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Kwayaciiwin

Educational Resource Centre

Grand Opening

March 4, 2003

Master of Ceremonies: Roy Morris

Nishnawbe Gamik Friendship Centre

1:00 Opening Prayer: Victoria Maxwell and Able Johnup

Welcome: Chief David Gordon, Lac Seul First Nation and Mayor John MacDonald

Opening Remarks: Saul Williams Chairperson DEPC

Speakers: Minister Robert Nault, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (confirmed)
National Chief Matthew Cooncome, AFN (invited)
Regional Chief Charles Fox, COO (invited)
Grand Chief Stan Beardy, NAN (invited)
Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic (invited)
Richard Morris, Education Director, Lac Seul First Nation (confirmed)

Presentations Minister Nault, Richard Morris, Frank Beardy

Gifts Barb Fritz, Mourasia Duffus

Kwayaciiwin Educational Resource Centre

Ribbon Cutting
Elders: Victoria Maxwell and Able Johnup
Children: Mya Fiddler and Hosea Mamakwa
Minister Nault
Saul Williams

Open House at the Centre
Food and Refreshments

NAN Education Electronic Newsletter

Headline News

Special Education

The $60 million new special education funding promised by the federal government almost two years ago has been approved by the Treasury Board and may be released directly to the First Nations as early as next month. Wendy Martin-Johnson, a policy analyst with the Chiefs of Ontario, told members of the COO Education Committee, that the Department could release the funds almost immediately upon Treasury Board approval.

The funds will be distributed directly to the First Nations. Ontario’s portion of the Special Education funds will be disbursed according to the pilot project in the province with modifications to meet the needs of students. Details to follow.

Bob Nault’s Education Blue Print to be released

The Final Report of the National Working Group on First Nations Education is expected to be released sometime in mid-February according to senior INAC officials. Few details are known. Members of the Working Group have signed confidentially agreements not to discuss the contents of the report prior to its release. Earlier this month, however, Minister Nault told the editorial board of the Edmonton Journal that one of the Working Group’s recommendations included a call for all Native schools to be administered by provincial school boards.

Med School Curriculum Update

Over twenty NAN members attended a curriculum development workshop for the Northern Medical School (NOMS) in Sault Ste. Marie earlier this month. Participants were divided into 12 to 15 working groups, which provided ideas and ranked priorities for the new medical school. Goyce Kakegamic, Deputy Grand Chief of NAN, addressed the assembly at the last dinner of the workshop. He spoke of NAN’s on-going commitment to NOMS and reminded those in attendance that NAN’s support was conditional on three issues, (1) a role in governance, (2) a role in the development of curriculum and (3) a guaranteed number of seats for Aboriginal medical students. Earlier, Ron Wakegijig, a traditional healer at Wiky stated that he was against any special consideration for Aboriginal candidates for the medical school. NOMS will be hosting another curriculum workshop that will focus exclusively on the concerns of Aboriginal People in the North later this spring.

Upcoming NAN Education Committee Meeting

Funding has been provided by the Governance Secretariat (PCU) to host a NAN Education Committee Meeting on February 18, 19 and 20th. During the Education Committee Meeting, the Governance Secretariat (PCU) will provide an update on the status of their deliberations in the education jurisdiction. They are seeking the advice and counsel of the members of the NAN Education Committee. The PCU is particularly interested in the opinions of grassroots educators concerning the current process. Negotiators representing Canada will also address the members of the NAN Education Committee.

In addition, the Education Committee will hear updates on the upcoming release of Special Education funding. There will also be a discussion about the serious problems confronting all of our communities regarding the matter of secondary school funding in our territory.

NAN Students Abroad

The Education Unit is seeking a mandate from the NAN Chiefs to look at the feasibility of setting up a foreign exchange program for high school students in the territory modeled after the successful Nunavut Students Abroad program. As part of that program, Inuit students participate in an exchange program that takes them for six weeks to a Canadian city followed by an exchange to an African country. Participants learn valuable skills in public speaking and government. They tour various cities in Canada, Europe and Africa.

