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Click here to read the following Globe and Mail story online

Kashechewan natives balk at leaving home
BILL CURRY - Posted on 01/01/07

OTTAWA -- The residents of Kashechewan are generally cool to the idea of leaving their remote James Bay community to live 450 kilometres south in Timmins, Ont., says deputy chief Philip Goodwin.

But it will be at least another two months before Ottawa gets a formal response from the community, he said, because the door-to-door canvassing of the 1,550 residents will not start until later this month.

At the request of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, former Progressive Conservative Ontario cabinet minister Alan Pope issued recommendations Nov. 9 on how to address the community's problems.

Residents are frequently evacuated because of poor drinking water or flooding. There is virtually no employment other than at the band council and the homes are overcrowded and decrepit.

Mr. Pope's call for the community to abandon its traditional lands in favour of urban life triggered a nationwide debate on the sustainability of the hundreds of other remote reserves in Canada.

"People are confused because of the recommendations that were made by Alan Pope," said Mr. Goodwin, who was reached by phone at the band office. "Lately I've been hearing a lot of people [talk] about moving up the river [known as] Site 5. There's not too many people who are interested in going down south, but the answers will be at the end of February."

The previous Liberal government promised to build a new community for the residents on higher ground, widely assumed to be at the location called Site 5, about 30 kilometres from the town.

That was the recommendation of Kashechewan's chief and council at the time; however, new leaders have since been elected.

However the Liberals never put forward a spending plan for parliamentary approval to build the new community, and the new government has questioned the cost of building an entirely new town in such a remote part of the country.

In his report, Mr. Pope put forward four possible options for moving the community, including Site 5, Fort Albany, Smooth Rock Falls and Timmins.

Mr. Pope wrote that in his door-to-door discussions with residents, a "significant minority" said they prefer Site 5, but most want to move farther away.

"A significant majority of community members believe that the best interests of themselves, of their children and families, and of the entire community are served by a relocation of the community to a new reserve removed from the Albany River and the traditional lands of the Kashechewan First Nation," he wrote.

Mr. Pope said that choice was conditional on having regular access to traditional lands and receiving "all economic benefits from, and control over economic, industrial and commercial use of their traditional lands and resources."

Those traditional lands are part of the 1905 Treaty 9, whereby natives allowed Europeans to use native lands for mining and other purposes in exchange for reserves and annual payments of $4 each.

The value of those lands, however, is rising dramatically. Diamonds have been found 90 kilometres from Attawapiskat, a neighbouring James Bay community.

Mr. Goodwin said he is aware of only a small number of Kashechewan residents who will receive jobs at the DeBeers Victor Diamond Project.

The community had its first meeting to discuss the report on Nov. 30 and Chief Jonathan Solomon reportedly urged residents not to let the issue divide them.

"Look beyond yourselves, look to the future and ask the question: 'What do I want for my children and grandchildren?' It is you who will make a difference."

ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS BULLETIN

December 20, 2006

More information can be found on the AFN’s website at www.afn.ca/residentialschools

We are one step closer to receiving compensation and benefits through the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”). As of December 20, 2006, the Settlement Agreement has received court approval from eight of nine court jurisdictions. These eight decisions are posted on the AFN website. We expect a decision from the remaining jurisdiction (Northwest Territories) early in the New Year. While there are other administrative issues that require resolution, these will not change the conditions of the Settlement Agreement.

After this, there is one final step to approve the Settlement Agreement: it must be approved by Indian Residential School Survivors. All Indian Residential School Survivors must decide if they wish to be included in the settlement in order to receive the benefits of the Settlement Agreement, or opt out by advising the notice administrator in writing. All of this will be explained through an extensive notice and community outreach plan which will begin once all court approvals are finalized. It is estimated that there are 80,000 people alive today who will need to be contacted regarding their options under the Settlement Agreement.

We would like to clarify the circumstances around two areas not covered under the Settlement Agreement: (1) Indian Residential School ‘day scholars’ who attended a listed Indian Residential School(s) during the day do not qualify for compensation under the Settlement Agreement. However, if they suffered sexual, serious physical or psychological abuse, they may apply through a new and improved Independent Assessment Process once the Settlement Agreement is approved. This is an important improvement over the old process. Further, (2) students who attended an Indian Day School on reserve are also not part of the Settlement Agreement. We recognize that they too may have experienced pain and suffering, but Abused Indian Day School students must consider launching a separate civil action in order to seek redress and compensation.

