Festival, carnivals and more

Page 5

Tansi!

I really do hope our readers had themselves a swell festive season. I know mine was pretty good and I hope all of you have a super New Year.

Sadly, we lost a few community members over the holidays. Isn't that the way it seems to go most every year?

One particular individual I know many people will miss is respected Elder Mel Paul from the Paul Band at Duffield. Apparently in his 70s, he left us around mid-November. Aside from his infectious smile, the man loved sweats. Other than that, his bright and cheery disposition was always a welcome sight at powwows and other gatherings. Our condolences go out to his family and to the families of others who have passed away recently.

Guess what? The University of Albert Aboriginal Student Council is releasing its first issue of Buffalo Yell News in February. The council's communications officer, Lewis Cardinal, says it'll be in tabloid form and contain writings and photos contributed by the Aboriginal student body and other select individuals. He and Cathy Sewell will be co-editors. We at Sweetgrass will be watchin' fer it. Good luck in your endeavor.

Also, if you care to help education students, there is a silent auction slated for Feb. 2, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Latitude 53 Gallery, 10137-104 St., Edmonton, for the School of Native Studies Student Research Excellence Fund.

A couple more elections that have come to my attention are those at Tsuu T'ina and the Woodland Cree up at Cadotte Lake.

At Tsuu T'ina, incumbent Chief Roy Whitney was re-elected and Regena Crowchild and Wilfred Big Crow were the two new councillors elected to office.

Further north, the Cree at Cadotte Lake elected Joe Whitehead Jr. as chief and the new council consists of Bill Cardinal, Beatrice Kimmel, Joe Noskey and William Whitehead.

Good luck to all of those elected to office.

While on northern news, Marina Simpson reports that the Fort Chip Gospel Revival, open to all faiths, is scheduled for Jan. 29 to 31. Pastor Danny Laboucan and singer Shirley Rowe are featured guests. They have a bus going from Edmonton for up to 40 people. Contact Marina at 471-3501, or Shirley at 697-3599. Extra: The winter carnival at Chip is scheduled for the second weekend of March.

Next door, Fort McMurray will host the Regional Aboriginal Recognition Awards on Feb. 27 at the Sawridge Hotel with the hilarious and talented George Tuccaro as emcee and performances by the Asani singers and dancing by the young jiggers from Conklin/Janvier. Call Cathy 790-9630.

Round Dances you ask? Yeah, there's a few. The 25th anniversary dance for the Nechi Institute in St. Albert is scheduled for Jan. 16. The annual Sweetheart Dance at Poundmaker's Lodge will likely go ahead on Feb. 13. Isabel Auger is sponsoring a dance on Jan. 30 up at the Slave Lake Friendship Centre and there's also one planned at Frog Lake. Alberta Vocational College on 108 St. in Edmonton will host a feast, dance and give away from 6 p.m. to midnight on Feb. 27 (427-7423).

Sarah Ketchum of the Red Deer Friendship Centre reports they are starting Cree classes in mid-January and beading and moccasin-making in mid-February with limited spots available for applicants.

At Pincher Creek, the Napi Friendship Centre's 9th annual Cross Cultural Days - great event that it is - will run Jan. 20 to 24 with the conference portion held Jan. 20 to 22 with a special focus on women's issues. The powwow, basketball and hockey tournaments run Jan 20 to 24. There's also going to be an Elder's gathering, and something a bit different - a pot luck dinner to which people are asked to bring a dish of traditional ethnic food.