Roy Ipana on Baby Island

A clip from Suaangan, Our Strength.
In Memory of Roy Ipana.
Roy was probably the closest thing we had to a traditional Inuvialuit chief; he was everywhere, doing everything for everybody. He thought of everyone's well being. - Dennis Allen

#Inuvialuit #elder #indigneous #NWT #Inuvik #Inuit #Arctic

Roy Ipana "Arm Pulling Story"

Roy Ipana telling a funny story about Arm Pulling with his mum. He was a GREAT MC...Awesome story. This will also be broadcast on CBC Inuvik, as part of a tribute to Roy.
Roy entertained the crowd with this funny Arm Pulling story
at the 2009 Northern Games in Inuvik.
RIP Roy, you were a true leader that led by example.

First Nations can create their own media

RT @Ojibray: First Nations can create their own media - Wawatay News
http://ow.ly/Rij9

[excerpt]

December 29, 2009: Volume 36 #26, Page 18

"I cut my teeth in communications at Wawatay almost 15 years ago, 12 to 13
years ago," Monastyrski said, explaining it is important to have First
Nations communications people trained to talk and speak to the media, to
react to the media. "I find it is really vital right now. I know more
First Nations and more tribal councils and more Aboriginal organizations
nationally, provincially and regionally are hiring communications people,
PR people, marketing people to do those jobs.

Everyone has a communications officer, a lot of them are Aboriginal, but a
majority of them aren't."

Monastyrski stressed there are not many Aboriginal people currently in the
communications business.

"I believe we are the first generation of communications professionals to
do that and I believe we are realizing the importance of it with our H1N1
going on, with Aboriginal issues being on the front page of the Globe and
Mail every day," Monastyrski said. "We need more and more trained
Aboriginal people out there.

Monastyrski said the Northern Ontario First Nations Communications
Conference is an amazing idea which he wanted to be involved with.

"I think we should have a national Aboriginal communications conference
where we can all get together and discuss and train ourselves and share
trade secrets and everything else that is going on out there," Monastyrski
said. "I think this is a great beginning and it is great that northwestern
Ontario or Wawatay, one of the oldest communications agencies in Canada,
to take a lead on."

Monastyrski said Chief Adam Fiddler, as a former CBC journalist, knows how
to speak to the media.

"They can do a ten-minute interview, but use two minutes of that interview
and form it to any story they want to form," Monastyrski said.

Monastyrski believes Aboriginal people need to create their own medium,
such as Wawatay, APTN and other Aboriginal publications have already done.

"(We need to) either create our own medium and tell our stories our way
and distribute it to mainstream and Native communities or have more and
more experienced Aboriginal people in these positions, have more reporters
working for national newspapers, for CBCs, the Globes, the Posts, have
more and more trained Aboriginal people."

Monastyrski said getting young people involved and excited about media and
communications through the Northern Ontario First Nations Communications
Conference is the way to start.

"We are the first generation of (Aboriginal) communicators that are doing
this this way using modern technology," Monastyrski said. "It is about
training our youth."

"There are so many things happening right now in our community where we
need trained media and communications people."

Monastyrski said the Aboriginal media is growing and everybody has access
to the media now through Internet and Twitter.

DHAKA, Dec 28 - Community Radio at southern region soon

Community Radio at southern region soon | UnnayanNews
By admin
Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad today said community radio would be
introduced forthwith at the country's south part, considered as most
vulnerable to.
<http://www.unnayannews.net/content/2009/12/community-radio-at-southern-region-soon/>

Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad today said community radio would be
introduced forthwith at the country's south part, considered as most
vulnerable to natural calamities.

He described the region as mush exposed to disaster in comparison to
others and said post-disaster response could be prompted in the region
with successful introduction of the community radio.

The minister was inaugurating at a daylong workshop on 'Experience sharing
on climate Change, Natural Disaster and Response Mechanism' in the Senate
Hall of Dhaka University (DU) here. United Development Initiatives for
Programmed Actions (UDDIPAN), an NGO, and Centre for Disaster and
Vulnerability Studies (CDVS), a newly introduced centre of the DU to
provide post-graduate degrees on climate change, have jointly organized
the workshop.

Prof of the CDVS Dr Khondoker Mokaddem Hossain in the chair chaired. Vice
Chancellor of the university Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique spoke as special
guest while adviser of Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP)
Dr SM Morshed moderating. UDDIPON executive director M Emranul Huq
Chowdhury, deputy country director of save The Children, Sweden-Denmark
Shamsul Alam Bakul, professors of different departments of the DU, climate
experts, scholars, dignitaries and representatives from NGOs and
development partners joined the workshop.

The Information minister said the disaster issue got priority at the
present context, but it is unfortunate that Bangladesh has no adequate
preparation to face any large scale earthquake.

Besides, he said, it is not possible to reach densely populated urban
areas with fire fighting equipments if any earthquake occurs. He slammed
developed countries for pushing developing countries including Bangladesh
towards juggernaut of climate change saying that at around two crore
people might be climate refugees if sea level rises to one meter caused by
the perilous impact of climate change.

Azad put emphasis on increasing coordination among experts, NGOs and
government agencies for tackling the climate change in a coordinated
manner. Prof AAMS Arefin said information of the coastal people must be
shared among the new generation so that they can mitigate the challenge by
utilizing their knowledge and expertise.

M Emranul Huq favoured keeping the climate change issue out of politics
and therefore coordination could play a significant role in addressing
the challenge efficiently. Each educational institutions ranging from
primary school to university level should have compulsory climate change
knowledge, said Prof Dr Khondoker Mokaddem.

For more:
http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=79181&date=2009-12-28

Nunavut has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in Canada

Nunavut has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in Canada

http://soa.arcus.org/abstracts

Food Insecurity Among Inuit Women in Igloolik, Nunavut: The Role of
Climate Change and Multiple Stressors

Maude Beaumier1, James D. Ford2, Marie-Pierre Lardeau3
1Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal,
QC, H3A 2K6, Canada, Phone 514-398-4400, Fax 514-398-7437,
maude.beaumier@mail.mcgill.ca
2Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal,
QC, H3A 2K6, Canada, Phone 514-398-4400, Fax 514-398-7437,
james.ford@mcgill.ca
3Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal,
QC, H3A 2K6, Canada, Phone 514-398-4400, Fax 514-398-7437,
marie-pierre.lardeau@mail.mcgill.ca

Abstract:

The territory of Nunavut has the highest prevalence of food insecurity in
Canada, where over 50% of Inuit households are believed to experience
difficulties in obtaining sufficient food. This significantly exceeds the
Canadian average of 9.2%. Food insecurity is manifest when food systems
are stressed such that adequate nutrition is not accessible, available
and/or of sufficient quality. Several studies have reported food systems
to be negatively affected by economic, social and cultural transformations
and climate change. Inuit women have been identified to be particularly
vulnerable to food insecurity and more at risk to climate change. Food
insecurity can have serious implications for women's physical and mental
health, and social well-being resulting in increased susceptibility to
infection and chronic health afflictions. This paper examines how climate
change might affect Inuit women's food security using a case study from
the community of Igloolik, Nunavut, and drawing on a mixed methods
approach, including semi-structured interviews with 36 women, focus groups
with 19 women, and interviews with local and territorial health
professionals and policy makers. Results show a high prevalence of food
insecurity with 76% of women skipping or reducing size of their meals in
2008 and 40% reporting not eating enough food when food supplies run out.
Multiple determinants of food insecurity operating over different
spatial-temporal scales were identified including food affordability and
budgeting, food knowledge, education and preferences, food quality and
availability, absence of a full time hunter in the household, and the cost
of harvesting. These determinants are operating in the context of changing
livelihoods, addictions, poverty and climate related stresses, which in
many cases are exacerbating food insecurity. The identification of
pathways through which climate affects female food security in the context
of other stresses is particularly important for policy responses to
strengthen Inuit food security.

