Media.Knet.Ca

from the NAN Decade for Youth web site at http://nandecade.ca ....

Youth Council Fall Meeting 05

The NAN Decade Youth Council and Trust Fund board (one in the same) is planning their fall meeting in Thunder Bay for September 17 & 18. You can learn more about the Decade Youth Council here!

They are also co-sponsoring a Youth Peace March in Thunder Bay on Friday, September 16th. The "Youth for Peace, Let's Stop Violence Now!" peach march will take place at 2pm on Friday, September 16th. Leaving the Lakehead Labour Centre at 2pm to Thunder Bay City Hall for a rally at 3pm. Youth BBQ and agency display at Metis Community Centre at 4pm. Youth Dance at Labour Centre, 8pm to midnight. All youth are invited to join.

The Regional Multicultural Youth Council in cooperation with the Decade Youth Council are planning this event to raise awarness about youth violence and substance abuse. It is part of the Northern students orientation activities. Download the very cool poster in PDF here

The BIG NEWS for this year is that the NAN Charitable Youth Trust Fund received their charitable status number in April. So, the Trust Fund is now a registered charity and board members have begun fundraising.

August 25, 2005

SIOUX LOOKOUT – The Ontario government is strengthening the North’s economic development potential by supporting two studies on telecommunications infrastructure, Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci announced today.

"Our government recognizes the importance of ensuring modern, reliable telecommunications infrastructure is in place across Northern Ontario," Bartolucci said. "These studies will help determine which areas lack these services and how best to make the technology accessible to all northerners."

The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) is providing $100,000 to NetCentral Community Communications Network, based in Sudbury, to conduct a cellular infrastructure study on behalf of all Community Based Networks (CBNs) in Northern Ontario. The study will provide a more complete picture of existing and required cellular infrastructure throughout the North.

NetCentral is also receiving $30,000 to conduct a gap analysis and needs assessment study within Northern Ontario’s information and communication technology (ICT) sector. This study will provide an overview of ICT services available in communities across the North and a complete baseline study for use in evaluating ICT development progress.

"We are committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by northerners," said Bartolucci, who also chairs the NOHFC. "These studies will help define strategies to improve telecommunications services in the North and lead to renewed economic prosperity."

"The need for extending cellular service and Information and Communications Technology is supported by municipalities throughout Northern Ontario," said David Courtemanche, Chairman of NetCentral and Mayor of the City of Greater Sudbury. "Once the gaps are identified, we can develop cost-effective solutions that offers widespread benefits to residents, municipalities, industry and tourists."

This NOHFC project is part of the government’s Northern Prosperity Plan for building stronger northern communities. The Northern Prosperity Plan has four pillars: Strengthening the North and its Communities; Listening to and Serving Northerners Better; Competing Globally; and Providing Opportunities for All.

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Contacts:

Laura Blondeau
Minister’s Office – Sudbury
(705) 564-7454

Michel Lavoie
MNDM/NOHFC – Sudbury
(705) 564-7125

www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca

Modernized Infrastructure Boosts Economic Development

Council for the Advancement of Native Economic Development Officers (CANDO) is hosting their 12th Annual CANDO National Conference on October 17-20, 2005 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Click here for conference information.

The theme of the CANDO 2005 National Conference & Annual General Meeting is "Strengthening Communities on Turtle Island".

Native poverty must end
PM: Feds propose $2-billion plan to improve life for aboriginals

Peter O'Neil
Saturday, August 20, 2005

OTTAWA -- A first ministers conference aimed at dramatically improving the lives of Canada's aboriginal people will take place this November in Vancouver.

Prime Minister Paul Martin is expected to make commitments of at least $2 billion to trigger "transformative change," particularly in housing, education and health, according to federal officials who confirmed the location of the meeting Friday.

Among the expected initiatives will be the creation of a national housing plan to work with the private sector and provincial governments to expand on- and off-reserve housing construction.

