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Around A Virtual Campfire
Sparking The Furture of ICT in Ontario - an online conference

The Keewaytinook Okimakanak office in Sioux Lookout is one of four conference sites hosting the Community Learning Networks Ontario regional two day conference starting today, Thursday May 25 and running until Friday, May 26.

The four conference sites include:

• Sioux Lookout hosted by Keewaytinook Okimakanak (with support from FedNor and SLAAMB),
• Timmins hosted by NEONet,
• Ottawa hosted by HRSDC, and
• Toronto hosted by St. Christopher House and CRACIN.

The sites will be linked by the Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) using a variety of communication tools. Conference participants can join the virtual gathering using their computer (click here for the webcast site) or by registering to join the workshop sessions at one of the video conference sites. Click here to view some pictures from the virtual gathering.

In Sioux Lookout, the event is being held in the SLAAMB boardroom. Lyle Johnson (lylejohnson@knet.ca - 807-737-1135 x1387) is coordinating the local site.  Lyle is also monitoring the online chat session so everyone's questions and contributions are presented to the entire conference.

Visit http://cln-ontario.org for more information about this event and to join the online discussion forums.

The following PDF documents are available online -

• REGISTRATION FORM,
• FORUM AGENDA,
• WORKSHOP SESSIONS,
• HOW to ACCESS the Live Webcast session.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak's Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) is working with its partners in the Thunder Bay area to strengthen and further develop the local Nishnawbe Aski Nation wireless network and provide better online access to the First Nations.

KO and NAN are working with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and Lakehead University, to construct a common meet-me environment where other networks across the region are able to interconnect with each other. The construction of this open access meet-me environment will support direct connections between NOSM, Lakehead University, Confederation College and other networks directly to the First Nations and their organizations who are presently being served by the Kuhkenah Network.

In January 2006, Keewaytinook Okimakanak received funding from Industry Canada's FedNor program to construct this common meet-me site. The work also involves laying fibre optic cable at Lakehead University to connect the Regional Hospital and others to this meet-me site. The upgrade to the NAN wireless network will support video conferencing services as well as additional local organizations to be able to reach First Nations across the region. 

Visit the project web site at http://www.research.knet.ca/meet_me/home for more information.

K-Net is a managed network that provides broadband connectivity services supporting applications such as video conferencing, IP telephony and internet data. The network supports Quality of Service (QOS) so the different type of traffic (video, voice or data) can be prioritized. It is an alternative to the public internet that only provides a shared environment. K-Net is able to provide users with the bandwidth required to deliver a variety of applications (for example telehealth and e-learning opportunities), between local service agencies and remote Aboriginal communities and organizations.

adapted from KORI news at http://research.knet.ca ...

A Maori academic is eager to share best practices and lessons learned from New Zealand regarding promoting adult literacy. "We’re not here to tell anyone how to do anything. We’re hear to share with Canadian First Nation and Metis communities what our communities have created to combat illiteracy," said Dr. Rongo Wetere, a professor and former CEO of New Zealand’s first Maori-controlled and operated university.

He was speaking during an on-line video conference linking six First Nations communities in Ontario’s far north on May 3 that was hosted by the Fort William First Nation KIHS classroom and coordinated by KORI. Earlier, Dr. Wetere  had a tour of the KO Research Institute to see some of the services available there.

"In New Zealand, our communities have adapted and have harnessed technology to transform the lessons learned from Cuba and Finland in teaching people to read and write."

Dr. Wetere and his team have developed a 34-week multi-media program that provides people with all of the academic tools they need for employment, college or university work.

"This approach works because it does not depend on teachers and classrooms." Rather, it focuses on families who work together in their homes with the help of a full-time community facilitator who is paid to work with all of the people enrolled in the program.

Dr. Rongo Wetere’s discussion was entitled, “Literacy Alternatives for All: the Pathway Out - The New Zealand experience.”  The core of the literacy method is based on a Cuban model where post secondary education is mandatory and free for all people to the first level.  This method has been adapted to the Maori culture and circumstance. Dr. Wetere is working with British Columbia Aboriginal peoples and is seeking First Nations partners to work with Northwestern Ontario First Nations to adapt the literacy method to the Canadian Aboriginal experience.

"Anyone can participate in the program but its really a gift from the Maori to the rest of society."

Click here to see the archived video conference of Dr. Wetere’s presentation.