Jet Boat on Slave River Fort Smith #NWT

Jet Boat on Slave River Fort Smith #NWT
"...Northwest Jet Boats 22' Signature on the Slave River, Northwest Territories, Canada ..." Uploaded Dec 13 2009

Death in Afghanistan of ex-Yellowknifer (where joined Air Cadets) Lieut. Andrew Richard Nuttall.

Victoria BC family Nuttall 'reeling' after soldier's death in Afghanistan http://ow.ly/PUiv Ex-Yellowknifer where he joined Air Cadets #yzf

Soldiers carry the casket of Lieut. Andrew Richard Nuttall (inset) who died during a foot patrol, Dec. 23, 2009, in the Panjwaii district of Afghanistan. Photograph by: Michelle Lang/Canwest News Service,

The body of Victoria soldier Lieut. Andrew Richard Nuttall, Canada's latest casualty in Afghanistan, will be repatriated during a ceremony at Canadian Forces Base Trenton on Monday Dec 28th, 2009.

GEORGE LESSARD
Information, Communications and Media Specialist
Spécialiste en l'information, communications et  medias
451 Norseman Dr.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
X1A 2J1, Canada
Yellowknife Land Line # (867) 873-2662
Yellowknife Cell # (867) 445-9193
E-mail: mediamentor@gmail.com
My Biography - My panoramic images - Photo Illustrations - Circumpolar Blog
Community Radio Around the World Blog - Photography Blog
Member:
Canadian Association of Journalists
Canadian Artists Representation / le Front des artistes canadiennes
Canadian Artists Representation Copyright Collective

Chat mediamentor@googlewave.com themediamentor mediamentor@gmail.com

My Feeds of Interest TwitterFacebookFlickrNetvibesdel.icio.usFriendfeedTwitterYoutube

Inuit Drum Song ;Arctic Bay, Nunavut, Canada

On the shores of Canada's Arctic Bay, two teenage Inuit girls sing a traditional melody. Their male friend keeps the beat with a qilaut, a drum made of stretched caribou skin that was originally used to summon animist gods during ritual services. The qilaut is also called a "wind drum."

Dettah Ice Road is OPEN

The Dettah Ice Road in Yellowknife opened up to the public December 24, 2009, Christmas Eve.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ykonline
Website: http://ykonline.ca

How to photograph the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) with a digital camera [excerpt]

How to photograph the aurora borealis (Northern Lights) with a digital camera

By Photographer Patrick J. Endres
Please give attribution when referencing this article. Updated 12/11/2009

[excerpted from http://www.alaskaphotographics.com/how_to_photograph_northern_lights.shtml ]

Introduction

Common green color caused by oxygen gasses. Brooks mountain range, Alaska. © Patrick J. Endres

For many, just to view the aurora borealis (or northern lights) is an exciting thought. And to capture them with a camera is both thrilling and awe inspiring.

Before the advent of the digital camera, photographing the aurora with slide film was complicated and often involved a good deal of experimenting. With today's average digital SLR and a good lens, you are very likely to get some very satisfactory images.

This article is intended to give you some necessary information to maximize your aurora photography. While much of what is written below is general in nature and applies to most all digital cameras, the many, many brands and models have their own uniqueness. I will focus on Canon digital SLR's, since that is what i shoot. It is divided into four basic sections with a few miscellaneous details:

1. WHERE AND WHEN TO VIEW THE AURORA
2. HOW TO DRESS - WHAT TO WEAR
3. CAMERA AND OTHER GEAR
4. EXPOSURE - HISTOGRAMS - FILE TYPE

To learn more about the science of the aurora borealis visit wikipedia. A book by Dr. Syun-Ichi Akasofu in collaboration with Jack Finch and Jan Curtis, The Northern Lights Secrets of the Aurora Borealis, is an excellent resource. So is Northern Lights: The Science, Myth, and Wonder of Aurora Borealis with excellent photographs by my friend, colleague and maniacal aurora photographer Calvin Hall.

Cold Weather Photography [excerpt]

Cold Weather Photography

[excerpted from http://www.alaskaphotographics.com/cold_weather_photography.shtml ]

Pink sunset backlights blowing snow on the tundra. © Patrick J. Endres

There is a rare beauty in Alaska's winter, both in the quality of light and color, and its silence and simplicity. But it can be extreme in cold temperatures, particularly in the interior and arctic regions. To experience and document this season, you need to reconcile your working photography system with cold weather. One needs a method that keeps them warm enough to function, as well as enjoy the experience. While I like being in the cold, I do not like being cold. There is a big difference here. Like most things in life, we feel most comfortable and confident once we have personally tested ourselves in a given situation or set of conditions. This applies for working in the cold as well.

Sanata at the Wall of China, China

NORAD tracks Santa

Aboriginal Art Petition Re.: Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic Games

"...We the undersigned call on the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the
2010 Olympic Games (VANOC) to stop using the term "Authentic Aboriginal
Products" to mean their licensed products, with Aboriginal graphics placed
on them, that are produced by non-Aboriginal companies, and originate from
outside of Canada.

Furthermore, we the undersigned call on VANOC to honour its commitments to
local Aboriginal businesses and immediately end the exclusion from its
licensing scheme, Aboriginal products that are truly Authentic, made by
people from First Nations communities in Canada...."

http://www.gopetition.com/online/32954.html or http://ow.ly/OERa

See originating story here
Native businessman upset at VANOC outsourcing: Local merchant claims
'authentic native art' is being made in China http://ow.ly/NZXq

[Excerpt]
"... Sunday, December 20th, 2009 | 4:30 am

Canwest News Service

The First Nations owner of a North Shore company says Vancouver 2010 has
"stolen" the authentic aboriginal product brand and put it on items made
in China.

"Our branding has been usurped or appropriated or stolen by this monster
organization — and now their suppliers stand to profit to the tune of
millions of dollars," said Shain Jackson, owner of Spirit Works Ltd.

"Our biggest issue with the Olympics is this: If you Google the term
'authentic aboriginal products,' the first item you see is the 2010 site."

That web page includes a selection of T-shirts, baseball caps and purses
manufactured offshore.

Jackson says they don't look like anything produced by aboriginal people.
And while 2010 sponsors like HBC stand to make millions of dollars in
sales, Jackson says his business is nearing bankruptcy.

Spirit Works specializes in items like bentwood cedar boxes and jewelry
inlaid with abalone.

Its items sell in 70 retail outlets, including the Vancouver Art Gallery,
Grouse Mountain, the Museum of Anthropology, the Bill Reid Gallery and the
Royal B.C. Museum.

