Happy National Aboriginal Day! Here's some awesome news
Thursday, June 21, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
GARDEN RIVER
FIRST NATION
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Anishnabek Information Technology Centre celebrates good news
MPP Mantha announces $147,200 OTF grant at National Aboriginal Day
GARDEN RIVER - On Thursday morning, during the opening of their National Aboriginal Day Celebration, the Ojibways of Garden River hosted local MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, Michael Mantha to help them celebrate some wonderful community news.
Their amazing community resource, the Anishinabek Information Technology Centre (AITC) is the recipient of a two-year $147,200 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF).
The funding from OTF will help build the long term sustainability of this centre, which provides information-technology training to First Nations people to help enhance their employment prospects.
MPP Mantha marked the occasion by presenting an OTF plaque to Garden River First Nation’s Chief Lyle Sayers and Courtney Solomon, AITC’s Assistant Project Coordinator.
"The Anishnabek Information Technology Centre provides crucial information-technology training to the First Nations community to help enhance their employment prospects. I am pleased to see the Ontario Trillium Foundation supporting the Anishnabek Information Technology Centre so it can continue to render this important service to the Anishnabek community," said MPP Mantha.
Ontario Trillium Foundation representative Sergio Saccucci was on hand to attend the recognition as well.
“It has been a remarkable experience to journey with AITC and see the wonderful progress that this program has accomplished,” said Mr. Saccucci.
About
The Anishinabek Information Technology Centre (AITC) was founded in 2004 by a collective made up of the Batchewana Band Industries Ltd., Garden River First Nation Economic Development, and the Indian Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.
Since opening its doors in 2006, AITC’s goal has been to cultivate a knowledge-based economy in the surrounding Aboriginal communities.
Through computer courses, free lab access, business support and incubation services, and rental space, AITC is raising the technology literacy of its three member communities and increasing employment opportunities for all participants.
AITC values integrity, honesty, creativity, innovation, and respect for relationships with each other, its students and clients, and the world at large.
AITC is an essential part of the community, allowing members to use technology as a tool for knowledge transfer, job creation, the preservation of First Nations culture, and the economic advancement of the community for generations to come.
A leading grantmaker in Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation strengthens the capacity of the voluntary sector through investments in community-based initiatives.
An agency of the Government of Ontario, OTF builds healthy and vibrant communities.
Learn more
For more information about the Anishinabek Information Technology Centre, visit www.anishinabekitc.com
For more information about the Ontario Trillium Foundation, visit www.otf.ca
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Just Curious 6/21/2012 5:59:28 PM ReportOK,so when is National Caucasion-white anglo-saxon day???? Just wondering as it is not on my calender,or on my list of to-dos for this year..I am starting to feel bad about being white,for petes sake..Funny ,everyone else gets to celebrate a special day but if I want to celebrate my heritage day,it's suddenly racist....:)
freedom1 6/21/2012 6:39:46 PM ReportTo "Just Curious"
There is a national Aboriginal day because they are a minority that had lots of bad things done to them. For killing Aboriginals (genocide), taking their children from them to kill the indian in them then sexually abusing their children and torturing them (residential schools), and for breaking all the treaties with them and for years of stereotyping and being racist against them, we give them a day to call Aboriginal day as part of a way to say sorry we messed up your lives. Would you like all these things done to you and your family so you can have a caucasin day? Watch cbc 8th fire you can learn a thing or two.
true canadian 6/21/2012 7:30:48 PM Reportnot much to say here, besides OMG!!!!,don't they get enough funding?,, If I say other words besides "OMG",,, I will get kicked off here,,as well thanks to "Just Curious",, it passed about 300 years ago,,wow,,, just kills me,,I cant say anymore, ahhhhhhh,,,, frustrated!,,
rcamp211 6/21/2012 7:30:50 PM Reportbad things happen to all even white people.i know i am one of them!!
freedom1 6/21/2012 8:14:51 PM Reportto trill_nita
watch CBC "the 8th fire" . you are so ignorant of the facts. Natives don't get homes, and believe it or not THEY PAY TAXES. So your saying you would have your children taken from you and put in a residential school to be sexually abused and tortured so you don't have to pay tax and get health care, wow you are some kind of parent, if that's the case you should be locked up.
freedom1 6/21/2012 8:20:17 PM Reportto just curious
I see your one of the people who like to blame the victim eh? The last residential school to close was in 1996 hardly 200 years ago , so your facts are off by 184 years. watch CBC "the 8th fire". People really need to learn their history.
