The following article about the urban-based debate on "net neutrality" is just another example of how urban groups are insisting that that everyone be treated equal for the things they want while on the other hand it is often these same groups who are preventing the telephone companies from rolling out the broadband deferral fund that will provide the necessary telecom supporting infrastructure upgrades so the folks in the remote and rural communities might access equitable online services.

Minstry of Health Promotion, Communities in Action Fund 2008-09

Applications for this year’s CIAF program are now open and local or provincial not-for-profit organizations are encouraged to apply. This year, the McGunity government is again providing $7.5 million for projects that will help remove barriers to physical activity, said Minister of Health Promotion Margarett Best.

KI Press Release ...

Strange New Twist in Legal Battle Over Mining on First Nations' Land - Platinex Denies Asking Court to Jail First Nation's Leaders

THUNDER BAY, ON, Feb. 28 - Chief Donnie Morris and five other leaders of the were recently held in contempt of a court injunction which prohibits them from interfering with a mineral exploration program by Platinex Inc. on KI's territory.

In a strange development, Platinex released a statement on February 26 in which they deny seeking the incarceration of KI leaders:

The following open letter announcing the establishment of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Board of Education (KOBE) was distributed in all the Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations and to the district chiefs. Click here to download a PDF copy of this letter.

NAN press releases ...

NAN community takes policing message to Parliament Hill

            THUNDER BAY, ON, Feb. 27 /CNW/ - Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Deputy Grand Chief RoseAnne Archibald together with Kashechewan First Nation Chief Jonathan Solomon will bring a message to the Government of Canada regarding First Nation policing during a news conference at Parliament Hill this week.

AFN press release 

AFN National Chief Calls Federal Budget a "Bitter Disappointment"

            OTTAWA, Feb. 27 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine called the federal budget released yesterday a "bitter disappointment for First Nations and a missed opportunity for all Canadians."

From Chiefs of Ontario web site at http://chiefs-of-ontario.org  

ALL ONTARIO CHIEFS MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT 

JUNE 3-4-5, 2008

ANNOUNCEMENT

Please be advised, the 34th Annual All Ontario Chiefs Conference is scheduled for June 3-4-5, 2008 and it will be hosted by a Union of Ontario Indians First Nation with exact location to be determined.

A detailed memo will be forthcoming once location is confirmed along with meeting logistics.

From the Canadian Press

Aboriginal groups say they want partnerships to help build clean energy

Michael Oliveira, February 25, 2008

TORONTO - Opportunities to develop profitable and sustainable clean energy projects on aboriginal land across Canada are nearly limitless, but they can only happen if communities are full partners and not just stakeholders, aboriginal leaders said Monday.

Edmonton Sun's nine part series on residential school survivor stories ...

For a century, the federal government conducted a campaign to solve what it called "the Indian question" by taking children from their families and sending them to church-run boarding schools, where they were subjected to psychological, physical and in many cases, sexual abuse.

The residential school system left a legacy of dysfunction that has devastated native communities.

The Nishnawbe-Aski Nation Women's Council proudly presents:

NAN Women & Youth Resiliency
"Reach for the Stars"