Report on residential school deaths should serve as 'wake-up call' to Canada

CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013 8:36AM EST
Last Updated Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013 9:00AM EST

A grim report into Canada's residential school system should serve as a "wake-up call" to end the ignorance surrounding the dark period in the country's history, says the head of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

The research released Monday shows at least 3,000 children are now known to have died while in the Indian residential schools system that started in the 1870s. The new numbers are the result of the first systematic search of government, school and other records.

Marie Wilson, commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, said the numbers are shocking. Of the 3,000 confirmed to have died, she said, 500 are children whose identities remain entirely unknown.

"I hope it's a huge wake-up call to Canada about the enormity of the impacts of the residential school story," she told CTV's Canada AM on Tuesday.

"We've heard about it in the global way, but now, to know these are real little lives that were lived and lost in the context of going to school is something we all need to pay attention to and we need to ask ourselves questions about what it means for today."

Alex Maass, research manager with the Missing Children Project, compiled the numbers after extensive research. Each death was confirmed through documentation showing when the child died, where the death occurred and what the circumstances were.

Disease was the largest killer, particularly tuberculosis which flourished in the crammed, dormitory-style accommodations. The Spanish flu was also devastating, and children are shown to have died from malnutrition or accidents such as fires, drowning or exposure. Others were the victims of physical and sexual abuse, while some died trying to run away and others committed suicide.

Alvin Dixon, a survivor of the residential school system in B.C. who now counsels other natives, said the report's description of overcrowding, physical abuse and disease is true to his experience.

"I was only there for about two hours when I got my first strapping for speaking (my) language," Dixon said. "I spoke very little English then, I was 10 years old, and the other impression I have is the overcrowding and the smell of little children, of too many people in one room."

About 150,000 First Nations children went through the church-run residential school system, which ran from the 1870s until the 1990s. The new records reveal the number of deaths only began to drop significantly after the 1950s, although some fatalities occurred as recently as the 1970s.

Maass said death was such an expected part of the residential school system that buildings were often designed with a cemetery as a key feature in the architectural plans.

He warned the death toll is likely to go up as more documents are uncovered.

Wilson said she hopes the new insights will allow all Canadians to learn from the past and avoid making similar mistakes in the future.

"We have remedial learning to do which is very significant because most of us grew up knowing nothing about residential schools. So our school systems, our departments of education have work to do to make this mandatory so we're not investing in another generation of ignorance," she said.

Source: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/report-on-residential-school-deaths-should-serve-as-wake-up-call-to-canada-1.1162345

giuliana and bill bill rancic nflx jennifer hudson chicago blackhawks giuliana rancic giuliana rancic

Tool for reading the minds of mice developed

Feb. 19, 2013 ? Stanford scientists have developed a system for observing real-time brain activity in a live mouse. The device could prove useful in studying new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's.

As the mouse explores the arena, neurons in its brain flash green when it recognizes a familiar spot.

If you want to read a mouse's mind, it takes some fluorescent protein and a tiny microscope implanted in the rodent's head.

Stanford scientists have demonstrated a technique for observing hundreds of neurons firing in the brain of a live mouse, in real time, and have linked that activity to long-term information storage. The unprecedented work could provide a useful tool for studying new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

The researchers first used a gene therapy approach to cause the mouse's neurons to express a green fluorescent protein that was engineered to be sensitive to the presence of calcium ions. When a neuron fires, the cell naturally floods with calcium ions. Calcium stimulates the protein, causing the entire cell to fluoresce bright green.

A tiny microscope implanted just above the mouse's hippocampus -- a part of the brain that is critical for spatial and episodic memory -- captures the light of roughly 700 neurons. The microscope is connected to a camera chip, which sends a digital version of the image to a computer screen.

The computer then displays near real-time video of the mouse's brain activity as a mouse runs around a small enclosure, which the researchers call an arena.

The neuronal firings look like tiny green fireworks, randomly bursting against a black background, but the scientists have deciphered clear patterns in the chaos.