The Assembly of First Nations fought very hard for an Advance Payment for Elders. As such, eligible Elders age 65 years or older, as of May 30, 2005, who are verified as attending an Indian Residential School listed in the Settlement Agreement qualify for an $8,000 Advance Payment. The deadline for applications for the Advance Payment must be received by Indian Residential School Resolution Canada (IRSRC) by December 31, 2006.

As of December 18, 2006, there were an estimated 13,400 Elders eligible for the Advance Payment, of which 12,955 applications have been received as follows:

• 9,534 (74%) applications verified and processed;
• 1,404 (11%) applications in process;
• 496 (4%) require further information;
• 281 (2%) applications cannot be processed and applicants have been notified that IRSRC cannot confirm residency; and
• 1,240 (9%) applicants did not meet the payment criteria (age or deceased).
• A total of $76.3 Million has been paid to Elders in the form of an Advance Payment.

With respect to missing records, efforts are ongoing to address this problem prior to the Common Experience Payment being available. IRSRC is receiving records from various sources on a regular basis and is establishing a database of former students to verify attendance for the Common Experience Payment.

The Assembly of First Nations has lobbied all of the provinces and territories to ensure that the Advance Payments and Common Experience Payments do not impact Old Age Pensions or social benefits due to former Indian Residential School students. All provinces and territories have confirmed this with the exception of Nunavut where we will continue to address this issue with them.

Once the Settlement Agreement is approved, other components will also be implemented, including the new Independent Assessment Process, Truth & Reconciliation Commission, Commemoration initiative and funding to the Aboriginal Healing Foundation.

We ask for your patience and support as we move through the final stages of approval of the Settlement Agreement. Additional Information, including a list of common Questions & Answers, is also available on the Assembly of First Nations website (www.afn.ca/residentialschools).

• Questions and Answers

Merry Christmas...Happy Holidays...and Best Wishes for the upcoming New Year to all northern First Nations, families, and friends!!

A special greeting to Kasabonika Lake First Nation as well!!

From Mitchell, Esther, Margaret, and Dahwa Diabo (and our Siamese cat Bijou!)

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From: Binder, Michael: SITT [mailto:Binder.Michael@ic.gc.ca]
Sent: December 18, 2006 11:40 AM
Subject: Greetings from SITT

Visit http://multimedia.ic.gc.ca/sitt/sitteng2006.html (large file that requires FLASH)

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From: Paquette, Louise: FEDNOR [mailto:paquette.louise@ic.gc.ca]
Sent: December 18, 2006 1:07 PM
Subject: Happy holidays / Meilleurs voeux

http://fednor.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/infednor-fednor.nsf/vwapj/FedNor2006.html/$FILE/FedNor2006.html

Louise Paquette

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At this special time of year, I find myself looking back on a very busy year and feeling very thankful to the K-Net family of friends and partners. It has been a very successful year of continued growth and development thanks to YOU!

I look forward to 2007, working with everyone and wishing only the best for everyone in this coming year!

Brian Beaton

From http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/12/21/hunt-supremecourt.html

B.C. First Nation can hunt at night: Supreme Court
December 21, 2006 - CBC News

Two aboriginal men from British Columbia have the right to hunt deer at night with lights, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled Thursday.

In a 4-3 decision, the court sided with Ivan Morris and Carl Olsen, members of the Tsartlip First Nation of Vancouver Island.

The men had been convicted in a provincial court of hunting at night by flashlight, a practice that is illegal under B.C.'s Wildlife Act.

But the Supreme Court said the men's treaty rights, in this case, prevail over provincial law. The court overturned the convictions.

The four judges who ruled in favour of the men said that the North Saanich Treaty, signed in 1852, allows modern Tsartlip people to hunt using traditional methods.

And Tsartlip people traditionally hunted at night using lights, the judges said.

Originally, the Tsartlip people would have used torchlight, bows and arrows, but their equipment must be allowed to evolve, the judges said.

"And the use of guns, spotlights and motor vehicles reflects the current state of the evolution of the Tsartlip's historic hunting practices," the judges wrote in a summary of their decision.

In the narrow decision, the three dissenting judges argued that night hunting is dangerous and the right to hunt unsafely is not protected by the treaty.

Olsen and Morris were charged in 1996 after they fired five shots at a decoy deer set up by conservation officers to catch people hunting illegally. Olsen and Morris found the deer by flashlight.

After the men lost their case in a provincial court and in the B.C. Court of Appeal, they took it to the Supreme Court. The high court heard their appeal last year.