Bands will be encouraged to take advantage of recent legislation that will allow them to move away from communal band ownership and towards the fostering of greater individual home ownership, a key source of wealth creation for most non-Native Canadians.

The goal, according to one official, is to stimulate the formation of a large Native middle class.

The federal government is also talking about a so-called Marshall Plan for education -- a reference to the massive and successful U.S.-led program to rebuild a devastated Europe after the Second World War.

A federal education fund will help create regional school boards to assist on-reserve schools, which currently have no outside support to assess students or recruit teachers.

The fund would also encourage and fund innovative steps such as the establishment, through provincial education departments, of so-called "magnet schools" that are open to both off-reserve aboriginals and non-aboriginals.

The magnet school concept, already implemented successfully at the Amiskwaciy Academy in Edmonton, follows provincial school curriculum but includes courses in aboriginal history, literature and culture.

The November first ministers meeting, which will include the full participation of leaders of the five major national aboriginal groups, may lead to a 10-year plan that will include an agreement to measure progress regularly.

Martin, who has said publicly he will have failed as prime minister if he hasn't made tangible advances on the aboriginal file, has insisted the meeting will be about more than rhetoric.

Native leaders, including Assembly of First Nations grand chief Phil Fontaine, have cautiously participated in and endorsed the initiative -- even though they say they have heard many lofty political promises that never materialized.

Two important news stories in the Saturday issue of the Timmins Daily Press highlight meeting of the Mushkegowuk First Nation leaders with INAC Minister Andy Scott. The first article is about the meeting itself and some of the challenges facing these remote communities and the second article is about the minister making a commitment to fund the construction of a new school in Attawapiskat. See copies of the articles below with the links to the local Timmins paper.

From the Timmins Daily Press

Scott gets earful

By Trevor Terfloth
Local News - Saturday, August 20, 2005 @ 07:00

The North’s Aboriginal leaders had the ear of an influential government figure Friday afternoon.

Minister of Indian Affairs Andy Scott met with chiefs and other dignitaries at Cedar Meadows Resort to talk about concerns ranging from education to infrastructure.

Scott said the round table meeting was productive and basically what he expected it to be.

Although there were many topics of discussion, he said that hydro in particular was a bone of contention among those present.

“Without diminishing any of the interventions — because there were a lot of issues brought up — the pressure on the communities related to the high cost of energy would have been one that was made forcefully,” he said.

Despite the chiefs putting on the heat with their concerns, the minister said his department is up to the challenge and has the support of his government and the prime minister in helping Aboriginals reach their full potential.

However, Scott said he does hope each community recognizes the procedure that is required for every initiative.

“At the end of the day, my job is to position the department to be able to respond,” he said. “This isn’t just a matter of the minister coming here and and saying yes, yes, yes. It’s about making sure that it’s understood the process that we’re going through.”

Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Stan Louttit was pleased the minister paid a visit, and said those in attendance were reasonable in what they expected out of the first day of the two-day session.

From the Timmins Daily Press

Minister commits to Attawapiskat school

The Daily Press
Local News - Saturday, August 20, 2005 @ 07:00

Prior to Indian Affairs Minister Andy Scott’s meeting with chiefs and other First Nations dignitaries Friday, Daily Press reporter Trevor Terfloth sat down for an exclusive interview with the minister at Cedar Meadows Resort to discuss issues of concern in Northeastern Ontario and for First Nations.

The Daily Press: Thank you for this, Mr. Scott. There has been much anticipation among the Northern First Nations for your visit. So far, one of the main issues has been the Attawapiskat school situation.

Does the federal government have anything planned?

Andy Scott: Absolutely. (We want to) accelerate the discussions that are going on between (the First Nations) and the department.

We are committed to the school and we have a process that as a department we must go through relative to the Treasury Board and so on.

It just becomes a question of giving it the kind of intensity that would have this happen more quickly than otherwise.

But let there be no mistake — the Government of Canada is committed to and in the process of the process that would see the construction of the school.

