Summer starts with big events

Page 5

Terrying About

Tansi!

Folks all over the country were celebrating National Aboriginal Day from June 19 to 21, and the province's capital sure did do it up in style. Special thanks and congrats to co-ordinators Jane Woodward and Heritage Canada's Val Kaufman. Super job folks!

o Despite the low turnout at the Dreamspeakers Festival, the entertainment was very good. People like New Zealand's Maree Sheehan, and Pura Fe, Soni and Jennifer who make up the group Ulali from New York, the Dene Drummers, and more, all made the festival a good time for those who did come out.

o One personal note. I would like to extend congratulations to a deserving bunch of co-workers from the Native community who devoted time and effort last year to make the Syncrude Gallery of Aboriginal Culture at the Provincial Museum of Alberta the huge success it is today.

It was heart-warming that they all were finally and formally acknowledged as "gold recipients" of the 1998 Premier's Award of Excellence. The honors were bestowed June 16 at the Edmonton Shaw Conference Centre with Premier Ralph Klein handing out the awards.

Congrats Brenda Blyan, Greg Coyes, Reg Crowshoe, Dorothy Daniels, Brenda Daily, Gail Duiker, Melody Goodstriker, Art Knibbs, Pete Ladouceur, Rita Martin, and Russell Willier.

o We'll be watching and listening for those Metis and Indian names at this year's Calgary Stampede in early July. We know Kenton Randle has been doing well in bronc riding. Also, Ben and Jay Louis, and Shawn Henry are equally competitive. Then there's the Munro brothers, Cody and Todd, from Siksika, who have fared well in wild cow milking and how about wagon drivers Ray Mitsuing, Edgar Baptiste, Glen Ridsdale and, Dave and Wally Shingoose?

o The Calgary Friendship Centre has a new director - Peter Paige. Originally from Montreal, Paige feels positive about the centre. In May, a Healing Fund Symposium was held to explain what the government's $350 million healing fund is for and how the funds will be distributed .

o Oops. Sorry folks! The May issue of my column said the Indigenous Games are taking place in Fargo, North Dakota, from July 10 to 17, 1998. It should have read 1999. Sorry about the mix up.

o That's all for now. Let's hope that all the rain we've been having hasn't slowed down the powwow trail. See you on the circuit!