Christina216 6/21/2012 8:57:12 PM Reportfree housing?? nope...wrong. they get a house built, they pay a morgage. dont do good in school, funding gets cut off. work in the city, pay taxes just like you. anything else??
trill_nita 6/21/2012 9:10:17 PM Reportyou act as if your kids got taken and you were in a residential school...please im sure my ancestors went through some wrong doings too ..maybe not nearly as horrific as your peoples did but still..we can't preach hatred and move forward...i don't need to watch any show on native history i am well educated on the facts and keep up to date on the current situations...possibly one of the reasons why i am able to empathize with the history of your people...me ignorant...after many years of hearing all the crap the whining the crying for more more more when you get a lot as it is yes i become a bit ignorant..and to top it off your people act holier than thou and still teach their children that the white man is bad and not to be trusted but their money sure is good...lol your people are not the only people who went through being displaced from their land, abused or killed...be thankful you got what you do because some other races don't even got that..hell a majority of society don't even have access to half of what natives do so stop crying and actually do something with what you got and what you keep getting and make something out of it instead of constantly blaming the white man for your short comings...after awhile that gets old...
trill_nita 6/21/2012 9:13:51 PM Reportand to christina..maybe not FREE housing but tell me a white person who gets a home built that they are able to pay for...actually tell me of another race who has this happen to them...consider yourself effing lucky...and move it along...we all struggle we all have hardships we can't all get a free ride...we all live here together and have to make ends meet..so how do you want to go about doing do? blaming the white man and preaching racism claiming you are the victims...you are hurting other people yourselves...
Christina216 6/21/2012 9:27:13 PM Reporteverybody gets houses built for them. or they buy a house that was already built. no? sounds like the same thing.
Christina216 6/21/2012 9:35:31 PM Reportas for a free ride...go fff yourself... i work. i pay taxes. i pay for my house. i make ends meet every month because i budget my money proper. i dont live on the reserve. i dont want to. as for picking up and leaving like your ansestors did...uuumm no. i like it here. if you dont like native issues then you pick up and leave and go back to where your ansestors came from.
trill_nita 6/21/2012 9:38:29 PM Report"everybody gets houses built for them. or they buy a house that was already built. no? sounds like the same thing"
BAHAHAHA OK everybody does NOT get a house built for them..NOT everyone is able to get a mortgage and actually buy a home..are you kidding me kinda like the same thing...ya totally...LOL if so sign me up...
hmm born into welfare sounds amazing doesn't it..why don't we all want that free ride...shit last time i checked welfare doesn't get you a mortgage or build you a home..lol welfare doesn't even give a person enough to live on each month, welfare doesn't pay for school...ha and last time i checked welfare keeps getting cuts whereas natives keep getting grants...and a large population of natives are on assistance...hmmmmm..anyway all besides the point...and that is "can't we just all get along?: RIP Rodney King
clearly NOT because natives keep it going :)
sitka_archie 6/21/2012 9:39:48 PM ReportThe Natives have rode the system for far too long. I know in the past they've been horribly mistreated. But how long is the majority of Canada supposed to pay until we're even?
I know, we destroyed land and destroyed your traditions. Well put up or shut up. Go live off the land (sans-government aid) in remote desitinations OR join and contribute to modern society like everyone else.
My fore-fathers were Irish...when they came here they were beat and riddiculed and denied jobs via rasicm. Wheres my compensation for my family?
Natives, your days of raping Canada via tax money are numbered.
