Rick Garrick — Wawatay News

Shibogama First Nations Council executive director Margaret Kenequanash is questioning Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada’s plans to cut tribal council funding for band advisory services.
“They’re saying they want to improve efficiency and delivery at the community level,” Kenequanash said. “Are they going to be increasing those funds for the communities? There are a number of questions that still have to be answered.”

Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation has expanded its Victim Witness Liaison Program to Sioux Lookout and Timmins through Department of Justice funding.

Pikangikum, Weagamow and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug community members now have access to Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation’s Restorative Justice and Talking Together programs.
NALSC recently entered into a protocol with the Ontario Provincial Police similar to the protocol it has with Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service for pre-charge diversions to the Restorative Justice program and referrals to the Talking Together program.

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug’s (KI) chief and council meetings have been televised over the community’s cable network since last November’s band election.
“All our council meetings are televised Mondays and Thursdays,” said KI Chief Donny Morris. “That is how we try and promote our transparency and accountability to the membership.”
Morris said the televised meetings provide community members with an opportunity to provide input on various issues.

Obishkookaang Elementary School students in Lac Seul are training for the World Marathon Challenge to beat Patrick Bakau’s 2:03:38 world marathon record.
“We’ll see if we can’t get (Lac Seul) Chief Clifford Bull to run the first leg,” said Scott Haines, phys-ed instructor at Obishkookaang and board member with the Aboriginal Sport and Wellness Council of Ontario. “We’ll have it right out in front of our school, at 9 a.m. on Oct. 16. We’ll keep the baton moving there and afterwards we’ll have a feast.”