A time for review and celebration

EDITORIAL

Page 6

Last week was a time for review and a time for celebration for the organization that produces this newspaper, and for its sister organization that produces "the Native Perspective," and the radio program on television.

The review came at the annual meeting of the two organizations, the Aboriginal Multi-Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA) and the Aboriginal Radio and Television Society (ARTS).

The celebration was the official opening of the building purchased by AMMSA earlier this year, only three years after the founding of the society.

While annual meetings are meant as a review of operational activities, finances, staffing, services, etc, they are also an appropriate occasion for assessing how well we have fulfilled our mandate, which is to provide communications services to Native people.

In reality, of course, we cannot make that assessment ourselves. Only those of you who read this newspaper and the other printed material we produce, listen to our radio broadcasts and watch our television productions can do that. That is why your comments, your telephone calls and your letters are so important to us.

We have another important way of ensuring that we satisfactorily meet the communications wants and needs of Native people, our boards of directors. It is their responsibility to represent Native people by setting police reflecting their wants and need, and hiring a professional management team to carry out the day-to-day operations of the society according to those policies.

Every effort is made to ensure board membership is balanced, men and women, Indian and Metis, professional and grassroots, and representing the geographical areas we serve.

From time to time, board members resign for various reasons and must be replaced. Replacements are made to maintain that balance while still seeking the best possible candidate.

The three most recent additions are good examples. Gil Cardinal is Metis and

an award-winning film maker who is highly regarded by his peers in the industry; Indian lawyer Sharon Venne is actively involved in representing Indian bands; and Rosemarie Willier is a long-time Native activist in the Lesser Slake Lake Area.

. They are welcome additions.

With their input, and the continued response of the Native people we serve, we look forwrd to continued growth and improved service for AMMSA and ARTS.