Finally, a chance for NAN Youth to be heard!
February 19, 2003 - 10:10pm | by AnonymousNAN is conducting a survey that will be used to help understand the ideas and concerns of today's youth. This survey and the information gathered from it, will be used to create a magazine that will be sent to NAN's Chiefs and Elders in various communities. For more information or to receive a copy of the survey please e-mail either, Tianna Collins or Rhain Mainville at nanyouthsurvey@knet.ca
KiHS Staff Presenting at Dreamcatching 2003 Conference
February 19, 2003 - 6:54am | by AnonymousTwo KiHS staff are travelling to Montreal to conduct four 2.5 hour workshops with teachers attending this year's Dream Catching 2003: Professional Math and Science Workshops for Teachers of Aboriginal Students Conference. The workshop session lead by Marlene McKay, KiHS Vice Principal and Jeremy Snihur, teacher in Cat Lake First Nation, is providing participants with an orientation to KiHS, the classrooms, the teachers, the students and the communities. As well, workshop participants are going on-line and using the various tools available to KiHS students to complete their high school courses.
The conference is hosted by Concordia University's Native Access to Engineering Program. Marlene and Jeremy's workshop description is:
"Attendees of this workshop will receive an introduction to Keewaytinook Internet High School (KiHS) as an instructor and as a student. We will discuss various IT teaching strategies when working with First Nations students. Those attending this workshop will participate in completing activities in Math and Science/Technology for secondary students with the main focus of using the Internet as a learning tool. The workshop will also provide attendees with Internet resources in the area of Math and Science/Technology for secondary students."
The presentation includes a slide show presentation about the students, the communities, the classrooms, the teachers and KiHS
NAN's Community Champions for Broadband Workshop
February 18, 2003 - 8:38pm | by AnonymousCommunity Champions for Broadband Workshop
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Travelodge Airlane – Salon C
Purpose:
The goal of the Community Champions for Broadband Workshop is to bring together ‘community champions’ from across the NAN region to collaborate and work together to:
Presenters/Facilitators:
David Paul Achneepineskum, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Gordon Kakegamic, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (Telecommunications)
Terry Wilson, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (Lands and Resources)
Brenda Iserhoff and Joe Wheesk, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (Harvesting)
Melanie Goodchild, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (Youth)
Lawrence Baxter, Nishnawbe Aski Nation (Social Services)
Michael Fox, Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund
Edward Hoshizaki, Edward Hoshizaki Development Consulting
Mel Stewart, Stewart Communications
Eleonore Rupprecht, Industry Canada, Broadband Pilot Program Office (Ontario Region)
Carl Seibel, FedNor
Helen Aitkens, Telecommons Development Group
Donna Williams, Keewaytinook Okimakanak (Telehealth)
Jim Teskey, Keewaytinook Okimakanak (Education)
Brian Beaton, Keewaytinook Okimakanak (K-Net Services)
Dan Pellerin, Keewaytinook Okimakanak (K-Net Services)
Keewaywin Smart Community Team, Keewaywin First Nation
Delegates:
Ernie Buswa, Windigo First Nations Council
Audrey Allaire, Wabun Tribal Council
John Cole, Matawa First Nations Management
Paul Capon, Matawa First Nations Management
Gilbert Etherington, Mushkegowuk Council
Steve Beardy, Muskrat Dam First Nation
Debra Tait, Sachigo Lake First Nation
Laureen Kaminiwaish, Sachigo Lake First Nation
Archie Wabasse, Wunnumin Lake First Nation
Jeff Loon, Mishkeegogamang First Nation
Tom Wassaykeesic, Mishkeegogamang First Nation
Kennedy Fiddler, Sandy Lake First Nation
Curtis Drake, Sandy Lake First Nation
Sam Hunter, Weenusk First Nation
Allan Jolly, Mocreebec Council of the Cree Nation
Agenda:
Day One - Wednesday, February 19, 2003
08:00 - 08:30 Meet & Greet - Morning Coffee and Refreshments
