN, McDowell Lake FN, Poplar Hill FN, Deer Lake FN and Keewaywin FN with Chief Council and many others. We’ve had a good response from the communities and the energy efficiency has their attention because it can save in their heating costs. They are very interested in renewable energy.”

One Aboriginal trainee, Collin Meekis - Energy Facilitator, has been selected to apprentice to Robin, to work on all aspects of the project. Collin was selected for follow-on work through KO in subsequent years, if project extension or other funding is determined.  When asked if he is enjoying his new job Collin responded, “Definitely, I’m enjoying it. What we would like to see happen is better awareness of the energy resourses we use on a day to day basis and put that knowledge to use.  Collin also mentioned, “I want everyone involved to be comfortable with calling me if they have any questions, if I can’t help them I will find someone who can.”        
          
This first year of project operation is a pilot effort.  It is not expected that Collin will be in a position to completely take over from Robin at the termination of this trial period.  It has been anticipated that over the next one to two years, Robins’ services will be required on a diminishing basis, eventually to an advisory role.  Robin, is key to the initial success of this proposal.  His job will be many-sided.  First he will have to initiate and give momentum to the program through integration of this renewable energy and energy efficiency Pathfinder Program into KO’s infrastructure and related activities.  It was important to acquire someone who is very knowledgeable in the field, who has experience working with First Nations across the region and who has the respect of community members, elders, Chiefs and energy and building stakeholders in the communities, in the Tribal Councils and in the region.  He will have general responsibility for carrying out most of the activities and specifically in training Collin who will  eventually take over the tasks and responsibilities.

Robin will provide, to all interested parties, information and documentation on Federal Government assistance and incentive programs. He will ensure provision of practical workshops and training to FN technical personnel and groups, interested community members and others on tools and the techniques and will  acquire or develop appropriate training materials, arranging for training venues and technical trainers when required and coordinating instruction and follow-up sessions to accommodate efficient training of technical and other persons from across the region.

The net will be cast wide in the identification process and will incorporate, for many communities, new energy-related projects such as building construction or renovations, upgrades or refurbishing of any power generation, heating and cooling equipment, potential renewable energy replacements for existing power generation and heating and cooling equipment, and any potential for co-generation with existing or new equipment.

The project will attempt to be pro-active in identifying areas of involvement.  He will follow-up on KO’s Technical Service’s housing assessment in Fort Severn FN by implementing either full or scaled-down versions of similar studies in several additional communities in the Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 areas.  Part of the  process will be project pre-feasibility analysis to determine if specific projects are viable.

Once potential projects are identified and other conditions are determined to be promising, he will make every effort to follow through on moving these projects towards completion by  searching out appropriate assistance in all areas of project development including funding, training and project implementation.  Projects that have been earlier identified in the Treaty 9 and Treaty 5 areas will be reviewed to determine their current feasibility in light of the current economic and energy situation in Ontario and new Provincial and Federal Government initiatives.

KO, primarily through the position of the Energy Advisor, but also using other staff, will track progress and provide input and encouragement where needed to facilitate successful completion. Once milestones have been reached, or projects have been completed or terminated, status reports will be prepared and submitted.  Throughout the duration  communities will be kept informed of upcoming plans and activities, the progress of  projects and  completed projects. This will be done through anouncements in K-Net, in Band and Tribal Council meetings and in public gatherings that are called for other reasons or for this specific task.

This Pathfinder Project is consistent with the direction of future training initiatives.  Robin has worked with members of the Seven Generations Education Institute out of Fort Frances, which is currently developing curricula for an Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Certificate Program.  Robin will work with Seven Generations to promote awareness of their curricula, to identify potential candidates for the Certificate Program from communities across northern Ontario, and to work to place graduates in suitable work positions. Seven Generations is considering offering their course as a web-based distance learning course.  A close working relationship between KO and Seven Generations would be beneficial in bringing their different expertise together to develop and provide the necessary on-line training services.

