Published May 11, 2000 Roxy, 4, Rick, 6, and River, 4, Seeseequon, are curious about the visit of CFWE staff to Fox Lake in northern Alberta. Radio station staff, and writer/photographer Yvonne Irene Gladue, flew into the community to spend an evening playing radio bingo and gather story ideas for Sweetgrass. Photo Credit: Yvonne Irene Gladue Volleyball tournament raises cash for fastball team by Shari Narine National Powwow Gala by Yvonne Irene Gladue Alphonse Beaver: 100 years and going strong by Yvonne Irene Gladue Samson girl wins pageant by Joan Taillon Terrying About - Have a safe summer by Terry Lusty Short Subjects: Awards received Actors guide young people Agreement signed Click here for Alberta Sweetgrass subscription information. Awards received LAC LA BICHE-Two Portage College students were among 100 provincial recipients of the Laurence Decore Award for Student Leadership. Receiving the award were Theresa Desjarlais from Caslan, a student in the Rehabilitation Services Diploma program, and Charlotte Cardinal from Lac La Biche, a student in the Educational Assistant program. Both award winners received $500, presented to them by Portage College president Ted Langford on April 11. The award, announced this March, will be given out annually to recipients based on their commitment to student government, societies, clubs or organizations, and their commitment to non-profit community organizations. Applicants are nominated by fellow students from their institution. Desjarlais was recognized for her involvement in the college's academic council. "She's kind of the student voice at the academic council meetings," explained college Communications Manager Colin Babiuk. "When they talk about any of the policies and procedures, classroom life in general and issues that affect students in the classroom . . . she's the voice of the students to the instructors and vice-presidents." Cardinal was recognized for her work as a member of both the students' association and the Native awareness committee. Cardinal has been involved in both organizations since last year, when she was taking academic upgrading in preparation for her studies this year. Babiuk said Cardinal is "very visible throughout the campus," and "very active on both the academic and community front." -By Cheryl Petten. Actors guide young people For actors Tanya Tourangeau and Stuart Lennie, taking a deeper look at what many Aboriginal youth face in urban communities is a goal that they are focusing on. Both are committed to providing positive Aboriginal identities in youth by helping them deal with issues of racism, teen sexuality and parenthood through workshops and acting lessons. One workshop features a short film called Ocean, which is about racism. "In Ocean, acting allows us to explore issues that many Aboriginal youth face. It gives everyone a chance to see past the dust in the issues and look towards brighter skies," said Tourangeau, program co-ordinator. "The second workshop we do is on acting. We give 20 hours of instruction that deal with auditioning, character development and voice development," she said. In January, both she and Lennie started a non-profit organization for youth called Back To Our Roots Aboriginal Youth Heritage Association. "We plan to travel to a lot of different communities giving the workshops. We want to be positive mentors. So far it is going good. Like everything else, it is better to go slow then to never start at all," said Tourangeau. "Basically it is about leading a clean life and showing youth that people can live in the city and still live clean and sober. A lot of Aboriginal youth are forced to turn away from their roots thinking that if they do they will face less criticism and racism from mainstream society," she said. By Yvonne Irene Gladue. Agreement signed BLOOD RESERVE -An agreement that is the first of its kind in Alberta since the Government of Canada introduced its Inherent Right of Self-Government Policy in1995 has been signed by Chief Chris Shade and Robert Nault, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development on April 5. "By the signing of this framework agreement and through the dedicated efforts of both the Blood Tribe and federal negotiation teams we are another step closer to administering our own Child Welfare for the Blood Tribe membership," said Chief Chris Shade. The 8,787 member Blood Tribe has operated Child and Family Services on their reserve since 1996 under a tripartite agreement that it signed with Canada and Alberta. Under this agreement the Bloods had to adhere to certain provincial standards. Now a negotiating team made up of representatives from the tribe, the province, and Indian Affairs are working out new standards that should be completed by the end of the year. "This framework agreement reflects Canada's commitment to supporting Aboriginal self-government initiatives as a basis for creating secure, self-reliant First Nation communities," said