Decision renews night hunting debate

Lawyers for the Tsartlip say Thursday's ruling by the high court means other aboriginal people should be allowed to hunt at night in B.C. as well, without fear of prosecution.

Louise Mandell noted that other First Nations may not have treaty rights like the Tsartlip, but hunt at night and have the right to do so as aboriginal people.

"I think that the decision definitely shines a bright light on the province to make sure that those night-hunting practices are recognized," she said.

However, the B.C. Wildlife Federation's Paul Adams is critical of the decision, calling it dangerous.

He told CBC News that there is a question of public safety, especially in the densely-populated Saanich Peninsula, north of Victoria, where the Tsartlip live and hunt.

"The discharge of a rifle at night time when you don't know what is beyond your target is a very dangerous thing for the general public."

Meanwhile, a B.C. law professor said Thursday's judgment is significant at a broader level.

"It shows that treaties can be paramount to provincial law," said John Borrows of the University of Victoria.

"Treaties can have overriding influence over provincial laws. We've seen that before, but we've not seen it before in British Columbia with treaties."

See also Supreme Court of Canada ruling at http://scc.lexum.umontreal.ca/en/2006/2006scc59/2006scc59.html

Chiefs Steering Committee Communications Update

Communications Team Bulletin # 7– November 27 2006

Community visits completed are follows

Constance Lake Fort Severn Hornepayne Bearskin Webequie Wapakeka Wawakapewin North Caribou Lac Suel Deer Lake Fort Albany Peawanuck Nibinamik Wunnumin Slate Falls McDowell Lake Ginoogaming Long Lake #58 Poplar Hill Keewaywin Aroland Muskrat Dam Flying Post Neskantaga Eabametoong Attawapiskat Pikangikum Whitewater Lake New Post Cat Lake Kasabonika Mattagami Beaver House Mocreebec Kingfisher Matachewan North Spirit Moose Cree Wahgoshig Sandy Lake Sachigo Missanabie Cree Brunswick House Koocheching Marten Falls Mishkeegogamang Chapleau Ojibwe Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug

The confirmed upcoming community visits as follows:

Koocheching

Communities that have not confirmed visits:

Kashechewan

CSC Meeting with Deputy Minister – Sault Ste. Marie, November 14, 2006

The Chiefs Steering Committee met with the James Gillis, Deputy Minister of Energy.The Deputy Minister noted that Manitoba has declared its intent to build Conawapa regardless of agreement with Ontario and is considering building a transmission line to Winnipeg. They are discussing possible hydroelectricity exports with Saskatchewan and U.S. buyers.

Radio Broadcast:

We will be broadcasting information on the Wawatay Radio network on the following dates:

December 11 at 11:00 – 11:30
December 12 at 2:00 – 3:30
December 14 at 2:00 – 3:30

December 18 at 11:00 – 11:30
December 19 at 2:00 – 3:30
December 21 at 2:00 – 3:30

A special thank-you goes out to K-net for providing video conferencing services to the Chiefs Steering Committee Video Conferencing

Bearskin Kitchenuhmaykoosib Kasabonika Kingfisher Lake

Deer Lake Keewaywin Lac Suel Muskrat Dam North Caribou Lake

For more information please call Tracey Willoughby, Communications Assistant at 1 (800) 465-6821 or visit our website at www.chiefssteeringcommittee.com

4th Annual Youth Symposium on Culture, Tradition and Language

March 15, 16, 17 & 18th, 2006

“Now is the time for our generation to learn and preserve our sacred gifts.” 

The Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council is holding its 4th Annual Youth Symposium on Culture, Tradition and Language in the Wikemikong Unceded Reserve on March 15, 16, 17 & 18th, 2006. 

The symposium is an exciting learning opportunity for youth to gain knowledge of our diverse cultures, traditions and languages from a wide variety of Elders and traditional knowledge practitioners.  Events are currently being planned that will include informative and diverse workshops, prominent keynote speakers, outstanding storytellers, talented artists, live entertainment, and other motivating and interesting activities.

Registration is free.  The Ontario First Nations Youth Peoples Council will cover the costs for meals, accommodations, entertainment, and shuttle services for two delegates, one male and one female, from each of the First Nation communities and organizations.   

Youth participants are responsible to seek sponsorship and/or cover the costs of their travel to and from Wikemikong Unceded Reserve. We have a limited capacity of 300 participants.   

Register now and get be eligible for early bird registration prize draws.

