LETTER: Wynne reiterates First Nation jobs in Ring of Fire – Tbnewswatch.com

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

By Kathleen Wynne

To the editor:

The Ring of Fire is a historic economic development opportunity for First Nations, northern communities and Ontario. We need everyone to be a part of the process in order to take advantage of the economic and social benefits that will be created in our Northern communities.

The mine project will offer more than 1,100 jobs for First Nations and other northern communities. In addition, the investment in a transportation corridor will connect many remote communities to new and existing infrastructure, including electricity transmission, all-season roads and broadband access.

There have been many conversations over the past few years, however a formal model for working with First Nations begins now. We are committed to working with First Nations as partners and consulting with them on environmental monitoring and decision-making that affects their traditional lands.

via LETTER: Wynne reiterates First Nation jobs in Ring of Fire – Tbnewswatch.com.

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Selective outrage | The Chronicle-Journal

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

THE CHIEF of a First Nation near the Ring of Fire mineral deposit has said he’ll die before he allows a mining company to cross a river near his community to access its property. Neskantaga Chief Peter Moonias said Cliffs Natural Resources’ chromite development at the headwaters of the Attawapiskat River could destroy his community.

Moonias wrote to Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci to express disappointment with Ontario’s decision to support Cliffs’ multi-billion dollar plan including a north-south all-season road linking the mine with a rail line near Aroland First Nation and the nearby town of Nakina.

“These decisions will have significant adverse effects on our lands, environment and way of life,” Moonias wrote. “Your government has made these decisions without adequate consultation with Neskantaga, in breach of your legal duties . . . .”

via Selective outrage | The Chronicle-Journal.

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Your Health – CTV MedNews Express | No Health without Mental Health

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

The first Mental Health Strategy for Canada has finally arrived.

“Changing Directions, Changing Lives” is the first mental health strategy for Canada and aims to improve mental health and well being for each person and design a mental health system to meet the needs of whoever suffers from mental health problems and their families.

Nearly one in five Canadian adults will personally experience a mental illness during a one-year period. No one is immune to mental health problems. It can affect anyone and everyone, including you. Sadly, only one in three people who suffer from a mental health problem indicate that they have received health care services.

The annual health care cost of mental disorders in Canada is an estimated $51 billion, with one third of the annual cost attributed to productivity losses. Approximately 30% of disability claims are related to mental health problems and illnesses.

via Your Health – CTV MedNews Express | No Health without Mental Health.

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Frist Nations grads triumph over adversities – Thunder Bay – CBC News

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

The 15 new graduates of the Dennis Franklin Cromarty First Nations High School in Thunder Bay know what it means to overcome obstacles on the way to getting an education.

Many have overcome addictions, grief and terrible loss of family and friends as they struggled to graduate.

The students are all from remote fly-in First Nations communities hundreds of kilometres north of the city.

They stay in boarding homes in Thunder Bay while they attend the school, which is run by the Northern Nishnawbe Education Council.

via Frist Nations grads triumph over adversities – Thunder Bay – CBC News.

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InsideToronto Article: Aboriginal Education Centre students tell stories of bullying on stage

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

Students of the Toronto District School Board’s (TDSB) Aboriginal Education Centre told real stories of bullying, homophobia and isolation from the perspective of First Nations, Metis and Inuit cultures through original music, dance and film on Wednesday, May 9.

Audience members were treated to a sneak peek of the upcoming gala performance Friday, June 8, a presentation of original theatre and dance pieces created by the secondary students as part of the Arts in Education Co-op Program.

“This play does have a lot of personal stories in it,” said Herbert Johnson, who is part Ojibewa. “I am Aboriginal. I’ve seen racism and discrimination go on.”

Johnson, a Grade 12 student, says he can’t say enough about the co-op program.

via InsideToronto Article: Aboriginal Education Centre students tell stories of bullying on stage.

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Shawn Atleo appears unchallenged in push for native-education reform – The Globe and Mail

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

Barring an unexpected last-minute challenger, Shawn Atleo will be acclaimed for a second three-year stint as National Chief to the Assembly of First Nations this July. For the cause of native education, that could mean a great deal.

There have been rumblings over Mr. Atleo’s leadership. Some chiefs believe he isn’t sufficiently hard-edged in his dealings with the Harper government. They want a leader who will confront more and co-operate less.

via Shawn Atleo appears unchallenged in push for native-education reform – The Globe and Mail.

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First Nations Court opens in North Vancouver — RJ Online

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

The judge is out of her usual judging clothes and the court sheriff wears no gun.

It’s not immediately apparent — not at first — if these are just oversights, but when Judge Joanne Challenger turns from the convicted man to the packed public gallery and asks for any suggestions on sentencing and the hands go up, it becomes clear: First Nations Court is different.

via First Nations Court opens in North Vancouver — RJ Online.

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Mouse against elephant – The Sudbury Star – Ontario, CA

Posted on May 17, 2012 by admin

Chief Peter Moonias, of Neskantaga First Nation, has the backing of his members to do whatever it takes– legal action, blockading and even acts of “mischief” — to get Northern Development and Mines Minister Rick Bartolucci to negotiate with his community.

Moonias has hired a British Columbia lawyer, experienced in native land claims, to represent his 400-member community 35 ki lometres from where Cliffs Natural Resources intends to operate an open-pit chromite mine in the Ring of Fire.

Neskantaga members are furious because they say they weren’t consulted by the province before it gave Cliffs approval in principle to mine the deposit and locate a ferrochrome processing plant near Capreol.

via Mouse against elephant – The Sudbury Star – Ontario, CA.

Posted in Aboriginal, Environment, First Nations, mining, Ontario, resources | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment