Mayor’s City Builder Award Shines Light on Vulnerable Youth

 Bill Robinson receives his Mayor's City Builder Award from Mayor Jim Watson and Councillor Marianne Wilkinson. Image courtesy of City of Ottawa.  When Bill Robinson meets me for coffee, he talks youth at-risk. Who are these children? Robinson replies: It’s a baby born into poverty. It’s a kid facing family

Living Well Cancer Care and Prevention Show Recap

 The first annual Living Well Cancer Care and Prevention Show hosted by the Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre this past Sunday, September 21, can only be described as a complete success. The show, which took place at Ottawa’s RA Centre on Riverside Drive, brought together the most insightful voices in the health

Aboriginal Initiatives at Nipissing University

 Courtney Binda, from Wawa, Ontario is interested in pursuing a career in education. She has just completed her final year in the Bachelor of Physical and Health Education and in the fall will be continuing with a consecutive Bachelor of Education degree at Nipissing’s Schulich School of Education. With the

Festival of India

 Over 4,000 attendees took in the sounds, smells and tastes of India at the third annual festival this weekend. The festival took place in front of City Hall and the grounds were complete with a stage, vendors, food tents, a cooling tent, picnic tables and an area where various workshops

Why Canadian Medicare Should Neither ‘Go Dutch’ or ‘to the Dogs’

 Canada’s health care system faced some provocative comparisons recently. First was Sarah Boston’s new book, Lucky Dog, in which she details her personal experience with thyroid cancer and navigating the Canadian health system. Boston, a veterinary oncologist, claims Canadian dogs often have better access to health care than their human

Stepping Into Medieval Times

 It’s only 30 minutes from downtown--but the Osgoode Medieval Festival makes you feel as though you are far from home. Inside the Kingdom of Osgoode, there are sword fights, knights clad in shining armour, horses, dancing and even hotdogs. “If something fires toward you, duck!” Yelled the referee, wearing a

Nipissing University: Aboriginal Initiatives

 Nipissing University, located in North Bay, is the perfect environment for learning. Nipissing has the benefit of smaller class sizes, more individual attention and specialized programs catering to students’ needs. For Aboriginal students in particular, though the Aboriginal Initiatives Office, Nipissing offers a unique and wide range of programs to

Kazakhstan and Canada Actively Cooperate in Education

 In 1992, shortly after Kazakhstan’s independence from Russia in 1991, Canada opened diplomatic relations with Kazakhstan and the two countries began actively cooperating in many areas, especially in education. Although separated by distance and culture, (Kazakhstan is south west of Russia and rises from the Caspian Sea and China in

Education as Transformation — Answering the call of Chief Dan George

 “I’m going back to school." What a sense of opportunity that simple phrase evokes. Stories of personal growth often begin with those few words. In a society focused on the power of the individual to change their life and begin anew, the pursuit of knowledge is a critical first step.

Aboriginal Initiatives Program at Nipissing University

 Nipissing University in North Bay, Ontario offers a unique program for Aboriginal students looking for an opportunity to be involved in their community. Aboriginal Initiatives provides multiple resources that help students successfully earn a degree. The school also organizes both social and educational events that encourage students to reach out

Naturopathic Medicine 101: Care and Cost

 Health care: nothing fires up Canadians more than this topic. A recent Abacus Data poll found that it continues to top the list of priorities for Canadians and the cost of providing care continues to be a major concern for those who govern it, especially as Boomers age and make

Multiple Peoples, Multiple Problems, Multiple Solutions

 Most Canadians are in favour of good quality education for Canadian children. Good education contributes to good jobs, good income, good health and good lifestyles, all of which are positive forces in society. But for mystifying reasons kids who grow up on First Nations reserves are given far fewer chances

Multiple Peoples, Multiple Problems, Several Solutions

 Most Canadians are in favour of good quality education for Canadian children. Good education contributes to good jobs, good income, good health and good lifestyles, all of which are positive forces in society. But for mystifying reasons, kids who grow up on First Nations reserves are given far fewer chances

Government Puts Politics, Not Students, First When It Targets Education

 Sam Hammond is President of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario. Ask any teacher and you will hear that teaching is a calling. That is what drives teachers to work hard and love the work they do. With that comes the responsibility to model values and positive behaviours for students

NAIT Students & Graduates Highly Successful.

