First Nations Technical Institute

Students: Union of Ontario Indians wants your letters

2010-07-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

The Union of Ontario Indians (UOI) -- find them on Facebook by searching "Anishinabek Nation" -- is conducting a contest for Anishinabek students interested in winning an autographed framed photo of hockey stars Sidney Crosby or Alexander Ovechkin. Here are the details:

The Union of Ontario Indians and the Anishinabek Educational Institute are looking for Anishinabek students who are interested in submitting a letter to the Minister of Indian Affairs Canada indicating: the importance of your post-secondary education; the successes you have achieved; and, the impact that 'lack of funding' has or will have on your future educational endeavours.

Who can submit a letter: Any Anishinabek student attending or will be attending a post-secondary institute (college or university) in September 2010.

The two winning letters will be hand delivered to Minister Strahl. The UOI education director will draw to determine which winner will receive the autographed framed photo of Sidney Crosby, and the autographed framed photo of Alexander Ovechkin. The remaining letters that are submitted will be packaged and forwarded to the minister on your behalf.

More details at the UOI website.

We have LOTS of 'nish students at FNTI so feel free to forward this if you know one!

10 Ways to Improve Your Chances of Winning Scholarships

2010-07-05T06:40:00.000-07:00

As a member of the Strategic Alliance of Broadcasters for Aboriginal Reflection (SABAR), a collection of broadcasters and educators working to increase the contribution and representation of Aboriginal people in the broadcast industry, FNTI participated last week in the adjudication of its annual scholarship. A $5000 award, it is open to any First Nation, Inuit, or Metis Canadian resident working toward a career in journalism or radio/television arts.

It makes the discovery of this blog post a great coincidence. Pay close attention to point #9 on this list: "Put your best effort into your scholarship applications."

Minimal effort brings minimal results. This is your chance to make an impression. Scholarship applications that reflect your effort and pride in your work by carefully following instructions and including well-written essays and strong recommendations, if required, will always rise to the top.

Last week we saw some really great submissions and a few not-so-great submissions. Remember your audience: if it's a need-based scholarship, prove the need; if it's a merit-based scholarship, provide work from your portfolio. Oh, and be passionate!

For more information about scholarships and bursaries available to FNTI learners, click here.

FNTI a "promising practice" in Abo-PSE

2010-06-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was National Aboriginal Day and, as such, it was the perfect time for two announcements in Aboriginal post-secondary education.

First, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) released the report, "Answering the Call: The 2010 inventory of Canadian university programs and services for Aboriginal students," the results of a survey conducted by the AUCC of its member organizations regarding Aboriginal access to mainstream post-secondary education. The 30-page document is available for download at the link.

As well, the Assembly of First Nations released a discussion paper called "Taking Action for First Nations Post-Secondary Education: Access, Opportunity, and Outcomes," where it identifies FNTI as one of eight "promising practices" in Aboriginal post-secondary education. The report reads:

The First Nations Technical Institute (FNTI) opened in 1985 as a result of partnerships among the Tyendinaga Mohawk Council, the FNTI Board, the Department of Indian Affairs and the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training. FNTI's approaches to Aboriginal post-secondary over the years includes alternative delivery methods such as intensive course offerings, use of video-conferencing technology and community delivering of programming. They believe that, "by taking the education to the people, we have removed one barrier to access. By changing the delivery schedule we have removed another. Our final step is to create active, participatory learning environments which respond to the cultural and socio-economic needs of our learners.

This 30-page discussion paper, developed by a panel of ten First Nations educators and administrators from across Canada, is available for download at the AFN website.

Queen's celebrates FNTI's first MPA grads

2010-06-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

Check out this article from the Queen's University News Centre about our first ever graduates from the Master of Public Administration program. Our partner institute for this program, Queen's notes it is Canada's only program for graduate studies in indigenous public administration and policy.

Congratulations to (l-r) Tracey, Debby, Russell, and Francis!

(Yes, that's our very own Manager of Advancement and Institutional Development Debby Brant!)