Jackson, a 38-year-old former aboriginal rights lawyer, said he invested
$500,000 in the two-year-old company after believing promises about 2010
native opportunities: "If there is anything that I thought they could
never outsource, it's authentic aboriginal products."..."

NWT's Proposed Electronic Commerce Act

Consultations

http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/Consultation/ElectronicCommerceAct.shtml

The Department is currently seeking feedback on a proposed Electronic Commerce Act. 

http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/Consultation/documents/ELECTRONICCOMMERCEACT-FinalDraft.pdf

Legal relationships have long been based on paper documentation, and most laws use language that refers to paper documents. Over the past generation, however, more and more people have begun communicating through the Internet and by e-mail.  The result is that documents and information are now routinely transmitted electronically.

To some extent, courts have come to terms with technology, people have drafted contracts to provide standards for computer communications between them, and legislation has been enacted to provide for the use of electronic documents in specific areas.  However, the benefits of electronic communications are reduced by the legal uncertainty created by the absence of legislation to deal with issues raised by electronic commerce.

The proposed Electronic Commerce Act would make it clear that electronic communications and documents are recognized under NWT law.  It would provide for minimum standards that must be met where electronic documents and information are used.  However, it is important to note that it does not require people to use electronic communications against their will.

In the case of the GNWT and its boards and agencies, as well as community governments, the draft Act also sets standards for public bodies that choose to communicate with the public electronically. 

The Act is based on a model law that all other Canadian provinces and territories have used to develop their own laws addressing the issues associated with electronic commerce.

Please note that  neither a legislative proposal nor the consultation draft has been considered by Cabinet or any Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly and that this consultation is not in substitution for the public review of Bills by a Standing Committee of the Legislative Assembly when a Bill has received second reading.

For more information, or to submit comments, please contact Mike Reddy, Senior Policy Analyst.  mike_c_reddy@gov.nt.ca  He can also be reached by calling 867-920-3362. We would appreciate any general or specific comments you may have regarding the proposed Electronic Commerce Act by Monday, February 8, 2010. 

Proposed Bill
http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/Consultation/documents/ELECTRONICCOMMERCEACT-FinalDraft.pdf

This page last updated: December 2009

Quaker Indian Committee disavows Doctrine of Discovery

#Quaker Committee disavows Doctrine of Discovery papal bulls basis for
theft of #Indian #aboriginal #Indigenous land
http://ow.ly/Ncwi

[excerpt]

The committee "renounces the Doctrine of Discovery, the doctrine at the
foundation of the colonization of Indigenous lands, including the lands of
Pennsylvania. We find this doctrine to be fundamentally inconsistent with
the teaching of Jesus, with our understanding of the inherent rights that
individuals and peoples have received from God, and inconsistent with
Quaker testimonies of Peace, Equality, and Integrity," the Minute reads.

The Doctrine of Discovery was a principle of international law developed
in a series of 15th century papal bulls and 16th century charters by
European monarchs. It was a racist philosophy that gave white Christian
Europeans the green light to go forth and claim the lands and resources of
non-Christian peoples and kill or enslave them – if other Christian
Europeans had not already done so.

The doctrine institutionalized the competition between European countries
in their ever-expanding quest for colonies, resources and markets, and
sanctioned the genocide of indigenous people in the "New World" and
elsewhere.

As a spiritual corollary of the renunciation, the Indian Committee also
expressed its support for the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples, which was adopted by the General Assembly Sept. 13, 2007. The
Declaration presents indigenous rights within a framework of human rights.

Only the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Australia – countries with large
populations of indigenous peoples with huge aboriginal land claims – voted
against the Declaration's adoption. Australia has since adopted it.

St. Pats High School Hand Delivers 25 Christmas Hampers

Yellowknife's St. Pats High School gathered together to deliver the 25 food hampers they collected for the annual Salvation Army food hamper program.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ykonline
Website: http://ykonline.ca

On Behalf Of The Yes Men - Copenhagen spoof shames Canada; Climate Debt No Joke

-----Original Message-----
From:On Behalf Of The Yes Men
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 3:18 AM
To: gurstein-gmail.com
Subject: Copenhagen spoof shames Canada; Climate Debt No JokeFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Press conference: 1pm CET, Frederiksholms Kanal 4, Copenhagen
Contact: Margaret Matembe, margaret.matembe@enviro-canada.ca, +45-23960186
Coverage: Click here, or click throughout press release for specific links
Videos:
     Canadian announcement (hi-res download)
     Ugandan response (hi-res download)
     Canadian retraction (hi-res download)
     Climate debt agents take responsibility (hi-res download)
More dream announcements coming soon! Come make your own or stay tuned at good-cop15.org.

Copenhagen Spoof Shames Canada; Climate Debt No Joke
African, Danish and Canadian youth join the Yes Men to demand climate justice and skewer Canadian climate policy

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - "Canada is 'red-faced'!" (Globe and Mail) "Copenhagen spoof shames Canada!" (Guardian) "Hoax slices through Canadian spin on warming!" (The Toronto Star) "A childish prank!" (Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada)

What at first looked like the flip-flop of the century has been revealed as a sophisticated ruse by a coalition of African, North American, and European activists. The purpose: to highlight the most powerful nations' obstruction of meaningful progress in Copenhagen, to push for just climate debt reparations, and to call out Canada in particular for its terrible climate policy.

The elaborate intercontinental operation was spearheaded by a group of concerned Canadian citizens, the "Climate Debt Agents" from ActionAid, and The Yes Men. It involved the creation of a best-case scenario in which Canadian government representatives unleashed a bold new initiative to curb emissions and spearhead a "Climate Debt Mechanism" for the developing world.

The ruse started at 2:00 PM Monday, when journalists around the world were surprised to receive a press release from "Environment Canada" (enviro-canada.com, a copy of ec.gc.ca) that claimed Canada was reversing its position on climate change.

In the release, Canada's Environment Minister, Jim Prentice, waxed lyrical. "Canada is taking the long view on the world economy," said Prentice. "Nobody benefits from a world in peril. Contributing to the development of other nations and taking full responsibilities for our emissions is simple Canadian good sense."

Thirty minutes later, the same "Environment Canada" sent out another press release, congratulating itself on Uganda's excited response to the earlier fake announcement. A video featuring an impassioned response by "Margaret Matembe," supposedly a COP15 delegate from Uganda, was embedded in a fake COP15 website. "Canada, until now you have blocked climate negotiations and refused to reduce emissions," said "Matembe." "Of course, you do sit on the world's second-largest oil reserve. But for us it isn't a mere economic issue - it's about drought, famine, and disease."

(The video was shot in a replica of the Bella Center's briefing room, at Frederiksholms Kanal 4, in the center of Copenhagen. Matembe was actually Kodili Chandia, a "Climate Debt Agent" from ActionAid, a collective of activists that push for rich countries to help those most affected by climate change for adaptation and mitigation projects. The "Climate Debt Agents," with their signature bright red suits, have been a ubiquitous presence in Copenhagen during the climate summit.)

Then it was time for Canada to react. One hour later, another "Environment Canada" (this one at ec-gc.ca) released a bombastic response to the original release. This one quot ed Jim Prentice, Canada's Minister for the Environment, decrying the original announcement: "It is the height of cruelty, hypocrisy, and immorality to infuse with false hopes the spirit of people who are already, and will additionally, bear the brunt of climate change's terrible human effects. Canada deplores this moral misfire."