Minister Nault. "The Blood Tribe is to be commended for its work in ensuring members have a child welfare system that will meet the needs of their community now and in the future," he said. Volleyball tournament raises cash for fastball team By Shari Narine Sweetgrass Writer BLOOD TRIBE RESERVE St. Mary's high school and middle school were the sites of some fast-paced volleyball action April 14 to16. Five men's teams, including one from Lethbridge, and six women's teams, including one each from Fernie, B.C., and Onion Lake-Saddle Lake on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, competed for $2,000 in prize money. "The weekend went really well," said co-organizer Hope Ann Wolf Child. "We got a good response from the crowd. They told us they wanted to have it again next year." Wolf Child had hoped to attract 10 teams in both the men's and women's divisions. But restrictions with playing space only allowed her to schedule a maximum of seven teams in each division. First place prize money went to visiting teams. In the men's division, the Lethbridge Kodiaks went home with $450, with Dennis Dulziel being awarded Most Valuable Player. Selected from the Kodiaks for the All-Star team were Wade Portman and KC Black Plume. Taking second place and $300 in prize money was a Blood reserve team, the Party Crew Animals; named to the All-Star team were Leonard Black Plume and Aaron Kinder. Third place and $250 went to another Blood reserve team, the Trailblazers, who had Charlton Weasel Head and Al Black Water named to the All-Star team. The top two places in the women's division went to out-of-area teams. Taking first and $450 was the Fernie Factor, while second and $300 went to Border Cree, the Onion Lake-Saddle Lake team. The Divas, a Blood team, won third place and $250. MVP for the women was Patti Emmerson from the Fernie Factor, joined on the All-Star team by teammates Erin Scott and Sue Praught. The Border Cree was represented on the All-Star team by Anita Whitstone and Geraldine Chief, while Blood players were represented by the Divas' Wanda Gros Ventre Boy and Cherish Blood. The tournament was used as a fundraiser for the Levern Blues men's fastball club to pay the entry fee into the Calgary Fastball League. The tournament raised $1,100 towards the $1,500 fee; $400 was raised earlier with another event, so the club's fees have now been paid.

National Powwow Gala By Yvonne Irene Gladue Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON The second annual Canadian National Powwow Society fundraising gala was held at the Northlands Agricom on April 15. The gala, attended by dignitaries including Edmonton Mayor Bill Smith and Associate Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Pearl Calahasen, was emceed by Dale Auger. Auger, who is from northern Alberta, kept the crowd in stitches with his antics. The event,attended by more than 600 people, served a dinner of first class magnitude, and featured multi-talented comedians, Howie Miller and Don Burnstick. Powwow dancers from different dance categories, singer Tom Jackson, an auction and a chance to win a cool 1,000-bill were also a part of the evening's activities. Don Burnstick "We did good in fundraising. It was successful. It was really nice to see Aboriginal people showcase their talents as comedians," said Heather Poitras, media relations, Canadian National Powwow Society. "Everyone enjoyed the show. Emcee, Dale Auger, really did a good job," she said. This year powwow is scheduled to held on June 16 to 18. "Last year we had over 600 dancers at the powwow. The first night we had only one concession stand at the powwow and they served 9,000 people," said Poitras. "This year we are planning to do a lot of advertising for the event well in advance," she said. For the three-day event, the city is expecting visitors from all across the country. "We will be attracting people from all over Canada and the United States and it will be a plus for the city of Edmonton," said Mayor Smith. "This powwow is free to attend. There are no entry fees to get in. This is the first powwow of this size that you do not have to pay to get in," said James Gladue, vice president, Canadian National Powwow Society. "Getting everything in place is a challenge. You learn from your mistakes. No matter how perfect you want things to be, sometimes it takes time to get things the way you want them to be. There are many people working non-stop to make this event a reality and they are doing a great job," he said. Alphonse Beaver: 100 years and going strong By Yvonne Irene Gladue Sweetgrass Writer DEMARAIS The Bigstone Cree Nation in Demarais celebrated Alphonse Beaver's birthday on April 8. More than 400 relatives and friends attended. Beaver, who turned 100 years young on April 3, sat among the crowd of well- wishers. Guests included provincial MLA Mike Cardinal, members of the federal and provincial governments and representatives from Alberta Energy. Six