come one come all

Renewable energy and First Nations:

What are the benefits and opportunities?

On Tuesday, June 5, Volker Thomsen and Dan Longboat will explain how renewable energy can benefit First Nations and their communities.

Volker Thomsen is the President of St. Lawrence College, near Akwesasne Mohawk Territory near Cornwall, Ontario. He is a visionary, actively promoting improved health for First Nations peoples, and a long-time supporter of FNTI. He is also the author of Canada: Enroute to Prosperity, an inspirational book advocating innovation and job creation through education and training, health and wellness. In particular, Mr Thomsen advocates for “green innovation.”

Dan Longboat is Director of the Indigenous Environmental Studies Department at Trent University, and a Faculty member with FNTI’s Indigenous Community Health Approaches Program.

This Open House will be of interest to those concerned with sustainable communities, First Nations peoples, and the general public.

Admission is FREE

When: Tuesday, June 5, 2007 7:00 pm

Where: Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Community Centre – 1807 York Road

Why: To discuss renewable energy options for First Nations territories


For more information, contact:

Christine Loft	Suzanne Brant	Merle Maracle
613-396-2122 ext 136	613-396-2122 ext 125	613-396-2122 ext 121
chrisl@fnti.net	suzanneb@fnti.net	merlem@fnti.net

Directions for community centre

I made many friends along the way...

Tell me about yourself?

My name is Victoria Lathlin and I am from the
Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba.

Why did you come to FNTI?

I came to FNTI to learn the skills that would enable me to succeed in mainstream and the aboriginal field of media.

Going to FNTI really changed my outlook in life. Not
only did I learn about other aboriginal cultures and issues, I learned what it takes to be in the field of media. I made many friends along the way.

So your working in a co-op placement in toronto? where abouts?

My placement at Omni has been fantastic! If anyone
wants to truly learn and be put to actual reporting
work, then Omni is for you. Because it is the
diversity channel, you learn so much about other
people and cultures in this world. It really is a
great eye opener.

Whats it like being a mother and a student?

As a mother, leaving my children to go to school has
been really difficult, the most difficult thing I have
ever had to do actually. But the staff at FNTI are
really supportive, and it's important for me to teach
my children and others who may be parents, that your
still capable of achieving your dreams, no matter your
circumstance.

What are you learning while being in Toronto?

Living in Toronto has been very different for me. From
living in a community of five thousand to a city of
millions, it can be a little intimidating! There are
many times I just wanted to throw in the towel, but
after over coming certain obstacles in life, you ask
yourself, if I did that - why should'nt I be able to
do this?

Can you talk about your support system?

Of course it helps to have a great support
system, and although my family and friends are in
another world far away it seems at times, they always
catch me and pull me back up when I start to fall.
I'm glad that I challenged myself and learned what I
have. It only encourages me to dream bigger and
achieve more in life. It also lays a foundation for my
children to dream from. Knowing that the stars in the
sky that seem so far from reach can be touched upon is
an amazing thing! Thank you FNTI for everything!

The rewards are great...

My name is Colin French and I hail from the Anishnabek Nation of the Deshkun Ziibi. (or that's Chippewa of the Thames, for those who don't know) We are located on un-surrendered territory about 25 km southwest of London,Ontario. I chose to attend FNTI because I needed to sharpen my message. I have always been a believer in educating those who don't know the History of First Nations people in North America. And when I finally chose to pursue my post secondary education I came across the Aboriginal Media Program (now called Indigenous Communications - Journalism) at FNTI. The program is designed to bolster one's knowledge of Indigenous issues affecting all Indigenous people across North America. The experience I recieved at FNTI is one that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The friends, the hardships, the suffering, the good times and the down right hilarious. My life has become more enriched specifically because of my experiences at FNTI. I am currently interning at Muchmusic in Toronto. The days are long but the rewards are even greater. Free movies, music and stationary equipment! lol jk The only other words of wisdom I can pass on to those who may follow the same path come from a leader who has long since passed, but I believe his words embody the struggle we all face.

"Will we let ourselves be destroyed in our turn without a struggle,
give up our homes, our country bequeathed to us by the Great Spirit,
the graves of our dead and everything that is dear and sacred to us?
I know you will cry with me, 'Never! Never!'"

Tecumseh, Shawnee war chief and uniter

Indigenous communications presents "Backwash on Ipperwash: Did the news media do its job?"

This is to let you know about the second in a series of workshops, or Open Houses, that FNTI will be hosting or co-hosting on issues in Indigenous communications.
The first workshop was held early January at the Community Centre on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. It featured a presentation by Rob Henderson, vice president of the CNW Group, on Improving Indigenous Communications internally to the community and externally to much broader audiences.
This time, as the attached news release and poster will attest, the workshop will be a panel discussion followed by questions and answers from the audience on the roles and responsibilities of the media in covering Indigenous issues before, during and after they reach the flashpoint. In this case, we will have our workshop coincide as close as possible to the public release of the Report of the Ipperwash Inquiry by Ontario Justice Sidney Linden. The panelists include:
Professor John Miller of Ryerson University's School of Journalism speaking on his analysis of media coverage on the Ipperwash standoff and aftermath; Peter Edwards, a Toronto Star reporter who had covered the story from the beginning and has written a book entitled "ONE DEAD INDIAN;" and Sam George, the brother of slain activist Dudley George, a family spokesperson who pushed hard for nearly ten years to get the Ontario government to call a public inquiry into the events of that tragic confrontation with the Ontario Provincial Police.
Ryerson's School of Journalism will be co-hosting the event. It is a free Open House. All are welcome to attend and to participate.
Pre-registration is NOT necessary. But contact us if you have questions.
The time and place of the workshops are below.

