The All Nations Hospital is in it’s planning stage, and the hospital will follow a model based on the Meno-Ya-Win Health Centre in Sioux Lookout. It aims to ensure that Kenora and the First Nations communities in the region have better access to health-care, along with the combination of traditional and modern medicines and practices.  Involvement of community partners and First Nation representation on the hospital’s board will play a vital role in it’s success.

Our Health, Our Ways, Our Lives… Walking this Path Together.

In order to be considered, individuals must contextualize their work in 250 to 500 words. This text is to explain what the piece is intended to teach about manomin (past, present, or future).

Selected works will be featured on the Manomin Project’s social media pages on Instagram and Twitter (@manominproject). The winning works will have the opportunity to be published in an upcoming scholarly anthology on manomin.

Please check out the link below for a full set of rules, and details on how to submit a poem or visual work:

• The Manomin Project >>

We are at a historic juncture for Indigenous and Canadian relations in the Kenora area with all communities taking positive steps towards true partnership and “Reconciliation through Health”. The Kenora Chiefs Advisory (KCA), Grand Council Treaty #3, the Kenora Métis Council, Iskatewizaagegan No. 39 Independent First Nation, the City of Kenora and the Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls have all agreed to the following resolution signed and witnessed in ceremony “That all parties agree to work together in partnership in the development of an All Nations Health Care System including the construction of an All Nations Hospital and Campus with the express purpose of improving health outcomes for all people of the region it serves”.

Working towards accessible and culturally safe health care across all sectors/services and for the new All Nations hospital will mean aligning planning within the context of Truth and Reconciliation. This will be one of the first large developments in the Kenora area that will embark on a Reconciliation process and true partnership between all residents of Kenora, surrounding First Nations communities, municipalities and the Indigenous population.

Planning will focus on a facility that will be a central and integral component of an All Nations Healthcare system that will improve health outcomes and improve health care delivery, while achieving standards of excellence for hospital design and operations.

We are pleased to inform you that an extensive process to select a project management firm to oversee the planning process has been completed. Colliers Project Leaders has been selected as the Project Management firm, and they have extensive experience in planning health care projects in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, including experience in community hospital projects they have planned in northern and rural Ontario, and engaging proactively with the MOHLTC’s Health Capital Investment Branch.

The All Nations Hospital Steering Committee is composed of the following:

• Wendy Peterson, LWDH Board Representative who will serve as Chair
• Chief Marilyn Sinclair, Kenora Chiefs Advisory (KCA) Representative who will serve as Vice Chair
• Grand Council Treaty 3 Representative to be appointed by Grand Council Treaty #3
• Liz Boucha, Kenora Metis Council Representative
• Rory McMillan, City of Kenora Representative
• Dr. Jillie Retson, Physician Representative
• Samantha Gould, LWDH Staff representative
• Sally Johnson, Community Representative
• Linda Copenace, Community Representative
• Ray Racette, LWDH Hospital CEO (ex-officio, non-voting)
• Joe Barnes, KCA CEO (ex-officio, non-voting)
• Cheryl O’Flaherty, LWDH VP Corporate Services (project Executive Sponsor) (ex-officio, non-voting)
• Donna Makowsky, LWDH VP Patient Care (ex-officio, non-voting)

There will be regular communication to the community following All Nations Hospital Steering Committee meetings to ensure everyone is kept informed on the progress of this very important project.

Chief Marilyn Sinclair, Vice Chair of the All Nations Hospital Steering Committee, remarked “We are at a historic juncture; through this partnership our collective voice and our health are at the forefront of planning a new All Nations Hospital. With dedicated and ongoing collaboration we will see a facility which is culturally responsive, rooted in traditional healing practices and the best aspects of a modern health care system for ALL.”

There will be extensive engagement occurring within the City of Kenora, and the surrounding municipalities and First Nations communities served by the hospital. This community engagement will be taking place during Stage 1 of the project, and will occur within the next 12 months. Please watch for further communications on when public meetings will be occurring. We encourage all of you to please get involved and provide your feedback, which is integral to the success of the All Nations Hospital.

Wendy Peterson, Chair of the All Nations Hospital Steering Committee, remarked “It is exciting to be involved with All Nations working collaboratively in true partnerships, thereby creating a strong foundation for a new hospital for everyone.”

