MP Concerned About Lakes in Northern Ontario

Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP John Rafferty says all Canadians should take interest in the environmental issues raised by the Idle No More movement.

Rafferty says the changes made to the Navigable Waters Protection Act, contained in Bill C-45 will have a detrimental effect on many.

Only a few lakes in Northwestern Ontario will be protected that include Rainy Lake, Rainy River and Lake of the Woods.

However the act does not protect the water systems leading into the lakes.

O.P.P Searching for Missing Teeenager

Kenora O.P.P are asking for public assistance in locating a missing 15 year old girl.

Chantel Cameron from the White Dog First Nation was said to be in Edmonton when she was last heard from on January 1st.

Police says at that time she was trying to get back to the community of White Dog.

Cameron is described as being 5 feet 5 inches tall with long dark hair and is 7 months pregnant.

Anyone with information is asked to call their local police service.

CUPE Reaches Deal with Public School Board

In spite of recent labor unrest with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, at least one union has settled on a new two year contract.

Educational Support staff with the public school board has ratified a new agreement.

CUPE local 1939 says the deal addresses a number of issues important to them including protecting services through better job security, better sick leave support, and protection of pension contributions.

Union president Jim Favreau says despite the agreement, the union still has a number of concerns
with the provincial government's Bill 115.

Province Begins Appeal Against Grassy Decision

The provincial government is launching its appeal today of an Ontario
Superior Court ruling in favour of the Grassy Narrows First Nation.

Last August the court ruled the government does not have the right
to unilaterally take away treaty rights and allow clear cut logging and mining activity in its traditional land use area.

The province is arguing that it has exclusive jurisdiction over all public lands and forests.

The government of Canada and Resolute Forest Products are also appealing the decision, while Goldcorp and other first nations have asked to be interveners.

Public School Board Hopes to Resume Extracurricular Activities

A sign that extra-curricular activities might make a comeback in 2013.

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is reassessing its decision to
suspend after school programs.

Director of Education Jack McMaster says they met with teachers last week
to discuss the issue.

McMaster adds that they are communicating with other school boards in
order to align their actions in regards to extra-curricular.

Rickford Feeling Positive Following Meeting With Aboriginal Leaders

The meeting may be over but changes are just about to begin.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper met with First Nations Leaders in Ottawa on Friday evening, where they discussed eight priorities to build on their relationship.

Kenora MP Greg Rickford was in attendance and says he will take what was said back to his riding.

Rickford says Harper and National Chief Shawn Atelo will both meet with their constituents in the coming weeks to determine the next steps.

Shoal Lake #40 Seeks Federal Support

The Chief of the Shoal lake #40 First Nation was also in Ottawa last week.

Irwin Redsky handed a letter to prime minister Stephen Harper asking the
federal government to honor its historical agreement on Shoal Lake.

The letter is in response to the City of Winnipeg seeking an expedited
decision from the International Joint Commission about selling water
it draws from Shoal Lake.

Winnipeg is asking the federal government to support its request.

Chief Redsky accuses Winnipeg of doing a political end-around instead of
sitting down with the band to work out the dispute.

Northwestern Ontario Digs Out from Winter Storm

The Ministry of Transportation is reporting a number of area roads throughout the region as being snow covered or at least partially covered with slushy and or icy conditions.

A Winter storm caused several of the region's highways to be closed over the weekend with the last major Highway between Dryden and Sistonen's Corner near Thunder Bay, re-opened early yesterday morning.

Sergeant John Haley with the O.P.P. says traffic may be slowed or stopped as crews work to remove a number of vehicles that went into the ditch.

Haley says all of the highways in the area are open but some are still listing icy road conditions.

Local Girls Hockey Teams Continue to Excel

Local girls hockey teams continue to excel.

Beaver Brae's girls squad was called into action this weekend to face the Assinaboine College Cougars
from Brandon after Confederation College had to back out of its two game weekend series due to the
weather.

The Broncos ended up winning both games, skating to a 2-0 win on Saturday, and coming back for
a 3-2 win on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Lake of the Woods Chaos took top honors a a PeeWee hockey tournament in
Dryden over the weekend.

The Chaos beat the Lakewood Tire Eagles from Fort Frances 4-1 in the A-side final yesterday.

The Kenora girls finished the tournament with a 3-1 record.  The lone loss coming at the hands of
the Eagles in the Round robin.