Media.Knet.Ca

Matthew Angees (Shibogama First Nations Council Education Coordinator) and Wunnum Lake band member) and Douglas Beardy (Independent First Nations Alliance Education Coordinator and Muskrat Dam band member) are on a hunger strike outside of Indian and Northern Affairs offices on the Fort William First Nation, near Thunder Bay. Click here to see their public letter announcing their reasons to begin this hunger strike to protest the lack of progress in securing adequate funding for First Nation schools.

From the Winnipeg Sun ...

Survivors paid huge price
By LAURIE MUSTARD - Wed, October 10, 2007

A gift of insight and understanding from Sandra S., the daughter of residential school survivors:

"Hi Laurie. I just wanted to share a personal story with you. I'm a young woman living in the city whose parents both attended residential schools. Both my parents had raised me and my two brothers up until we were ready to leave home.

Today, everyone across Ontario will have a chance to determine who will represent them in the Ontario legislature. As well, the REFERENDUM question will ask everyone to decide if they want to keep the present system (First Past the Post) OR move to the Mixed Member Proportional system. PLEASE VOTE TODAY - it does matter!!

Voter Identification

If you are on the voters list, before you are given your ballots, you will be asked to show your proof of identity to Elections Ontario poll officials.

National Centre for First Nations Governance Distributes First Quarterly Newsletter

Find out what is going on in our First Nation communities nationwide in the development of self-governance. The National Centre for First Nations Governance (http://www.fngovernance.org/) brings to you the first ever ‘Centre Quarterly’ newsletter (Fall 2007) providing you with an in-depth look at nationwide progress.

Economic Development Officer training opportunity ... click here to download the entire PDF information package

From http://mikecmorris.myknet.org  

Message to the People of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Nation

I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.

                                                          St. John 10:10

Press Release ...

Access to Healthcare May Lead to Lower Amputation Rates for First Nations Communities

Canadian First Nations people are at much higher risk for type 2 diabetes and its risk factors than the overall Canadian population.

First Nations people in Manitoba have a life expectancy that is 8 years lower than other Manitobans (males: 68.4 vs 76.1 years and females: 73.2 vs 81.4 years). Canadian First Nations people are at much higher risk for type 2 diabetes and its risk factors than the overall Canadian population.

From Canadian Press ...  

Red tape keeps native families at risk in mouldy, flood-prone homes: critics

OTTAWA - Families are still living in mould-contaminated homes more than two months after Health Canada called for immediate repairs on the Fort Albany First Nation in northern Ontario.

Press Release ...

Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards 2007

Toronto - The 9th annual Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards announce the 2007 nominees in 24 categories, representing the top Aboriginal artists and music industry professionals in Canada today.

Connecting remote and rural First Nations with the proper broadband infrastructure would quickly move Canada to the top of the world leaders in digital connectivity because then all communities along the route would also be properly served. But as this author notes ... this will not happen "without a more visionary mindset in government and industry."

From the Toronto Star -