Because almost none of the resulting news coverage even mentioned Uganda or "Matembe's" response, a fourth release was sent from the second website (ec-gc.ca).

Meanwhile, in the real world

The real Canadian government's reactions were almost as strange as the fake ones in the release. Dimitri Soudas, a spokesperson for the Canadian Prime Minister, emailed reporters and blamed Steven Guilbeault, cofounder of Quebec-based Equiterre. "More time should be dedicated to playing a constructive role instead of childish pranks," said Soudas in a first email, while misspelling Guilbeault's name.

Guilbeault demanded an apology. "A better way to use his time would probably be to advise the Canadian government to change its deeply flawed position on climate," said Guilbeault.

Soudas and Guilbeault were seen exchanging angry words in the hallway outside of Canada's 3:30pm press conference, which did not start until 4:30pm, and at which the Canadians refused to answer any questions about the flurry of false releases.

More raised voices were heard when Stephen Chu, the US Secretary of Energy, refused to pose for a photo with his Canadian counterpart, Jim Prentice. After Steve Kelly, Prentice's chief of staff, begged for 10 minutes, the US guy finally asked why a photo was so important. Kelly replied that "we were carpetbagged this morning by [environmental non-governmental organizations] with a false press release. I gotta change the story."

Why Blame Canada?

The only country in the world to have abandoned the Kyoto Protocol's emissions and climate debt targets, Canada also has the most energy-intensive, destructive and polluting oil reserves in the world. The Alberta tar sands, according to The Economist, are in fact the world's biggest single industrial source of carbon emissions.

"By not agreeing to emissions reductions, Canada is holding a loaded gun to our heads, and seems ready to pull the trigger on millions of us around the globe, " said Margaret Matembe aka Kodili Chandia of the "Climate Debt Agents." "They leave us no choice but to see them as criminal."

At last year's climate summit in Poznan, Poland, over 400 civil society organizations voted Canada worst of all nations in blocking progress towards a binding climate treaty. Will Canada take the dubious prize again this year in Copenhagen?

"The Canadian government is not listening to its citizens," says Sarah Ramsey, a resident of Alberta who has seen the destruction of the tar sands firsthand. Ramsey traveled to Copenhagen to give voice to a generation of young Canadians. "We are discouraged and demoralized by our government's position on climate change. We decided to lend our government a hand, and show them what good leadership looks like."

In solidarity with the delegates from the G77 Bloc of nations, today's intervention was also meant to highlight an issue at the heart of the ongoing talks—the issue of climate justice, and the climate debt that the developed world owes the developing world. Seventy-five percent of the historical emissions that created the climate crisis came from 20% of the world's population in developed countries, according to the UN, yet up to 80% of the impacts of the climate crisis are experienced in the developing world, according to the World Bank.

"I meant every word I said," says Kodili Chandia, a spokesperson for the Climate Debt Agents, who spoke out as a member of the Ugandan delegation. "This debate isn't just about facts and figures and abstract concepts of fairness—the drought we are seeing right now in East Africa is directly threatening the lives of millions of people, including farmers in my own family. We have not created this problem but we are living with the consequences. That's why I still say: It's time for rich countries to pay their climate debt."

- 30 -

There will be a press conference today at the "good" Bella Center used to shoot the fake announcement videos: 1pm, Frederiksholms Kanal 4, Copenhgaen.

More dream announcements coming soon! Come make your own or stay tuned at good-cop15.org.

Midwives Association of NWT (CAM Report) - DRAFT

Midwives Association of NWT (CAM Report) - DRAFT
Currently there are two midwifery programs running in the NWT; in Fort
Smith and . Yellowknife. Gisela Becker and Lesley Paulette work in Fort
Smith ...
<http://www.naho.ca/inuit/midwifery/english/documents/CAMAnnualNWTReport2009.pdf>

[excerpt]

Currently there are two midwifery programs running in the NWT; in Fort Smith and 
Yellowknife.  Gisela Becker and Lesley Paulette work in Fort Smith providing prenatal
and postnatal care for all childbearing families in that area with a community birth rate of
50-60 percent.  Heather Redshaw works in a solo practice in Yellowknife and provides
services to 6-7% of women from her community.  Demand for midwifery services
continues to outnumber the program's capacity.
 
There has been interest from other NWT communities to obtain and provide midwifery
services, however there has been no additional midwifery positions funded this past year.
 
Website Link 
http://www.hlthss.gov.nt.ca/english/services/professional_licensing/midwifery.htm
 
Contact Info
PO Box 995
Fort Smith, NT
X0E 0P0
Phone: 867-872-6253

Call for Nunavut, Yukon & NWT Youth participation

Motivate Canada is looking for Aboriginal youth, between the ages 16-24,
living in Nunavut, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories, to attend the
ACTIVATE North Aboriginal Youth Leadership Conference being held in
Yellowknife, NT from March 24-28, 2010.

ACTIVATE North engages Aboriginal youth in creating positive change in
their communities! It also explores the need for youth-driven development
and helps young people develop relationships, support, tools, and plans
that they need in order to gain meaningful experience and make some
positive changes in their communities.

The goal of ACTIVATE North is to provide First Nation, Inuit and Métis
youth from Nunavut, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories with a forum
to voice their ideas and opinions in a safe youth friendly environment
while providing them with the skills and resources to contribute to their
communities in a meaningful way through sport, physical activity and
recreation as leaders – ACTIVATORS.

Please see the Call for Nominations and download the
Nomination/Application Form. Additional information, including a
downloadable ACTVATE North poster is available on the Motivate Canada
website at http://www.motivatecanada.ca/en/activate .

Please share this information with your networks – with youth, friends,
family and others who you think might be interested.

via
http://ichr.ca/2009/12/activate-north-aboriginal-youth-leadership-conference/

Frozen body of missing northern woman found; dogs still at her side

Frozen body of missing northern woman found; dogs still at her side

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gSNge4_MAsZNjLfgiOtwq-Gnle5A

(CP) – 18 hours ago

IQALUIT, Nunavut — The frozen body of a Nunavut woman who didn't return
from walking her three dogs has been found.

The RCMP in Iqaluit say Lindsay Hudson's body was found on a road outside
the territorial capital Saturday afternoon. Her two German shepherds were
still at her side; a smaller dog had returned on its own.

Hudson left her apartment Friday at noon and the RCMP were called by her
roommate when she didn't return after several hours.

Dozens of searchers on foot and on snowmobile looked for her throughout
the night as temperatures dipped to -20 C. before the wind chill.

Police say an autopsy has been ordered, but no foul play is suspected.

Inuit Throat Singing: Kathy Keknek and Janet Aglukkaq (long)

Kathy and Janet from Gjoe Haven Nunavut's application for the 2008 Arctic Winter Games.

Canadian Youth Tell PM Harper Stop Tarring Our Image

Canadian Youth speak out on Tar Sands at UN negotiations in Copenhagen

"Stop Tarring Our Image," Canadian Youth tell conference delegates

A new report from Equiterre, Environmental Defence, Forest Ethics and Climate Action Network Canada about the Tar Sands will be released today during an action by the Canadian Youth Delegation. This highly visual action will focus on how Canada's international reputation is being affected by the Tar Sands.