More PLA in the news

2010-06-08T14:30:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Ashawasagai, a 2007 graduate of FNTI's journalism program, is the creator and host of Bamoseda (pronounced "BOMB-say-dah"), her own radio newsmagazine show which is available to listeners of stations that belong to the Rogers radio network all across Canada.

Last week she spoke with PLA Manager Paul Zakos during our 21st annual PLA conference and that interview is included in this week's edition of Bamoseda.

It's available online at this link. (Just below the Bamoseda logo, click on the right arrow to access the program.) The FNTI portion of the show begins around the time mark 28:40 and ends at approximately 34:50.

PLA in the news

2010-06-08T14:17:00.000-07:00

Reporter Jason Miller from the local daily newspaper Belleville Intelligencer visited our PLA conference last week and his story was published on Saturday.

FNTI LEADING WAY IN EDUCATING MATURE STUDENTS
Jason Miller, The Intelligencer

A local college has conjured a revolutionary way to educate mature students that has been catching on with post-secondary institutions around the world.

The Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory-based First Nations Technical Institute just concluded its prior learning assessment conference, which attracted educators from Chile, South Africa and Nunavut, who have adopted the program.

Paul Zakos, the manager of the PLA program at FNTI, said the education model is geared towards helping professionals without post-secondary education accreditation build portfolios that represent their body of work.

"It forces institutions to change the way they deliver services," he said. "The demographics are changing."

Zakos said the four-day conference at the Ramada also highlighted efforts to recognize Indigenous knowledge in Canada and around the world.

He said the PLA program identifies and validates knowledge acquired from non-academic work and life experience, which might have been gained from volunteerism, travel, and hobbies.

"The PLA process is designed to make it more efficient and lessen the time," he said. "You still have to prove have that skill and knowledge."

During the conference, speakers staged workshops that underscored the commonalities among Indigenous people around the world in acknowledging unique worldviews and learning styles that enhance Indigenous peoples full participation in their societies.

This is the 21st conference that has been staged by FNTI, marking its 25 years as an Aboriginally controlled post-secondary institution. The college offers 13 programs and has an enrolment of about 300 students.

Zakos said the school uses a different education model, where educators visit the students in their communities several times a year.

Some of the students have jobs and families to care for, he said, so they are unable to fit into the traditional school system.

He said a vast majority of those students already have workplace experience and the PLA program is a medium through which they can construct a portfolio and receive some form of accreditation for their years of work.

"People learn a lot of things outside of school that are relevant to what you would be taught in school," he said. "We've worked on that model for 21 years."

jmiller@intelligencer.ca

Founding FNTI "almost a spontaneous eruption of community cooperation"

2010-06-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

Our first ever president and CAO, Bruce Millar, recounts the creation and early history of FNTI to those in attendance for the opening ceremony at the 21st annual PLA conference.

PLA Q&A: Diane Hill

2010-06-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

They started yesterday and wrapped up this morning: the PLA pre-conference workshops. More than a presentation, with opportunities for a bit more in-depth focus on participants' own professional use -- and potential use -- of the prior learning assessment process, the pre-conference workshops are a must, especially for those new to PLA.

Participants had three workshops to choose from. In the Sagonaska Room on the main conference floor, Diane Hill of FNTI's social services worker (SSW) program, who presented along with Banakonda Kennedy Kish Bell, spoke with us about her session called "The FNTI Model: Portfolio Development as a Tool for Transformative Learning."

FNTI: Tell us a little about yourself.

Diane: I've been the academic program coordinator for one of the social service worker programs at FNTI. I wear many hats, actually. As academic program coordinator, I had to oversee the accreditation standards of the program. I have to ensure that the program met the same accreditation standards of other SSW programs in Ontario. I have to articulate a learning and teaching model based on Indigenous cultural philosophy and I have to build a bridge between our style of Indigenous education and mainstream. I have to explain in a way that makes sense to other adult educators so that they can appreciate the depth and the breadth of how we operate.

I've done a lot of keynotes, a lot of work with teachers and education people. I've done workshops for administrators of both college and university level programs. I do a lot of mainstream bridging.