Ron Alward is a Technical Coordinator from the Ministry of Natural Resources Canada who assisted with the workshop held in North Spirit FN March 14-16 as a demonstrator (wind turbines and solar PV) as well as an observer. Over 60 people attended.   There will be at least three new northern Ontario renewable energy and/or energy efficiency projects underway by June 2003.  These projects will either be completed by that time, or will be well advanced. Also 6 potential projects will be identified and an evaluation report completed for each.

The success of this pilot project will be evaluated against achievement of the indicators at the completion of the trial period.  It is anticipated that a minimum of twenty people will receive the training to be renewable energy technicians including Collin, and will be able to complete a RETScreen Feasibility Analysis, R2000 as well as energy audits at the termination of the pilot phase.  KO wants to be a world leader in reduction of greenhouse gasses through the use of renewable energy, energy efficiency and construction of energy efficient homes.

KO is very aware of the climate change problems and is excited about being part of this Climate Change initiative.   Every year more problems are experienced moving fuels and supplies to isolated communities.  “This project would reduce some of the dependency on winter roads and fuel shipments while  reducing our input of greenhouse gas.  If objectives are being met, and funding resources are available, project extension is anticipated,” concluded Mr. Hughes.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation, in partnership with FedNor, is hosting NAN TECH 2003. This year's gathering is an opportunity to plan and obtain an update about technology and telecommunications developments in the NAN territory.

This event is planned for NAN First Nation community leaders and youths working in the area of technology and telecommunications for community development. NAN TECH 2003 is aimed at providing information to NAN First Nations and other interested parties to help advance NAN First Nations in using the power of telecommunications and information and communication technologies (ICTs) to their fullest potential.

The theme of the forum, 'Becoming A Connected Nation', reflects the vision to make Nishnawbe Aski Nation the most connected region in Canada. The 3-day event is being held June 18-20, 2003 at the Valhalla Inn, Thunder Bay, Ontario.

For more information please visit www.nan.on.ca/nantech2003

The May issue of Union of Ontario Indian's Business Information Bulletin contains lots of information about new opportunities for First Nation people to become involved in a number of initiatives. It is available on-line as a PDF file at:

http://knet.ca/documents/Business-Information-Bulletin-May2003.pdf

The production and sharing of this information is done as part of the Aboriginal Business Service Network Coordinator position with the Union of Ontario Indians.

Equay-wuk (Women's Group)
is hosting a

Nishnawbe Women's Leadership Forum

May 13-15, 2003
Sunset Room, Sunset Inn
Sioux Lookout, Ontario

A gathering of women leaders who are Chiefs and Councillors in the NAN area. This leadership forum will consist of presentations and discussions by women Chiefs and Councillors about their experiences in running in band council elections and their experiences as Chiefs and Councillors on First Nations band councils.

See the Latest Agenda and the poster for this event.

The May 1, 2003 issue of Wawatay News contains two more news stories about the work being completed within the Kuh-ke-nah Network of Smart First Nations demonstration project. Rick Garrick continues to research stories about how First Nations and community members are using ICTs. He is interested in featuring stories about your work with ICTs 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.

This week's articles include:

• myknet.org is a unique on-line gathering place - Angie Morris and Willow Fiddler explain how they started creating their own web site and how they are now using this on-line resource to share stories and information with their friends across the region.
• Leaders forging the way for Kuh-ke-nah Netowork - Geordi Kakepetum, Executive Director of Keewaytinook Okimakanak describes how the First Nation leaders directed the development of the K-Net starting back in 1994.
• Kuh-ke-nah Network Operations - the side column features the on-line development and management tools that are used by the K-Net Technical team to monitor the network operations.

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

The month of April was a busy time on the five main K-Net servers with 10,955,522 hits recorded. These servers include:

• the main K-Net server linking visitors to the different sources of information about the work being done at Keewaytinook Okimakanak;
• the Mail server that provides users with e-mail services;
• the Hosting server that provides First Nations and organizations with access to their web sites and portals (including sites such as http://nan.on.ca, http://oshki.ca, http://keewaywin.firstnation.ca, etc;
• the KiHS server set up for the internet high school students and staff; and
• the Photos server that contains hundreds of photo albums with thousands of pictures of happenings across the north.

For more detailed reports about the user traffic everyone can visit the user monitoring pages and click on any of the servers and then the months to see the different growth patterns.