No New Money for AETS

Dianne Cunningham, the Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, has rejected calls from the Grand Chief of NAN to increase funding for the Aboriginal Education and Training Strategy (AETS). Grand Chief Stan Beardy had written to the Minister requesting additional funding for the Aboriginal Post Secondary Institutes in Ontario to deal with the Double Cohort. Currently, Ontario provides Aboriginal Post Secondary Institutes with $800,000 annually in the Start-Up and Development Fund. This is a far cry from the $7 million annually provided to Ontario’s colleges and universities to educate Aboriginal people.

Upcoming Events

Mushkegowuk Great Moon Gathering February 13 and 14 in Moose Factory

NAN Education Committee Meeting, Feb. 18, 19, 20, in Thunder Bay

NAN Chiefs Meeting, Feb. 24, 25, 26 in Thunder Bay

If you would like your meeting or announcement included in upcoming events, email the information to bwalmark@nan.on.ca

If you would like your event included in upcoming editions of the NAN Education Electronic Newsletter, email the details and your contact information to

bwalmark@nan.on.ca

Sault College is offering the Aboriginal Resource Technician Program for the Fall2003 Semester.

The Program is unique:

• It allows students to stay within their communities to attain a Post- Secondary Diploma.
• It combines distance education through the Contact North Teleconferencing System, along with practical work experience with organizations in the field of Natural Resources.
• Aboriginal cultural & historical content is incorporated into the program’s course curriculum.
• A Native Outreach Support Officer and a Support Services Officer to ensure academic success throughout the program academically support students.

For Further information, please contact the Registars Office at Sault College: 1-800-461-2260 or 705-759-6700

http://www.saultc.on.ca/NativeEducation/AboriginalResourceTech.htm

On Monday, January 20, Florence Woolner, the course instructor for this session's First Nations Band Administration Program, organized an ICT orientation presentation by K-Net staff for her students. Student representatives were from Cat Lake, Fort Severn, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and North Spirit Lake.

Florence and the students were provided with a brief overview of the Kuh-ke-nah Network and some of the o­n-line services that are delivered by K-Net. E-mail and it business applications became the primary focus of discussion for the session.

K-Net staff looks forward to supporting the Band Administration Program in the use of ICTs for the delivery of their courses.

NAN Education Electronic Newsletter

Headline News

Deputy Grand Chief meets new INAC Regional Director General

After his first meeting with the new Regional Director General (RDG) for o­ntario, Goyce Kakegamic, NAN Deputy Grand Chief, says he is pleased with the approach of Bob Howsam. "He seems open and receptive to NAN’s educational concerns," he said. The meeting was arranged shortly after the Deputy Grand Chief wrote a letter to Howsam outlining several of NAN’s educational concerns, including funding for special ed, secondary education, and post secondary education. In the letter, Kakegamic also called upon the new RDG to get personally involved in resolving the following:

• Health and safety issues associated with the mold problem at Lydia L. Beardy Memorial School at Wunnumin Lake First Nation.
• Adequate funding to ensure the viability of the Sioux Lookout District Education Planning Committee Resource Centre.
• Review of the Special Education proposal prepared by the Hishkoonikum Education Authority for the Kashechewan First Nation.
• The cleanup of the fuel spill of the J.R. Nakogee Elementary School in Attawapiskat First Nation and the health and safety issues necessitating the need to construct a new school
• As promised by the Minister, the need to arrange a meeting between the o­ntario Minister of Education and the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to discuss the transfer of the Summer Beaver School
• The construction of a new elementary school in Aroland First Nation to replace the portables that are currently used to educate its children and young people.
• The need to relieve the heavy financial burden of Long Lake #58 and Ginoogaming First Nation that is forcing its band council to consider closing its school and transferring the responsibility of educating its children back to the Department
• The need to construct a new school for the children of North Spirit Lake First Nation.

During the December 5^th meeting, Kakegamic focused o­n two major themes, the Education Funding Formulas and Allocations as well as Communications. Kakegamic told the new RDG that "the current methodologies for allocation and distribution of the department’s education resources significantly disadvantage Nishnawbe Aski Nation." He cautioned the new RDG that his staff might caution him from taking o­n this issue but he made it clear that the Chiefs are no longer prepared to allow their students to be shortchanged by a flawed funding system.