And I actually teach! I'm lead faculty in the program. I oversee program and course design, content and delivery, guide teaching faculty, supervise, and manage them. Plus provide counselling and healing with learners.

FNTI: We can assume you've been to the PLA conference before?

Diane: I started coming here at conference number four and now we're at what? Twenty-one? So what is that? Seventeen?

FNTI: What has your workshop entailed? It's called "The FNTI Model?"

Diane: We introduced participants to the Aboriginal culture-based model of learning and teaching utilized by FNTI faculty for the SSW program. Portfolio development especially has been integrated into the curriculum as a way of providing adult learners with the opportunity not only to assess their prior learning, but also to document new learning acquired through their training program.

FNTI: Is there anything you learned or taken away from this session?

Diane: What I take away is what I always take away. The model is always appreciated by people. They understand the depth and the breadth and the reason why we do it, from an Indigenous perspective. People are always so profoundly touched by what they learn here. They say, "Thank you, Diane, for clarifying the Indigenous worldview." I get that every single time. For 17 years now that's what I've heard. It's about wholistic education that's not just about Aboriginal people. It's about all of us, and people here seem to understand that. Even when I'm just talking about Aboriginal people.

PLA Q&A: Mark Gallupe and Paul Zakos

2010-06-02T09:18:00.000-07:00

It all started yesterday and wrapped up this morning: the PLA pre-conference workshops. More than a presentation, with opportunities for a bit more in-depth focus on participants' own professional use -- and potential use -- of the prior learning assessment process, the pre-conference workshops are a must, especially for those new to PLA.

Participants had three workshops to choose from. On the main conference floor, 2nd floor here at the Ramada Inn, Mark Gallupe of Loyalist College and Paul Zakos of FNTI, along with Glen Brouwer of Sunrise Adult Learning Centres, met with us after their group session called "Becoming an Adult Learner Friendly Institution: How to Get Started."

FNTI: Tell us a little about yourself.

Mark: I'm program coordinator for the SSW (social service worker) program at Loyalist College. I've been there 22 years.

Paul: I've been at FNTI since its inception 25 years ago, and I've organized this conference every year since the first one 21 years ago.

FNTI: So you've both been to the PLA conference before?

Paul: (laughs)

Mark: I've been to every single one.

FNTI: What brings you back every year?

Mark: It's the inspiration to keep doing this work. I get that inspiration from the First Nations people, from the people who organize and run the conference and just from FNTI's approach to prior learning assessment and recognition. That's been a big thing for me.

FNTI: What has your workshop entailed?

Paul: We talked about the ALFI (Adult Learner Focused Institution) self-evaluation study we conducted to test the transferability of the eight identified priciples of best practice for serving adult learners in a Canadian context. (For more information about that study, see this link).

We were sharing, talking about the history, background of the study, what the process is. The participants here today represent a variety of organizations, but all work with adults. We have a video that Glen developed, interviewing learners and faculty around the tools and how it helped them. He showed that this morning, and then we had them practice using the tool by using one or two of the principles and doing an assessment of their organizations.

PLA Q&A: Rose Marie Reid

2010-06-02T08:10:00.000-07:00

It all started yesterday and wraps up this morning: the PLA pre-conference workshops. More than a presentation, with opportunities for a bit more in-depth focus on participants own professional use -- and potential use -- of the prior learning assessment process, the pre-conference workshops are a must, especially for those new to PLA.

Participants had three workshops to choose from. Downstairs in the Prince Edward Room, Rose Marie Reid of Loyalist College here in Belleville, worked with her group in a session called "Introduction to Prior Learning Assessment and Portfolio Development."

FNTI: Tell us a little about yourself.

Rose Marie: I work part-time at Loyalist College in the Social Service Worker program and as a consultant to community agencies and colleges interested in training for people who want to learn to be PLA practitioners. It's a lot of project-based work. Mark (Gallupe, see next Q&A below) work on a lot of projects together. The association of land surveyors, for example, are here at the conference this week. We'll be presenting about their work on Thursday. Specifically, that project was to help internationally trained surveyors to build portfolios in order to gain membership into the Ontario association.

FNTI: You've been to the PLA conference before?