08:30 - 08:45 Welcome - Introductions and Review of Agenda, Gordon Kakegamic
08:45 - 09:00 Opening Remarks - David Paul Achneepineskum, Executive Director, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Session 1 - Broadband for Rural and Northern Development
09:00 - 09:20 Presentation (Teleconference) - Eleonore Rupprecht, Industry Canada - Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program (BRAND)
09:20 - 10:30 Discussion on Issues Related to the BRAND Application and Business Plan
Eleonore Rupprecht, Industry Canada and Carl Seibel, FedNor
Session 2 - Infrastructure and Network Models
10:45 - 11:15 Presentation
Edward Hoshizaki, Edward Hoshizaki Development Consulting
Dan Pellerin, K-Net Services
11:15 - 12:00 Discussion on Issues
Session 3 - Applications
01:00 - 01:30 Health - Donna Williams, Keewaytinook Okimakanak
01:30 - 02:00 Education - Jim Teskey, Keewaytinook Okimakanak
02:00 - 02:30 Business (Commerce) - Michael Fox, Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund
02:30 - 03:00 Appliances (Videoconferencing, IP Telephony) - Dan Pellerin, K-Net Services
03:15 - 03:45 Lands and Resources - Terry Wilson, Joe Wheesk and Brenda Iserhoff, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
03:45 - 04:15 Social Services - Lawrence Baxter, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
04:15 - 04:45 Youth - Melanie Goodchild, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
04:45 - 05:00 End of Day One - Gordon Kakegamic
Day Two - Thursday, February 20, 2003
08:30 - 09:00 Review - Gordon Kakegamic
Session 3 - Applications (Cont.)
09:00 - 10:30 Portal (Connect Ontario) - Gordon Kakegamic, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
Session 4 - Community Engagement
10:45 - 11:15 Presentation (Videoconference) - Helen Aitkens, Telecommons Development Group
11:15 - 12:30 Discussion (Videoconference) - Brian Beaton, K-Net Services and the Keewaywin Smart Community Team
Discussion on Issues and Best Practices
Session 5 - The Business Plan
01:30 - 03:00 Planning for Content - Edward Hoshizaki, Edward Hoshizaki Development Consulting
Session 6 - Moving Forward
03:15 - 04:15 NAN Directions for Broadband - Mel Stewart, Stewart Communications
04:15 - 04:45 NAN Telecommunications Conference - Gordon Kakegamic, Nishnawbe Aski Nation
04:45 - 05:00 End of Workshop - Gordon Kakegamic
KiHS Planning Workshop in Winnipeg
February 18, 2003 - 8:13pm | by AnonymousThe KiHS teachers and administration attended a plenary workshop in Winnipeg last week.
The focus of these sessions was to work on developing the virtual high school into an even more dynamic and successful program in the 13 communities in its partnership agreements. Those in attendance participated to come up with concrete suggestions and a plan to address some of the issues facing Aboriginal Education as brought up by the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs in his National Working Group on Education Report (http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/nr/prs/j-a2003/2-02248_e.html) released last week.
The week started with a keynote address by Richard Morris, director of Education at Lac Seul First Nation. He gave the staff a good background on some of the issues relating to Aboriginal Students and why we face certain challenges. He gave a very informative briefing of some of the experiences related to the residential school system and how we need to approach things with that knowledge. The session ended with a question and answer period. The staff found the session very valuable and went away with insight that will be a benefit to their community classroom.
The week continued with sessions that were presented by the staff. The sessions started with a short discussion of the issue and how it was a challenge in our communities. Then we broke into groups of three and brain stormed ways that we could address these issues and challenges. After the brainstorming the large group reformed and evaluated the suggestions. We ended up with a list of ideas that could work at making the deliverables, that KiHS has determined necessary for the program, a reality. The information that came from these sessions is very valuable to the program and should provide an improved delivery.