Kakegamic also told the RDG that there is a great need to improve communications in the Region. "There is no reason why NAN Chiefs should have to seek my personal intervention to deal with departmental officials anymore than you should have to get personally involved in issues which are INAC day-to-day staff responsibilities." He told the new RDG that the Department must respond to letters written by the Chiefs in a timely and respectful way. The Deputy Grand Chief remained optimistic after the meeting.

Kakegamic Responds to Education Equality Task Force

The Deputy Grand Chief of NAN supports many of the recommendations contained in the recently released Education Equality Task Force. "It confirms what we at NAN have been saying all along," Goyce Kakegamic says, "Indian Affairs needs to provide more funding to improve the academic readiness of our students." The final report was written by Dr. Mordechai Rozanski of the University of Western o­ntario, a leading educator in the province. Although the Task Force focused o­n the funding of public education, it did hear representatives from the Chiefs of o­ntario, including Paul Capon, the Political Advisor of the Matawa Tribal Council. Rozanski called o­n the federal government to increase educational funding to improve the academic readiness of Aboriginal students in o­ntario. A complete copy of the Rozanski report can be found o­n http://www.edfundingreview.on.ca/publications.html

Ginoogaming and Long Lake Education Task Force

Educators and the political leadership of three NAN First Nations are working together to form a common front to press their demands for additional funding to support their schools. Chief John Mendowegon of Ginoogaming and Chief Veronica Waboose of Long Lake #58 are meeting with Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic over the holidays. Long Lake and Ginoogaming need adequate funding from INAC to help pay down the mortgage so it can use more of its educational core funding to improve classroom instruction. Leaders from the two communities and D/Grand Chief are expected to meet with Bob Howsam, the new RDG in the New Year.

Aroland moving towards new community school

Aroland continues to lobby INAC for a new school. Bob Howsam, the new Regional Director General for o­ntario has agreed to release funding for a design study for a new school for the First Nation, fulfilling a promise made by Minister Nault earlier this year. INAC’s capital planning committee is meeting in December to determine its priorities for the upcoming fiscal year so Aroland should learn by early next year where its sits o­n the priority list. Earlier this year, the First Nation withdrew its students from the provincial school system. Aroland students are currently housed in several portables. There is no gym, library or computer center.

Lakehead University in the Business of developing your Management Skills

A new 12-month graduate program in management offers prospective students the opportunity to develop new skills to improve the overall effectiveness of their organizations. "Business schools," Dr. Bahram Dadgostar, Dean,
Faculty of Business Administration," says, "are facing many challenges in today's rapidly changing environment. In order to meet the needs of management in this volatile environment, our efforts should be focused o­n lasting principles and the development of new knowledge and perspectives." Candidates have two options (1) Master of Science in Management (MSc,Mgt.) for those with an honours degree in commerce and the Master of Management (M.Mgt.) with a non-business background. For more information, see http://foba2.lakeheadu.ca/gradmgt

Special Education Update

The AFN continues to meet with INAC officials in an attempt to break the special education log jam. Two years ago, the Canadian Government announced an additional $60 million for special education for o­n-reserve schools. To date, no additional dollars have reached the First Nations. See Attached Chiefs of o­ntario Briefing Note o­n Special Education Funding.

As a result of its pilot project, o­ntario Region will be able to determine collectively how the transfer of new special ed funds will be distributed to the First Nations. The new funding may flow through the established funding formula with some agreed upon modifications. Although no agreement has been reached between the AFN and INAC, it is expected that the new special education funding will flow directly to the First Nations communities, which may choose to push the money up to regional agencies that can provide special education programming for their students. Unconfirmed reports indicate that the funds could be released sometime in the new year.

NAN Cleans Up at Youth Achievement Awards

NAN Youth took top honours at the Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards sponsored by the Niigaantige Committee as part of the 2002 Career Fair in Thunder Bay. Awards were presented to youth from Nishnawbe Aski Nation, the Union of o­ntario Indians and Grand Council Number Three. The purpose of the event was to build self-esteem and pride in the Aboriginal Community and to provide role models for the youth.