Rose Marie: This is my 15th or 16th year!

FNTI: What has your workshop entailed?

Rose Marie: It's an opportunity to explore what PLA is, how it's done, why it's done. There are social justice issues, issues about learning and education. We learn by working with people's portfolios so participants get to look at complete portfolios and see the wholistic learning, the transferable skills in them, and see how alternative forms of learning can be recognized by employers, agencies, education and the people themselves. It's a strengths-based approach so we're looking at the strengths in the portfolios.

Indigenous Learning in Spotlight at PLA Conference

2010-05-31T13:41:00.000-07:00

TYENDINAGA MOHAWK TERRITORY -- First Nation's Technical Institute's annual PLA Conference, "Embracing Wholistic Practice," will take place June 1 - 4 in Belleville. Held at the Ramada In, the prior learning assessment gathering will highlight efforts to recognize Indigenous knowledge in Canada and around the world. It will also mark the first of many events planned to celebrate FNTI's 25th anniversary.

"I'm delighted that we're able to host the conference during FNTI's 25th anniversary as a post-secondary institute," said PLA Manager, Paul Zakos. "PLA has been an important and integral part of FNTI's philosophy and practice from the beginning and it's fitting that we should be celebrating our 25th anniversary during this conference, part of which will see a plenary session devoted to recounting significant events in FNTI's evolution over the past 25 years."

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is the process of identifying and recognizing knowledge acquired from non-academic work and life experience, and can include knowledge gained from volunteerism, travel, and hobbies.

Speakers from as far as Nunavut and Chile will collectively highlight the commonalities among Indigenous people across the world in acknowledging unique worldviews and learning styles, which enhances Indigenous peoples full participation in their socities.

"Dr. Joan Conolly will be sharing the work that she has been doing in South Africa, working with the oral traditions of people in that country in helping them to identify important learning arising from their cultures and making culture in that region plural," said Zakos, noting that there are eleven different cultures and languages in South Africa.

Updates including video from the conference will be posted daily here on the FNTI blog, as well as the FNTI Twitter feed, www.twitter.com/fntinews. The complete schedule for the conference is available on the FNTI website: www.fnti.net.

FNTI is an internationally recognized Aboriginal controlled post-secondary institute created in 1985 through a partnership between the Tyendinaga Mohawk Council, Indian & Norther Affairs Canada, and the Ontario Ministry of Education & Training to provide access to post-secondary programs for Aboriginal people.

Tammy Martin recieves AIC Award

2007-07-19T08:48:00.001-07:00

FNTI's Public Administration Program learner receives prestigious Aboriginal Institutes Consortium award.

Tammy Martin is a student in the First Nations Technical Institute’s Public Administration and Governance Program, she is an excellent student with high academic achievement and has been included on the Dean’s List for the past two years.

Tammy is involved in the Public Administration and Governance program not only as a student but also as a student representative for the Program Management Committee, which demonstrates her commitment to the program. She also demonstrates this commitment by her interest in student success and she takes on the role as a mentor by voluntarily providing edited lecture notes to students who were unable to attend delivery sessions.
When not in class or working Tammy in her free time also provides submissions to the PAG newsletter that offer students scholarship information that will assist them financially with their studies.
Tammy Martin a Mohawk woman and mother of six is an excellent role model and inspiration to other Aboriginal women who are pursuing their post-secondary education.

It has helped give me a stronger voice...

2007-05-22T12:20:00.000-07:00

why did you come to FNTI?

I decided to attend FNTI while I was working as an Aboriginal News reporter
for (Haliburton Broadcasting Group) in Parry Sound. I did not have an
education in the biz. And I did not like the way stories on Aboriginal
people were covered in mainstream media at large. I also had a one-hour
Aboriginal program to produce weekly, and had no clue what kind of content I
should include.

how has the FNTI/media program(Indigenous Communications Journalism) experience changed you?

It has helped give me a stronger voice to tell stories from my own
community. FNTI has also been a great source of support while I have
been in different work environments, and continues to be there for me!!!

My programs improved greatly at HBG while I was attending school
with more content and in-depth stories.

