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Keewaytinook Okimakanak leaders and staff joined together to offer their prayers and support during the National Day of Mourning for all the people and their families who lost loved ones during the tradegies that took place on Tuesday, Sept 11 in New York and Washington DC. Linking together via videoconference and watching the ceremonies on Parliament Hill helped each of us feel a part of this very important event. The three minutes of silence organized by the Government of Canada provided everyone with a brief time to reflect on the victims of this terrible crime against humanity. Afterwards, a local minister lead the group in a prayer of understanding and reflection. Pictures of this event are available at http://photos.knet.ca/prayers

The week of Sept 10 was busy in Fort Severn with visitors from various government agencies arriving on Monday and leaving on Thursday. Representatives from Industry Canada's FedNor and Aboriginal Business Canada (and NADF) programs, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Ontario Native Affairs Secretariat, Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation, Northern College, Peawanuck First Nation and Keewaytinook Okimakanak all came to meet, learn, share, work and feast together over these four days. It was a busy but very productive week for everyone. Pictures and further information about this week are available at http://photos.knet.ca/FtSevern

August 31 - September 2, 2001 Cornelius "Power" Kakegamic memorial weekend. Gospel Jamboree followed by a Memorial Feast on Sunday, September 2, 2001. Musical guests, Silas Woodhouse Band, Mary Linski and Lucy Robinson. Along with community talents plus outside guests. Info - Harvey Kakegamic (807) 774-3421 Sidney Fiddler (807) 774-5121

webequie first nation mens and ladies baseball tournament and music festival
mens teams:3-4 webequie, Big troutlake, Neskataga, Summer Beaver, Muskrat Dam, Roundlake, and ?Wunnimun? Ladies teams: 2-3 webequie, Big troutlake, Round lake thats all i know
Music Festival Bravestone(webequie), Sidekixx (webequie), bob Wabasse Band(webequie), Kingfisher Band, Sagatay 2001 (BTL), Status (sandy Lake), BearPaws (winnipeg), Saddle Band ( winnipeg), Jam Shack ( sandy Lake),Peacemaker(winnipeg) and maybe couple others......

just thought i would include a little news, or so... hey, who knows, maybe it might unveil some people... anyhow, til then, take care... always am, mario National chief of Canada's First Nations accuses minister of 'veiled threat' DURBAN, South Africa (CP) - National aboriginal leader Matthew Coon Come stood by his allegations of racism against Canadians on Saturday, adding that federal Indian Affairs Minister Bob Nault's demand for an apology was nothing more than a "veiled threat." "Over the years indigenous peoples in Canada have been told many times by Canadian governments that if we persist in telling our story internationally, or in court, we may suffer consequences," Coon Come said in remarks faxed to The Canadian Press. "Some government in Canada have then actually withheld social spending from our peoples," he added. "I fear that the Canadian minister of Indian affairs is now making such a veiled threat, using the vulnerability and dependence of our peoples on his government to try to silence me." Coon Come was responding to published remarks in Canada from Indian Affairs Minister Bob Nault who strongly rejected allegations of racism in modern-day Canada by the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. "With this kind of language and talk, I believe Matthew Coon Come is going to set the agenda back for many years," Nault said in an interview Friday with the Toronto Star. "He's going to find it very difficult for people to do business with him if he's going to make those kinds of serious accusations, which we all take very seriously. People like myself ... are not just annoyed, we're just beside ourselves." In two well-attended sessions this week, Coon Come was reportedly applauded as told delegates to the international racism conference in Durban of "the oppression, marginalization and dispossession of indigenous peoples" in Canada. He described a "racist and colonial syndrome of dispossession and discrimination" and said First Nations are being "pushed to the edge of extinction." In one appearance, he shared the stage with South African Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and likened the challenge faced by aboriginals to the anti-apartheid fight which her former husband, Nelson Mandela, symbolized. Nault, speaking from his North Ontario constituency, said the attack was unjustified and that Canadians have every right to be outraged. "Quite frankly, I think Matthew Coon Come owes us an apology," he said. "There's no proof of this in modern time that the Canadian government and the general population are racist towards aboriginal people." He added that Ottawa has made native issues a priority and made strides in working with leaders to resolve differences. But Coon Come accused Nault and the Canadian government of "shooting the messenger" rather than acknowledging the "fundamental problem of our landlessness and dispossession and its practices of extinguishment of our rights and (the) social exclusion of our peoples." "Canada is one of the largest and richest countries in the world, and yet the UN Human Rights Committee ruled recently that there has been 'little or no progress' in addressing our situation and in implementing the official recommendations concerning our landlessness and poverty."