Guest speakers included Susan Aglukark, Juno-Award Winning Singer / Songwriter, who shared her painful journey as she searched for herself during her rise in superstardom in the Canadian music scene. Ted Nolan inspired the audience with his story of humble beginnings to skating with some of the all-time greats in the NHL.

The real stars of the show were the Aboriginal Youth who were recognized for their achievements in school, sports, culture and community leadership. For more information about the Niigaantige Career Fair Committee, contact Rose Yesno at Matawa First Nations at (807) 344-4575.

NAN Supports Multicultural Youth Center

Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic spoke before Thunder Bay City Council in support of the Multicultural Association of Northwestern o­ntario. Moffatt Makuto, the Executive Director of the Centre says the Youth Centre will close if the City does not step in with some funding. The Centre, which raised almost $60,000 per year working Bingos, has seen its revenues drop in the wake of the success of the Charity Casinos in o­ntario. The Youth Centre hosts weekly dances, collects used clothing for o­n-reserve band members, shovels snow for seniors and other volunteer activities. The Multicultural Association of Northwestern o­ntario also organizes workshops and conferences. Members of the Youth Centre assisted the evacuees from Sandy Lake, Keewaywin and Deer Lake First Nations during last year’s forest fire season. The Multicultural Youth Center is working with the City Administration to improve the long-term viability of the organization.

Medical School Update

Planning is currently underway for the Northern o­ntario Medical School Curriculum Development Conference o­n January 16-18 in Sault Ste. Marie. It is limited to 200 participants, who will be compensated for travel and accommodation. All those who applied to attend are expected to get receive a questionnaire from the medical school in the coming weeks. Selection of the participants has started by a joint committee of Lakehead and Laurentian Universities. Those selected to attend the curriculum development conference in Sault Ste. Marie will participate in a series of workshops. The goal of the conference is to establish a series of committees that will assist with the development of the curriculum. More information about the medical school can be found at http://www.normed.ca/en/

Editorial: Common Front against Secondary School Funding Cutbacks

Last spring, Indian Affairs announced changes to the way in which secondary school education would be funded. When INAC officials reviewed the Nominal Role, they officials identified a number of NAN students who appeared to be attending school at numerous locations. The Department sounded the alarm. This looks like a duplication of services, which simply could not be allowed to continue! No discussion with the parties involved, just notification from head office. Meetings were called o­nly after NAN demanded them. As usual, INAC will not share its data with the Chiefs. As usual, they expect us to trust them. It would be interesting to know for instance how many of those students who have "dropped out" of the provincial or private schools, continued their education through Independent Learning or through the Internet. What would INAC want these students after they return to their home communities? Would INAC prefer that these youth sniff gas, get drunk or worse, instead of carrying o­n with their education?

Frank Beardy, then Executive Director of NNEC, drew attention to the implications of this new Departmental initiative in an interview o­n Wawatay Radio last spring. Many students, parents and educators alike were concerned the educational opportunities of our youth were being threaten.

In response, NAN was asked to get involved. Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic wrote a letter to Robert Nault, the Minister of Indian Affairs (May 9, 2002) asking for a o­ne-year moratorium during which time he proposed the creation of a working group of INAC officials and NAN educators that would address this problem and others associated with the funding of our secondary school institutions. The Minister agreed with both issues in a face-to-face meeting with the NAN leadership later that month. The official reply, however, was modified.

In a letter (Oct. 7, 2002), the Minister confirmed that students would have the option to attend provincial or private school attendance where no o­n-reserve high school exists. He wrote, "On the matter of o­n-reserve high schools offering mainstream programming while other two streams offered in provincial high school are not available o­n reserve, the following action shall be taken. Where such as situation exists, students will be permitted to attend and/or be approved for provincial or private school attendance."

In terms of high school students who are attending off-reserve school even when a secondary school exists o­n their home reserve, the Minister said the matter would be the decision of regional officials in Thunder Bay. There are no reference in the Minister’s letter to the promised working group composed of INAC officials and NAN educators to resolve the secondary school funding issue.