Also, during my time at FNTI, I have moved around quite a bit,
wanting to experience different types of media. I've since worked
for a private radio group in Kansas, U.S.A, as well as CBC radio
in Sudbury, and have written a few freelance print stories for
Aboriginal publications. Both of those experiences have been in
mainstream media. I covered mainstream news. In Kansas, I worked
in Hiawatha, where there were about 5 Indian Reservations in the
area. I ensured there was Native American Indian news content from
those communities in my news.

Talk about where you're working...

I have since returned to the hub of HBG in Parry Sound. I have
gone full-circle so to speak. I am currently the News Director
and Operations Manager in Parry Sound. I anchor the morning news,
as well as co-host with my buddy Dave Chisholm. I am having a
GREAT time. I make sure there is local news every day, with news
from local First Nations as well. It's not like work at all. So,
in essence, I get paid to have fun. I absolutely love radio!!!!!

Would like to know what its like for a mother to go back to school
and how you made it work?

Well, I always say, where there's a will, theres a way. It wasn't
hard for me to return to school. I have two absolutely terrific
teens, Dmitri and Deidre. I also have a very supportive extended
family, who helped keep an eye on my kids while I was away at
school. I missed them a lot while I was away, especially the first
session at school, which lasted six weeks. That seemed like an
eternity to me because I have never been away from them for that
long. It has all been worth it now, with my new position. My kids
are happy that I am happy, as well as proud of me.

and the wisdom that you have recieved through the years?

Wisdom throughout the years? I don't know about that. I just do
what I LOVE. Theres no time for anything else.
(make sure to wear clean underwear everyday! wear a bra that fits!
And laugh lots everyday!!!!)

come one come all

2007-05-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Renewable energy and First Nations:

What are the benefits and opportunities?

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

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

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

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

Admission is FREE

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

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

Why: To discuss renewable energy options for First Nations territories

For more information, contact:

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

Directions for community centre

I made many friends along the way...

2007-05-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

Tell me about yourself?

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

Why did you come to FNTI?

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

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

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

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

Whats it like being a mother and a student?

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

What are you learning while being in Toronto?

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

Can you talk about your support system?

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

New Public Relations program at FNTI...

2007-04-25T07:40:00.000-07:00

Indigenous Communications at First Nations Technical Institute on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, east of Belleville, Ont. and west of Deseronto is changing its three-year journalism diploma program and, in September, adding a new one-year public relations program.

“Both programs are about telling our own stories,” says new coordinator Dan David. “Both will have a strong new emphasis on delivering those stories on-line. As always, we’ll emphasize excellence and encourage students to take stories rooted in their own communities to the world at large.”

David says, “If you know prospective students…working adults who need credentials, or recent high school grads… who want hands-on Aboriginal journalism or public relations training with lots of internship time in real world media jobs…send them to us.”

Graduates receive credentials from FNTI’s partner institutions, a Journalism-Aboriginal Profile diploma from Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, or a Public Relations certificate from Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology.

“Our full-time programs, in which intensive class sessions alternate with internship placements, are ideal for people who don’t want to leave their home communities for a year or three at a time,” says David, whose background includes APTN, CBC and a wide variety of both public relations and reporting work.

Call Wendy Sero at 1-800-267-0637, ext. 160 or email wendyr@fnti.net to receive brochures for both programs and application forms. Prospective students are encouraged to check out Indigenous Communications at FNTI on line at www.fnti.net

The rewards are great...

2007-04-23T11:44:00.000-07:00

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

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

Tecumseh, Shawnee war chief and uniter

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

2007-02-22T12:09:00.000-08:00

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

Link to Poster
Link to Press Release

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

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

danield@fnti.net

Sawen:na Aorihwa:ke

2007-02-14T11:25:00.000-08:00

Sawen:na Aorihwa:ke is a weekly current affiars/news program that is broadcast on the Mohawk tv channel 4 and is produced by Regan Jacobs and her team at Loudspirit productions.