"We can literally figure out where the mouse is in the arena by looking at these lights," said Mark Schnitzer, an associate professor of biology and of applied physics and the senior author on the paper, recently published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

When a mouse is scratching at the wall in a certain area of the arena, a specific neuron will fire and flash green. When the mouse scampers to a different area, the light from the first neuron fades and a new cell sparks up.

"The hippocampus is very sensitive to where the animal is in its environment, and different cells respond to different parts of the arena," Schnitzer said. "Imagine walking around your office. Some of the neurons in your hippocampus light up when you're near your desk, and others fire when you're near your chair. This is how your brain makes a representative map of a space."

The group has found that a mouse's neurons fire in the same patterns even when a month has passed between experiments. "The ability to come back and observe the same cells is very important for studying progressive brain diseases," Schnitzer said.

For example, if a particular neuron in a test mouse stops functioning, as a result of normal neuronal death or a neurodegenerative disease, researchers could apply an experimental therapeutic agent and then expose the mouse to the same stimuli to see if the neuron's function returns.

Although the technology can't be used on humans, mouse models are a common starting point for new therapies for human neurodegenerative diseases, and Schnitzer believes the system could be a very useful tool in evaluating pre-clinical research.

The work was published Feb. 10 in the online edition of Nature Neuroscience. The researchers have formed a company to manufacture and sell the device.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

---

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Stanford University. The original article was written by Bjorn Carey.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

---

Journal Reference:

1. Yaniv Ziv, Laurie D Burns, Eric D Cocker, Elizabeth O Hamel, Kunal K Ghosh, Lacey J Kitch, Abbas El Gamal, Mark J Schnitzer. Long-term dynamics of CA1 hippocampal place codes. Nature Neuroscience, 2013; DOI: 10.1038/nn.3329

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/strange_science/~3/Ril6sXwj7Ns/130219161250.htm

nevada caucus ufc 143 what time does the super bowl start super bowl 2012 josephine baker ben gazzara nfl hall of fame 2012

Chavez back home in Venezuela, still out of sight

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) ? President Hugo Chavez is back in Venezuela after 10 weeks of cancer treatment in Cuba, but he remained silent and out of sight on Tuesday, closed away in a tightly guarded military hospital, leaving the nation to speculate about whether he can still govern, and for how long.

Government officials are insisting that Chavez remains in charge even as observers are increasingly questioning whether a leader who has been breathing through a tube and hasn't spoken publicly in more than two months is capable of remaining in office.

Chavez's political allies have left open the possibility that the president may finally take the oath of office for a new term, a ceremony originally scheduled for last month, while he was undergoing cancer treatment in Cuba. But they have given few precise details about what sort of pelvic cancer the president suffers or what sort of "complex and tough" treatment he is undergoing.

Officials have confirmed he underwent a tracheostomy and uses a tube to help breathe, but it is not clear if he can do so on his own or is relying on a ventilator.

"It is possible that he has a tracheostomy without being ventilator-dependent, although it isn't clear why that would be the case," said Dr. Steve Hahn, a professor of radiation oncology at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine.

Hahn, who is not involved in Chavez's treatment, said swallowing usually becomes difficult, though not impossible, for patients who have undergone the procedure and have a hole in the windpipe.

The alternatives for patients who can no longer swallow include a tube coming out of the stomach or the nose, or intravenous feeding, Hahn said. "The patient may not be receiving IV fluids or antibiotics, although they often are."

Hahn said that given Chavez's treatment regimen and evolution, he could have a low-grade sarcoma that is continuing to come back despite repeated surgeries.

"It certainly sounds like he is receiving palliative chemotherapy," Hahn said in an emailed response to questions. "It does sound as if his situation is incurable and most likely end-stage."

Such views sharply contrasted with upbeat street celebrations held by Chavez's supporters on Monday after his return was announced on the president's Twitter account.

Chavez's return came less than three days after the government released the first photos of the president in more than two months, showing him in a bed looking bloated and smiling alongside his daughters. The government has yet to release any images of the president in Caracas.

Bolivian President Evo Morales arrived in Caracas on Tuesday for a visit, after saying a day earlier that "I really want to see him."

