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Representatives from the different tribal councils from across NAN met on Thursday, Sept 5 to discuss strategies for working together to assist NAN First Nations to get connected to broadband infrastructure. Participants included representatives from the NAN office (Gordon Kakegamic - meeting coordinator, Ed Hoshizaki), Matawa (John Cole), Wabun (Darlene Lafontaine), Mushkegowuk (Bill Louttit), Mocreebec (Allan Jolly), Windigo (Ernie Buswa), IFNA (Tim Bergman) and Keewaytinook Okimakanak (Dan Pellerin, Brian Beaton). Updates on connectivity developments across the region were discussed along with some of the opportunities (Industry Canada's new Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program and needs (partnerships and sustainability) for the NAN territory to become the most connected region in Canada. See the pictures from the meeting.

First Annual Native Women's Broomball Classic October 11 - 14, 2002 Fort William First Nation Arena Thunder Bay, Ontario Registered Teams include: Chisasibi, Quebec Waswanipi, Quebec Mistissini, Quebec Michikan Lake Starz Keewaywin Pink Ladies Big Trout Lake Blazers Neskantaga Lady Hawks Eabametoong Northern Lights Muskrat Dam Saints Moose Factory Islanders D.F.C. Thunder Hawks Pelican Falls Timberwolves Fort William Wolverines Fort Albany Swampy Queens Nibinamik Stars Team Webequie Deer Lake Mishkeegogamang Cat Lake Sandy Lake For more information Phone: 807-625-0327 or Fax: 807-625-9303 Website: www.eteamz.com/broomball Email: seventhgeneration@shaw.ca

The Doors of the Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay opened its doors to allow students to further their education. As of August 27, at least 250+ students have enrolled and are slowly reviewing the basic reality of living in a urben world. Students and staff at the DFCHS have recently been told at least another 50 or so students are yet to be returning to attend school in DFC. Check out some Pictures of students at DFC in the coming weeks on Wawatay News. *If you would like to see your friends picture there i'll walk around search for them and boom, send it to the newspaper and then u can keep and cherish it forever... And hey, it's free... Just email me at JamesBenson@knet.ca

This is to remind every NAN territory member that September 18th is approaching quickly for the observance of NAN Day of Prayer as designated by the Chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation. The purpose of this solemn event is to pray for all our people who have been affected by suicide and to embrace life as given by our Creator. The Day of Prayer will commence with a Wawatay radio address by Grand Chief Stan Beardy at approximately 9:00am central standard time. Followed by messages and prayers by Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic, youth and area ministers/pastors. All churches within their respective communities have been encouraged to plan joint evening prayer services/events for that day. For more information please call your local band office or church, or Nishnawbe Aski Nation at 1-800-465-9952

Some students from Sandy Lake are attending Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School in Thunder Bay. The students that left are Candice Meekis, Richan Meekis, Evangaline Meekis, Jocelyn Mawakeesick, Nicole Meekis, Stefanie Mamakeesic, Charlene Anishiabie and Korey Day. This group of students left Sandy Lake on Monday August 26, 2002 at 7:00pm on Calm Air. Good luck to all of you and have a safe and wonderful year!!!!

1st place $8,000.00 2nd place $4,000.00 3rd place $2,000.00 4th place $1,000.00 Individual awards or cash prizes! CHECK OUT OUR ARTIFICIAL ICE!!!! Entry Fees: $1,000.00 Local teams/$800.00 Visiting teams (8) only. Status cards required, open tournament. 12 team format/round robin A & B Pools. Tournament open to 16 yrs. of age and older only. For more information, contact: Sandy Lake Recreation Office (807) 774-5445

A-Side Championship $5,000.00 + medallions & trophy $1,000.00 + medallions & trophy B-Side Championship $500.00 + medallions & trophy Entry Fees: $1,000.00 Local teams / $800.00 Visiting teams (6) only. 1 hour free ice time for visiting teams! Teams must be in Sandy Lake December 4. Deadline: November 25, 2002. Teams must consist of a maximum of 15 players, made up of eleven 15 & 16 year olds, two 14 year olds and two 17 year olds For more information, contact: Ozzie Kakepetum, Sandy Lake Recreation at (807) 774-5445