Learners from the Aboriginal Media Program were in Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, participating in a 2nd week long internship at Mohawk TV. New faces new stories take a few min and check it out.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Wendy Sero ext 160
wendyr@fnti.net

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

2007-02-13T05:59:00.000-08:00

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

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

The public is welcome

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

Media Program in Kahnawake

2007-02-05T12:41:00.000-08:00

Learners from the Aboriginal Media Program were in Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, participating in a week long internship at Mohawk TV.

Sawen:na Aorihwa:ke is a weekly current affiars/news program that is broadcast on the Mohawk tv channel 4 and is produced by Regan Jacobs and her team at Loudspirit productions.

National News Editor visits FNTI Media Students

2007-02-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

Paul Barnsley national news editor for the Windspeaker publications stopped by FNTI to listen to pitches made by media program learners. Learners have been working in groups on stories from northern Canada. Natural resources seemed to be the theme of the investigations.

FNTI’s Indigenous Communications Department Presents

2007-01-03T06:57:00.000-08:00

Improving Indigenous Communications

New and better ways to communicate with each
other, and generate more and more realistic stories by the news media.

Rob Henderson Vice-President of CNW Group, part of the world’s largest communications network. It is vital to improve communications given recent developments in land rights and other issues.

Question and answer period to follow.
Everyone is welcome

Wednesday, January 10, 2007
2 - 4 p.m.
Community Centre, Old York Road
(next to Mohawk Fair Grounds)
Refreshments provided

FNTI’s Bachelor of Social Work graduating students

2006-12-05T12:12:00.000-08:00

FNTI’s Bachelor of Social Work graduating students and FNTI and Ryerson University faculty members took part in a Completion Ceremony in London, Ont. on Nov. 30. Family members attended the dinner, ceremony and a social. Thirteen class members will graduate at Ryerson June 14.

Ottawa cuts spending on Indigenous languages in Canada

2006-12-01T10:34:00.000-08:00

BUS LEAVING MOHAWK COMMUNITY CENTRE
8:00am
Tuesday, December 5th, 2006

The demonstration will start at the Westin Hotel,
11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario,
then will proceed to Parliament Hill.

For More Information:

Callie Maracle, Coordinator
(613) 396-3100 x 227

$5 per person to help with expenses

Funding cut story

Tontakaiê:rine ( It has become right again,) Tyendinaga Justice Circle, Restorative Justice Program

2006-11-23T17:29:00.000-08:00

The TJC is currently being run through First nations Technical Institute with a satellite office maintained at the Tyendinaga Police Station. The TJC is an alternative to the current justice system, with a focus on youth from 12-17 years of age. The circle consists of community members who have taken the initiative to become involved. Not to be confused with the ‘Sentencing Circle”, the forum brings together victims, offenders and their supporters in a safe, controlled environment to discuss the offence and its effect and to jointly decide how to right the wrong that has been done. The Objective of the TJC is to return to a traditional form of justice. This process can be recognized as a proactive strategy to empower the community to regain their perspective roles of respect.

What is Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice can be seen as a set of principles which guide agencies and practitioners rather than a particular practice. It offers alternative ways of thinking about crime by emphasizing the harm crime does to the community, and how the community rather that the court system can respond to crime in more satisfactory ways. It may incorporate a variety of approaches, applied at various stages of the criminal justice process, i.e. Pre-charge and post charge cases. Restorative justice places an emphasis on all those involved in an offense – victims, offenders and the community – and seeks to reconcile, restore and repair relationships and situations.

Indigenous Perspective

In First Nations community justice projects, communities develop their own models that in varying degrees incorporate the traditional, spiritual and cultural practices that will best serve their specific community needs based on their cultural understanding of justice concepts. They embody traditional practices associated with first Nations justice appropriate to each community. Offending behavior is viewed in the context of both contemporary and historic circumstances that include the inter-generational affects of attendance at residential schools and impact of colonialism in respect to traditional Indigenous practices. Depending on the particular circumstances and community practices, aspects of spiritual ceremonies may or may not be incorporated into a community justice process.