For further information please contact:

Wendy Peterson
Chair, ANH Steering Committee
wenpete@gmail.com

Chief Marilyn Sinclair
Vice Chair, ANH Steering Committee
mrsbear@kmts.ca

Download Press Release

• All Nations Hospital Update - Oct 2 2019 (744 downloads)

Please note that the change in outflow scheduled for today has been increased, See the attached notice for more information.

Current Lake of the Woods outflow: 425 m³/s
Scheduled outflow Monday, September 23: 600 m³/s

The Winnipeg River is expected to rise as follows as a result of this flow change:

Below Norman Dam – 46 cm (18 in)
Above Kimberley Rapids – 35 cm (14 in)
Winnipeg River Marina – 28 cm (11 in)
Near Locke Bay – 28 cm (11 in)
Above Myrtle Rapids – 28 cm (11 in)
Above the Dalles – 26 cm (10 in)
Above Throat Rapids – 26 cm (10 in)
Minaki – No change from outflow increase

There will be additional substantial increases in outflow each day this week. The Winnipeg River level will continue to rise.

Updates will be provided to this list as the flow changes are evaluated, also through the LWCB’s Notice Board at http://www.lwcb.ca/noticeboard.html and the Board’s recorded phone message: 800-66-5922 later today.

We are looking for innovative businesses or community projects that are either run by youth or youth-led (under the age of 30). Some examples of innovative businesses or projects could be an innovative food product, digital media campaign, manufactured products or youth-led innovative community projects. Businesses and projects will be judged off a number of criteria, including but not limited to: community impact, feasibility, sustainability, uniqueness. Short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS NOVEMBER 25th 2019!

Apply now at www.nwoinnovation.ca/youth-innovation-challenge/

Date: October 15th & 16th 2019 between 8:30am – 4:30pm at the Kenora Recreation Centre Rotary Room and Multi-Purpose Room.

Only 20 spots are available!

Light refreshments & snacks, lunch, and all workshop materials will be provided at no cost to participants.

Please send registration forms to mhpa@treaty3.ca

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: OCTOBER 4TH 2019

For more information please contact Tassanee Weese: 807.464.6517 / mhpa@treaty3.ca

The meeting was attended by Canadian Commissioners Beland, Lickers and Phare as well from the US Commissioners Corwin, Sisson and Yohe. Treaty #3 leadership included Grand  Chief Francis Kavanuagh (GCT3), Chief Brian Perrault (Couchiching), Chief Tom Johnson (Seine River) and proxy for Grand Chief Jerry Daniels (SCO) Tina Keeper.

The meeting was a result of  continued work by both Grand Council Treaty #3 and the IJC in order to ratify a formal relationship together recognizing the jurisdiction of the Anishinaabe Government as well the role of the IJC in the protection of boundary waters and how the two can work together in order to protect Nibi.

Topics of discussion included a discussion of priorities, working together, next steps as well, discussions around legal personhood of water and watershed management planning. GCT3 and the IJC will continue to work together in order to formalize a relationship in respect and support of both organizations to protect Nibi for our future generations.

Contact
Lucas King, Water Resources Specialist
water@treaty3.ca

Nibi Declaration

Southern Chiefs Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels signs the Declaration at the National Spring Assembly of the Grand Council Treaty #3 Chiefs.

The Treaty #3 Nibi Declaration is currently available to download on the GCT3 webpage. The Nibi Declaration is building the foundation for decision making and sharing our respect and  love for Nibi in the Treaty #3 Territory. Initiatives such as a water portal, signs, curriculum and database are in the works to continue to support the Declaration.

• View Nibi Declaration on Treaty #3 Website >>

We held a contest for Band and Community members to create a logo for our nation, and we’ve narrowed it down to three choices.  The final logo chosen will be used as inspiration to create a digital version.

We need people’s opinions.

Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation would like to say miigwetch to everyone who came and participated in our 20th Annual Community Pow-wow June 21, 22, 23, 2019.

Here are some pictures taken by our local community member Aaron Anthony.

Special thanks to the pow wow committee for organizing and for all the volunteers who made everything possible. Chi-Miigwetch to our local sponsors who helped support and make this a wonderful event:

• CORE Construction
• Meyers Norris Penny
• Abinoonji Family Services
• Luby’s Ninth Street
• MS Kenora
• Energy Tech Services.