Keewaywin's Smart team members went over to the KiHS site to welcome our new Internet high school teacher Mandy Fry who hails from North Bay. From the looks of things she is getting some great support from the students, Keewaywin school staff and community members. Fourteen students started classes this past Tuesday. I believe there are a couple of more students that will be registering at our Internet High School. See pictures of the KiHS classroom and the group photo of students here.

The Keewaytinook Internet High School is putting on a new face this coming school year. This year there will be thirteen KiHS classrooms located in First Nations across the north (http://kihs.knet.ca/classrooms.html) The teaching staff of KiHS (http://kihs.knet.ca/staff) met in KO's Balmertown office last week to receive their orientation session before flying off to their respective communities. Last week, the First Nation classrooms were being set up by the Classroom Assistants who met the week before in Balmertown for their training session. Last school year, KiHS used WebCT as our on-line e-learning environment but we struggled with the learning curve for both the teachers and students. As well, the price for WebCT was just getting too high for our small school. So this past winter the decision was made to create our own e-learning environment. Margaret Fiddler lead the crew of two (Jesse Fiddler and Steven Zussino) in building this on-line open source e-learning space which can be seen at http://kihs.knet.ca (just write to get access to the guest account to see the various on-line tools being used). This new e-learning environment will be of interest to any teacher involved in teaching any high school course through distance education. It would be great if other groups in the region wanted to take this tool and adapt it for their own use. We are inviting other educators to identify ways that we can work together to share in this new resource.

The following is a Press Release from Calvin Skead, a father of four children from Wauzhushk Onigum Nation, outside Kenora, Ontario. He is walking to Ottawa to create awareness of past injustices inflicted on First Nation children across this land. A group of people including many children greeted Calvin as he arrived in Dinorwic Thursday, August 29, 2002 just after 1pm (see the pictures of this stop). “CREATING AN AWARENESS: RESPECT FOR OUR CHILDREN” Since time immemorial my ancestors secured for my great grandchildren and their great grandchildren the land base of Wauzhushk Onigum territory. It is the same vision of protection for those yet to be born that I am now walking to Ottawa. This journey began on the morning of August 22, 2002 from Pow Wow Island in Wauzhushk Onigum. I wish to create an awareness of past injustices inflicted on First Nations children by foreign laws designed to assimilate Aboriginal Nations. Many of us survived the ordeal of assimilation policies that were forced on us but many children did not. Hundreds of children succumbed to these injustices. It is those children’s lost lives that I am honouring on this journey. They are the ones that will prevent further destruction and assault on our Nations. They are the ones that will bring a constant reminder to what foreign laws can do. This journey will remind all people and governments that First Nations have traditional laws and structures that included a complex child welfare law. The past must be acknowledged because it is being repeated through the proposed Governance Act. My intent and focus is not the governance act itself but rather what it represents and signifies. The Governance Act will restrict our efforts in reviving our own laws regarding child care issues. This Governance Act will conflict with our own traditional child welfare laws and will ultimately decide the strength and continuance of our Nationhood. I ask all people to write messages denouncing the Governance Act and to support our traditional laws. It is important that these messages be wrapped in red ribbon to be picked up by me along my journey so I may deliver them to Ottawa. Our traditional people must be approached to help everyone understand the implementation of traditional laws as they were intended by the Creator. Our children need the hope for a better tomorrow. "RESPECT FOR OUR CHILDREN" Headquarters Contact Number 807-548-4106. Donations are greatly appreciated and can be made as follows: Respect the Children’s Fund Account # 1191136 Transit # 787 Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 111 Main St. South, Kenora, ON P9N 1T1 Contact: Marina Meeks 807-468-8933 ext. 226