Smart First Nations

Keewaytinook Okimakanak is Oji-cree term for Northern Chiefs.

Keewaytinook Okimakanak is a non-political Chiefs Council which advises and assists their member First Nations. The organization is directed by the Chiefs of the member First Nations who form our Board of Directors.
The First Nations include Deer Lake, Fort Severn, Keewaywin, McDowell Lake, North Spirit Lake, and Poplar Hill. SEE MAP OF K.O. FIRST NATIONS

	Deer Lake		McDowell Lake
	Fort Severn		North Spirit Lake
	Keewaywin		Poplar Hill.

Kuh-ke-nah Network Diagram (click here)
The Smart Contact List (here)
Keewaytinook Okimakanak presently has staff working in ten different areas serving and supporting the First Nations. These services include:
Administration	Economic Development
Geordie Kakepetum - Executive Director Ross Mamakeesic- NAN Community Research Coordinator Administration staff manages the overall operation of the Chiefs Council. They liaise with the six Chiefs of the Board of Directors, the Council staff and other organizations. (read more)	Jacob Ostaman - Economic Development Worker The Economic Development team provides assistance to First Nations and individual band members from Keewaytinook Okimakanak in areas of business, training and proposal development that would enhance the vision of self-sufficiency for all Aboriginal people. (read more)
Education	Finance
Margaret Fiddler- KIHS Principal Lynda Kakepetum - KIHS Guidance Counsellor Doug Spracklin - KIHS Vice Principal Francine Mckenzie - Education Office Support Information about the Keewaytinook Internet High School can be found at http://kihs.knet.ca Keewaytinook Okimakanak Education is funded to provide advisory services and to assist the first Nations in a variety of areas. (read more)	Penny Carpenter - Financial Manager / Advisor Christine Thomas - Payroll Personnel Officer Brenda Beardy - Accounting Clerk Michelline Sanna - Finance Clerk The Finance Team provides assistance and advice to the First Nations as well as accounting support for the Chiefs Council. (read more)
Health	K-Net Services
Orpah Mckenzie - Health Director Linda Kay Peters- Health Assistant Phyllis Chowaniec - Long Term Care Nurse Elizabeth Pahkala - Health Secretary VISIT THE NEW K.O. HEALTH WEBSITE Keewaytinook Okimankanak's health services is funded through the Medical Services Branch, Health Canada, the Ministry of Health and other health-related programs. (read more)	Brian Beaton - K-Net Services Coordinator Dan Pellerin - Network Manager Adi Linden - Network Systems Analyst John Moreau - Hardware and Software Technician Jesse Fiddler - Multimedia Applications Wanda Kakepetum - Secretary Lars Dixon - Balmertown Computer Technician Margaret Lawson - McDowell Lake Computer Techician Cal Kenny - Graphic Designer Keewaytinook Okimakanak's Computer Services (K-Net) became Industry Canada's Aboriginal Smart Demonstration project in May 2000 (see http://smart.knet.on.ca, http://knportal.knet.on.ca and the Smart Communities web site for more information about this project). The project was officially launched on July 6, 2001 in Balmertown (see the Kuh-ke-nah Network of Smart First Nations launch site) The staff of K-Net develops and maintains the K-Net Network which is a regional broadband network linking First Nations and their service organizations using a variety of ICTs including video conferencing, IP telephony, on-line forums, e-mail, and other web-based communication tools. (read more)
Legal Aid	Employment Assistance
Gideon Kakepetum - Legal Aid Worker NAN The Legal Aid Worker provides advice and assistance to members of the First Nation in conflict with the Law. (read more)	Les Meekis - Community Manager Rudy Turtle - Outreach Worker Keewaytinook Okimakanak Employment Services works closely with First Nation Chiefs and Councils to assist and support community members to achieve personal and community employment and training objectives. (read more)
Office Support	Public Works Unit
Cheryl Bechard- Executive Secretary Donna Wilkins - Balmertown Receptionist Office support is provided to all the departments in Keewaytinook Okimakanak. The secretarial and reception staff ensures that guests and visitors are received and looked after. They maintain levels of supplies and ensure the office equipment is functioning. Minutes of meetings and research is conducted by the secretarial staff for the rest of the office. (read more)	Peter Campbell - Public Works Manager Janice Peebles - Public Works Secretary Ray Stewart- Construction Inspector Bruce Piercy - Technical Services Advisor Serge Bernard - Project Technologist Barry Strachan - O&M Technologist Jerry Pokrupa - Architectural Technologist The Public Works Unit provides advisory and technical services to our First Nation Communities in the areas of: Technical Training & Development Community & Capital Planning Policy & Housing Inspection Operation & Maintenance Project Management Minor Capital Projects Major Capital Projects Other Capital Project (read more)