 NAIT is one of Canada’s largest polytechnics. As with other leading polytechnics worldwide, our education and research is technology based, and our learning is hands-on. Industry is a full partner in the educational process. Our research is industry driven. Our students’ experiences are shaped by two distinct advantages – NAIT

Persona Non Grata: Art by Lesotho’s Orphans

 Persona Non Grata is an art show to benefit the orphans of Rachel’s Home taking place on October 10th, 2012 from 7-10 PM. This event will be held at Saint Brigid's Centre for the Arts, 310 St. Patrick St., Ottawa, to raise funds for post-secondary scholarships and awareness about the

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum Tackles Skilled Trades Worker Shortage

 The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum-Forum canadien sur l’apprentissage (CAF-FCA) is a national body that brings together all players in apprenticeship training. A national, not-for-profit organization working with stakeholders in all regions of Canada, CAF-FCA influences pan-Canadian apprenticeship strategies through research, discussion and collaboration, sharing insights across trades, across sectors and across

Education Series: Dr. Agatha Sidlauskas

 Known simply as “Doc,” Dr. Sidlauskas’ lifelong dedication to child development in North America and Europe culminated in her founding the Venta Preparatory School in 1981. Located a five-minute drive from Kanata, Venta specializes in drawing out the potential of gifted children. While most students are from Ottawa, the day

Persona Non Grata

 persona non grata |p?r?s?n? nän ?grät?| noun ( pl. personae non gratae |p?r?s?n? nän ?grät?|): an unacceptable or unwelcome person. The Persona Non Grata Art Initiative was started to break the stigma of HIV/AIDS and end the cycle of poverty in Lesotho while exposing the orphans at Rachel's Home, an orphanage in Maputsoe, Lesotho to art. We will accomplish our goals by providing post-secondary

Education Series: Painting a Hopeful Picture for Ottawa Families

 Thinking in Pictures Educational Services (T.I.P.E.S.) has been bridging the gaps in Pervasive Developmental Disorder treatment in Ottawa for over five years. Sisters Deborah and Jennifer Wyatt spearheaded the enterprise. If you tell a child with autism that it’s raining cats and dogs outside, you might get a blank stare

First Nations Come Last

 On May 27, her last day after a decade as Canada's official watchdog, Auditor General Sheila Fraser gave this dire warning.: “If the First Nations and the Federal Government don't find ways of working together, the living conditions in reserves will remain worse off than everywhere else in Canada, and

Rushing to Remove Ottawa’s Alternative School Option. What’s the Hurry?

 For children, few influences are stronger than education and schooling. Currently, students in the public system have three choices: English/Core French, French Immersion and Alternative Schools. In the last six months, this last option has become the focus of much debate and its future is uncertain. In 1982, the former

Canada’s Presence in Afghanistan: Why We Are There And Why We Would Do A Disservice To The United Nations And Ourselves If We Didn’t See The Mission Through

 The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is that august organization's single largest special political mission. Nineteen UN agencies are in Afghanistan to help the Afghan people and its democratically elected government establish a solid and secure democratic society. Twenty thousand troops from 37 countries (including over 2,500 Canadians

To Veil Or Not To Veil

 Quick, what do the words "Muslim woman" bring to mind? Is it the austere beauty of a face untouched by make-up, framed by a sober headscarf? What about the fresh-faced girl celebrating the end of exams over coffee with her friends, their shining hair swinging free? Could she be a

Are we taking too many pills?

 By Jennifer Paterson More Canadians are taking prescription medicine than ever before. Many busy people believe in the don't-think-twice, pop-it-in-your-mouth, "magic bullet" cure for all illness and disease. Total drug expenditures per Canadian were tallied at $681 in 2004 — up almost 8 per cent from 2003, according to a