generations of family members were in attendance. Families of Augers, Beavers, Cardinals, Gladues, Yellowknees, Gamblers and others made up the list coming from Calling Lake, Wabasca, Trout Lake, Chipewyan Lake, Fort Smith N.W.T., Slave Lak;; Edmonton, Fort McMurray, and Ontario and British Columbia A trapper by trade, Beaver still manages many trapping duties and, according to his family, was still out trapping before Christmas. "We want to thank everyone who is here today to celebrate our grandfather's birthday celebration," said Chief Mel Beaver of the Bigstone Cree Nation. "I'm so grateful to see all of the Elders here today. I appreciate everyone for coming here today to celebrate with us in this very special occasion," he said. The celebration included family speeches, a dinner of moose, caribou and buffalo meat. Activities included a gift opening, a round dance, karaoke and jam session, entertainment by Chucky Beaver and brothers, and a sober dance with the Brian Young band. Alphonse Beaver, who is quite mobile for his age, claims he gets his energy from being an early riser. Beaver, who stayed at the party until l0:30 in the evening, managed to dance a waltz before heading home. Morris Sawchuk, assistant chief fire arms officer for Alberta, presented Beaver with a gun and a plaque. "Alphonse, what is your secret for getting to be 100 years young?" he said. "When chief and council invited Alberta Energy to come to your party, we were trying to imagine what 100 years meant," said Sawchuk. "What is 100 years? It is 1,200 months; 36,500 days; 876,000 hours; 53 million minutes; or 300-some odd billion seconds. It is a lot of time. Time in 1900 when trains, planes and automobiles did not even exist. The first Olympic games did not take place until Alphonse was 40 years old. "I cannot even imagine what the world was like for Alphonse in the last 100 years. The first aircraft did not lift off of the ground until 1903. The first car was not invented until 1908. The cost for a new car back then was $800 and a litre of milk was two cents," he said. "You have six generations that look up to you. You are a respected Elder to all generations. You give them wisdom, guidance and direction," said Sawchuk. "We wish you all the best, Alphonse Beaver. You remind us of a Duracell battery. You just keep on going and going. May your batteries never run out," he said. What does one give to someone who is 100 years young ? Among the many gifts that were presented to Beaver from family, friends and guests, was a $15,000 education bursury, presented in Beaver's name to the Big Stone Cree Nation . The bursary will be presented annually by Alphonse or a family member to a student from the Bigstone Cree Nation. Members of the family described Alphonse Beaver as a quiet and gentle person. They told of Beaver's hunting prowess, including a time when Beaver used five shells to kill four moose. Beaver, who was on a hunt, carried five shells to go hunting. The first day he got three moose with three shells. Another moose presented itself, and he shot, but only wounded it. He went out the next morning and used the other shell to finish the moose off. "I challenge anyone in this room to beat that," quipped grandson Chucky Beaver. "It is nice talking to the old man because he takes you back in time," said Chucky Beaver. "He knows all the old people. All the original Cree names of the areas around here. He is a living example of what Elders are suppose to be. He remembers a lot. He remembers things right from the time he was four years old. I think that his memory is a lot sharper than some young people," he said. Beaver and his wife Marylouise, were married in 1924 and had seven children. During their marriage they lost a daughter and two sons. His four surviving sons, Joseph, Henry, Florisse and Francis, attended their father's birthday party. He was married for 61 years before he lost his wife in 1985. A deeply religious man, Beaver kneels and prays at the beginning and end of every day. He also makes sure he does not work on Sundays. While hunting and trapping, he made sure his family did not hunt on Sunday. Beaver still makes hand drums, carves axe handles, canoe paddles, and is in the process of making a boat. "I'd like the young people to live a good life. I'd like to thank the people who came here today," said Alphonse Beaver. "I'd like to thank God for my being able to see my birthday celebration of 100 years and I'd like to thank everyone who is here today," he said. Samson girl wins pageant By Joan Taillon Sweetgrass Writer EDMONTON Sixteen-year-old Raven Buffalo from Samson First Nation won the Miss Teen Alberta competition April 2 in Edmonton. It's been a busy time for the ambitious student ever since winning the Miss Teen title. Pre-pageant, too, there were daily rehearsals in Edmonton. The girls learned the opening number that they danced on pageant night at Dance Alberta. There were photo shoots at places like