"Canada's Tar Sands is essentially damaging Canada's image abroad amongst international delegates as a fair, and just country," says Canadian youth delegate Daniel T'seleie.

"The Tar Sands are effectively preventing Canada from meeting any scientifically supported emissions reductions target, and are a gross violation for everything Canada stands for. We as Canadian youth are standing up and letting the world know."

For additional information please visit http://www.cydcopenhagen.org

Nightmares from harrowing years as an Inuit exile haunt her, but Martha Flaherty will not back down

Her quest for justice started early
Nightmares from harrowing years as an Inuit exile haunt her, but Martha Flaherty will not back down

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/732446--her-quest-for-justice-started-early

[excerpt]
IQALUIT–A child resisted.

The white people running things on the journey to exile expected quiet submission from the Inuit and usually got it. There were no translators, so there was no use complaining. That wasn't how Inuit preferred to do things, anyway.

When they were herded into a damp, dimly lit hold and told to sleep on the steel floor, they made the best of the accommodations.

When medical staff told exile families to strip down in groups for their health exams, they suffered the humiliation in silence.

They did as they were told.

CLIMATE CHANGE: Scientists Turn to Inuit for Clues

CLIMATE CHANGE: Scientists Turn to Inuit for Clues

RT @UBCIC: CLIMATE CHANGE: Scientists Turn to #Inuit for Clues
http://ow.ly/LDi1 #indigenous #COP15

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ips/8247e8e95ff8c70de6238a52be944dab.htm

[excerpt]

By Claudia Ciobanu - IPS/TerraViva*

COPENHAGEN, Dec 13 (IPS) - The Inuit people who live in and around the
Arctic are among the worst victims of global warming, and scientists are
now turning to their experience and indigenous knowledge to understand the
staggering effects of climate change. "The Arctic is at the epicentre of
climate change. Inuit traditions and subsistence practices have already
been assaulted," stated the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) in a call for
action at the 15th Conference of Parties (CoP15) to the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change, underway in the Danish capital.

"Government leaders at CoP15 must take the strongest possible measures to
protect our Arctic homeland," read the call for action from the ICC, which
represents approximately 160,000 Inuit living in Greenland, Russia, Canada
and the United States.

Not only are political leaders around the world not doing enough to limit
global warming, but also the best of mainstream science still cannot
properly predict the impact of climate change in the Arctic.

This is one reason why researchers are turning to the experience of the
Inuit themselves to read the signs of global warming. ICC researchers and
veteran polar explorers like Will Steger, among others, have started
interviewing Inuit hunters, fishermen and farmers in an attempt to mix
mainstream science with traditional knowledge to better understand nature.

The Inuit, who know the weather and relief patterns and see the
alterations brought about by global warming with their own eyes, are also
being included in mapping exercises to precisely gain local effects of
climate change.

The involvement of the Inuit is crucial also because alterations brought
on by climate change increase the chances of intervention in their
lifestyle - impossible a decade ago.

[...]

Find out more about the forces behind climate change - but also about the
growing citizen awareness and new climate policies towards sustainable
development
http://ipsnews.net/climate_change/

Arviat Hockey league first fight lol

Greg Gibbons and Kaine Kaludjak..

Indymedia Radio at COP15

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: <drone@riseup.net>
Date: 2009/12/12
Subject: [IMC-Audio] Indymedia Radio at COP15
To: imc-audio@lists.indymedia.org


Indymedia Radio at COP15 will be streaming live every night during the cop15 summit from 10-11pm local time, so 9-10 for those in GMT. You might hear some familiar voices. On tonight's show we have a chat with someone from the CJA, we're talking to Dan from the Bike Bloc, Naomi Klien talking to us about the COP15 debacle, as well as some stuff from the Klima Forum and FOE Denmark (NOAH). The super audio composer Filistine has sorted us out with some semi-exclusive tunes too, which'll be sweet.  So tune in and cop out. safe

http://indymedia.dk
http://london.indymedia.org


___________________ via / from / thanks to: ____________________________
imc-audio mailing list
imc-audio@lists.indymedia.org
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-audio

Support letter for the Canadian Community Access Program in the context of Northern Digital Inclusion

CAP centres in Yukon, NWT and Nunavut in danger of loosing funding (again)

I invite you and your networks to use massively use the mailing form available on the internet for everyone in order to send a clear message to you MP & the federal government.

You'll find it online at :
http://www.internetforeveryone.ca/en/participer/lettre/

Why does the Community Access Program matter

http://www.internetforeveryone.ca/en/acces-communautaire/

CAP and CAP-YI

More at - -
http://www.internetforeveryone.ca/en/acces-communautaire/pac-et-pac-ij/

CAP sites are most commonly located in schools, libraries, community centres and friendship centres and operate through partnerships with provincial/territorial governments and non-profit organizations. As a result of various program adjustments since 1994, CAP has evolved into 13 different provincial/territorial projects. Each province or group of provinces follows a different model for the administration and delivery of this program.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael Gurstein <gurstein@gmail.com>
Date: 2009/12/12
Subject: [CommunityInformaticsCanada] FW: [Advisors] Support letter for Community Access Program in the context of Digital Inclusion
To: CRACIN Canada discussion <cracin-canada@vancouvercommunity.net>
Cc: Simon Emmanuel Roux <simon.roux@communautique.qc.ca>



This below points to this year's campaign to "save community access".  That CAP needs "saving" in this way is a shameful indication of the degree to which Canada alone among its OECD colleagues has ignored issues of broad
based digital inclusion and allowed its only on-going program in this area to atrophy to the point of almost but not quite dissolution.

Every year the question has to arise whether to let CAP finally sink and to try to mount a broad based campaign around digital inclusion in Canada or to yet again try to find desperate ways to save what little is left of what was in its time the world's best and most comprehensive program in support of broad based public and community access.

But technology and public policy has moved on and while the needs concerning digital inclusion have evolved -- now to encompass broadband access, e-literacy training in support of an informed citizenry, opportunities for basic computer skills development, access to very low cost long distance calling via VOIP and so on -- our public policy concerning social inclusion let alone digital inclusion have turned away.

So sign on if you are so moved -- the testamonials gathered by Bev Collins are reason enough to support a continuation of CAP -- but while doing so give some thought to how to create a broader coalition around Digital
Inclusion in the context of a broad based campaign around Social Inclusion and maybe this time next year we won't need to go through a similar exercise as we've gone through for each of the last half dozen years around CAP.

Mike Gurstein
Now Blogging at http://gurstein.wordpress.com/

-----Original Message-----
From: advisors-admin@tc.ca [mailto:advisors-admin@tc.ca] On Behalf Of Simon
Emmanuel Roux
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2009 1:19 PM
To: advisors@tc.ca
Subject: [Advisors] Support letter


Hi all,

I invite you and your networks to use massively use the mailing form available on the internet for everyone website in order to send a clear message to the government.

You'll find it online at :
http://www.internetforeveryone.ca/en/participer/lettre/

Simon




------
Simon Emmanuel Roux
Directeur adjoint
Communautique
simon.roux@communautique.qc.ca
(514) 948-6644.235



___________________  Via / from / thanks to: ____________________________
Advisors mailing list
Advisors@tc.ca
http://victoria.tc.ca/mailman/listinfo/advisors



About the CRACIN Discussion Mailing List
cracin-canada @ vancouvercommunity.net
Purpose: news + discussion related directly to CRACIN research
Members: Core Research Team + graduate students + others who are (becoming) directly involved with CRACIN research activities (e.g. other government partners, private sector partners, and those invited based on their expression of interest). It is the main ongoing forum for CRACIN research discussion.