EARLY REGISTRATION FORM
Register by February 15th, 2006

For more information, please contact Laura Calm Wind at 1-807-626-9339 or by email at laura@coo.org or www.chiefs-of-ontario.org/youth

Name:__________________________________________________________

First Nation:_____________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________

Community/City:_________________________________________________

Province:________________________________________________________

Postal Code:_____________________________________________________

Telephone:______________________________________________________

Email Address;___________________________________________________

Academic Institution:______________________________________________

Academic Level:__________________________________________________

Please provide the Ontario First Nations Young Peoples Council with a brief statement explaining your expectations from this symposium.

_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
___________________________________

Please complete this application form and fax back to Laura Calm Wind, Chiefs of Ontario 807-626-9404.

Click here for a PDF copy of the poster and registration form

Grand Council Of The Crees Residential School Update Bulletin #3

Date: 2006-12-17

As was discussed during the community tour by Matthew Coon Come and Diane Soroka, court hearings were held across Canada to approve the proposed Residential School Settlement Agreement. These hearings, which were held at various places, started at the end of August. The last hearing day was on October 23 in Vancouver.

The judgments from these proceedings have started to arrive. As you may have heard, seven judgments were rendered on Friday, December 15. There are two more judgments to be drendered, but our understanding is that they will not be ready until some time in January 2007.

The proposed settlement cannot be implemented until all judgments have been rendered and all the courts have approved the proposed settlement.

The courts did not have the power to change the terms of the proposed settlement, but they were able to make some suggestions and to establish certain requirements regarding its administration.

To date, the seven judges who have rendered their judgments have approved the proposed settlement, but there are some conditions attached to the approval. These conditions have to do with the way in which the settlement will be administered. There is some concern that the administration plan for the settlement is incomplete, and the courts want to ensure that once the settlement is in force, that any delays or difficulties for the claimants will be minimized.

There is a concern that, because of the number of claimants, the claims process will become unmanageable and the courts wish to see a specific plan to deal with some of the administrative deficiencies. Here are some of their comments:

1. Canada was a defendant in the court cases and it is Canada that will now be administering the settlement. This can cause a conflict of interest and the courts want to make sure the person appointed by Canada to administer the process will be independent and that he/she will report to the courts and be directed by the courts, not by Canada. In addition, once this person is appointed and the appointment is approved by the courts, he/she cannot be removed from office without further approval by the courts.

2. Canada cannot have a final veto over the costs of implementation of the settlement. The courts must be able to make the orders necessary to ensure that the settlement is implemented properly and that the benefits are delivered in a timely manner.

3. On the issue of legal fees, there should be no legal fees charged for the Common Experience Payment which will only require a fairly simple form to make a claim. In addition, the courts want to make sure that individual claimants do not have to overpay their lawyers when they go through the Independent Assessment Process. Canada will pay 15% of the amount awarded under the IAP and the courts want individuals to have to pay no more than another 15% to their lawyers. In other words, the courts want lawyers' fees to be limited to 30%, half of which would be paid by Canada. The courts also want the adjudicators to be able to decide if the fees charged are reasonable.

4. The courts will keep jurisdiction to deal with the implementation of the settlement so that if difficulties arise, they will be able to deal with them and ensure that the survivors get the benefits to which they are entitled under the settlement.

5. There must be a reasonable process to deal with the issue of missing documents which is causing difficulties in verifying some of the claims.

6. There were a number of complaints about the first notices which many people all across Canada found to be difficult to understand. The courts want improvements made to the second set of notices.

The approval of the proposed settlement is conditional upon an administrative plan being filed in court to deal with these issues. The parties have 60 days to come up with this plan and the improved notices.

Although it was not made a specific condition for approval, there was also a very strong suggestion that the Prime Minister should issue a full apology in the House of Commons.

What does all of this mean?

We are still waiting for two judgments which may, or may not, contain additional conditions. In addition, the parties are now required to develop a proper administrative plan to implement the settlement. In reality, this probably means there will not be a final approval of the settlement until some time in February.

Then there will be a five month period during which individuals will have to decide whether they want to be a part of the settlement or whether they want to "opt out". If fewer than 5,000 people opt out, then the settlement will come into force and payments can be made. In practice, this means that the payments will probably start in the fall of 2007. This is somewhat later than was originally thought, but the process of having the court hearings in nine different jurisdictions took longer than anticipated.

INAC's Sustainable Development Strategy 2007–2010 for "a holistic approach to sustainable communities with strong social, economic and environmental dimensions."