Enjoy it....
freedom1 6/21/2012 9:58:11 PM Reportto trill_nita
you must of realized you were wrong because you removed your post about natives not paying taxes and getting free houses and that you would have all those horrific things done to you and your family for free schooling. No one is preaching hatred here just HISTORY, and if that history has your ancestors looking bad from the things that they done to the natives, well sometimes the truth hurts. And you are not educated on the facts because you removed your post about free housing and not paying taxes. You are just saying stereotypical nonsense. The white man not to be trusted.....well would you trust somebody who lied to you took your kids away and sexually abused them, are you that naive? The Jews were also displaced and killed do you tell them to just get over it too? Stop blaming the white man for the bad things that they done to the natives, I sure hope not, that blame will always be there. Consider yourself lucky... what a joke, all those bad things that happened to the natives does not make them lucky. Natives getting a free ride is more stereotypical nonsense.
freedom1 6/21/2012 10:15:28 PM Reportto sitka_archie
How long is Canada suppose to pay till even? How about just honouring the treaties with no expiry date on them. Live off the land? You mean like the land that you poisoned such as when the Ontario government allowed Dryden Chemicals to dump 10 tonnes of mercury in Wabigon english river system. Yum wouldn't you like to go up there for a fish fry. As for the Irish they were treated bad too so you should be able to relate not hate. The Irish have ST. Patricks day.
trill_nita 6/21/2012 10:19:45 PM Reporti didn't remove a thing and stand by every word that was typed by me on here tonight...so if it is gone..have no idea but i will say it again...you get too much given to you...and it keeps coming...i wish i was native so i can get paaaaaaaaaaaaid...lol
Meli_J 6/21/2012 10:23:44 PM ReportI am not racist or prejudice. However, I do feel that it would be awesome if I could celebrate my natural heritage (Which is caucasion) without being dubbed ignorant or racist. A lot of other races do it. Why can't I?
trill_nita 6/21/2012 10:26:00 PM Reportlive off the land means live off of walmart across the border..lol...that was mean but mostly true...and i understand history and am educated about the natives history...but if you did why would you want to keep it going and teach your native children hatred against one race..didn't your people suffer enough because of just that? wanna talk about Jews..do they get money/grants/housing/land/education for what their people went through? NO .. what they went through was horrific as well but i think they moved on and did something else other than relive it over and over and over again blaming and blaming and crying for help from the ones who hurt their people...NO i don't think so...
freedom1 6/21/2012 10:28:59 PM ReportToo much given to natives. I don't think so otherwise there wouldn't be stories like Attawapiskat and 100 other reserves across the nation without adequate funding. However the Harper government doesn't mind giving 110 million to the Afghan army which is run by drug lords. Is that where you would rather have your tax money going.
trill_nita 6/21/2012 10:29:19 PM ReportMeli J its because you are the WHITE DEVIL...how dare you celebrate who YOU are..you should feel terrible for you are white and done others such harm...in my sarcastic voice..
Meli_J 6/21/2012 10:30:25 PM ReportOh right, I forgot that I was there, I was the one who did it all!!!
allschutz 6/21/2012 10:40:37 PM ReportTo freedom1,
WE didn't do anything to them, and THEY have no reason to continue to ask for more and say we did. This is long before any of us...all with our ancestors...time to move on. Present day: We live, they live. We work, they get free monthly money per 'band' and each family (any non-native family working full-time minimum wage jobs supporting a family of 4 probably survives on less). They continue to ask for more saying it is OWED. Why? And you never hear a thank you. Ever. Their schooling is paid for, yet do you ever see any native american doctors, lawyers, dentists? Nope.
Gee, I wonder why the causcasian 'majority' that is now entitled to less than every minority out there is bothered.
freedom1 6/21/2012 10:40:40 PM Reporttrill_nita
Well your wrong again. Just watch CBC The 8th Fire and you will learn something. Did the Jews get money and land for what they went through YES yes they did ever hear of Israel That is the land that they got in 1947. Watch CBC the 8th fire.
freedom1 6/21/2012 10:42:42 PM ReportTo Meil J
You already have a day to celebrate. Its May 25 when you worship your old queen.