List info and admin: http://vancouvercommunity.net/lists

The Tar Sands Blow

The Canadian Tar Sands is the world's largest, and dirtiest, energy project. Dirty oil sands crude generates as much as five times greenhouse gas as conventional oil. Yet, unless steps are taken by the U.S. and Canada, both countries will become irrevocably addicted to the dirtiest oil on earth. Totally lame.
http://www.thetarsandsblow.com/

The Teenage Wasteland (episode 3)

Produced in Yellowknife, NWT

Naomi Klein on the 'new climate ball-game'

At the climate summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, environmental groups have said that while everybody agrees that there is a climate crisis, no action has been taken in accordance with the consensus.

Naomi Klein, author and journalist, tells Al Jazeera why climate change has emerged as the single greatest barrier to human development, and why there is a critical need for a mass movement to tackle it.

Arctic explorer's climate fears - 10 Dec 09

Island nations at the climate talks in Copenhagen have raised concerns about rising sea levels caused by melting ice sheets and glaciers.

Peter Hadow, an Arctic explorer, has just got back from a three-month scientific expedition in the area, says the islands are right to be worried.

Hadow says the Arctic is likely to lose all its summer time ice cover in just 20 years - if global temperatures continue to rise.

Inuktitut amiq - Wikipedia

&#5130;&#5285;&#5509;/amiq - Wikipedia http://ow.ly/KNpg #Inuk #Inuit
#Inuktitut

La couverture de l'AMARC à la Conférence COP-15-Coverage of the COP-15 Conference by AMARC-La cobertura de AMARC de la Conferencia COP-15

---------- Forwarded message ----------

From: Marcelo Solervicens <secretariat@si.amarc.org>
Date: 2009/12/10
Subject: [Amarc-info] La couverture de l'AMARC à la Conférence COP-15-Coverage of the COP-15 Conference by AMARC-La cobertura de AMARC de la Conferencia COP-15
To: Secretariat <secretariat@si.amarc.org>


English follows….
Español a continuación….

La couverture de l'AMARC à la Conférence COP-15

Une délégation de journalistes de radios communautaires membres de l'Association mondiale de radiodiffuseurs communautaires, (AMARC) couvre la Conférence Internationale des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques (COP-15) du 7 au 18 décembre à Copenhague.

Radiodiffusion en direct:

Espagnol entre 18h00 et 18h30
Anglais entre 19h00 et 20h00
Français entre 20h00 et 21h00.

Les radios communautaires sont invitées à télécharger les programmes audio chargés sur le site Internet de COP-15 et de les diffuser.
Visitez : http://www.amarc.org/index.php?p=AMARC_cop15_2009_podcast

Voici quelques suggestions:

Tuvalu
Elle est l'une des plus petites nations indépendantes du monde, et aussi le premier pays qui risque de totalement disparaître sous les eaux.
Par: Sandra Lori Petersen.

Reportage: Exploitation pechière au large de la Mauritanie
L'exploitation excessive et illégale de la pêche ainsi que le déversement de déchets au large de la Mauritanie.
Par: Moulayé Touhani Haidara

À travers le service aux membres, le réseautage et l'implémentation de projets, l'Association mondiale de radiodiffuseurs communautaires AMARC) réunit plus de 4,000 radios communautaires, fédérations et alliés de radios communautaires en plus de 115 pays. Le principal impact de l'AMARC depuis sa fondation en 1983 a été d'accompagner et d'appuyer l'établissement d'un secteur mondial de la radio communautaire. Pour de plus amples informations veuillez visiter http://www.amarc.org

*****************************************************************************
Coverage of the COP-15 Conference by AMARC

A delegation of community radio journalists of the radios members of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, (AMARC) covers the United Nations International Conference on Climate Change (COP-15), in Copenhagen, December 7-18.

Broadcast live:
Spanish from 18h00 to 18h30
English from 19h00 to 20h00
French from 20h00 to 21h00

Community Radio stations are invited to download the audio files from the COP-15 website and broadcast them in their radio stations.
Please visit: http://www.amarc.org/index.php?p=AMARC_cop15_2009_podcast

Here some suggestions:

Interview with Ulrike Röhr from Gender CC
An international organisation present at the Bella Center to promote the inclusion of gender issues into the climate policies. By Sandra Lori Petersen

Climate Catastrophe
Pakistan is one of those countries, which make comparatively insignificant contribution to the causes of climate change but is extremely vulnerable to its effects. From coastal populations in the south to those relying on snow-fed rivers for agriculture in the north have become vulnerable communities.
By: Panos Radio South Asia

The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, AMARC brings together a network of more than 4,000 community radios, Federations and community media stakeholders in more than 15 countries. The main global impact of AMARC since its creation in 1983 has been to accompany and support the establishment of a world wide community radio sector that has democratized the media sector.
For further information visit our website http://www.amarc.org

******************************************************************************
La cobertura de AMARC de la Conferencia COP-15

Una delegación de periodistas de las radios comunitarias miembros de la Asociación mundial de radiodifusores comunitarios, (AMARC) cubre la Conferencia Internacional de las Naciones Unidas sobre el cambio climático (COP-15) del 7 al 18 de diciembre en Copenhague.

Radiodifusión en directo:

Español entre 18h00 y 18h30
Inglés entre 19h00 y 20h00
Francés entre 20h00 y 21h00

Se invita a las estaciones de radio comunitarias a bajar los audios del sitio Internet de COP-15 y difundirlos en sus radios comunitarias.

Para acceder a los audios visite: http://www.amarc.org/index.php?p=AMARC_cop15_2009_podcast

A continuación, algunas sugerencias:
Entrevista a Severino Lima
Miembro de la Unión de Recolectores de materiales reciclables de Brasil. Nos explica el porqué del nombre de la asociación y cuales son las diferencias entre el reciclaje en Europa y en América Latina.
Por: Carlo Cascione
Entrevista a Exequiel Istay
Miembro de la unión de recolectores de Chile nos explica que hay 15 millones de recolectores en el mundo y cual es su función en la gestión medio ambiente. También nos habla de su país y de las condiciones en las que trabajan estas personas.
Por: Carlo Cascione
A través del servicio a los miembros, el trabajo en redes y la implementación de proyectos, la Asociación mundial de radios comunitarias, AMARC reúne una red de más de 4,000 radios comunitarias, federaciones y aliados de las radios comunitarias en más de 115 países. El principal impacto global de AMARC desde su fundación en 1983, ha sido de acompañar y apoyar el desarrollo de un sector mundial de radiodifusión comunitaria que ha democratizado el sector de los medios de comunicación.
Para mayores informaciones sírvase visitar: http://www.amarc.org

_______________________________________________

English follows….

Español a continuación…. 

La couverture de l'AMARC à la Conférence COP-15 

Une délégation de journalistes de radios communautaires membres de l'Association mondiale de radiodiffuseurs communautaires, (AMARC) couvre la Conférence Internationale des Nations Unies sur les changements climatiques (COP-15) du 7 au 18 décembre à Copenhague. 