Edmonton's Water Park and there were other functions designed to give the girls exposure to the public. Buffalo's sister-in-law was the one who pointed her in the direction of the pageant and who showed Buffalo's pictures to pageant organizers who encouraged her. Up to then, Buffalo said she was "not doing anything with my time," so she "jumped in headfirst" to get experience. "Not doing anything" involves a keen interest in sports, however. Buffalo is in Grade 11 at Wetaskawin Composite High School, where her favorite sport is basketball and where she is paricipates in the school badminton team. Previously she won a bronze medal at Victoria for baseball in the Indigenous Games and a gold medal for hockey in the Native Provincials for Alberta. Lots of track medals too. This was her first pageant, and the win, from among 26 contestants, was a surprise. " I wasn't expecting it at all," said Buffalo. She adds she just entered for the experience and the chance to meet new girls. She estimates about 12 of the contestants were Aboriginal. "When they announced my name, I can't really describe the feeling," she said. "I could feel the tears coming, but I held them back." Over the year of her reign, Buffalo expects to be doing public speaking, mostly to younger children. "Helping them stay motivated," she says, "and letting them know there's better things out there than drugs and alcohol, and just trying to turn them off stuff like that and turn them on to sports, getting involved in the community." The young winner spoke at Ermineskin Junior High School recently, at the request of a police officer who asked her to get involved as a role model in promoting drug and alcohol awareness for the DARE program. "I see this as an opportunity that's going to open a lot of doors for me. It's going to help me make something of myself." She adds that in the long term she hopes to be able to give back to her community and is considering a career as an architect, but for now she can simply show others that "I come from the same place as them," and they have the same ability to succeed. Her advice to other youth is "Seize the day, every opportunity that is given to you." Buffalo is from a family of four sisters and three brothers. "There's a lot of Buffalos in Hobbema. I have a lot of cousins and aunties and uncles. I had a lot of support from them." She says they had confidence she would win even when she herself didn't believe it. Have a safe summer By Terry Lusty Tansi! Now that the weather is much more pleasant and community people are out and about a lot, do take care to "bring 'em back alive." It seems that we always lose some cherished ones to highway and work-related mishaps. Perhaps we could all make a more conscious effort to avoid accidents and keep on smiling this summer. Morin to release new CD If one goes back about a dozen years one might recall the country hit song "Cheyenne" that was recorded by Priscilla Morin of Lac La Biche. Well, Morin, who once won Radio CFCW's prestigious Star Search Talent Contest at Edmonton's Cook County Saloon is back on track. She's been writing and singing and is set to release her new CD, "Waiting For You," on the July 1 weekend. The CD will be unveiled at the Prairie Oyster concert in Lac La Biche. Additional weekend entertainers include the popular Duane Steele and the Johner Brothers. Tsuu T'ina hosts pool tourney As we go to press, the 2nd annual Byron Dodginghorse Memorial Pool Tournament at the Tsuu T'ina arena is being held May 1-7. My personal guess and odds-on-favourite in the team category would have to go to the Edmonton foursome led by Kevin Cardinal who frequents that city's Q Club. The tourney attracts competitors from all over the province and includes players who qualify for and compete annually at the huge Wal-Mac Tournament in Vegas each spring. As was the case last year, this year's event is dedicated to Canada's living legend and local shark, Joe Big Plume. The good people in and around Elk Point and Lloydminster-close to 600 of them-were treated to a truly momentous occasion April 9 when the holy grail of hockey, the Stanley Cup, visited the Fishing Lake Metis Settlement thanks to the influence of NHL defenceman Sheldon Souray and his mom, Lillian Parenteau. Lord Stanley on Métis lands Souray, who wore No. 2 for the New Jersey Devils for two years and is now No.44 with the Montreal Canadians, could not attend. However, Phil Pritchard, "keeper" of the cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and Sandra Carreon with the NHL Players Association in New York accompanied the 107-year-old cup on a seven-week swing of North America to help raise cash for cancer research. Fishing Lake was its first stop. Ben Calf powwow May 13 is the powwow date for Ben Calf Robe School in Edmonton. The powwow happens, coincidentally, the same day as the Diabetes Road Relay Race from Slave Lake to Wabasca. The school has also set May 24 for it's annual open house.