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The Provincial Emergency Program, operated by the Ministry of Public Safety and the Solicitor General, was reporting 352 active fires Aug. 11 in the central region of the province around Kamloops. An evacuation order for the Bonaparte Plateau region on Highway 5 remained Aug. 12, with 80 to 100 non-residents under order to evacuate. Province-wide, on Aug. 12, 24 evacuation alerts remained in effect.

In the northeast region around Prince George and Williams Lake, there were no evacuation orders or alerts by Aug. 12, although 119 fires still were active.

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The federal government and the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation have settled on terms that would allow precedent-setting expansion on the Esowista reserve inside the boundaries of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

The Esowista reserve, located on a long beach on the south side of Schooner Cove, has been the focus of numerous protests as over-crowded families sought relief.

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A woman adopted out of her band as a child has officially been welcomed home.

One of the highlights of Aundeck Omni Kaning's powwow included a custom adoption ceremony. On June 7, community members welcomed former Sudbury resident Patricia McCauley back into the fold after many years of struggling to regain her status.

McCauley was adopted out of the community as a child.

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When Community Health Representatives (CHRs) met in Ottawa, June 12 to 14, they had a full agenda. The National Indian and Inuit Community Health Representatives Organization (NIICHRO) hosted a training session for them: Coming Full Circle: Healthy Living and the Aboriginal Frail Elderly. CHRs also participated in NIICHRO's 12th annual general meeting, and got an update on wage parity.

Currently the initial training of CHRs is three months. Their job description encompasses translation, dispensing medication, midwifery, home visits and treatment.

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Another Aboriginal tradition returned to the ancestral homelands of the Chippewas of Nawash at the end of June, when storytelling became part of the Return of Drums Powwow at Owen Sound's Kelso Beach.

With the steady beat of the drums in the background, Priscilla Yellowhead Tobey enthralled children and adults with her stories about her Ojibway family who once lived on Christian Island near Midland.

She also told stories with a message, including one about a flock of turkeys that still walked home although an eagle had just taught them to fly.

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Rain may have dampened the dancers feet but not their spirits, as Six Nations of the Grand River hosted their 24th annual Grand River Powwow on July 26 and 27.

Alan Emarthle, manager of Six Nations Tourism, estimated the crowd at 16,000.

Saturday was hit with rain, but Sunday turned into a hot and humid day with lots of sunshine.

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Visitors to the annual Wikwemikong Powwow on Manitoulin Island have always witnessed the best First Nations have to offer in competitive dancing. The annual event held August 2 to 4 this year provided all of the celebration's traditional excitement and more.

The Wikwemikong Heritage Organization (WHO) has been working to ensure that the event retains its goal of cross-cultural awareness.

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Strong Women Stories:

Native Vision and Community Survival

Edited by Kim Anderson and Bonita Lawrence

Sumach Press

264 pages (sc) $26.95

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D. Memee Lavell Cooper received a boost to her high educational aspirations recently, when she learned she was one of the recipients of the inaugural Trudeau Scholarship.

On June 26, the Trudeau Foundation announced its first 12 scholarships for doctoral candidates from around the world studying social sciences and humanities. Each receives $35,000 a year for up to four years, and an additional $15,000 to cover research-related travel. This year, 10 of the 12 recipients are from Canada and five are studying Aboriginal issues.

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