Radiodiffusion en direct: 

Espagnol entre 18h00 et 18h30

Anglais entre 19h00 et 20h00

Français entre 20h00 et 21h00. 

Les radios communautaires sont invitées à télécharger les programmes audio chargés sur le site Internet de COP-15 et de les diffuser.

Visitez : http://www.amarc.org/index.php?p=AMARC_cop15_2009_podcast 

Voici quelques suggestions: 

Tuvalu 
Elle est l'une des plus petites nations indépendantes du monde, et aussi le premier pays qui risque de totalement disparaître sous les eaux. 
Par: Sandra Lori Petersen.  

Reportage: Exploitation pechière au large de la Mauritanie 
L'exploitation excessive et illégale de la pêche ainsi que le déversement de déchets au large de la Mauritanie. 
Par: Moulayé Touhani Haidara  

À travers le service aux membres, le réseautage et l'implémentation de projets, l'Association mondiale de radiodiffuseurs communautaires AMARC) réunit plus de 4,000 radios communautaires, fédérations et alliés de radios communautaires en plus de 115 pays. Le principal impact de l'AMARC depuis sa fondation en 1983 a été d'accompagner et d'appuyer l'établissement d'un secteur mondial de la radio communautaire. Pour de plus amples informations veuillez visiter http://www.amarc.org 

*****************************************************************************

Coverage of the COP-15 Conference by AMARC 

A delegation of community radio journalists of the radios members of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, (AMARC) covers the United Nations International Conference on Climate Change (COP-15), in Copenhagen, December 7-18.  

Broadcast live:

Spanish from 18h00 to 18h30

English from 19h00 to 20h00

French from 20h00 to 21h00 

Community Radio stations are invited to download the audio files from the COP-15 website and broadcast them in their radio stations.  
Please visit: http://www.amarc.org/index.php?p=AMARC_cop15_2009_podcast 

Here some suggestions: 

Interview with Ulrike Röhr from Gender CC

An international organisation present at the Bella Center to promote the inclusion of gender issues into the climate policies. By Sandra Lori Petersen 

Climate Catastrophe 
Pakistan is one of those countries, which make comparatively insignificant contribution to the causes of climate change but is extremely vulnerable to its effects. From coastal populations in the south to those relying on snow-fed rivers for agriculture in the north have become vulnerable communities. 
By: Panos Radio South Asia  

The World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters, AMARC brings together a network of more than 4,000 community radios, Federations and community media stakeholders in more than 15 countries. The main global impact of AMARC since its creation in 1983 has been to accompany and support the establishment of a world wide community radio sector that has democratized the media sector.

For further information visit our website http://www.amarc.org 

******************************************************************************

La cobertura de AMARC de la Conferencia COP-15 

Una delegación de periodistas de las radios comunitarias miembros de la Asociación mundial de radiodifusores comunitarios, (AMARC) cubre la Conferencia Internacional de las Naciones Unidas sobre el cambio climático (COP-15) del 7 al 18 de diciembre en Copenhague. 

Radiodifusión en directo: 

Español entre 18h00 y 18h30

Inglés    entre 19h00 y 20h00

Francés entre 20h00 y 21h00 

Se invita a las estaciones de radio comunitarias a bajar los audios del sitio Internet de COP-15 y difundirlos en sus radios comunitarias.  

Para acceder a los audios visite: http://www.amarc.org/index.php?p=AMARC_cop15_2009_podcast 

A continuación, algunas sugerencias:

Entrevista a Severino Lima

Miembro de la Unión de Recolectores de materiales reciclables de Brasil. Nos explica el porqué del nombre de la asociación y cuales son las diferencias entre el reciclaje en Europa y en América Latina. 
Por: Carlo Cascione

Entrevista a Exequiel Istay

Miembro de la unión de recolectores de Chile nos explica que hay 15 millones de recolectores en el mundo y cual es su función en la gestión medio ambiente. También nos habla de su país y de las condiciones en las que trabajan estas personas. 
Por: Carlo Cascione

A través del servicio a los miembros, el trabajo en redes y la implementación de proyectos, la Asociación mundial de radios comunitarias, AMARC reúne una red de más de 4,000 radios comunitarias, federaciones y aliados de las radios comunitarias en más de 115 países. El principal impacto global de AMARC desde su fundación en 1983, ha sido de acompañar y apoyar el desarrollo de un sector mundial de radiodifusión comunitaria que ha democratizado el sector de los medios de comunicación.

Para mayores informaciones sírvase visitar: http://www.amarc.org

Canadian indigienous youth protests tarsands in Copenhagen

RT @CBCNorth: Canadian indigienous youth protests tarsands in #Copenhagen
http://bit.ly/8ITZjo Daniel T'seleie of Fort Good Hope #NWT

Climate change science "no sound reason" says Nunavut Gov Biologist Mitchell Taylor in Open Letter to UN Sec-Gen,

Signed by:
Mitchell Taylor, PhD, Biologist (Polar Bear Specialist), Wildlife Research Section, Department of Environment, Igloolik, Nunavut, Canada

Open Letter to Secretary-General of United Nations

http://www.copenhagenclimatechallenge.org/

Climate change science is in a period of 'negative discovery' - the more we learn about this exceptionally complex and rapidly evolving field the more we realize how little we know. Truly, the science is NOT settled.

Therefore, there is no sound reason to impose expensive and restrictive public policy decisions on the peoples of the Earth without first providing convincing evidence that human activities are causing dangerous climate change beyond that resulting from natural causes. Before any precipitate action is taken, we must have solid observational data demonstrating that recent changes in climate differ substantially from changes observed in the past and are well in excess of normal variations caused by solar cycles, ocean currents, changes in the Earth's orbital parameters and other natural phenomena.

We the undersigned, being qualified in climate-related scientific disciplines, challenge the UNFCCC and supporters of the United Nations Climate Change Conference to produce convincing OBSERVATIONAL EVIDENCE for their claims of dangerous human-caused global warming and other changes in climate. Projections of possible future scenarios from unproven computer models of climate are not acceptable substitutes for real world data obtained through unbiased and rigorous scientific investigation.

Specifically, we challenge supporters of the hypothesis of dangerous human-caused climate change to demonstrate that:

1. Variations in global climate in the last hundred years are significantly outside the natural range experienced in previous centuries;
   
2. Humanity's emissions of carbon dioxide and other 'greenhouse gases' (GHG) are having a dangerous impact on global climate;
3. Computer-based models can meaningfully replicate the impact of all of the natural factors that may significantly influence climate;
4. Sea levels are rising dangerously at a rate that has accelerated with increasing human GHG emissions, thereby threatening small islands and coastal communities;
5. The incidence of malaria is increasing due to recent climate changes;
6. Human society and natural ecosystems cannot adapt to foreseeable climate change as they have done in the past;
7. Worldwide glacier retreat, and sea ice melting in Polar Regions , is unusual and related to increases in human GHG emissions;
8. Polar bears and other Arctic and Antarctic wildlife are unable to adapt to anticipated local climate change effects, independent of the causes of those changes;
9. Hurricanes, other tropical cyclones and associated extreme weather events are increasing in severity and frequency;
10. Data recorded by ground-based stations are a reliable indicator of surface temperature trends.

