Dennis Wallace and Cuyler Cotton of Dovetail Resources were called upon to facilitate the multi-party Ring of Fire Infrastructure Conference.

“It was a very positive, amicable session …”  Ontario Minister of Mines, Michael Gravelle.

Women’s Place Kenora is going into business and believes its new executive director has the right combination of commercial and social skills to lead its collective to greater independence.

Colette Surovy’s education in business administration and non-profit management, plus experience with Saakaate House and as a founding member of both the Kenora Women’s Action Network and the Kenora Resource Team is a recipe for the new direction the centre will be taking.

Hand-in-hand with the women who use the centre, Women’s Place intends to create a social enterprise that will function as a non-profit corporation to gain independence for funding

“Right now, we’re at a crossroads. We had a visioning in January and out of that visioning came through that we want to be independent of funding. We want to be able to steer this ship in the direction we want to steer it in without having to constantly be beholden to funders and what they’re wanting. We’re always going to need the funding, I know that, but we’re looking at other avenues.”

Chiefs sign an agreement Wednesday afternoon.

An agreement signed Wednesday is an historic moment over a decade in the making say area First Nations leaders.

Five Lake Nipigon First Nations communities signed a statement of relationship in order to have a unified voice and show a commitment to development in their territories. With the proposed 100 megawatt hydroelectric project at Little Jackfish River as an anchor, Whitesand First Nation economic development officer Clifford Tibishkogijig said coming together is an important step to economic development in the area.

“This is historical in the sense that the Lake Nipigon chiefs have decided to work in unison with all of the potential development here in the region,” Tibishkogijig.

Although traditionally struggling to find economic opportunities in the region, Bingwi Neyaashi Anishnaabek development officer J.P. Gladu said spin-offs from the Little Jackfish project could include wind power projects for his community that could tie into the proposed Northwest Transmission power line project that would be built with Little Jackfish.

“We’re recognizing the strength in numbers the strength in not only our financial but our human resources to work together because we all bring special strengths and abilities and knowledge to the table,” Gladu said. “I think five voices are stronger and louder than one.”

Gladu said anyone looking to develop energy projects around Lake Nipigon can now have “one-stop-shopping” and more certainty by dealing with one unified economic development corporation.

Animbiigo Zaagi Igan Anishnaabek development officer Joe Donio added the partnership will also help control development in the area.

By demonstrating to government a commitment to development through uniting, Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishnaabek councillor James Mishquart said educational and training opportunities will come along with proposed energy projects.

“I think that’s our common goal here is trying to build healthier and sustainable communities for our people within Northwestern Ontario,” said Mishquart.

Edward Wawia, a councillor from Red Rock Indian Band, agreed. From high school diplomas to high quality jobs like line technicians and electricians, Wawia said development will bring training for members in his community. Red Rock chief Pierre Pelltier said with Little Jackfish proposed to start construction in 2013 and hydro lines hopefully being installed starting in 2012, the partnership will speed the projects up and get community members trained.

“We have to definitely get our people trained to be ready to go when this happens,” said Pelletier.

Her name was passed from the Wassay’ Gezhig Grandfather Drum who sang ceremonial healing songs years ago for it’s people. I like to thank all the people who took part again and the new visitors for this important ceremony.” Meegwetch – Vernon Copenace

Jake Epp, Chairman of Ontario Power Generation came to the community to apologize for the damage Hydro had done and their disrespect for the Anishnaabeg. (The apology was nice but the FN made sure that the cheque got wired ahead of time.)

The ‘08 Fall Feast on incredible Common Ground.