Community News

Research at Keewaytinook Okimakanak gaining national and international attention

Philipp Budka, a doctoral candidate at the University of Vienna, is in Sioux Lookout this week. He is interviewing people, meeting with organizations and First Nation community members to discuss how they are using MyKnet.org. This visit is Philipp's third visit to northwestern Ontario. He is traveling north to Fort Severn and Sandy Lake First Nation over the next two weeks. He is hoping to complete his doctoral thesis this year.

First Nations self-government negotiations stopped in Manitoba after 12 years and $55M

From the Winnipeg Free Press

Abandoned grand plan cost $55M - Nothing to show for run at native self-government

By Mia Rabson, Feb 12 2008

"It was a grand experiment, but it failed," said Grand Chief Ron Evans of the Association of Manitoba Chiefs. "Nobody wanted to upset the apple cart."

Australian Aborigines finally get a formal apology from their government for past wrongs

AFN Press Release

AFN National Chief Congratulates Australia's Indigenous Peoples on Government Apology to its Stolen Generations

            OTTAWA, Feb. 12 /CNW Telbec/ - Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Phil Fontaine today expressed overwhelming joy to the Indigenous peoples of Australia and congratulated Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for issuing an apology for the "Stolen Generations" as the first order of business by the new government.

Fort Severn First Nation youth files an official complaint concerning police misconduct in search

'Ontario Today' on CBC Radio One last Friday covered this story.

Everyone is invited to listen to this broadcast by clicking on the following link:

http://www.cbc.ca/ontariotoday/story_archive.html
 
Also, there was an article in the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal, see below.
 
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From The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal

Ontario minister indicates interest in getting involved in delivery of education in First Nations

From the Timmins Daily Press

Education vital in remote areas; Minister talks about 'blending' jurisdiction for Native schools

Ron Grech, February 11, 2008

Ontario Education Minister Kathleen Wynne says she is open to discussing the idea of a federal/provincial "blending" of jurisdictions for schools located in remote First Nation communities.

Moving beyond blaming the victims in First Nations towards truth and reconciliation

From the Toronto Star

We don't `get' native despair - Conditions that led to the deaths of two little girls will persist until mainstream society acts

Marie Wadden - Feb 10, 2008

The two children, Kaydance and Santana Pauchay, who froze to death on the Yellow Quill reserve in Saskatchewan are not the first to die this horrible way on a First Nation reserve, Métis or Inuit community.

Steven Point, BC's lieutenant-governor, former First Nation chief, a great role model

From the Vancouver Sun

He serves with pride - B.C.'s first native lieutenant-governor talks about what the role means to him, and his priorities for the province

Jonathan Fowlie, February 09, 2008

Last October, Steven Point became B.C.'s first aboriginal lieutenant-governor. On Tuesday, he will deliver the speech from the throne in the legislature.

Spreading AIDS epidemic among First Nation people result of poverty, poor education and support

From Vancouver's Straight.com

AIDS advocates call for support as epidemic grows in aboriginal communities

By Stephen Hui - February 8, 2008

As the number of aboriginal people living with HIV and AIDS in Canada grows, efforts to address the situation should consider the social factors, such as poverty, behind the epidemic, advocates say.

Housing shortage results in NAPS reassigning police officer from Marten Falls First Nation

NAN press release ...

NAN ANNOUNCES CRITICAL HOUSING SHORTAGE FOR NAPS OFFICERS AFTER FIRE DESTROYS HOME

THUNDER BAY, ON - February 9, 2008: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy is appalled by the ongoing housing shortage for NAPS officers, following a fire in Marten Falls First Nation that destroyed the old age home in which a Nishnawbe-Aski Police Services (NAPS) officer was staying, resulting in the officer being removed from the community and temporarily re-assigned.