Contact Numbers

Office located at First Nations Technical Institute 613-396-2122 ext 123
Tyendinaga Police Dept. 613-967-3888

FNTI instructor recieves award

2006-11-17T13:02:00.000-08:00

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

Indigenous Community Health Approaches Program Graduation

2006-11-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Innoversity Summit in Toronto

2006-11-14T10:28:00.001-08:00

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

Award-winning photojournalist works with FNTI media students

2006-11-13T08:35:00.000-08:00

Adrienne Fox-Keesic critiques photos students shoot

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FNTI journalism students learn to pitch at Innoversity Summit in Toronto

2006-11-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

Sell your story with preparation, polish, and above all passion, speaker says

by Jennifer Ashawasegai

“Pitch pitch, pitch.” That’s the advice from a fiery red-head at the Innoversity Summit’s Story Pitching session. She is CBC’s Sandra Porteous, who held the rapt attention of more than 50 people. Porteous has been in journalism for about 30 years, and had a lot to share.

Pitch, pitch, pitch says CBC's Sandra Porteous

Over 500 registered for Day One of the Innoversity Summit 2006, held downtown Toronto Oct.23 and 24. The summit’s theme this year, is The Power of Diversity. A whole range of people were eager to hear from professionals with industry experience. In the Art of the Pitch, “Secret of the Sell,” Porteous says her father, a freelance journalist and her mentor, told her, “If you have an idea, you’ll never be out of a job.”

To find advice on selling stories click here Sell your story with preparation, polish, and above all passion, speaker says With her own experience as a freelance journalist and with CBC, Porteous adds to her own father’s sage words, "Having a great idea is not enough. You have to know what to do with it” She says it doesn’t matter what thc product is, “a pitch is a pitch is a pitch. You have to sell your idea.” Porteous illustrates her point with examples of both successful and unsuccessful pitches.

The pitches that will fall on deaf ears include negative stereotypes such as The Pushover, who unloads an idea and will not defend it, The Robot, whose proposal is formulaic and articulated without passion, the Used-Car Salesman who does not have any new ideas or changes, and The Charity Case who she describes as a needy person, or someone who just wants agreement and uses tactics like begging and pleading. Before releasing the brainchild story idea into the ether, Porteous says, “Don’t pitch until you’re ready. Resist the urge to pitch until you’re ready.” She recommends the five P’s .

In other words, do the homework, do the research, talk to all the people involved, and OWN the story. It’s called Prep, and Porteous says it’s key to a successful pitch. Other tips include stepping outside of the box. Porteous suggests Pretending to be a tourist. That means seeing life with fresh eyes, and never, ever stop asking questions. Porteous herself keeps an ideas journal.

She squirrels away little bits of information she tears out of newspapers or writes down curiosities she sees. Porteous tells of the time she was awoken every night at three a.m. in a Yellowknife hotel. Footsteps were loudly passing her door at the same time consecutively for a few nights. At work one morning, she told her colleagues of the nightly disturbances. Her colleagues tell her it’s a regular thing and nothing unusuaL The noise is from Japanese tourists who leave the hotel to go and watch Aurora Borealis and take pictures. Well, Porteous says. now that’s a story. It’s also finding a different angle to a story.

Porteous strongly encourages brainstorming. Grab a piece of paper she says, and write down the subject in the very middle, and make a spiral of every possible question you can think of. Answer those questions and you may find a unique angle to the story. “Somewhere in there, “she says, “is a new approach to the story.” When you are pitching an idea to seasoned veterans in the business, they will want to know why they should care, why the story matters, and how the information will move the story ahead. Then, once all the legwork is done, and the questions answered, it's time to Practice and Polish the pitch. This includes torturing friends and family. Practice on them. Make them interested. Make them care. If your practice audience has questions. write them down, and answer them.

Porteous also offers these important instructions: Know who you are pitching to, tell the story in a sentence, don’t allow anyone to cut off your pitch before you’re done, understand the politics involved and explain you’re the best person for the pitch. Also, make sure to mention official sources to lend credibiliry to the pitch.

Porteuos says most important of all, is to have Passion in the pitch.Emotion is good. Some of the time, she says people have gotten a foot in the door with a less than stellar pitch. They got in there because they were passionate about their story.