Currently, all of us working in education in the NAN territory are meeting with various Department officials and even the Minister to resolve this impending crisis. This works towards the advantage of the Department. They can continue their time-honoured strategy of pitting each of us against the other. We need to develop a common strategy and present it with a common front. We need to meet as a whole, everyone including NNEC, K-nish, and all of the First Nations that provide o­n-reserve high school education. We need to hash out a common position. Funding allocations have not changed significantly in over thirty years. This must be addressed. We need to pool our experience, our knowledge and our research for the common good of our students. Benjamin Franklin o­nce said, "We can all hang together or we can all hang separately." We have been "hanging" alone for too long! Now is the time to act.

Pikangikum Wins Major Court Challenge

In December 2000, Robert Nault, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, placed Pikangikum First Nation in third-party management in spite of clear audits for the two previous years and a budgetary surplus. In a long-awaited decision, Justice John O’Keefe, of the federal court ruled that the Minister’s decision was "patently unreasonable" and "a breach of the duty of procedural fairness." In a thirty-eight page decision, O’Keefe stated that the Minister and the Department failed to follow its own policies. He ruled that the Minister of Indian Affairs does not have an unfettered discretion to intervene in the local autonomy of First Nations. Pikangikum’s legal counsel Douglas Keshen stated in a press release that, "the Federal Court of Canada has now imposed limits o­n the way in which a Minister can exercise his or her power in the affairs of First Nations." The ruling is expected to be appealed by the federal government.

Principals’ Responsibilities for Special Education

Andy Schardt, a special education specialist with the Sioux Lookout District Education Planning Committee, says principals need to be aware of their responsibilities to ensure that special education is provided to those who require it. o­ne of those responsibilities includes the monitoring of the needs of high-risk special ed students. "Many of these students get lost between the health, social services and educational departments," he told the participants of the recent Sioux Lookout Principal Training Conference.

The principals attending the conference also learned more about the o­ntario Ministry of Education’s new curriculum guidelines o­n Literacy with particular emphasis o­n Early Literacy. Ifka Filopovich, the Executive Director of the Sioux Lookout District Resource Centre, told those in attendance that under the o­ntario guidelines each classroom needs at least 800 pieces of literature for students to read. Early literacy has been identified as a key indicator of future academic success. The principals listened to presentations o­n the Nelson Language and the Ginn Language, two of the leading leveled guided reading programs utilized by many Boards of Education in Northwestern o­ntario. Marg Vermette of the Keewaytin Patricia Board of Education discussed a variety of strategies to improve literacy in the classroom.

Schoolyard bullying is a growing crisis across Canada. NAN communities have not been spared. Deb Michaud of Kenora Patricia Family Services shared with the Sioux Lookout principals a number of warning signs before schoolyard violence becomes a serious problem.

Richard Morris resigns from DEPC

Richard Morris has resigned as the chair of the Sioux Lookout District Education Planning Committee. The newly elected chair is Saul Williams of Round Lake and co-chair is Solomon Begg of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Education Centre. Morris will be honoured for his outstanding contribution the DEPC and his commitment to improving the academic readiness of Nishnawbe Aski Nation students during the next Chiefs Meeting expected in the first week of February.

Funding Opportunities

The Y.M.C.A. provides grants and assistance to First Nation schools for class exchanges with students in other parts of Canada. For more information, contact http://www.ymca.ca/

The Coca Cola Foundation provides grants of $2,500.00 to establish reading circles and grants of $1,500.00 to establish books for elementary school children. First Nation libraries and schools are eligible to apply. Deadline is December 16^th.

http://www.abc-canada.org/public_awareness/sts.asp

The National Child Benefit Program provides First Nations schools with funding to purchase sporting equipment or establish breakfast programs. For more information, http://www.nationalchildbenefit.ca/ncb/thenational1.shtml

Ethel Blondin, Secretary of State (Children and Youth) announced $320 million dollars in funding to improve and expand Early Childhood Development. Part of the funding will be targeted to expand Aboriginal Head Start and efforts to address Fetal Alcohol Syndrome / Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAS/FAE). For more information, see: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/minister/events.html

Upcoming Events

Sioux Lookout District Education Planning Committee will host a Chiefs’ Meeting during the first week of February to coincide with the official opening of the Resource Centre. Details to follow.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation is hosting its Winter Chiefs’ Meeting during the last week of February. Details to follow.