TDP: You mentioned giving it a sort of ‘intensity.’ How so?

AS: Ultimately when you’re engaged with the number of issues that we would be engaged in, sometimes it’s simply a matter of identifying — in this case the school — and it comes from talking to the community about things they view to be most important.

That’s where in terms of the time that we have on task, the time I spend on the phone talking to my colleagues at the Treasury Board and so on ... to move things along.

I’m not saying there’s a problem in any particular place, but we make choices personally given the large number of potential projects that would exist in the country.

And we’re here because this is one of those critical projects.

TDP: I understand this wasn’t your portfolio five years ago, but that’s how long the Attawapiskat residents have been waiting.

So how much comfort is it for them to hear that the process is moving along?

AS: Well, I think it’s probably important to get into the details of the process we are talking about.

We have two competing objectives — one is to get the school.

The other is to be far less intrusive and paternalistic in our approach to the communities.
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http://www.timminstimes.com/story.php?id=179886

Changes in store for First Nations communities
Some very positive outcomes have resulted from a recent visit by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Minister Andy Scott.

By Arron Pickard, Wednesday August 24, 2005

Timmins Times — Some very positive outcomes have resulted from a recent visit by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Minister Andy Scott.

In an ongoing effort to visit as much of Canada as he can, Scott met with representatives from Northern and First Nation communities to talk business. He met with chiefs of various First Nations on Friday, August 19 at Cedar Meadows Resort in Timmins. In attendance was Robert Riopelle, Liberal candidate seeking the role of Timmins-James Bay MP, and he said the meeting was positive and changes are forthcoming along the coast.

“All of the First Nations Chiefs were very happy with the outcome of the meeting,” Riopelle said. “This was an excellent opportunity for chiefs to bring very specific issues forward to the minister. There is a lot of common ground between those issues, but they are also very unique. Some of the more pressing items talked about included a new school in Attawapiskat, hydro prices in Peawanuck, housing in Kashechewan and their problems with flooding.”

Riopelle added that, in Attawapiskat, the minister has committed to working with them to get a new school built. He added that the First Nation would like to see it constructed within two to three years, and Minister Scott felt that was a very possible and probable outcome.

“Now, they just have to figure out best solution in terms of financing and construction,” Riopelle said. He went on to add that the members of the Kashechewan First Nation requested that the minister appoint a task force to study the situation in their community, and he agreed whole-heartedly.

“Unfortunately, not all of the First Nations sitting at the table were able to get their answers at the table, but they did submit very detailed reports of their own respective problems and the minister was adamant that he will provide an answer to them,” Riopelle said.

As for Minister Scott, he said it is difficult to visit every First Nation in the community, but a lot of time has been dedicated to build national policies to not only understand those problems, but to do something about it.

“We understand that these are very comprehensive problems and we cannot solve them alone,” Scott said. “We have and are still working on a number of substantial policy changes. Is it going fast enough? No. But we are on the right track. Are we paying attention? Yes.”

In reference to De Beers Canada’s Victor diamond mine, Scott said it is critically important that benefits go to the people most affected.

“We also have to make sure that the tradition of the land and its environment aren’t intruded upon. I am comforted by the fact that I’ve seen the situation from the ground. What’s more important is to fix it.”

Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus said the federal government is finally getting the message on the need to address the social inequalities plaguing the James Bay coast. Angus made the comments following his own meeting with Minister Scott, who he said has signaled a willingness to address the need for a new school in Attawapiskat. As well, the minister agreed to support a special task force to address the long-term crisis plaguing the community of Kashechewan.

"I am encouraged that the federal minister came to Timmins and heard from the communities of the coast," said Angus. "We made it clear to the minister that we needed firm commitments to address the social and housing crisis plaguing these communities. For the last dozen years, the federal government has treated the James Bay coast with a culture of indifference. Those days are over."