Meli_J 6/21/2012 10:45:46 PM ReportHow exactly does that count. We aren't allowed to walk around with banners saying White Day. We'd all be shot. Not the same thing at all
booksntax.wyldpatchouli 6/21/2012 10:52:31 PM ReportWhat is wrong with all of you?! Really, "national caucasion day"?! Seriously?! Methinks the ones whining are the ones who seem to have a sense of entitlement. Ontario Trillium Funding can be and IS applied for by any and all nationalities in Canada. You too can do the work to get this grant if you get off your whining duff and make an application!
The first peoples of this land are far from lazy and far from entitled. They do not get a free ride by any means.
I suggest that your ignorance is your downfall, and its the real reason why you can not get ahead in this world. And why you must whine about people you perceive are getting what you think you deserve. You are the ones who must "put up or shut up"!
Meli_J 6/21/2012 10:53:24 PM Reportand for the record, I don't worship the queen, and Jewish people stopped assuming they should compensated years ago.
allschutz 6/21/2012 10:57:07 PM ReportHmmm...i think freedom1 is aboriginal, married to one, or wants to be one. Also, how many times can you tell people to 'Watch CBC the 8th fire'. Did you direct it or something? Trying to gain viewers?
I'm with trill_nita. ...and I wants to know how to get paaaaaaaid (like an aboriginal, of course)
Meli_J 6/21/2012 10:59:38 PM Reportbooksntax.wyldpatchouli
I just want to be able to celebrate my heritage too. That should be EVERYONE's right.
I have now been drawn into a debate i wanted no part of, So I am off. Happy Aboriginal Day to all those who celebrate it, and Good night to all
sitka_archie 6/21/2012 11:12:12 PM ReportAttawapiskat is very unfortunate. What I don't agree with is Natives holding out on mining operations and strong-arming Canadians in the smoke screen that is compensation. Or part of my paycheck funding 3 teenage Batch First Nationers Sault 3 bedroom apartment, and college courses for them that they FLUNKED out of because all they did was party at said free apartment...wonder how I knew that eh? Almost like I knew the folks...
The BS going on in the Ring of Fire is pathetic right now. The Natives are strong arming the govt. waiting for them to sweeten the pot and THEN they'll sell the rights off. Closing the highway down to protest HST...see what happens when a bunch of whites did that...*cue the pepper spray*.
How about a white buddy shooting 2 cow Moose in a WMU where Cow Moose are not permitted, and then "getting his native buddy to haul them out"? Oh lordie...almost like I have witnessed that too....
Or how about Natives running gill nets along the Causeway of Aubrey Lake via Peshu Lake Rd. A once strong fishery and Tourist outfit that helped stimulate the economy, ruined.
I really could go on and on....
Some Native tribes are as corrupt as the mob.
sitka_archie 6/21/2012 11:20:03 PM ReportAnd Meli_J..
"and for the record, I don't worship the queen, and Jewish people stopped assuming they should be compensated years ago. "
Love it. Theres some truth right there.
As I said, enjoy the free ride Natives. Harpers "sharpening the pencil" and you'll be back into the work force in no-time.
djmo 6/21/2012 11:43:12 PM ReportI feel bad for all these people who have nothing better to do but complain behind a computer screen. My question, do you voice your "concerns" any where else other then the internet?
sitka_archie 6/21/2012 11:47:06 PM ReportYes, I let my Conservative Member of Parliament know how *I* his boss feels about where *MY* tax money is spent.
Just like the Natives are doing with *their* puppet Mantha.
tropicana5 6/21/2012 11:56:20 PM ReportAll you people who sit behind your computer screen all day and wait for news about First Nations to be posted on here then continue to comment continuously - don't you have jobs?
It's pretty lame how this article is acknowledging OTF provincial funding that this First Nation applied for and recieved and all you can do is sit there and comment about the negatives...
tropicana5 6/21/2012 11:59:40 PM ReportSounds like a waste of your so called "educated minds" time ...but oh well no one asked my opinion... Continue to sit behind your monitors and complain about First Nations... See how far it gets you..
lowla 6/22/2012 12:07:41 AM Reportnotice all the aliases used by the regulars. If it is good news for the First Nations...not a peep unless they can twist it into something negative
sitka_archie 6/22/2012 12:25:41 AM ReportI work, in fact my alarm goes off at 5:30am every day. You see, I do what is called "contributing to modern society". I work in 100-125 degree (F) heat every day. To ensure that the following receive "compensation"....