Aho!!!
Chief and Council

We are holding a logo contest that is open to community / Band Members only.  Your entry must be submitted to the Band Office in either digital, printed, or hand drawn form no later than July 5th 2019 @ 4:30pm.

There are 3 prizes available:

• 1st Place: Apple iPad Pro
• 2nd Place: $200.00 Visa Gift Card
• 3rd Place: $100.00 Visa Gift Card

Good luck everyone!

In order to coordinate their shared experience, concerns, and interests, the Nations of Shoal Lake 40, Obashkaandagaang, Niisaachewan, and Wauzhushk Onigum signed the Unity Agreement in October of 2018. This agreement marks the beginning of the Niiwin Wendaanimok (‘Four Winds’) Partnership.

In the spirit of reconciliation, MTO has agreed to partnering with the Niiwin Wendaanimok moving forward on the twinning project. Although the nature and terms of this partnership are still being negotiated, it means the Niiwin Wendaanimok will consult its own people to understand potential social, environmental, and cultural impacts, provide its own reporting, and directly contribute to future decisions on the project.

To keep community members informed of project developments, the Niiwin Wendaanimok will  provide monthly updates through this newsletter. Read on to learn more about the project, who  our Community Coordinators are, and  how you can get involved.

Meegwetch!

• Download the Niiwin Wedaanimok Partnership Newsletter (PDF) >>

In a report compiled by Cancer Care Ontario and the KCA, colon and rectum cancer rates are higher in both men and women in the Treaty 3 territory, compared to the rest of Ontario. Myeloma, cervix and kidney cancer rates are higher amongst women in Treaty 3 than the rest of Ontario. However, prostate, breast and thyroid cancer rates are lower in Treaty 3 compared to Ontario.

Due to the higher rates of cancer, the KCA has initiated a seamless cancer care journey project which brought together service providers, bureaucrats, administrators and physicians at Seven Generations Education Institute Tuesday, May 28. The event was intended to bring everyone together to share their stories and KCA president and Chief of Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation Lorraine Cobiness highlighted the importance of the elders and others who don’t always get a chance to speak in attendance

“There are people here who don’t necessarily always have a chance to connect with everybody all in the same room and voice their concerns,” Cobiness said.

Members of Treaty 3 face obstacles in accessing cancer treatment, the biggest one being fear according to Cobiness.

“It’s not having all the information,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where you are, it’s absolute fear.”

Some of the other barriers Treaty 3 members face include difficult relationships with providers, difficulty travelling to screening site, confusion about follow up steps and results being received too late or not at all. These were all identified by community members and providers in the Northwestern Ontario First Nations Cancer Screening Research Project which is still in progress.

The event held at Seven Gens is hoping to take the stories and experiences shared by those in attendance and develop an action plan to “make meaningful steps towards a seamless cancer journey,” a KCA news release reads. The project has funding provided for the next four years.

“Health transformation is happening, it’s here, it’s going to happen,” Cobiness said.

Cobiness is encouraged by the development of an All Nations Hospital and healthcare system in the works for the Kenora area, calling the project one of KCA’s biggest priorities. The seamless cancer care journey initiative can help contribute in the development of an All Nations Healthcare system, Cobiness said.

rstelter@postmedia.com / Kenora Daily Miner and News

All interested applicants have until June 1st 2019 BEFORE 4:30pm.

That day is a Saturday and so it’s best to get your application in on the Friday before.

Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

You can email your application to education@niisaachewan.ca or fax it to 807.548.2337

Application Download:

• Post-Secondary Funding Policy and Application (3069 downloads) (PDF)

I need to acknowledge the long and hard work that has been put into this project over the years, special acknowledgement to my former council members Merv Copenace, Roberta Jameson, and Martina Strong for their contributions along the way. My council Fabian Blackhawk, Ted Perrault, Bernice Major, and Reno Cameron for their continued commitment. Our partners Fednor, NOHFC, Bimose, KCA, and Nelson for helping us capture our vision. My staff for all their support. Our community members patiently waiting and supporting the efforts. Allan Luby, who has put his blood, sweat, and tears to get us to this point.

Most important, the hard work put into this project is for our children, their future, and their prosperity. It’ll be a place to gather, celebrate, and create opportunities in Training and Economic Development.

Last but not least, our creator who continues to guide us. Miigwetch.