Mental Health

Mental health issues have been identified as a growing problem for local educators.


The Keewatin-Patricia District School Boards used Provincial funding to hire a Mental Health Leader.

Lisa Doerksen started her job last month and says one of her jobs is to work with teachers and raise awareness of mental health issues.

Doerksen says one in five students have a mental health or emotional disorder, but only 50 percent will talk to anyone about their depression or anxiety.

Ambulance Services

A comprehensive review of the land ambulance service in the Kenora District is now underway.


The Services Board is looking at the entire operation to ensure staff and resources are being used in an efficient and effective manner.

CAO Dan McNeil outlines one area they are looking at.
 
McNeil says the study will also look into a call for a land ambulance base in the Vermilion Bay area.

KDSB Changes

The Kenora District Services Board has finally found a replacement for a vacant seat.

Ray Leray has been appointed the member for Oxdrift.

He replaces Sarah Campbell, who was forced to step down when she was elected in the last Provincial election.

The Board says Leray was the only candidate to submit an application before the deadline.

The Board is also dealing with the loss of its Director of Housing Services.

Adrian De Porto announced his retirement at a KDSB meeting this morning.

Poverty Challenge

Twelve local residents learnt this week that $52 doesn’t go a long way.

Making Kenora Home has officially wrapped up the 2nd Annual Poverty Challenge.

 It’s one of many initiatives taken to raise awareness during the Week of Action Against Poverty.

Participants from Kenora spent the last week blogging about their experiences while on social assistance.

Making Kenora Home Website

Adam Beach

You might recognize him from the CBC Show "Arctic Air" .


Adam Beach is visiting The White Dog First Nations today to meet with community elders, community members and students.

His visit is encouragement to the community and is focused on suicide prevention.

Long-Gun Registry

Kenora MP Greg Rickford has finally got his wish!

The Conservatives used their majority Wednesday night to put the national long-gun registry out of its misery.

The Commons vote was 159-to-130.

Thunder Bay NDP MP's Bruce Hyer and John Rafferty broke party ranks and sided with the Government.

The bill now goes on to the Senate, where a Tory majority ensures passage.

Kin Carnival

Tis' the season for Winter Carnivals.

This weekend, Vermillion Bay is the place to be.

The community is hosting the annual Kin Carnival and one of the highlights is the 'Kids Carnival'.

Organizer Sarah Wilson says they will have lots of activities.

The Carnival is Saturday from 10 to 3 at Lillian Berg School.

Drummond Report

There's a lot to take in!

That's the feeling of Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle following the release of the Drummond report.

The Thunder Bay-Superior North MPP says the Government must go through the 362-recommendations with a fine tooth comb.

Gravelle admits there are some recommendations on cutting back on health care and education which he believes are not feasible.

Couchiching First Nation

Residents of Couchiching First Nation go to the polls today in elections for a new band council.


As many as eight people, including incumbent Chuck McPherson, are on the ballot for chief.

Thirty-one candidates were nominated for six council positions.

KDCC Executive Directors

It's a new year for the Kenora and District Chamber of Commerce but some things will stay the same.


Andrew Scribilo was re-elected president at last nights annual general meeting and says its good to know that we're all on the same page

“Initiatives for 2012: we’re really pressing on the business community for resolutions to take down to NOACC. We really want resolutions to make changes and improvements to the communities, not only Kenora but across the Northwest.”

Wes Romaniuk of the lake of the woods hotel is back on the board as 1st Vice President and Kathleen Novack from the Royal bank of Canada has stepped in the 2nd Vice Presidents position for for the 2012 season

Drummond Report

Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell says the Drummond Report gives Ontario a chance to move forward.

The NDP member says it’s now up to all parties to ensure that the report is used to lead the Province in the right direction.

Campbell is supporting recommendations to revisit the delivery of health care services, the creation of regional hydro utilities and a push to provide fair funding for First Nations' education.

She adds that not all recommendations should be acted on, such as scrapping full-day kindergarten.

Energy Consumption

The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board is being recognized for its work to reduce energy consumption at its schools.

Kim Carlson is the Operations Manager and says they've upgraded almost all of their schools in recent years and its paying dividends.

Carlson says they've seen significant energy savings in all their schools, including about 80 thousand a year at Beaver Brae due to recent renovations.

National Panel on Aboriginal Education

Grand Council Treaty #3 says its unwilling to buy into the recommendations released by a National Panel on Aboriginal Education.

Grand Chief Diane Kelly says while they agree with the principals of the panel, they don't want to see a National Education Act.

She says they would prefer to see a distinct education system for Treaty Three.

Last November, Treaty Three launched a 100 million dollar lawsuit against the Federal Government for violating their treaty rights to education.