News in Brief

Page 2

The Morinville Storm AA PeeWee fastball team took home a bronze medal from the Alberta PeeWee Provincials on the July 6 to 8 weekend.

Starting next month, more students at Athabasca University will have the chance to study on-line, thanks to a subsidy that may offset up to 50 per cent of tuition and the purchase of a computer for eligible students.

In June, Athabasca University's governing council public member Herb Belcourt presented Athabasca University president Dominique Abrioux and the director of the School of Business, Mavis Jacobs, with $150,000 to launch an on-line study program. The project will run two years and involve 50 Aboriginal students in e-classes over four terms at an average two courses per term. The fund is intended to help non-status students who do not have reliable funding.

The Metis National Council and the Metis National Youth Advisory Council are looking for writers for their newspaper, the third edition of the Metis National Youth Advisory Gazette. They are looking for information on programs or initiatives, articles, poetry and art. For information call toll-free to 1-800-928-6330. Deadline is Sept. 7.

This year is the 125th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6 between the Cree, Nakota and Saulteaux nations and the British Crown. Chiefs and members of the Confederacy of Treaty 6 First Nations will commemorate the anniversary of the signing at the sacred grounds at Fort Pitt, Sask. from Sept. 5 to Sept. 9.

A support group for disabled Aboriginal Youth held its first meeting at the friendship centre in Edmonton July 27. The group is called New DAY Support Group and Social Club. An initiative of the Ben Calf Robe Society, it aims to provide adolescents between the ages of 13 to 18 with culturally relevant activities. Meetings are the last Friday of the month from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Parents and caregivers are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Volunteers and donations welcome.

Shell Canada Limited became the sole corporate sponsor of a new Blackfoot permanent gallery at the Glenbow Museum this summer. The 8,000 square foot gallery, called Nitsitapiisinni-Our Way of Life will open Nov. 3, 2001. The 17-member project team includes the Kainai, Siksika and Peigan communities in Canada and Blackfeet from Montana, as well as Shell and the Glenbow. The gallery will support educational and hands-on activities to do with Blackfoot culture and heritage.

Last month, we told you about two brothers from Red Deer who were going to the Canada summer Games this month. Dallas Soonias is a competitor in volleyball and Sarain Sonias, was travelling as an alternate for the basketball team. Since then we have learned that Sarain's playing status has been changed to team member, so he will definitely play for Alberta in the 2001 Canada Games in London, Ont.

Fort Whoop-up Interpretive Centre in Lethbridge is planning their next Aboriginal art exhibit for February or March 2002. The theme will focus around the signing of Treaty 7, because the year 2002 marks the 125th anniversary of the signing. The centre invites artists from Treaty 7 to submit three to four slides of the recent works relating to this subject and their curriculum vitae before Sept. 15.

The Canadian Forest Service has published a book through UBC press providing information on Aboriginal plant use in the West. Titled Aboriginal Plant Use in the Northwest Boreal Forest, it describes how the Cree, Dene and Metis people used and continue to use more than 200 plants that are available to them. It comprises the research done in 29 communities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. More than 100 Elders contributed to the book. Local bookstores can obtain the book, which is $25.95 in paperback.

The fall intake for the Native Women's Career Preparation Program at Norquest College is Sept. 10 to Nov. 30. It offers career planning, self development, balancing work and personal life, job finding and work experience modules.

Edonton's Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee is looking for nominations from the communities for the Aboriginal Youth Award. The award recognizes the achievements of youth in grades eight to 10. The nomination deadline is Oct. 1. For more information check the committee's website: www.aboriginal-edmonton.com.