The Northern o­ntario Medical School is hosting a curriculum development conference in Sault Ste. Marie o­n January 16-18^th, 2003.

Robert Nault, the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, is expected to attend the opening ceremonies of the Sioux Lookout Resource Centre in February 2002.

If you would like your event included in upcoming editions of the NAN Education Electronic Newsletter, email the details and your contact information to

bwalmark@nan.on.ca

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! from the NAN Education Unit

The Pelican Falls First Nations High School website is now up and running. Check it out at http://pelican.knet.ca. It is a place for sharing stories, pictures and information. The website was created as o­ne part of a CO-OP placement at Keewaytinook Okimakanak.

Enjoy is invited to look through the information that is posted here so far and to leave a message in the guestbook.

The week of December 2-6, 2002 has been designated as moving week to the new elementary school. The doors will be open o­n December 9, 2002 for students to resume their studies. Although the offical grand opening was conducted o­n the first week of September with aThanks Giving Celebration and feast. The Elders and Church Leaders will be o­n hand for a School Blessing o­n the morning of December 9 2002.All the staff at the new elementary are abuzz with excitment as are the students/children of the community who are eager to finally ocuppy their new 23 classroom school.

GREAT MOON GATHERING - FEBRUARY 2003

On February 13, 14, 2003 Omushkego Education is coordinating the Great Moon Gathering at Delores Echum Composite School in Moose Factory, O­ntario, to promote better educational opportunities for our children.

The theme of the conference is OUR STRENGTH, WORKING TOGETHER IN EDUCATION

Over 250 participants take part in this regional educational conference which includes workshops for Day Care, Elementary, and High School Staff, including Elders, Youth, Parents, Local Education Authorities, Administrators and other interested community members. Numerous workshops and presentations suited to meet the requirements of our schools are presented during the two days.

This year's keynote speaker is Jonathan Solomon, Hishkoonikun Education Authority of Kashechewan. The gathering also features entertainers including the Missanibe Cloggers, Kashechewan Step Dancers and Moose Factory Ministik School students.

For more information contact:Colleen Nelson at 705-658-4222, ext 233 or at cnelson@mushkegowuk.ca

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute and Lakehead University recognize the potential benefits of working together as partners in the development and delivery of post-secondary education and training programs for Aboriginal students.  Further, the partners recognize the independence and expertise of each partner, acknowledge the need for each partner to continue to honour its existing agreements with other organizations or entities, and its authority to enter into new agreements with other organizations and entities.

The purpose of this agreement is to develop a patnership that will enable Oshki-Pimache-O-Win and Lakehead University to enhance existing, and/or new, courses, programs and services and to provide additional educational opportunities to the student population served by each institute.  The partners will encourage excellence in learning so that the students jointly served may meaningfully contribute to society through the maximization of their individual personal potential.

For more information, please contact Ruth Baxter, Executive Director of Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Education and Training Institute at (807) 346-2770. Check out the pictures of the signing of the partnership agreement between Oshki and LU.

The 4th annual Niigaantige Career Fair and Northwestern O­ntario Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards was held in Thunder Bay o­n Oct. 30 - Nov.1, 2002. Students from across Northern O­ntario attended numerous workshops, Thunder Bay tours and a Halloween dance organized by Turtle Concepts from Sault Ste.Marie.

The Aboriginal Youth Achievement Awards winners included Roxanne Meawasige, Micheal Pelletier, Rachel Yesno, Conredge Solomon, Catherine Cheechoo, Derek Fox, Celine Favell, Sterlige Meshake, Christy Meeseetawageesic, Duane Moonias, Jasmine Landry, Conan Pitchenese, Keshatay Simon, Corey Wesley, Carla Chiesel, NaMichael Dube, Erin Bottle, Shawn Shabaquay, Phyrie Hook, and Tyler Ledger. Congratulations to all! Check out the pictures at http://photos.knet.ca/Niigaatige-Career-Fair