1) My Employer (that's the point of them owning a business...)
2) First Nations
3) Social Services (re: welfare)
4) LIEberal Pary of Ontario
5) Public Sector salaries
6) Anyone Dalton McSquinty feels may vote for him.
Carry on and wax poignantly of how cowardly and unjust "white mans" actions is/where.
Also, I'm not "educated" many are more educated than me. I'm just a tradesman speaking some common sense for once.
tropicana5 6/22/2012 12:37:13 AM ReportKudos to you! My father is a tradesman as well, highly respectable work.. I'm not calling anyone cowards I simply mean complaining about First Nations on these types of articles isnt getting anyone anywhere.. So what First Nations are proactive and love celebrating their culture.. Perhaps if your culture chooses a day and gathers across Canada on that day, it could have a chance at being recognized, worth a try anyway.. I highly doubt the white person would be "shot" for celebrating their culture...
been gone long time 6/22/2012 1:02:02 AM Reportplease stop if you would all use the energy that it takes to write these comments and focus it on a peaceful existance we would all get along alot better We did not ask you to come here and we did not ask to be treated as we where but thats life. the sleeping giant is awakening and we shall see what the future holds for all peoples of this land
Lucky Me 6/22/2012 2:21:21 AM ReportI shake my head every time the natives cry & continuously whine about the white man was so bad to the to those poor, poor, poor natives. They speak with a forked tongue when they speak of HISTORY because they FORGET about their native ancestors that slaughtered innocent white families, men, women & children, farming & doing no-one harm. Taking their scalps to prove how mighty they were to other indian/native tribes. Hello - no matter what they try to say about their children being abused etc was so terrible - what about their ancestors slaughtering & scalping innocent white Men, Women & Children. We have had to live with this & get on with our lives while the natives have the audacity to ONLY preach what they want to. They forget ALL about their ancestors murderous animal actions of the past. We never did that to their children - we were too human to do such gross actions. Wake up natives & check back on what your ancestors did to the WHITES, who support you...........
Lucky Me 6/22/2012 2:23:11 AM ReportI shake my head every time the natives cry & continuously whine about the white man was so bad to the to those poor, poor, poor natives. They speak with a forked tongue when they speak of HISTORY because they FORGET about their native ancestors that slaughtered innocent white families, men, women & children, farming & doing no-one harm. Taking their scalps to prove how mighty they were to other indian/native tribes. Hello - no matter what they try to say about their children being abused etc was so terrible - what about their ancestors slaughtering & scalping innocent white Men, Women & Children. We have had to live with this & get on with our lives while the natives have the audacity to ONLY preach what they want to. They forget ALL about their ancestors murderous animal actions of the past. We never did that to their children - we were too human to do such gross actions. Wake up natives & check back on what your ancestors did to the WHITES, who support you...........
freedom1 6/22/2012 7:32:46 AM ReportTo Lucky Me
You watch too much westerns on TV. It was actually the whites who scalped the Indians, there was bounty on Indians scalps. In the 11th century, the Earl of Wessex scalped his enemies. When the English and the Dutch came to the new world they brought the custom with them. Learn your history people. Watch CBC "the 8th fire" not because I'm the director but because it will educate you on why natives receive schooling which you are so jealous of.
freedom1 6/22/2012 7:46:40 AM ReportTo allshutz
You must of done something to them for even anti-native Stephen Harper to appoligize for what happened in the residential schools. Imagine the government who always spin things this way and that to appoligize, yeah something must of happened. Long before any of us? the last residential school closed in 1996. I think it is very racist to complain about supporting the natives that don't work but I don't hear anyone complaining about the white's that don't work. Is there native lawyers and dentist ? actually Yes but the only Indians that you see with your stereotypical selective vision is the one drinking a beer that don't work. How come when a Indian comes out of a bar, he's a f'n drunk Indian, and if a white guy comes out of the bar it's no big deal?
bluesslinger 6/22/2012 8:01:36 AM Report"they FORGET about their native ancestors that slaughtered innocent white families, men, women & children, farming & doing no-one harm. Taking their scalps to prove how mighty they were to other indian/native tribes. Hello - no matter what they try to say about their children being abused etc was so terrible - what about their ancestors slaughtering & scalping innocent white Men, Women & Children."
