Government Will Review Court Ruling of Metis and Non-Status Indians

Kenora MP Greg Rickford says the government will review a federal court ruling in favor of more than 600-thousand off-reserve Metis and non-status Indians.

The court has ruled they are indeed "Indians" under the Constitution Act and they fall under federal jurisdiction.

Rickford says it's too early to comment on the ruling.

Rickford adds that Aboriginal Affairs will take time to carefully review.

Visitor Restrictions at Dryden Regional Health Centre

The Dryden Regional Health Centre continues to take precautions, following a high number of patients with respiratory illness.

Anyone who enters the hospital is required to wear a mask, and wash their hands frequently.

Spokesperson Darlene Furlong says a number of people have complained of respiratory or gastrointestinal illness.

Furlong says visitor restrictions will most likely remain for the rest of the week.

Con College Brings Women's Hockey to Kenora

The Confederation College women's hockey team will be making its
first ever appearance in Kenora.

The Thunderhawks will be playing a pair of games this weekend at the
Kenora Rec. Center against the Assinaboine College Cougars from
Brandon.

The first game will take place Saturday night at 7:00 at the Kenora Rec.
Center, and will be followed up with another game Sunday
afternoon at 1:00.

This is the inaugural season for the Con College women's hockey program.

Fate of Extra-Curricular Activities Still Up in the Air

Talks continue with the local school board and public schools regarding the continuation of extra-curricular activities.

Director of Education for the Keewatin Patricia District School Board Jack McMaster says that despite last weeks announcement by the education minister that contracts will be imposed on teachers, he hopes things can remain as close to normal.

McMaster says it's up to the unions if teachers will continue with voluntary activities.

McMaster says there will be another teleconference on Thursday to get a better idea of the situation.

Kenora Man Dies While Grooming Trail

Nishnawbe-Aski Police have identified the man who fell through the ice near Poplar Hill First Nation.

Police recovered the body of 52-year-old Thomas McDonald of Kenora and a post-mortem was conducted yesterday, which revealed that the cause of death was drowning.

The incident happened on Saturday, when a snow grooming machine had gone through the ice, with the operator missing.

Fort Hope Man Charged with Trafficking

A Fort Hope First Nation man is being charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking after Nishnawbe-Aski police seized a number of Oxycodone pills.

Police seized approximately almost 3-thousand dollars worth of 5 milligram Oxycodone prescription pills and six hundred dollars worth of alcohol.

The man is scheduled to appear in court on March 21st in Fort Hope.

New EI Changes Now In Effect

Changes to Employment Insurance are now in effect.

The Federal Government announced their plans in the spring budget.

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty is worried people will be forced to take minimum wage jobs and could be forced to travel outside of their communities for work.

Rafferty is also concerned fewer people will be able to access the fund.

The new E.I. changes went into effect this past Sunday.