Rick Garrick — Wawatay News

Priscilla King is studying Oshki-Pimache-O-Win’s Native Early Childhood Education program so she can eventually open up a daycare centre in her own community.
“I’ve always wanted to take this program,” said the second-year student from Kingfisher Lake. “My dream was to start a daycare in my community, which we don’t have yet.”
King and nine other students, including her husband Chris King, began the third semester of the five-semester NECE diploma program Aug. 21 with a two-week on-campus session at Oshki-Pimache-O-Win in Thunder Bay.

Fort Severn’s cellphone service has helped community members keep in contact while conducting searches outside the community.
“The most recent case was when the (searchers) kept in contact with each other when one of our community members passed on,” said Fort Severn Chief Matthew Kakekaspan. “About a month ago they were looking for him all night. They finally found him the following morning and they were able to contact the community and contact the police that they had found the body.”

Shibogama’s Margaret Kenequanash is planning to join the protesters at the Kill the Bill! No to Bill 191 – The Far North Act rally.
“It is a concern of mine that this could have a big impact on the lives of our people should this legislation go through,” said the executive director of Shibogama First Nations Council.
“One big concern that I have is the ministerial discretion. If we are saying we are a nation and we are sovereign, we should not hand over our jurisdiction to a provincial government. Especially if we have a treaty with the crown.”

Aroland chief gives deadline for response
Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry Minister Michael Gravelle is planning to respond to a $2.1 million Matawa First Nations Ring of Fire funding proposal.
“We take their request very seriously,” Gravelle said during an Aug. 26 interview on Ring of Fire issues. “We will be responding to the request and I am very confident and optimistic we will continue to have a positive relationship with all the Matawa First Nations.”

Laughter and cheers greeted Cree film director Neil Diamond’s feature documentary Reel Injun during the Sept. 10 opening of the Biindigaate Film Festival.
“There’s always different responses from different audiences, but tonight they were laughing so much,” Diamond said after his 85-minute film which retells the history of the Hollywood Indian was screened at the Paramount Theatre in Thunder Bay. “They usually laugh, but they were laughing at some things that other people don’t laugh at.”