Some of the topics discussed were:
- Student Attendance
- Parental and Community Involvement
- Student Enrollment and Recruitment
- KiHS and Local School Relationship
- Communication within KiHS
- Student Achievement
- Teacher-Student Rapport and its influence on Student Achievement
- Interactive Lessons
- Course Development/Aboriginal Culture and Curriculum
- Ministry of Education Expectations of Private Schools
- Staff Retention
- Role of the Classroom Assistant
- Mentor Roles
Each of these topics generated suggestions that will be used by KiHS to further develop its program and delivery. The aim of KiHS is to provide the students, who choose to remain at home to earn Ontario Secondary School Diploma credits, a rich and varied experience that will be invaluable to their future success.
The future looks bright at KiHS and we want our students to shine.
Telehealth activities on the increase in Northwestern Ontario
February 18, 2003 - 8:13pm | by Anonymous406 consults within the NORTH Network for the month of January! What a start to the new year!
The NW was certainly responsible for a huge chunk of that activity as evident by the enclosed activity log. Use of the equipment for meetings is quickly gaining popularity. In January, two new specialists joined the increasing number of Thunder Bay Regional Hospital physicians willing to offer their services using Telehealth. Tracy Saarinen has been brought onboard as a temporary half time coordinator at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital and this has given me much more opportunity to fulfill my role as regional coordinator.Many activities are occurring!
- Successful cardiology, surgery, medical, neurology, psychiatry, dermatology, geriatric, rheumatology clinics have all occurred to the region
- A second international education opportunity occurred, this time to Israel
- A Thunder Bay patient has been asked to participate in a photo op for NORTH Network
- NW District Health Council requested an article giving an update on NW Telehealth
- Teleradiology seems to be progressing smoothly
- Professionals are calling Telehealth office to request educational topics, to schedule meetings and to request a block of time in which they can run clinics
- Meetings using video conferencing are increasing weekly (Air Ambulance, OR Nurses, Perinatology group, NOMP, Criticall and Eating disorder Team to name a few)
- Educational opportunities occur weekly and, at some points, daily (palliative care, psychiatry, geriatrics, to name a few). These are offered by UHN and local clinicians.
- New ABC Manual has been mailed to all sites
NW Telehealth sites look forward to February and increased activity. We look forward to the installation of the stethoscopes and to the new bridge installation. NORTH Network Telehealth is never static!
Laurie Sherrington
NW Regional Telehealth Coordinator
Blockade Erected in Hornepayne First Nation
February 18, 2003 - 8:13pm | by AnonymousPRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2003
Third Blockade Erected in Ontario, New One in Hornepayne First Nation(HORNEPAYNE, ON) In response to the stand First Nations are taking over failed relationships with the Ontario government on issues related to forestry (and other natural resources issues), Hornepayne First Nation, along with members of the Constance Lake First Nation have erected a blockade of their own and are at this time considering how long it will stand. Forestry operations have been blocked on Newman’s Road off Highway 631, 20 kilometers north of Hornepayne.
They do so to show their support and to raise awareness of the common issues shared by all First Nations impacted by forestry activities. Grassy Narrows First Nation, have been blocking a forest access road north of Kenora since December 3, 2002 and Aroland First Nation near Nakina who have been blocking highway 643 since February 12, 2003. At that time, Chief Sonny Gagnon of the Aroland First Nation called for "an unequivocal response from the Minister of Natural Resources and the Premier of Ontario on how they plan to address Grassy Narrows First Nation, and to deal with the subsequent blockade Aroland First Nation has erected." Hornepayne First Nation has now added their name to this list.
Again the First Nation regrets that the loggers and truckers have to bear the financial brunt of the Ontario government’s unwillingness to discuss the matter with First Nations, in a statement to the press Chief Laura Medeiros states, "Why do we have to fight for our lands and resources when our people once used to once roam this land freely? We are not opposed to resource development but stand fast in the position that it must be balanced by its impact to our rights."
Conflicts surrounding the content of Aboriginal and Treaty rights, as well as judicial determinations with respect to Treaties, have been greatly intensified since Aboriginal and Treaty rights were deemed Constitutionally protected in 1982. It seems that this controversy stems from the reality that control of natural resources inevitably engages the broader issue of Aboriginal rights to self-determination, which Chief Laura Medeiros states is "a topic Ontario is not ready to discuss, and the Canadian public may not be ready for." One clear example of this was the work undertaken by the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council and the New Democratic Party to present a motion in the House of Commons to discuss a process for revenue sharing with First Nations. This motion was quashed overwhelmingly by the Conservative government in a December 2002 sitting of parliament.
First Nations and other groups have undertaken other activities to show support for Grassy Narrows. On Monday February 24, 2003, 2nd year Aboriginal Law and Advocacy Students from Negahneewin College of Indigenous Studies of Confederation College are planning a Day of Action at the Ryan Hall Cafeteria from 11:00 – 2:00 pm, and all are welcome to attend.
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Media Enquiries: Chief Laura Medeiros, Hornepayne First Nation (807) 868-2040
Announcing Kwayaciiwin Educational Resource Centre's Grand Opening
February 17, 2003 - 8:25pm | by AnonymousKwayaciiwin
Educational Resource Centre
Grand OpeningMarch 4, 2003
Master of Ceremonies: Roy Morris
Nishnawbe Gamik Friendship Centre
1:00 Opening Prayer: Victoria Maxwell and Able Johnup
Welcome: Chief David Gordon, Lac Seul First Nation and Mayor John MacDonald
Opening Remarks: Saul Williams Chairperson DEPC
Speakers: Minister Robert Nault, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (confirmed)
National Chief Matthew Cooncome, AFN (invited)
Regional Chief Charles Fox, COO (invited)
Grand Chief Stan Beardy, NAN (invited)
Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic (invited)
Richard Morris, Education Director, Lac Seul First Nation (confirmed)
Presentations Minister Nault, Richard Morris, Frank Beardy
Gifts Barb Fritz, Mourasia Duffus
Kwayaciiwin Educational Resource Centre
Ribbon Cutting
Elders: Victoria Maxwell and Able Johnup
Children: Mya Fiddler and Hosea Mamakwa
Minister Nault
Saul Williams
Open House at the Centre
Food and Refreshments
Blockade continues in Grassy Narrows
February 17, 2003 - 8:24pm | by AnonymousThe blockade at Grassy Narrows is still up and running despite some reports suggesting they came down. There are two or three different blockades just a few minutes from the reserve. This blockade will be up for a long time because they believe that the loggers will not leave that easily.
In a Wawatay Interview one of the spokespersons for the blockade said that the loggers pulled out but that was just one of the small sub-contractors.
The Logging and Clear-cutting continues and as long as they continue the blockades will remain.
We are asking people to join this blockade because we need more man-power. In addition, we would appreciate any support from different native organizations in terms of letters, clothing, blankets and financial donations.
If you would like to help you can call Roberta Keesic at 925-2201or Judy Dasilva at 925-2077.
Sioux Lookout Nurses-In-Charge Workshop includes KO Telehealth Project
February 16, 2003 - 10:32am | by AnonymousDonna Williams, KO's Telehealth Coordinator and Carol Wood, Menoyawin Health Centre's Telehealth Coordinator provided workshop participants with an orientation session about the use of the telemedicine suite of tools. A live connection with the Deer Lake Nursing station was completed with Lily Sawanas, the Deer Lake Telehealth Coordinator (see the pictures from the session).
Clarification about the telemedicine suite and video conferencing equipment that is now available in most Sioux Lookout First Nations was discussed using the hand-out prepared for this gathering.
Fort Severn Workshop Highlight Community Plans for ICTs
February 16, 2003 - 9:44am | by AnonymousWorkshops held in Fort Severn during the week of February 10 highlighted many of the achievements made over the past two years of the Smart Communities Demonstration project. Pictures of the four day series of sessions and special events are available in the K-Net Photo Gallery.
The information from the two previous ICT community planning and community engagement sessions was reviewed and discussed each day to identify what has changed and how these communication tools are now being used in Fort Severn. These two sessions are available on-line (December 1999 session and the January 2002 workshops) for review. The remainder of each day was spent examining the work that remains to be completed during the final year of the Smart Communities demonstration project.
