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We will be holding a 3rd Annual Youth Rally on May 19-22 at  the Emmanuel Pentecostal Church starting at 7:00 pm.

The upcoming "Waawiisokodatidaa-Keeping the Circle Strong" Residential School gathering is being planned to take place at Wauzhushk Onigum (Rat Portage) First Nation on May 17, 18, 19, 2005.

The gathering will be held at the conference centre of the Golden Eagle Entertainment Centre near Kenora, Ontario. Everyone is welcomed.

For more information or to register (no charge) e-mail: risnana@kahac.org or call (807) 543-1065 or Toll Free 1-877-224-2281.

This event is very timely with the recent press coverage concerning the settlement package being negotiated by the Assembly of First Nations with the federal government. Click here to see today's Canadian Press article, "Lump-sum payouts possible in Liberal residential schools plan" by Sue Bailey

Canada Council for the Arts launches new program for emerging Aboriginal writers

The Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board office will be open first thing tomorrow morning (Wednesday, April 26) with all the staff returning to work. The Sioux Lookout District Chiefs met in council today and endorsed the new agreement with Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSD).

Bob Bruyere, SLAAMB Coordinator, reported that the chiefs demonstrated their support for the SLAAMB staff and the programs they deliver in their resolution approving the re-opening of the office and the re-instatement of the Sioux Lookout staff. "The SLAAMB team appreciates the Chiefs endorsement of our work and our efforts to get the best deal possible for the delivery of employment and training programs that meet the needs of the First Nations and their members," stated Mr. Bruyere.

Visit the SLAAMB web site at http://slaamb.on.ca for more information about the programs they will once again be delivering on behalf of Aboriginal people across the Sioux Lookout District.

Nibinamik First Nation Presents

Traditional Gathering July 1st-3rd 2005

“Celebrating life and the summer of youth”

Drum Social (warm-up) Friday Evening 7pm

Grand Entries @ 1pm, 7pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday 

Where: Lover's lane Arbor (between Airport and Community)

Host Drum: Red Creek Singers (Nibinamik FN)

Co-Host: Sturgeon Narrows Singers (Fort Hope)

MC: Elmer Atlookan (Fort Hope)

All are Welcome

Dancers, Drums and Singers.

*Attention*

The coordinators won’t be responsible for any injuries, stolen items, personal problems.

There will be a Camp Site at the Lover's Lane Arbor, Between the Community and Airport road. 

Please bring your Tent, Sleeping bags and gear.

NO Alcohol and Drugs allowed.

On Friday, Minister of State for FedNor, Joe Comuzzi announced a commitment of 10 million dollars to bring broadband access to every community in Northern Ontario. Click here to read the entire FedNor press release.

North Spirit Lake, Sandy Lake and Weagamow were visited by writer Louise Brown and photojournalist Rene Johnston from the Toronto Star to produce a series of four articles called "Ontario's Forgotten Children". The stories describe some of the challenges facing remote First Nations in this part of northwestern Ontario.

The Auditor General's November 2004 report guided the reporters in their search for examples and stories. In particular the parts of the report that examined the dollars spent by INAC on funding native education across Canada including:

• While the Indian and Northern Affairs Department did some studies and began a few new programs, it made little progress on a range of problems cited in 2000, including a large gap in the number of native vs. non-native high school graduates.
• The time estimated to close that education gap had actually grown slightly, from 27 to 28 years.
• The department couldn’t say whether the more than $1 billion it spends funding native education is enough, and whether the results are acceptable.
• There is a large young native population. About 40 per cent of the registered Indian population is under 19, compared with 25 per cent in the Canadian population.
• Most native schools are in communities with fewer than 500 residents, making it difficult to offer a range of services.
• The department should clarify its duties and goals, and better track funding.

The first of several articles appeared in Saturday's issue of the Star. Click on the article title to read each of them. The third story was posted on Sunday. As well, there is a photo journal (requires Quicktime) about their trip.

• Making the grade (Apr. 23)
• Poverty, despair - and hope (Apr. 23)
• These shelves speak volumes (Apr. 24)
• No skyscrapers in this culture (Apr 25)
• Even the littlest can help (Apr 28)
• Fly-in schools taking action (Apr 30) 
• Short-sighted Ottawa fails native students (May 1)
• writer Louise Brown and photojournalist Rene Johnston talk about their experiences at three native reserves in Ontario’s northwest in a slideshow of images from their trip
• Building bridges to native schools (May 2)
• Canada must nuture aboriginal talent - National Chief Phil Fontaine (May 2)
• Hiding Canada's ugly past (May 2)

We are having our 5th Annual Spring Traditional Gathering.

Friday, April 29, 2005 is CULTURAL EDUCATION DAY!

Check out the website for more info.

http://www.nnec.on.ca/pffnhs/gathering/

The Multicultural Association of Northwestern Ontario (MANWO) and Regional Multicultural Youth Council (RMYC) in Thunder Bay present the Where Are The Children? -Healing The Legacy of the Residential Schools Exhibition at the Victoriaville Mall.

A press conference was held at the Victoriaville Mall in downtown Thunder Bay on the opening of the Where are the Children? - Healing the Legacy of the Residential Schools Exhibition Thursday, April 14, 2005.

Speakers at the opening included Garnet Angeconeb, former residential school student and Secretary of the Aboriginal Healing Foundation, Angie Bruce, Development Manager of the Legacy of Hope Foundation, Gabrielle Blais, Director General of Programs at Library and Archives Canada and Jeff Thomas, Curator of the exhibit. Other speakers included Moffat Makuto, Executive Director of the RMYC, David Paul Achneepineskum, NAN Executive Director and representatives from the Mayor’s office and MP Ken Boschoff’s office.

The Exhibit was created to promote an awareness of the Residential School Experience and is targeted to educate Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Youth. Everyone is encouraged to come out and view the exhibit at the Victoriaville Mall in Thunder Bay.

The Where are the Children? - Healing the Legacy of the Residential Schools Exhibition can be seen starting March 28 to July 22, 2005 from 10 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and from 2 pm to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.

For more information or for group reservations and special hours call (807) 622-4666.

To reach the Aboriginal Healing Foundation call 1 888 725 8886

To see the Where are the Children website click here

To visit the Aboriginal Healing Foundation site click here

To see pictures of the opening ceremony click here

Feed My Sheep Ministries Support Group conducts this Gospel Music event in the Core area of Winnipeg, Manitoba for families and individuals who are in dire need. It is a place where individuals share their problems and receive counseling and support. It's a refuge place which gives a sense of belonging ... A place where you will feel God's presence. 

If you would like to receive information of our up-coming Gospel events send me an email. On April 28, 29 30, and May 1, everyone is most welcome to attend our Indoor Gospel Campmeeting in Winnipeg at 410 Pritchard Avenue (corner of Salter Street), starting @ 7:00pm Nightly. 

Next time you are in Winnipeg come and enjoy gospel music or get involved. Testimonies and singers are always welcome. We also pray for people in spiritual crisis, and we accept pray requests for all needs.

These gospel sessions take place every Friday Night @ 7:30 pm - 12:00am. At: 410 Pritchard Avenue (corner of Salter Street) in Winnipeg.

More information: MERV @ 1-204-694-4698 or
Email: mletandre@shaw.ca