Media.Knet.Ca

NSL E-centre held a meeting regarding plans for future operations. There were several discussions over possible programs and services that can be used for community development, hotel, restaurant, training courses, etc. The meeting went longer than expected due to the concerns of funding and cultural issues, native language, hunting, trapping, arts and crafts, etc. With the support of local band office and community members the North Spirit Lake E-Centre will begin dealing with a few of these issues. Take a look at some of the photos taken during the meeting.

The members of Neskantaga First Nation and co-ordinator Duane Moonias, would like to invite people from across Northern Ontario, to come and take part in our upcoming jamboree. This event will take place starting on Friday June 28th continuing until Monday July 1st. We will also air the jamboree on the Wawatay Radio Network each day from 7pm to 1am EST (times are subject to change). Our special guests will be announced at a later date. Accommodation will be provided, as well as meals. For further information, please contact: Duane Moonias @ (807) 479-2637 or leave message at the Band Office (807) 479-2570 also you can e-mail me at: duanemoonias@knet.ca

The First Nations Agri-Food Youth Program and the First Nations 4-H Association is sponsoring a "FREE" Summer Day Camp called "Exploring 4-H". The 4-H Motto "Learn to do by Doing" will be the format for the daycamp. The Summer day Camp will provide potential 4-H Members and Leaders with the opportunity for a Hands-on learning experience. Explore and understand the meaning behind 4-H. Make a Craft! Play some Games! Make a Healthy Snack! Most of all Have Fun! To Learn more about the 4-H Program or the Summer Day Camp Call: Donna Williamson @ 1-807-475-6993 or 1-800-363-0329 Email: dewillia@tbaytel.net

Raymond Mason (Keewaywin e-Centre Manager), Dale Jack (North Spirit Lake Computer Technician) and Brian Beaton (K-Net Services Coordinator) attended this year’s Ontario Library Services North (OLSN) conference for First Nation libraries. Information about the conference and the different sessions can be found at the Ontario Library Services North web site. The Ministry of Culture is conducting a series of focus sessions to identify the needs and priorities for First Nations public libraries in Ontario. The Tuesday afternoon session provided everyone with the background information about the opportunities and support services available for First Nation Public Libraries. The Ontario Library Association (OLA) presented several position papers as possible options for developing new libraries and services in First Nations. Wednesday sessions included: * The “New” Ontario Library Services North - its vision and support services * The Library's Contribution to Your Community * Marketing Strategies, Web-page Design and Brochures * The Importance of Partnerships * Library Advocacy Now * Success Stories, Panel Discussions The Annual conference is an opportunity for everyone working with First Nation libraries to come together to share experiences and learn about new opportunities. Setting up a public library in each First Nation provides community members with many new sources of information and support. A strong network of committed librarians are working with their community leadership to bring these new resources to First Nations across Ontario. Watch the K-Net photo gallery for Dale's pictures of this conference.

An overnight snow storm is now hitting Sioux Lookout. Satellite dishes need to be cleaned to receive a good signal. The radio reports that there will be another 15 to 20 cm of snow today. For more pictures look here.