Hundreds of Chavez supporters celebrated his return in downtown Caracas on Monday, chanting his name and holding photos of the president in Bolivar Plaza. Supporters also gathered outside the hospital, wearing the red T-shirts of Chavez's socialist movement and chanting: "He's back!"

"I want to see my president," said Alicia Morroy, a seamstress who stood outside the hospital on the verge of tears. "I've missed him a lot because Chavez is the spirit of the poor."

A giant inflated Chavez doll was placed beside a corner of the National Assembly building.

Information Minister Ernesto Villegas reiterated in an interview with Venezuelan radio station Union Radio that Chavez is going through a "difficult, hard and complex" recovery process, and that his return doesn't change the "difficult circumstances he has been in."

Vice President Nicolas Maduro later presided over a televised Cabinet meeting at the presidential palace, though he didn't offer additional details about Chavez. "He will live and he will triumph," Maduro said at the end of the meeting, while on television an image of Chavez's face was superimposed on the oval-shaped table.

Six hospital employees who were asked about the president said they hadn't seen him. Yusmeli Teran, a waitress who serves food to patients, told The Associated Press that the area where Chavez was being treated on the 9th floor is a restricted area guarded by police and soldiers. "No one has seen him at all," she said.

The Venezuelan Constitution says that if a president dies or steps down, a new vote must be called and held within 30 days. Chavez raised that possibility before he left for Cuba in December by saying that if necessary, Maduro should run in a new election to replace him.

Chavez's return could be used to give a boost to his would-be successor and gain time to "consolidate his alternative leader" ahead of a possible new presidential vote this year, said Luis Vicente Leon, a Venezuelan pollster and political analyst.

Leon said that even if Chavez isn't seen in public, his presence will allow the government to keep up his emotional connection to his followers and rally support.

Even the state newspaper Correo del Orinoco referred to the possibility of a new election in its Monday edition. The top headline, published before Chavez's announced return, said a poll found Maduro would win a possible election.

Maduro and other Cabinet ministers held hands and prayed in a televised gathering on Monday night in which a priest and a minister offered words of thanks for Chavez's return.

The 58-year-old Chavez was re-elected to a new six-year term in October, and his inauguration, originally scheduled for Jan. 10, was indefinitely postponed by lawmakers despite complaints by the opposition. The Supreme Court upheld the decision and said the president could be sworn in at a later date before the court.

___

Fabiola Sanchez on Twitter: http://twitter.com/fisanchezn

Ian James on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ianjamesap

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/chavez-back-home-venezuela-still-sight-154033428.html

roy williams matt lauer divine mercy chaplet albert pujols the shining mariano rivera mariano rivera

Study Skills Tips

Academically successful students have one thing in common. They know how to learn, what to learn because they have study skills lesson plans to guide them. In other words, they are the ones who remain constantly inspired and updated.

This comes easily with study skills tips offered by tutors. When teachers promote good study habits to their students, they are doing an immense service to them because they are teaching their students one of the most beneficial life skills. However, the teachers must know how to teach these fundamental skills so that students internalize them.

Teaching study skills is not a once in a blue moon affair. The students must be constantly guided by learning skills, while teachers need to take special interest in designing study skills lesson plans complete with and backed by study skills tips that are measurable and evidenced for learning outcomes.

For example, it is not enough to tell them to get organized and remain that way, but to also let them know the ways they can remain organized such as make and use flash cards, turn off the TV, music and other distractions while studying, take notes in class and revise them after class, and so on. Additionally, one or more study skills must be taught each day as the part of study skills lesson plans.

Each teacher and every student have their own unique way of designing lesson plans because there are literally endless tips and plans. However, it is important that study skills lesson plans address the core issues faced by students, such as silent reading fluency and speed reading, interactive reading and building reading comprehension, building vocabulary, reading non-fiction strategy etc among several others.

The plan must take into account the weaknesses a student demonstrates in any area. These weaknesses can be identified with the help of a pre-designed test or a battery of tests. It is then easy to design a "to do" list for students to constantly practice upon. Additionally, a strategy for reflection indicates whether the student is progressing in the right direction. Finally, the progress should be measurable, monitor-able, and demonstrable for effective outcomes.