Please prove ANY of these assertions.
Go ahead, where is this documented as fact.
Show me ONE credible source to back up your statements.
bluejays10 6/22/2012 9:21:04 AM Reporthonestly... to all the haters on First Nations people!! Just remember what land your living on and if you don't like it.. you can go back to where you came from. This is our land our people our language our medicines and our mother earth. Negative people and racist bastards are the ones who corrupt our societies and teach our young to grow up with negativity! Open up your eyes people, the last residential school was closed in 1996 ( which means we weren't bringing up history two hundred years ago) were talking about now! And why would we agree with mining and those damn pipe lines running through the veins of our mother earth, for what, to literally drain her from all her natural resources! You haven't heard about the 8th fire, I would suggest you look it up because the time is coming soon when all you white people will be turning to us anishinaabe people for advice and answers about this land to survive! were the only place in the world that has the four sacred foods to live on where everywhere else in the world only has two! This land you live on is more sacred than u will ever know! So quite whining and crying about what you don't have and HUG A NATIVE! You might learn a thing or too!
northwoodson 6/22/2012 9:25:36 AM ReportThe past is the past, it's a brand new day to get it right. Most people would accept funding anyway they can get it in this crazy unfair controlled world. Why not just be happy that they got Blessed and someday when you get Blessed maybe you won't get jugded like that.
speed7 6/22/2012 10:49:00 AM ReportBlue jays and northwoodson, I totally agree with you, That is the problem with today's society we are treating mother nature badly and she is lashing out at us. Peace is the best solution although alot of people make comments about the budget including myself I do respect your culture and legacy. We are after all, one in the same on this big planet earth. No one bieng better than the other. Glad to hear you got this grant I hope you put it to good use so your people can advance in the area of technology.
jojo 6/22/2012 1:03:02 PM ReportJust saying there is no such ethniticity as caucasion eveyone is either Irish,Italian,etc,this proves to me how "caucasion people",don't know who they are,where they came from.They have no pride to their heritage because they apparently have none.You would think by now,people would stop this hate amongst each other,the ones that spread this hate I feeel sorry for,they are bitter,angry people who have to make everyone else feel as miserable as them.Get educated people and maybe you won't sound as stupid as you are...
the_mage 6/22/2012 1:09:09 PM ReportHappy Aboriginal Day! Play some Bingo and smoke while you are doing it! Buy some 4.00 dollar pack of cigarettes on the reservation! (taxes are paid there!)
Try the casinos in michigan!
Nevermind these moaners and whiners on this site. They are probably your best friend or neighbour you dont know about.
You all gave me something to laugh about today.
mn98 6/22/2012 7:39:25 PM ReportWOW! lol
Everyone is missing the point. We are ALL living in this country together. Yes it is a shame that people feel that there is a bias.
However, in Canada, over 21% of the work force is underpaid. In the 1980's, 86% of unemployed workers received EI; today less then 40% do! We are watching every other country rape ours! Our oil, natural gas, mining, etc. Look no further then Algoma (Essar) Steel.
It is the direction of this country that should be of concern here. Canadians arguing with Canadians is silly. EVERYONE should get FREE SCHOOLING and AFFORDABLE housing!!! But if we keep giving away EVERY natural resource we have, we will ALL be complaining about the the situation we're in, because it will be the SAME! SCREWED!!! Ask a top earning Canadian CEO about what they would do to help the debt and the majority will say social spending.
We need to wake up! A Native leader in Alberta is trying to stop the rape of our oil by blocking the foreign pipelines. He dam well deserves a "Happy National Aboriginal Day!".
We are ALL Canadian! Lets act like it. And EVERYONE here should take an example from the native forefathers, and thats to honour this land (may be paraphrasing there lol)