On May 1st and 2nd, 2002, Equay-wuk (Women’s Group) held a ‘Working Group’ Meeting at the Forest Inn (see the pictures). Attending the meeting were Grand Chief Stan Beardy and Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic (Women’s Issues Portfolio). The NAN leaders presented the Equay-wuk Board of Directors with the Nishnawbe Aski Nation flag. Since 1999, the Nishnawbe Women and Self Government Program has been providing workshops to women of the northwestern NAN communities on the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Self Government initiative with the goal to having women’s participation in First Nations self government. The Nishnawbe Women and Self Government projects are funded by the Status of Women Canada, Department of Canadian Heritage & Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. This past year, the third Nishnawbe Women & Self Government 2001 Project began on September 17, 2001. The first workshop was given to 20 Grade 11 Pelican Falls First Nations High School students on October 3 and 4, 2001. Since then and up until April 2002, five workshops were given in these five communities: Fort Hope, Kasabonika, Mattagami, Sandy Lake and Sioux Lookout. From Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Assistant Self Government Negotiator Lawrence Baxter, made presentations at two of the workshops. Also as part of the project, a Self Government Survey was mailed out to Equay-wuk members and results will be included in the final project report. A Second Edition of the Self Government Training Manual will also be released. At a NAN Chiefs meeting in Timmins on March 21, 2002, NAN Resolution 02/04 was passed regarding the Representation of Women at Nishnawbe Aski Nation Chiefs’Meetings. The resolution “directs the NAN Executive Council to set up a Women’s Working Group with representatives from the NAN Tribal Council areas, with Equay-wuk taking a lead role in facilitating this process. The Working Group is mandated to provide recommendations to the NAN Chiefs on how women could be included in the Chiefs meetings.” The resolution goes on to state, “that the Executive Council work with the Women’s Working Group to identify how women from across Nishnawbe Aski Nation should be represented at the Nishnawbe Aski Nation political level and in Chiefs’ meetings. Options and recommendations should be presented at the next Chiefs’ meeting.” The Working Group currently consists of volunteers from different northern communities, Equay-wuk staff and board members and Goyce Kakegamic, Deputy Grand Chief of NAN. The Working Group are looking to find women representative of the eastern NAN Tribal Council areas. The plan of the Working Group is to hold meetings by teleconference and in July, the Working Group Delegation will attend the NAN Chief’s meeting (Keewaywin Conference to be held in Chapleau Cree & Brunswick House First Nations) where they will be making a presentation on women’s issues. For more information on the Working Group or Equay-wuk, check out our website at www.equaywuk.ca or call (807) 737-2214 or toll free at (800) 261-8294. Respectfully Submitted by Darlene Angeconeb, Nishnawbe Women & Self Government Project Coordinator.

WE ARE IN THE WORKS OF A 2002 GOSPEL JAMBOREE, FOR JUNE 27th-30th 2002. THIS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE AT NESKANTAGA FIRST NATION. WE, THE COMMITTE AND THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WISH TO ENTEND OUR INVITATION TO ALL COMMUNITIES TO COME AND TAKE PART IN OUR JAMBOREE THIS YEAR. THERE WILL BE A BACK-UP BAND ALSO TO PROVIDE YOUR SINGING. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL THE CO-ORDINATOR: DUANE MOONIAS @ 807-479-1126/2637 OR LEAVE MESSAGE AT THE BAND OFFICE # 807-479-2570. OR E-MAIL ME AT DUANEMOONIAS@KNET.CA THANK YOU/MEEGWETCH DUANE MOONIAS

Aboriginal Harvest Church of Thunder Bay is hosting a conference on May 21-24, 2002. The conference will be held at the Travelodge Airlane Hotel, 698 W. Arthur Street. The conference is about inner healing through prayer taught by Pablo Bottari, who is originally from Argentina. There will be 2 sessions each day at 9 am and 7 pm. The conference is free of charge but travel, accommodations, and meals are participants' responsibility. For more information please call Pastor John D. Beardy at 1-807-475-9124 or by email at beardyjd@tbaytel.net

Are you interested in getting involved in starting a community support group? People who want to be involved in a rewarding and fulfilling activity should get together with other interested people to discuss what opportunities and possiblities are out there. One such activity would be visiting elders. These visits would provide good social interaction with eveyone involved. This group would also sing gospel songs for the enjoyment of the elders. If you can't sing you can still take part on the visits We require a volunteer to coordinate the setup and information sessions. Contact person: Lawrence Mason KWW Health Centre (807) 771-1407

EVERYONE is invited to attend the Third Gathering for Survivors and their families, at the site of the former Pelican Lake Indian Residential School, Sioux Lookout, Ontario, May 26 - 29, 2002. The Sunset Women's Aboriginal Circle, in partnership with Northern Nishnawbe Education Council, are hosting the gathering. The poster and registration form can be obtained at the conference web site. Please copy and distribute the poster around your community so everyone has an opportunity to attend this important gathering for residential school survivors and their families. We want to use this opportunity to gather stories of survival and resiliency of the people and form a Pelican Falls Alumuni group to make sure our efforts and experiences are properly recorded. For information contact: Lorraine Kenny, Conference Coordinator Tel. 807-737-7922 Fax 807-737-7031 email: pelican2002@knet.ca Meals will be provided