As I said earlier, each student is unique by virtue of their family background, home environment, academic and scholastic attainment and several other factors. So, discovering the best approach to study is an individual process. However, assistance from the teachers in designing the strategy ensures positive learning outcomes.

So, teachers should help students identify the activities for them including setting goals, managing time, group tasks. Each student must be helped with lesson plans to focus on that may include a combination of core skills and lesson plans. When teachers take individual interest in students, the students have reasons to work according to plan and perform to their expectations.

When students study according to a plan and absorb skills that promote efficient learning, their academic skills and outcomes improve. However, teachers are expected to not only offer study skills tips but also to actively engage with them in preparing study skills lesson plans for them.

"For more information about how to put together study skills lesson plans for yourself or your students, check out the Good Grades Guide Review. I'm sure you'll like it!"

Source: http://articles.submityourarticle.com/study-skills-tips-317301

mike james red tails red tails heidi klum heidi klum red tails trailer joe pa dead

Christine Friend Interview Family Friendly Decorating Ideas

Local Vancouver-based interior designer Christine Friend will be speaking at the upcoming BC Home and Garden Show from Wednesday February 20th to 24th at BC Place in Vancouver.

Christine Friend is the designer behind Friendly Decorator. She is experienced in family friendly decorating, so I asked her what her thoughts and suggestions are about that area of decorating, but also about a few other topics of interest. Read on for my interview and some family friendly decorating ideas.

A design or decorating project with Christine need not break the bank.? Her philosophy is; a beautiful and welcoming space is dependent on the people who live and work there ? not on how much money is spent.

-quote taken from FriendlyDecorator.ca

I recently got the chance to ask Christine a few questions and got a lot of great ideas from her. I?m really looking forward to seeing what she has to say at the BC Home and Garden Show, when she takes to the main stage.

1. This is the first year that the Home and Garden Show has a dedicated Family Day, and I know you?ll be speaking about family-friendly design.

What are a few key pieces of advice you have for family friendly decorating?

When purchasing products or materials, think cleanable. Consider outdoor fabrics for upholstered pieces ? the material is surprisingly durable yet comfortable in the home and there is a great selection available. When looking for furniture such as tables, think rounded corners. Eggshell paint is a must for walls and either satin or semi-gloss for door casings ? these are high-traffic areas in your home so you want to be able to easily clean off finger prints or scuffs.

2. What would you say is the most impactful room or area to focus on when someone is selling their home?

Every room in the house has something to offer. I, like many others, believe the kitchen is the heart of the home. It?s one of the most expensive areas of the home to renovate but it certainly provides the most impact and value when selling. Most people have difficulty visualizing what could be done in a room ? thus having the kitchen refreshed or completely renovated will assist in a quicker sale.

3. How much and in what way does the local landscape inspire your design style?

I like each room to be part of the home and each home to be a part of its?neighbourhood. At the same time, having your own style to represent you and your family is important. It?s always nice to be able to leave natural items such as that huge boulder in your backyard ? what seems a nuisance now could be worked into a new construction house, or perhaps become part of a waterfall! ?Sometimes you have to work with what you have instead of changing it.

4. What inspired you to leave the insurance industry for your new career?

To be honest, I thought I was going to retire in the insurance industry. Many things changed in my life a decade ago and I let life itself dictate to me what would happen ? I went with the flow and here I am now, 10 years later, loving what I do!

5. What do you most enjoy about your interior design business, and speaking at events, like the BC Home + Garden Show?

I most enjoy seeing and sourcing new products, fabrics, and design items, and sharing these with clients. This will be my first time appearing on the HGTV Main Stage at the BC Home + Garden Show? ask me my thoughts on that on Monday, February 25!? But what I do hope is that homeowners take a least one tip home with them and follow through on making a change.

6. Is there anything else you?d like to share?

Decorating and designing should be fun. There are no hard rules! You live in your home, you and your family are the ones living in ?your space daily, so make decisions that make YOU happy and not anybody else!