It is not the responsibility of 'climate realist' scientists to prove that dangerous human-caused climate change is not happening. Rather, it is those who propose that it is, and promote the allocation of massive investments to solve the supposed 'problem', who have the obligation to convincingly demonstrate that recent climate change is not of mostly natural origin and, if we do nothing, catastrophic change will ensue. To date, this they have utterly failed to do so.

More signatures at

http://www.copenhagenclimatechallenge.org/

COP15: UN Indigenous Voices on Climate Change Film Festival + a live internet show on IsumaTV

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: CNW Portfolio System <portfolio@newswire.ca>
Date: 2009/12/8
Subject: COP15: UN Indigenous Voices on Climate Change Film Festival on
IsumaTV

CNW Group Portfolio E-Mail

ISUMA DISTRIBUTION INTERNATIONAL LTD
ISUMA.TV
ISUMATV
INUIT KNOWLEDGE & CLIMATE CHANGE
GREEN NEWS

Transmitted by CNW Group on : December 8, 2009 13:25

COP15: UN Indigenous Voices on Climate Change Film Festival on IsumaTV

Kunuk and Mauro complete Inuit focused climate change video for
UN's "Indigenous Voices on Climate Change Film Festival" at COP-15
that will screen in Copenhagen on Thursday December 10th.

IsumaTV to broadcast the entire United Nation film festival as part of
live internet show hosted by Kunuk and Mauro from Igloolik, Nunavut, in
the Canadian Arctic on December 10th between 12-10 PM EST

MONTREAL, Dec. 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Inuit Knowledge & Climate Change is a
new film and internet research project by acclaimed Inuit filmmaker
Zacharias Kunuk and environmental researcher Dr. Ian Mauro. A 15-minute
extract from the upcoming feature film will be presented at COP-15, the
international climate change negotiations being held in Copenhagen.

IsumaTV has partnered with the UN and will be broadcasting a live internet
show hosted by Kunuk and Mauro that will showcase content from the
"Indigenous Voices on Climate Change Film Festival". Viewers are
encouraged to participate in this live and interactive program at:

http://www.isuma.tv/IKCC

Kunuk and Mauro will be featured on CBC's The National this upcoming
Wednesday December 9th talking about their project and submission to
the UN. Inuit Knowledge & Climate Change will be released as a
feature-length film by Igloolik Isuma Productions later in 2010.

-30-

For further information: MEDIA: Zacharias Kunuk, zkunuk@isuma.ca; Ian Mauro,
ianmauro@uvic.ca; Igloolik, (867) 934-8809; Montreal, (514) 486-0707;
http://www.isuma.tv/IKCC

-----

CNW Group Ltd is pleased to offer a personalized e-mail service providing
you with news and information from Canada's foremost public and private
companies, government agencies and non-profit organizations. This free
service lets you select the companies you are most interested in tracking
and delivers their news releases directly to your personal e-mail address.

Where are the Children? - Healing the Legacy of the Residential Schools in Canada

http://www.wherearethechildren.ca/en/

A primary objective of our work is to promote awareness among the Canadian
public about residential schools and try to help them to understand the
ripple effect those schools have had on Aboriginal life. But equally
important, we want to bring about reconciliation between generations of
Aboriginal people, and between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

Everyone who belongs to the First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities has
been affected by the residential school experience. Only through
understanding the issues can we undertake this healing journey together.

The aboriginal healing foundation

Aboriginal Healing Foundation
A Message from Georges Erasmus, Chairman

Having been asked to provide some introductory words for Where are the
Children? - Healing the Legacy of the Residential Schools, I reflected
upon the meaning of such an undertaking. What did an exhibition of this
type represent?

The project was launched at the National Archives of Canada. Dedicated to
the service of the nation's identity, the Archives gathers what has been
as an endowment to what will be. Because no legacy is enriched by
counterfeit, this project represented an attempt to tell the true and
painful story of a national institution committed, not to the preservation
of a people, but to their forced assimilation.

Where are the Children? acknowledges that the era of silence is over. The
resilience of Aboriginal people is evident in efforts to address the
effects of unresolved trauma, thereby conferring upon future generations a
renewed legacy of peace, strength, and well-being.

The exhibition has meant, and will mean, many things to many people.

Those who are Survivors of Indian residential school trauma will have
painful recollections. Some have begun their healing, others are yet to
begin. I acknowledge their strength - their determination to face the
truth and to end the cycle of abuse. People of courage are the wealth of
our nations. May this exhibit contribute to their healing.

Some will for the first time see what Survivors of residential school
abuse have never forgotten: the face of a child whose identity is a
number, whose culture is forbidden, and whose future is an institutional
experiment. May this exhibit provision a greater understanding.

Meanwhile, the healing will continue. We will look beyond mere survival,
toward the renewal of nations and the reconciliation of peoples.

A charity, "The Legacy of Hope Foundation," has been established to carry
forward the work begun by the Aboriginal Healing Foundation. The Legacy of
Hope Foundation will focus upon healing, public awareness and education.
The healing has just begun.

I thank the Survivors of residential school abuse who today are enriching
both the present and future state of Aboriginal communities.

For their support, I thank also the National Archives, the National
Library of Canada, Health Canada, and the Office of Indian Residential
Schools Resolution of Canada.

Masi.
Georges Erasmus,
Chairman,

NWT child & spousal support payments worst in Canada at 54 per cent.

Unpaid child and spousal support hits $2.5 billion

http://www.canada.com/news/Unpaid+child+spousal+support+hits+billion/2234045/story.html

 

By Laura Stone , Canwest News Service November 17, 2009 [StatsCan links below]

 

Unpaid child and spousal support in Canada has risen by about $50 million each year since 2004, resulting in a Canada-wide total of $2.5 billion, Statistics Canada noted Tuesday.

Photograph by: David Gray, Reuters

OTTAWA — Unpaid child and spousal support now tops $2.5 billion across the country, according to a Statistics Canada survey released Tuesday.

The unpaid support has risen by about $50 million each year since 2004. The $2.5 billion figure is now equivalent to the cost of funding the Conservative government's Universal Child Care Benefit program.

The arrears have steadily accumulated over years, said Statistics Canada analyst Paul Robinson.

There are 400,000 support cases in Canada. In about two-thirds of those cases, there was money owed, which is unchanged from last year.

What has grown, said Robinson, is the amount of money owed by parents.

[...]

The survey found the highest percentage of parents fully complying with support was in Quebec, at 79 per cent. The lowest was in the Northwest Territories, at 54 per cent.© Copyright (c) Canwest News Service

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see also

Child and Spousal Support: Maintenance Enforcement Survey Statistics

Product main page This publication contains statistical information on child and spousal support payments which are collected from maintenance enforcement programs (MEPs) across Canada. These programs, which exist in each province and territory, provide administrative assistance to recipients to help them collect their support payments. In March 2009, 400,000 cases were registered in the ten reporting MEPs.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/bsolc/olc-cel/olc-cel?lang=eng&catno=85-228-X

Divorce: Guide to the latest information

Find the latest information on divorce from Statistics Canada, including publications and articles, data tables, and additional resources. This guide, developed by the librarians at Statistics Canada, is a selection of key resources and is not a complete list of our collection on this topic.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/search-recherche/bb/info/3000016-eng.htm