Sadly after a brief fight with cancer, my mother Palidia Meekis took her last breathe in the early hours of Saturday, September 8th, 2001. She went home to join my father in the arms of an angel leaving behind seven daughters (Marita, Bertha, Noreen, Colleen, Erma, Janina and Wanda) and two sons (Bob and Robby) as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren too many too mention. The funeral was held on Monday September 10th, 2001 at 1:00 pm in the Deer Lake Full Gospel Church followed by the United Church beside where she was buried. My mother was the greatest, she loved us all unconditionally and taught us to be strong. She will be greatly missed and I know it's going to be tough for awhile but it gives us comfort that where she is, she's happy and whole. This poem was on the card at her funeral: as well as my dad's first memorial earlier this year: The Broken Chain We little knew that morning God was going to call your name In life we love you dearly, in death we do the same it broke our hearts to lose you you did not go alone for part of us went with you you left us peaceful memories your love is still our guide and though we cannot see you you are always at our side Our family chain is broken and Nothing seems the same but as god calls us one by one The chain will link again This poem touched my heart because our family has lost someone every year in the last three years. The message I have for all is not to take your family for granted, tell them you love them. You never know what the tomorrows may bring. Last but not least, I would like to thank all that assisted us with the meals, transportation, support, singing, volunteers during the wake and the funeral. and to the Sandy Lake, North Spirit Lake, Keewaywin, Cat Lake, Koocheching people for coming to be with us as well as the Chief and Council of Deer Lake. Rest in Peace Mom August 23, 1942 - September 08, 2001

On Wednesday, September 5, Douglas Meekis and his family hosted a community feast for the entire Deer Lake community, in memory of Sarah who passed away a year ago. Family members came from Sandy Lake and other communities to attend this special event. Visitors, including the Honourable Robert Nault and his entourage, were welcomed by everyone. All the guests feasted on a wide variety of delicious bannock, soups, moose dishes and fried walleye along with a big collection of desserts. There was lots of friendly laughter and visiting along with the hymns and sharing of memories and prayers for a very special wife and mother. The event ended with a candy throw where everyone was able to leave with a sweet. Pictures of this special celebration are online at http://photos.knet.ca/meekisfeast

At the 6th Annual Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation conference at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay, Keewaytinook Okimakanak staff presented information about the Kuh-ke-nah Smart First Nations demonstration project during the Keynote Address at the Wednesday evening dinner. Ken Thomas, Assembly of First Nations Special Advisor to National Chief Matthew Coon Come, challenged the audience to begin planning for broadband Internet access in every First Nation across Ontario. He presented AFN’s plans to partner with a number of public and private sector groups to develop the National First Nations Broadband Network to connect every First Nation across Canada to broadband data services. Peter Campbell, KO Public Works Manager and OFNTSC Board member, introduced the project (read his speech). Brian Beaton, K-Net Services Coordinator, presented information about the Kuh-ke-nah project (its origins, work completed and plans for the future). The powerpoint presentation is available on-line.

Bearskin Lake First Nation member Ophelia Kamenawatamin and other volunteers from different communites are doing a "Walk For Life". The walk started from Ontario/Manitoba border on August 6, 2001. The desired destination is to reach the Nation's Capital of Ottawa, Ontario. The "Walk For Life" is to raise funds for the dialysis equipment for the new hospital in Sioux Lookout. It is also intended to raise public awareness for adequate housing which dialysis patients desperately require for comfort, especially in a small town like Sioux Lookout, Ontario. Ophelia understands quite clearly that dialysis patients have to relocate to the South where the equipment is available, in order for these people to depend on these machines for life support. She is also aware due to the family and friend's separations, the closest home they can get to their home communities with these services is Sioux Lookout, Ontario. Ophelia herself has a thirty-two year old daughter who has been a dialysis patient ever since from her early teenage years. In order for her to make this special event to happen, she is pleading for your active support for this worthwhile cause. Within the next few weeks, she will need more volunteers to help in the walk and she will definitely need more financial assistance along the way. Any group members / individuals wishing to support the "Walk For Life" are now welcome to make pledges anytime. Your financial contributions can be forwarded to the First Nations Health Authority in Sioux Lookout, Ontario (Tel 807-737-4011). In addition, I would like to encourage everyone in the NAN area to make a pledge in support of the "Walk For Life".

CLE was really exciting for my kids, it was the first time they all seen this event. The rides were really exciting and of course I wasn't the one that didn't got on it. I was afraid of the rides, but My step-daughter Sharon wasn't. She was anxious to get on. So she got on one of the scariest ride that I couldn't get on. The ride was called "Zipper". The beginning of the week was kind of slow and as it got to the end of the week, it was packed jammed to the entrance. Here my family and I are walking around trying to find a place to sit, we couldn't find anything. THe hour was fast too. It seems that we were there like fifteen minutes, and it's been three to four hours trying to find a seat. Anyway, my kids really enjoy the CLE fair. And also families from up north came down to check out the fair. If there is any information you need regarding the event, You and your family should check out next year's event. God Bless you All! Barry Roundhead Margaret Roundhead Sharon Sainnawap Kyle Roundhead Colin Roundhead bkenroundhead@hotmail.com