If you?re in Vancouver, or planning on coming here next weekend, you can catch Christine Friend at the BC Home and Garden Show. I?ll be sharing my thoughts and more decorating ideas from the show next week. You can get $4 off tickets!

Buy tickets here:?https://www.microspec.com/tix123/eTic.cfm?code=BCHG2013#.UKVDuYYvF30

Promo Code: BLOG

Offer: Save $4 off regular adult admission

No expiry date!

www.bchomeandgardenshow.com

@VanHomeShows #BCHGS13

*photos in the post courtesy of Christine Friend.

Related Posts:

Source: http://www.beingtazim.com/christine-friend-interview-family-friendly-decorating-ideas/

kola boof burmese python ferris bueller god bless america earned income credit florida primary 2012 super bowl

India remains committed to early resolution of Teesta issue Salman Khurshid

Calcutta News.Net Sunday 17th February, 2013

"I would like to reassure you that India remains committed to an early resolution of the issue of sharing of Teesta waters. Consultations are on amongst stakeholders in India," Khurshid told media here yesterday after the 2nd meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission.

"India and Bangladesh have already exchanged data on the flow of Teesta at Dalia and Gazaldoba at the Joint Technical Meeting held in Kolkata. On the Tipaimukh project, I reiterate our Prime Minister's proposal for joint participation and invite you to take a stake in the project. We are also happy to note that the second meeting of the Sub Group on Tipaimukh was held in Dhaka early this month," he added.

On the trade and investment front, Khurshid said: "New opportunities are being actively developed by our corporate and business entities."

" I understand there has been a significant increase of textile exports from Bangladesh to India following the facility of duty free exports extended by India in September 2011. We are jointly working on ways and means to introduce balance in our trade relationship," he said.

"We are encouraged by the positive response received from the visit of 100 member youth delegation from Bangladesh to India last year. I am glad to announce that we are ready to organize a similar visit later this year," he added.

On power inter-grid connectivity, Khurshid said: "We were happy to note that work on power inter-grid connectivity is proceeding satisfactory, with 500 MW of power expected to flow from India to Bangladesh this summer.

"We have been promised that necessary clearances for the speedy setting up of the 1320 MW coal based joint venture power plant will be expedited. We welcome the participation of Bangladesh in power projects in India, particularly in the North-Eastern states of India," he added.

Khurshid further said: "Dr. Dipu Moni and I are satisfied at the pace of utilization of the Line of Credit extended by India. The entire consignment of buses has been delivered to Bangladesh. Deliveries of railway rolling stock will commence in the coming days."

" I am happy to announce that we are ready to release the first tranche of USD50 million of the total grant of USD 200 million soon for projects of priority to Bangladesh," he added. (ANI)

Source: http://www.calcuttanews.net/index.php/sid/212631234/scat/701ee96610c884a6

chip kelly NRA Golden Globes 2013 Anna Kendrick Sandy Hook conspiracy Stuart Scott Holly Rowe

Belkin releases WeMo beta app for Galaxy S III, devices with ICS or higher

Word of an Android app for Belkin's line of WeMo home automation hardware came amid a flurry of CES news, and now the application has rolled onto Google Play in beta form just over a month later. The app is specifically tested for the Galaxy S III, but handsets toting Ice Cream Sandwich or higher will be able to take it for a spin. By wielding the application, users can control WeMo devices over WiFi and cellular networks, configure custom icons, tweak names, take care of local firmware updates and hook things up with IFTTT. Remote firmware updates, support content and WeMo rules have yet to be baked into the software, however. Belkin is hoping guinea pigs will report bugs, but can't guarantee they'll be fixed in the short term. Currently, the outfit says issues regarding poor signal strength and app crashes are on its radar. Looking forward to the polished, growing pain-free product? The final app is expected to arrive around the summertime.

[Thanks, Matt]

Filed under: Cellphones, Household, Tablets, Software, Mobile

Comments

Source: Google Play

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/02/16/belkin-wemo-android-beta-app-galaxy-s-iii/

pebble beach golf beverly hilton roland martin whitney houston dead at 48 whitney houston dead 2012 whitney houston passed away heartbreak hotel