Business good on the rez

Page 5

Terrying about

Tansi!

Charlie Chisaakay from the Dene Tha' First Nation proudly reports they do not have a deficit. In fact, the economy is alive and well as they presently lobby Trans Canada Pipeline from Liard, N.W.T. for construction contracts. He explained that with good oil prices, there'll be a lot of drilling and "we hope to tap into the boom." The band has also called for proposals for oil and gas development on the reserve and has received four or five good ones.

Dene Tha' housing with a $5.5 million budget is on the upswing also, reports Housing Administrator, Garry Yablonski. He says there are 46 new units this fiscal year compared with 23 last year, in addition to 15 major housing renovations and 40 houses being serviced with water, sewage and plumbing.

The chief up at Fort McKay, Jim Boucher, is pleased with the economic boom and recent developments on the home front.

Board administrator Bonnie Evans expressed delight over the Oct. 8 opening of the Dorothy McDonald Learning Centre. Congrats. To you, too, Dorothy. Previously, adult education ran out of the band office. McDonald, a former chief, has been quite ill but mustered enough energy to attend the opening. The band hopes to offer computer skills in evening classes via Keyano College.

There's a lot of buzz about the Trans Canada Trail 2000 that will extend from Fort Chip, through McMurray and on to Grouard. Surrounding the trail will be a March 14 celebration by Fort McKay residents, who will also conduct other millennium events at that time.

Speaking of McMurray, the Athabasca Tribal Council plans to sponsor Christmas activities for the surrounding Aboriginal communities, said Evans. Yes, winter is almost upon us . . . time to work on your powwow regalia. Be prepared. With the new millennium hype there are sure to be some memorable powwows. One of them will be the 2nd annual National Canadian Competition Powwow in Edmonton. Henry Moosepayo from Kehewin, James Gladue from Beaver Lake and Randy Metchewais of Cold Lake are already rallying the forces for the next one.

The "Mighty Chicks" hockey team from East Prairie Metis Settlement is holding a fund-raiser cash raffle for $1,000 and $500. Actually, the community is conducting a variety of raffles. Their local sewing group is preparing a double-sized quilt to raffle and a Nov. 10 bake sale will go at the Communiplex.

The National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program co-ordinator for Little Red River, Allan Beaver, says they are planning a week-long chain of events Nov. 14 through 20 that will include a community parade, sober walk, candle light memorial, Gospel jam, pancake breakfast, health fair, youth empowerment workshop, and more. Sounds great!

Most activities will be at the Jean D'or School and the community hall. A couple of highlights will be a visit by Gizmo Williams and Willie Pless of the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club and the first annual Role Model Awards Gala at the hall on Nov. 18.

Keith Lapatac, chairman of Saddle Lake Housing Authority, reports they are building 36 new houses, and making major renovations to eight and minor ones to 34. Also, nine abandoned ones are being considered for restoration. "We need about 300 new houses to adequately address housing problems," claims Lapatac. With a population of 5,300 people and growth at 3.3 per cent, "it means we're falling further and further behind" as time moves on.