Click here to see the pictures of Dr. Wetere's and Marcia Krawll's visit

Sioux Lookout is one of four conference sites hosting the Community Learning Networks Ontario regional conference on May 25 and 26. All conference sites will be linked by the Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) using a variety of communication tools so conference participants can join the virtual gathering using their computer or by registering at one of the conference sites. In Sioux Lookout, call Lyle Johnson (lylejohnson@knet.ca - 807-737-1135 x1387) or visit http://cln-ontario.org for more information.

Click here to see the preliminary agenda format.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak

Payroll/Personnel Clerk

SCOPE OF POSITION:

Keewaytinook Okimakanak seeks a Payroll/Personnel Clerk for its Finance Department which provides payroll and human resource services for more than 140 employees.  The clerk maintains the payroll system, manages sensitive information with strict confidentiality and must have strong bookkeeping, computer, interpersonal and organizational skills to perform duties accurately and efficiently.  A detailed job description is available upon request.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diploma or Certificate in payroll administration with 2 years work experience
• Grade 12 Diploma and aptitude for bookkeeping / accounting
• Payroll Association Certification would be an asset
• Experience with AccPac Payroll would be an asset
• Knowledge of software applications such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Excel
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• A co-operative attitude when working with First Nation people, co-workers and the public

LOCATION:  Balmertown, Ontario

SALARY:       Commensurate with experience

STARTING:  May 15, 2006

TERM:      Limited to One Year – Replacement for Staff  on Leave

CLOSING:    May 11, 2006 at 4:30 p.m.

Please send resumé along with three written references to:

Hiring Committee
Keewaytinook Okimakanak
Box 340
BALMERTOWN, ON   P0V 1C0    
Fax:  807-735-1383

Only those applicants considered for an interview will be contacted.

CALL for LETTERS of INTEREST

Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO), the Northern Chiefs Council, is seeking Letters of Interest from experienced consultants to facilitate a community consultation process on how the tribal council can better support and assist the member First Nations communities in Ontario’s far north.

Email Letters of Interest to KORI.

Two representatives from Telesat Canada (Mike Collins and Elaine Robichaud) visited Sioux Lookout today to meet with the National Indigenous Community Satellite Network (NICSN - http://smart.knet.ca/satellite) to discuss efforts to acquire additional satellite bandwidth for the NICSN members.

The NICSN team with reps from the Keewatin Tribal Council in Northern Manitoba, the Kativik Regional Government in Northern Quebec and the Kuhkenah Network in Northern Ontario met with the folks from Telesat to identify strategies to support the application to Industry Canada's National Satellite Initiative and Infrastructure Canada to purchase additional satellite space. Carl Seibel, Industry Canada FedNor, also called into this meeting from Vancouver.

A tour of the network facilities and the available resources provided the team with information about how the existing network is maintained and sustained by the members.

Click here to see the photos from this trip

Brian McCullagh travelled to Sioux Lookout on Thursday to meet with the K-Net team. One objective as to explore strategies about how Agilis Network can partner with the Kuhkenah Network to provide connectivity services in First Nations in the Sudbury region. 

For more information about Agilis visit http://www.agilisnet.com/. Agilis is a member of the new Ingo Network (http://ingonetwork.com/) providing connections to major centres across the southern part of Ontario.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak's K-Net Coordinator will be co-presenting with Carl Seibel, FedNor Telecom Officer, at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications and Information Working Group (APEC TEL) gathering that is happening next week in Calgary. Visit http://knet.ca/APEC for a copy of the presentation and links to this important international gathering. 

Industry Canada Press Release

CALGARY, Alberta, April 20, 2006 -- The 33rd meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Telecommunications and Information Working Group (APEC TEL) will be hosted in Calgary, Alberta, in April 2006. APEC TEL 33 is a forum that provides key dignitaries and business representatives from APEC's 21 member economies with the opportunity to discuss issues such as wireless security, spam and related threats, as well as advanced technologies for remote communities and persons with disabilities. More than 350 domestic and international delegates representing government and industry are expected to attend the event.

The media is invited to take part in the official opening ceremony on Wednesday, April 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 

Date:   Sunday, April 23 to Friday, April 28, 2006

Location:

Hyatt Regency Calgary Hotel
700 Centre Street SE
Calgary, Alberta

For more information or for interview requests, please visit the APEC TEL 33 website (http://www.apectel33.ca) and/or contact:

Media Relations
Industry Canada
Tel.: (613) 943-2502

Anne Douglas, APR
Director of Communications
Alberta Innovation and Science
Tel.: (780) 422-1562
Cell: (780) 886-3372

Luiza Zorrilla
Director, Marketing and Communications
Calgary Economic Development
Tel.: (403) 221-7869
Cell: (403) 880-7040
luiza@calgaryeconomicdevelopment.com