For a copy of the entire strategy visit ...
http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/sd/sd0710/sd0710_e.pdf

Minister's Message ...

As Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, I am pleased to present our Sustainable Development Strategy 2007–2010. This Strategy presents a holistic approach to sustainable communities with strong social, economic and environmental dimensions. It has been developed by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada’s (INAC) National Sustainable Development Strategy Working Group (NSDSWG), composed of departmental and Aboriginal representatives from across the country.

Across the Department, efforts are focussed on promoting sustainable development through strong foundations of governance, investing in people and improving community infrastructure. Strengthened governance, strategic investments in economic development and education, along with improved housing and infrastructure and safe drinking water are part of a streamlined set of priorities that are beginning to bring forth positive results.

Self-reliance for Aboriginal and northern communities, the protection of socio-cultural, economic and ecological capital, and efficiency and effectiveness in achieving results are key considerations that this Strategy promotes for integration into all our policies, programs and decision-making processes, at every level and in every part of our organization.

Canada’s new government is committed to the concept of sustainable development, and I am confident that, as a key tool, this Strategy places us firmly on the right path to continue to improve the lives of First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Northerners, as we form new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships through mutual respect and trust.

Jim Prentice, PC, QC, MP
Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians

The following story in the Vancouver Sun can be viewed as well by clicking here

Top B.C. judge urges PM to apologize to first nations 
Ian Mulgrew, Vancouver Sun - December 18, 2006

B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Brenner has called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to apologize to first nations for the abuses of the Indian residential school system.

In a departure from the other decisions handed down by seven provincial superior courts Friday approving Ottawa's $4-billion residential school pact, Justice Brenner went a step further -- a giant step further.

"Although I am making no order and I am issuing no directions, I would respectfully request counsel for Canada to ask that the Prime Minister give consideration to issuing a full and unequivocal apology on behalf of the people of Canada in the House of Commons," the chief judge said.

"Clearly by committing to these settlement negotiations and by entering into the Settlement Agreement and the ongoing process, Canada has recognized its past failures with respect to the Indian Residential Schools. However, based on what I heard during these hearings and in other residential school litigation, I believe that such an apology would be extremely positive and would assist the objective of all parties in achieving the goal of a national reconciliation."

Brenner also suggested Ottawa consider making an appropriate statement at the opening of the truth and reconciliation commission that is part of the complex settlement package unveiled a year ago in November.

"While this is ultimately for Canada and the Commission to decide, I would suggest that such a statement delivered in the early stages of the Commission's hearings would do much to emphasize both Canada's recognition of the extent of the failure of past policy as well as Canada's desire to achieve a national reconciliation with the Aboriginal People of Canada," he said.

Brenner is one of nine judges across the country who were asked to review and sanction the federal government's offer to thousands of native people who attended residential schools run mainly by Christian church denominations before they were closed in 1996.

The two territorial courts will issue their ruling on the agreement early in the new year.

Brenner conducted five days of hearings, the most of any judge, and he elicited a litany of abuse and tragedy that obviously moved him.

Peter Grant, a lawyer involved in the class-action suit, thought Brenner's recommendation for an apology hugely significant.

"It's a powerful judgment and a good day for survivors," he said.

"That [call for an apology] is unique. A court normally doesn't do that. I work for individual survivors and communities and the question that has been raised with me again and again and again has been -- why does Canada not apologize to us when they have apologized for the Japanese internment and the Chinese head tax? You know, there's no real answer to that.

"I think it's extremely powerful that you have the chief justice of one of the provincial superior courts saying look, 'I can't order an apology, but please take this seriously.' What that does goes to showing that he recognized, he heard what these people have to say."

B.C. has the largest number of residential school attendees (14,911) among the estimated 75,000 or so still alive.

Brenner heard from more than 80 survivors and many others filed written submissions to him.

"While each had an individual story to tell," he wrote, "there were also common shared themes that ran through many of the submissions: being taken from home, often forcibly, at an early age; having their language and culture banned; and being prevented from even communicating with their siblings at the same school. They described poor or inadequate food, harsh corporal punishment and instances of physical and sexual abuse."

Most did not recover fully from the damage.

Under the complex agreement, ex-students get $10,000 for any one year, or part of a year, that they spent at a residential school, and $3,000 for each subsequent portion of a year. Those who suffered sexual or physical abuse -- and there are many of them -- are offered additional compensation ranging from $5,000 to $275,000.

Those who don't like it, though, are free to opt out and pursue individual claims against the government and the churches.

