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A joint plan by the Squamish and Lil'Wat Nations to build a $15 million cultural centre within the resort municipality of Whistler got a $7.7 million shot in the arm on National Aboriginal Day.

On June 21, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Minister Robert Nault and Premier Gordon Campbell announced that both governments will ante up a share of the cost to develop 1.6 hectares of provincial Crown land opposite the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Hotel.

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On May 30, graduating students from Matawa First Nation's community based Native Teacher Education Program (NTEP) headed to Ottawa to celebrate the culmination of two years' hard work.

Gloria Hendrick-Laliberte, NTEP co-ordinator for Matawa First Nations Management in Thunder Bay, accompanied the group to their graduation ceremony.

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A three-day workshop hosted by Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation near Kenora brought together 131 delegates who shared wisdom on "how to involve Aboriginal people in their medical school," said Michael OReilly, communications officer with NOMS-West.

NOMS stands for Northern Ontario Medical School, a joint venture of Laurentian and Lakehead universities, which is in its start-up phase now. The school announced its first board of directors last month, and its first class of undergraduate medical students will begin their studies in the fall of 2005.

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Aboriginal women from across Canada came together in Toronto June 12 to celebrate the publication of the anthology Strong Women Stories: Native Vision and Community Survival, published by Sumach Press.

The book launch was held in the Iroquois Room at the Ontario Federation of Indian Friendship Centres (OFIFC) on Front Street East. OFIFC executive director Sylvia Maracle, a Mohawk, opened the evening with an Iroquois prayer. After the prayer, Cree activist Sharon Menow led a group of approximately 15 women in the Strong Woman Honour Song.

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North Spirit: Travels Among The Cree And Ojibway Nations And Their Star Maps

By Paulette Jiles

Anchor Canada edition 2003 (sc) $21

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Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, with a labour force of 14,000, has nearly completed construction of the Grand River Employment and Training Inc. (GRETI) Opportunity Business Centre, which will house a variety of band members' businesses under one roof and create long-term employment and training opportunities for Six Nations members.

On May 15, local MP Bob Speller announced a contribution of $1.85 million by Indian Affairs and Northern Development towards the construction, which is 90 per cent complete.

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When Sandra Laronde, founder and head of Native Women in the Arts (NWIA), was starting the organization 10 years ago, she spent many late nights writing grant proposals to boost NWIA's initial grant of $15,000. She recalls one early morning in particular when, in a haze of fatigue, she called it quits.

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Old Fort William Historic Park, built on the site of the world's largest fur trade post, is considered one of Canada's top 10 historic sites. The preserved fort depicts the bygone era of the fur trade.

This year a Great Rendezvous Festival will be held July 11 to 13 at the park to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the North West Company's occupation at the site.

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Hundreds of Indigenous people will have a chance to visit, exchange ideas, and make new friends and business associates at the first World Summit of Indigenous Entrepreneurs (WSIE) that will be held Aug. 18 to 20 in Scarborough.

Entrepreneurs from more than 40 countries will represent such diverse sectors as food services, agriculture, biotechnology, trade investment, culture, entertainment, information technology, finance and banking, oil and gas, minerals and natural resources.

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Member of Parliament for Algoma/Manitoulin Brent St. Denis announced on May 16 that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is funneling $333,900 to Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve to develop a recently purchased golf course. The same day, the community hosted a celebration where they officially announced the purchase and plans for the golf course.