Link to Poster
Link to Press Release

Tuesday, March 6, 2007
3:30 pm - 6:30 pm
School of Journalism,
Ryerson University
80 Gould St.,
Room 204

For more information contact:
Dan David
Indigenous Communications Department
First Nations Technical Institute
18002670637 ext.130

danield@fnti.net

Watch for our next Open House in March at Ryerson University in Toronto.

Mainstream Media Coverage of Ipperwash---a panel discussion including Sam George, brother of Dudley George, John Miller of Ryerson, and Toronto Star reporter Peter Edwards, author of One Dead Indian.

The discussion will be held on on March 26 @ 3:30 pm in Eaton Lecture Hall, Second Floor, Rogers Communications Centre.

The public is welcome

for more information please contact
Daniel David Email: danield@fnti.net
1-800-267-0637 ext:130

FNTI instructor recieves award

Rick Hill, MA, left, of FNTI’s Indigenous Community Health Approaches program, received the Aboriginal Institutes’ Consortium (AIC) Faculty Achievement Award for his teaching and mentorship from FNTI President Karihwakeron Tim Thompson. "Rick inspires students to think critically and empowers them to gain control over their learning and educational path," said program manager Suzanne Brant. .Hill received the award at graduation ceremonies for the program on Six Nations Territory in November.

Indigenous Community Health Approaches Program Graduation

Graduating class of 2006 included: Audrey Anderson, Wanda Antone, Cindy Carpenter, Cindy Ecker-Flagg, Kim Henry, Betty Maracle, Cindy Martin, Dawn “Bloss”, Shani Martin, Alberta Monture, Gail Whitlow, Shani Martin, Alberta Monture, Gail Whitlow, Amy Williams

First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) graduation was held on November 10, 2006 for Six Nations residents who successfully completed the Indigenous Community Health Approaches program that was delivered at the Grand River Territory over the last year. The learners were awarded an Indigenous Community Health approach Program (post-diploma) graduate certificate.

The Indigenous Community Health Approaches program explores Indigenous knowledge and philosophies as they relate to human health and the natural environment. The program is rooted in Indigenous knowledge and exposes First Nations health professionals to cultural teachings which broaden their understanding about health, health care and environmental and human health issues facing First Nations communities.

This one-year graduate certificate (post-diploma) program provided the First Nations health professional with the opportunity to acquire new skills and understandings. The program of study outlines how cultural knowledge can be applies in resolving health issues facing First Nations communities, while creating opportunities for enrichment of their own personal cultural knowledge.

The program consists of twelve courses totaling 600 hours of study. The program is offered through a partnership agreement between First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) and St. Lawrence College of Applied Arts and Technology.

Instructors for the course include: Suzanne Brant and Janice Brant, both from Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory; as well as Norma General, Dan Longboat and Rick Hill, all from Six Nations.

The graduation ceremony took place Friday, November 10, 2006 at the Six Nations Community Hall.

Innoversity Summit in Toronto

Tiar Wilson, an FNTI media student who has done internships at CTV Sudbury and APTN in Winnipeg, used her skills as a video journalist to report from the recent Innoversity Summit in Toronto.

Award-winning photojournalist works with FNTI media students

Adrienne Fox-Keesic critiques photos students shoot


Sioux Lookout's Adrienne Fox-Keesic, an award-winning photojournalist and former editor of Wawatay, taught an advanced photojournalism class at in the Aboriginal Media Program at FNTI.

Students said viewing her portfolio, and hearing about her experience as a shooter, were highlights of the third-year class. "She encouraged us," one said.

Fox-Keesic, a graduate of Loyalist College's well known photojournalism program,asked the students to do a week long photo diary of their lives before the class. While she was at FNTI she assigned them to shoot both active and passive photos. Each phioto was to showcase one or two elements from a list of design principles.

Before shooting, the students completed a News U on-line course (News U, from the Poynter Institute, can be found at www.newsu.org) called the Language of the Image.

After shooting, the students, under Fox-Keesic's leadership, viewed and critiqued each other's work. On this page you'll see some of the students' work, and read some of Fox-Keesic's comments.

Nine students expect to graduate from the FNTI media program in June. The program, in partnership with Humber institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, stresses hands-on media industry placements alternating with in-class sessions. Learners come from all over Turtle island.

Nice attempt using reflection in image composition said Fox-Keesic of Colin French's photo of working man.

Jennifer Ashawasegai shot this at Garden River First Nation as part of her diary assignment.

She impressed me with her strong personal vision said Fox-Keesic of this silouhette shot by Christina George.

Well composed said Fox-Keesic about Wendy Sero's photo of students about to race at Sandbanks Provincial Park.

Victoria Lathlin has a nice comedic touch says Fox-Keesic.

Tiar Wilson shot Bruce Spence, senior producer of APTN National News, as part of her diary assignment. Fox-Keesic was impressed by her "great sense of timing."

Fox-Keesic said "his photos are solid" of Brent Wesley's signs of fall shots.

She shot a beautiful composed photo of a gentlemen by a fire said Fox-Keesic of Marlene Girouard.