In spite of its strengths, however, Brenner said it is imperative that administrative deficiencies in the settlement be fixed.

Many survivors can't prove their attendance at a residential school because Ottawa or the churches have lost records.

Not surprisingly, the survivors -- who should each receive on average about $24,000 -- do not have a high level of confidence in the federal government's ability to fairly or properly deal with them.

Brenner and his colleagues want an autonomous supervisor or board overseeing the plan, reporting back ultimately to the courts.

"In saying this I am not critical of the efforts of the parties, including Canada, to date in this case," Brenner said. "However, what is readily apparent to everyone in this case is the necessity to avoid yet another exercise in failed paternalism, real or perceived."

And Brenner emphasized that money is not enough.

Former Liberal minister Jane Stewart read a statement of regret in the House of Commons several years ago, but the survivors told Brenner that wasn't good enough.

The Leadership Council of B.C. -- a coalition of the executive of the Assembly of First Nations (BC Region), the First Nations Summit and the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs -- said "a formal and unequivocal apology from the Prime Minister of Canada to the Aboriginal People of Canada must be an integral part of this settlement. It is further submitted that in order to work towards achieving true resolution, the form of apology should include a request for forgiveness."

At his October hearings, Brenner seemed hung up on the fact he did not have the power to order such an apology.

"Even if the court had such power, an apology offered pursuant to an order of the court would be of doubtful value; its underlying compulsion would destroy its effectiveness," he said.

But he changed his mind after he "received many eloquent and passionate submissions from objectors seeking a suitable recognition by Canada of the inordinate suffering of the Aboriginal peoples caused by the Indian Residential School experience and expressing the hope that they could receive a full apology from the leader of Canada's government."

I say it was a courageous decision.

"There is an important cultural component to this," he explained in his judgment.

"Aboriginal Justice Systems almost always stress reconciliation. Aboriginal Justice Systems also usually stress the need to restore harmony and peace to a community. Leaving parties dissatisfied or with feelings of inadequacy or lack of completion does not restore community harmony or peace. For aboriginal students of residential schools and their families, an apology will acknowledge the wrong suffered by them and validate their struggle for compensation and redress."

He's absolutely right. Let's hope the prime minister hears him.

imulgrew@png.canwest.com

Personal web spaces like http://myknet.org along with others are now being recognized as key social networks ...

From http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20061216/time_you_061216

Time Magazine names 'You' as person of the year
Dec. 16 2006 - CTV.ca News Staff

Time Magazine has made an an unorthodox pick for person of the year: You.

As in YouTube, MySpace, Wikipedia and the other types of new media that have exploded in the past year.

"There are individuals we could blame for the many painful and disturbing things that happened in 2006," editor Lev Grossman wrote in the publication's Dec. 25 edition.

But look at 2006 through a different lens and you'll see another story, one that isn't about conflict or great men. It's a story about community and collaboration on a scale never seen before.

"YouTube and the online metropolis MySpace. It's about the many wresting power from the few and helping one another for nothing and how that will not only change the world, but also change the way the world changes."

Grossman credited the World Wide Web for this, the technology that became popular about a decade ago, leading to the much-hyped dot-com boom of the late 1990s.

However, he said the Web is now in a new era.

"The new Web is a very different thing. It's a tool for bringing together the small contributions of millions of people and making them matter. Silicon Valley consultants call it Web 2.0, as if it were a new version of some old software. But it's really a revolution."

From the home videos of YouTube to profiles on the social networking site Facebook to podcasts, Americans created like never before, he said.

"America loves its solitary geniuses-its Einsteins, its Edisons, its Jobses-but those lonely dreamers may have to learn to play with others," he said.

"Car companies are running open design contests. Reuters is carrying blog postings alongside its regular news feed. Microsoft is working overtime to fend off user-created Linux.

"We're looking at an explosion of productivity and innovation, and it's just getting started, as millions of minds that would otherwise have drowned in obscurity get backhauled into the global intellectual economy."

Grossman acknowledged that Web 2.0 "harnesses the stupidity of crowds as well as its wisdom.

"Some of the comments on YouTube make you weep for the future of humanity just for the spelling alone, never mind the obscenity and the naked hatred. But that's what makes all this interesting," he said.

"This is an opportunity to build a new kind of international understanding, not politician to politician, great man to great man, but citizen to citizen, person to person. It's a chance for people to look at a computer screen and really, genuinely wonder who's out there looking back at them. Go on. Tell us you're not just a little bit curious."

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