Chief Leo Friday of Kashechewan pressed the minister to approve a special task force to help alleviate the crisis in his community. Angus said the Task Force is an important first step in moving Kashechewan out of a cycle of vicious poverty.
"The housing and infrastructure crisis in Kashechewan is a national shame," said Angus. "A Task Force is needed to develop a plan that will move this community beyond perpetual crisis management and finally put the people of Kashechewan on a road towards sustainability."

Angus said he is hopeful that a new school in Attawapiskat will finally be realized.

"We will be meeting with the minister in early September to finalize plans on the school. Minister Scott has indicated a willingness to work with the communities and I will be working closely with his office to ensure that we move forward on these issues."

From AFN Echo Volume 2 Number 4 (Page 10) ...

UPDATE - Missing NAN Youth Located

8/19/2005 5:09:11 PM

Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) community member Jules Benson (18) of North Caribou Lake First Nation has been located alive and well in Toronto, Ontario.

THUNDER BAY, ON: Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) community member Jules Benson (18) of North Caribou Lake First Nation has been located alive and well in Toronto, Ontario.

“We are happy that Jules has been located safe and sound,” said family spokesperson Karen Kakekagumick. “At this time the family would like to thank the public and the community of Thunder Bay for their continued support. They would also like to thank the volunteers from Weagamow Lake that assisted with the search and the volunteer search coordinator, Morgan Austin for all his hardwork and effort.”

A formal search for Jules Adrian Benson began on Wednesday August 17, 2005 after he had been reported missing to Thunder Bay Police.

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Press Release: NAN assisting search for missing person

THUNDER BAY, ON, Aug. 19, 2005 - Nishnawbe Aski Nation and parents Cornelius and Nessie Benson are requesting information regarding the location of their son, Jules Benson (18), who was last seen in Thunder Bay 8:00 a.m. Tuesday August 16, 2005.

• NAME:              Jules Benson
• AGE:                 18 years (D.O.B.: July 2, 1987)
• HAIR/EYE COLOUR:   Brown
• HEIGHT/WEIGHT:     5ft 9/approx. 160 lbs
                                      Medium Build
• LAST SEEN WEARING: navy cap, beige jacket with navy stripes, blue jeans, navy shoes with white stripes
                          ----------------------

Jules is from North Caribou First Nation (Weagamow/Round Lake) and was last seen at his cousin's home in the Dease / Vickers area of Thunder Bay. He was scheduled to return home via airplane Wednesday August 17, 2005.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Jules Benson please contact Constable Lawson of Thunder Bay City Police, Nishnawbe Aski Nation, or family members at the following numbers:

• Thunder Bay City Police: (807) 684 1200
• Karen Kakekagumick: (807) 251-2745 (Thunder Bay cellular)
• Nessie Benson: (807) 737-9073 (Sioux Lookout cellular)
• Edna Quequish: (807) 469-5191 (North Caribou First Nation Band Office) or (807) 469-7501 (home)
• Nishnawbe Aski Nation: (807) 623 8228 Toll Free: (800) 465 9952

The Institute on Governance produced a Summary Report about the Regional Information Sharing sessions that were organized by INAC as part of their program review process. The report along with all the material distributed at the meetings is available on-line at the Chiefs of Ontario web site (click here to view the list of material).

From the report (Word document) ...

As part of its approval of the Long Term Capital Plan of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), the Treasury Board of Canada asked the department to undertake a comprehensive review of the Capital Facilities and Maintenance (CFM) Program. Such a review would also be an important element in the department’s seeking new authorities from the Board for this program.  ...

This report is the ‘National Summary’ mentioned above. Its purpose is to present the principal highlights of the regional workshops that departmental officials organized in March and April of 2005 as part of Phase II. These workshops, which were held in every region in Canada, had two main purposes. The first was to share the results of the Phase One analysis with First Nation experts; and the second, to develop some options for achieving better, more sustainable outcomes for further discussions with First Nation leaders.

From the conclusion ...

.... many participants expressed scepticism - in their evaluation forms as well as verbally at the end of the sessions - that anything positive would result from the workshops."