Rick Garrick — Wawatay News

Aboriginal participants now have a chance to hang with Thunder Bay Mayor Keith Hobbs, the CBC newsroom, a Thunder Bay police officer or a mining company executive for a day thanks to CBC Thunder Bay’s new radio project — Embedded.
“It’s our version of reality TV, without the TV,” said Susan Rogers, program manager for CBC Thunder Bay. “Think Fear Factor without the fear but maybe discomfort with, for example, the police force. This is your chance to get right inside, observe and ask questions.”

Discussions about all-weather roads and winter roads are ramping up across Nishnawbe Aski Nation territory.
“We’ve had tons of resolutions regarding winter roads over the years, 20-30 years,” said NAN Deputy Grand Chief Les Louttit during the Sept. 27 Winter Roads and All-Weather Roads First Nations Forum in Thunder Bay. “But recently, in the past three or four years, First Nations are now starting to talk all-weather roads because of the difficulties they are encountering due to shorter seasons caused by climate change, warmer weather and thinner ice.”

Competing human rights were featured during a recent Ontario Human Rights Commission Training on the Policy on competing human rights training session in Thunder Bay.
“They were giving us tools on how to weigh when we have competing human rights,” said Yolanda Wanakamik, director of programs for Lakehead University’s Office of Aboriginal Initiatives.

Attawapiskat’s Idle No More Peace Rally Walk was one of more than 50 events held across Canada and the world on Oct. 7 to recognize the 250th anniversary of the British Royal Proclamation.
“It’s a message for the government,” said Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, who walked with the Idle No More walkers during the 5-6 p.m. rally. “If you’re going to celebrate this event, you should honour the treaty.”

Wahsa Distance Education Centre’s secondary school program has provided a Kenora District Jail inmate with an opportunity to pursue a college education while in jail.
“Two days after I graduated I got accepted into college taking the general arts and science,” said Timothy Brisard, a recent Wahsa graduate from Lake Nipigon First Nation who completed his Grade 11 and 12 courses while in the Kenora District Jail. “After that I am going to be taking the Aboriginal Community Advocacy course. Once I’ve completed that I will be going to bible college to be a minister.”