Roger Valley is the new Member of Parliament for the Kenora riding. He will be taking over from Bob Nault who represented this region for the past 16 years (four terms). On Monday evening, Roger Valley received nearly 36% of the votes cast in this region.

The Liberal party will form a minority government for the first time in many years. CBC describes the challenge ahead as ...

"To pass legislation in the months ahead, Martin will need the assistance of another party – either the left-leaning NDP with its 19 seats or the sovereignist Bloc Québécois with its 54 MPs. That sets the stage for a government built on philosophical compromise and day-to-day deal-making rather than a single party's priorities...."

Check out all the elections details for all the ridings and the regions across Canada on the CBC election coverage web site (click here).

Request for Art Proposals

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, in conjunction with our community partners, is seeking local artists to submit proposals for art work to be permanently displayed at the new Cultural and Training Centre facility.  The proposal should include submissions for a major piece of art work to be displayed around the main entrance and lobby of the facility as well as smaller pieces to be displayed throughout the building.

The art work should complement the beauty and practicality of the facility by promoting the concept of the multi-services it provides.  The facility offers a quality venue for education, training, entertainment and cultural events.  The auditorium is designed to be an innovative multi-use space for hosting cultural and entertainment events as well as supporting large group meetings and training seminars.  The spacious and welcoming entrance areas are overemphasized with wood.  Wood is used in all the architectural/structural elements of the building and reflects its beauty and structural charm.

All forms of art work will be considered including sculptures, paintings, carvings, etc.  Completion must be in time for the grand opening scheduled for mid-October, 2004.

Proposals must be received by the undersigned by July 15th, 2004. Proposals are to include representations or prototypes, descriptions and explanations of the concepts, timelines and a breakdown of costs.

Facilities Manager
Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
79 Casimir Ave.
Dryden, ON
P8N 2Z6

Early this morning, as I was going through the Consultation Paper and the Workbook for Growing Strong Rural Communities, I checked out the source of this consultation process for developing Ontario's rural plan. It seemed to me that both the paper and the workbook must have been created by people who have a pretty good understanding about rural communities. Turns out that the contacts for this "rural plan" are located in Guelph at the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing - Rural Development Policy Branch in Guelph.

While exploring the MAHO web site resources I came across the "Cams Across Ontario" web site. I was able to watch the sun rise in Toronto, checked out the Canada Day preparations on Parliament Hill, and the Science North Centre in Sudbury.

Growing Strong Rural Communities

• Consultation Paper
  Workbook
  View the Growing Strong Rural Communities Workbook Online
• How to participate online
  

Welcome to the consultation on developing Ontario’s Rural Plan.  

The McGuinty government is moving forward on an agenda for growing strong rural communities. Our government is delivering real, positive change in the priorities that we share with Ontarians.

As part of our government’s commitment to Ontario’s rural communities, the McGuinty government is developing a Rural Plan, which will articulate the government’s vision for rural communities and provide a co-ordinated approach to shaping policy and delivering the programs and services that rural communities need most.

We invite you to provide comments on our consultation paper by reviewing it and completing the online workbook.

We will be accepting comments until July 30, 2004.

Together, we can build a strong rural Ontario with a quality of life that is second to none.  

Thanks for participating in this important process.

The June 17 issue of Wawatay News contained the story, "Pikangikum ready to share knowledge through education" ... forming the Whitefeather Forest Research cooperative with three universities, Sault College. The entire story can be read on the Wawatay News web site (click here).

The development of another community based Research group complements Keewaytinook Okimakanak's Research Institute which the Chiefs of KO established over the past year with the support of various partnerships. As more First Nations and First Nation organizations develop their research teams, KO looks forward to increased interest from institutions and corporations to develop new partnerships and relationships that benefit the Nishnawbe Aski.

The recently announced Task Force is required to "submit to the Minister of Canadian Heritage on September 15, 2004 , a report in fulfillment of its mandate."

From the Canadian Heritage - Aboriginal Affairs web site ...

In support of Canada's commitment to preserve, revitalize and promote Aboriginal languages and cultures, the Government of Canada announced in December 2002 that it will contribute $172.5 M over 11 years. The three-phased action plan includes a two-year extension of the current Aboriginal Languages Initiative, establishment of a Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures, and creation and on-going operations of a new Aboriginal Languages and Cultures Centre (ALCC). The Centre will be a shared-governance entity operating as a not-for-profit corporation, composed predominantly of Aboriginal individuals. The Task Force on Aboriginal Languages and Cultures has recently been named. It will examine and make recommendations on the operations, programming and objectives of the ALCC to the Minister of Canadian Heritage in 2004. The ALCC is expected to be operational by 2005.

For additional information please use the following links:

• Terms of Reference
• Task Force Fact Sheet
• Aboriginal Languages and Cultures Centre News Release
• List of Task Force Members and biographies
• Circle of Experts

Pentecostal Faith Temple Campmeeting 2004
Cat Lake, Ontario

July 28 - August 1, 2004

7:00 PM NIGHTLY

11 Am Sunday Morning

Guest Speaker

Evangelist Ralph Thomas From Easterville Manitoba

Musicians Also From Easterville

Services will be aired through WRN Starting July 30 - August 1, 2004

Other visitors coming from Surrounding communities

Travel at your own expense

meals and accomadations will be provided

for more info please call

Pastor Alec Bighead @ (807) 347-2118

The Gospel Jamboree will be held on the weekend of June 26 - 29, 2004

If you require more information, Please contact

Laura Morris - (807) 537-2263

CANADA DAY FISHING DERBY

WHERE:MUSKRAT DAM FIRST NATION

WHEN:THURSDAY JULY 1,2004

BIGGEST WALLEYE

• 1ST PRIZE  $3000.00
• 2ND PRIZE $2000.00
• 3RD PRIZE $1000.00

PLUS MANY MORE PRIZES

FOR MORE INFO CALL

• GIDEON THUNDER  at 471-2573 or 471-2669
• STAN BEARDY at 471-2568 or 471-2524
• PETE NOTHING at 471- 2695 or 471-2587