Community News

Lac La Croix First Nation students dancing their way to Toronto for experience of a lifetime

From the Toronto Star 

For youth on Ojibwa reserve, show much more than a performance

Susan Walker (DANCE WRITER) - Dec 08, 2007

LAC LA CROIX, ONT.–There's a skim of ice on the puddles, a whistle to the wind off the lake and a young buck, gutted down the middle, hangs from a tree next to the water, shot through the head a few days earlier.

Ontario government invited to work with KI to address local development of traditional lands

From the TBay Chronicle Journal

First Nation leaders ready to go to jail to stop miners

By JULIO GOMES - December 7, 2007 

The chief and other councillors of a remote Northern Ontario native community are prepared to go to jail for disobeying a court order that allows exploratory drilling on what they consider traditional lands.

Matawa First Nations Management team opens Sacred Fire Resource Centre in Thunder Bay

From the TBay Chronicle-Journal ...

Training centre widens employment, training options

By PETER BURKOWSKI - December 6, 2007

Matawa First Nations members now have several new employment and training options at their fingertips.

Ontario judge supports mining company as KI reaffirms its commitment to protect its traditional lands

NAN and KI press release ... 

KI LEADERSHIP INVITE JAIL TIME UNTIL ABORIGINAL AND TREATY RIGHTS UPHELD AND FULFILLED

THUNDER BAY, ON - December 7, 2007: Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) Chief Donny Morris, councilor Sam McKay, and community member Mark Anderson today invited jail time in favour of Aboriginal and treaty rights to proper and adequate consultation and accommodation prior to exploration or development on KI traditional territory.

Harper government delaying the construction of North Spirit Lake First Nation school and others in Kenora riding

The disappointing news that the new school promised for North Spirit Lake is once again being delayed, was reported to the Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak at their board meeting earlier this week. INAC officials sent a letter to North Spirit Lake and Keewaytinook Okimakanak indicating that other funding priorities are forcing further delays in the construction of their badly needed school.

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From Kenora Miner and News

Annual Aboriginal Arts and Crafts fair at Victoriaville mall in Thunder Bay Dec 7-9

From Tb News Source

Catch Aboriginal Fine Crafts and Arts show at Victoriaville

12/6/2007 - Aboriginal artisans from across the region have descended on the city for their 4th Annual Aboriginal Fine Crafts and Arts Christmas Gift Show.

The event began Thursday and runs until Sunday at Victoriaville Mall with about 80 artists and craftsmen from aboriginal communities setting up shop. The offerings include a wide assortment of handmade, original native crafts and art.

KO Research Institute partners with Lakehead University to study Aboriginal e-learning initiatives

Lakehead University press release ... 

Collaboration between Lakehead University Faculty and Aboriginal Community Partners Leads to Substantial SSHRC Funding

Research Initiatives to Benefit Aboriginal Language and Learning

Chiefs and staff of Keewaytinook Okimakanak meet in Thunder Bay for Christmas gathering

The Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak along with the management team and several staff members of the organization traveled to Thunder Bay for their annual Christmas board of directors' meeting.

The six KO chiefs include:

Chief Royle Meekis, Deer Lake First Nation

Chief David Matthews, Fort Severn First Nation

Chief Joe Meekis, Keewaywin First Nation

Chief Eli James, McDowell Lake First Nation

Chief Donald Campbell, North Spirit Lake First Nation

First Nation youth gather at Fort William First Nation for K-Net IT training session

Twenty-five First Nation youth from remote and rural communities across Ontario traveled to Thunder Bay to continue their online communication technologies training that everyone is undertaking from their home communities.

Several participants who were unable to travel, joined the training workshop online as well as by using their local videoconferencing equipment.

Environmental Commissioner report recommends First Nation consultation in a new Mining Act

Press release from MiningWatch Canada ... 

Environmental Commissioner of Ontario Calls for Major Overhaul of Mining Act

December 4, 2007 - Ontario should amend the Mining Act to provide for consultation with First Nations when granting mining claims and leases and stop treating public lands as freely open to mineral exploration, according to Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner, Gordon Miller.