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Gerald Okanee is a young man with a powerful voice. He has been a guest singer with renowned drum groups Noon Express, Mandaree, High Noon and Red Bull. He is currently lead singer of Saskatchewan's Big Bear Singers.

In contrast to his big voice at the drum, Okanee is soft-spoken and unassuming in everyday life and is known on his home reserve of Thunderchild First Nation as Oskapiw, the Plains Cree word that means worthy young man.

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Disa Tootoosis already has a name that's familiar to a lot of people-her father is renowned actor Gordon Tootoosis, (Dances with Wolves, North of 60). But the 29-year-old is also making a name for herself, within the fashion industry.

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The Border City Aboriginal Head Start (BCAHS) Graduation Reunion held May 9 at the Tropical Inn drew almost 300 enthusiastic family members, students, staff and community supporters.

The two hour program, geared to accommodate the attention span of the youthful alumni, celebrated the academic, social and cultural growth of the more than 100 First Nation, Inuit and Metis students who attended BCAHS from 1997 to 2001.

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First Nations children across Saskatchewan will have a chance to have some fun this summer, and learn about science at the same time, thanks to the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nation's (FSIN) annual summer science program.

The program consists of a series of 10 science festivals, to be held in communities across the province throughout the summer.

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When the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company (SNTC) was formed nearly five years ago, it was built upon foundations of identity and growth. From its creative and business leaders Kennetch Charlette and Donna Heimbecker, to the dedicated and skilled members of its youth ensemble, to the dozens of young people who have participated in its annual Circle of Voices training program, everyone involved in the company is continually challenged to learn about themselves and their heritage, and to use that knowledge to become better, more well-rounded individuals.

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The situation is urgent, says Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), and that's why a total of $600 million in new funding is flowing to improve the quality of water and wastewater treatment facilities in First Nations communities across the country.

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A resource kit developed by Saskatoon Catholic Schools to help in teaching hoop dancing to students has been recognized with an award at the Association of Media and Technology in Education in Canada (AMTEC) Media Festival Awards.

Dancing Circles: Strong Hoop, Strong Spirit, received an award of merit in the visual instructional category at the awards, held in Montreal June 2. The resource kit was also nominated for a Golden Sheaf Award in the educational/instructional category at the Yorkton Short Film and Video Festival, held at the end of May.

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When the class of 2003 from Leask community school had their graduation ceremony in May, it was a time to not only celebrate the accomplishments of each member of the graduating class, but also to celebrate the team effort that helped make those accomplishments possible.

Of the 20 students graduating from the school this year, 14 of them are First Nations students from nearby Mistawasis First Nation. This is the first time Aboriginal students have made up such a large percentage of the school's graduating class.

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Doctor of dental medicine graduate Glenda Orr from Flying Dust First Nation was one of the graduates honoured at a banquet for Aboriginal students from the University of Saskatchewan College of Arts and Science, held at the Saskatoon Inn on May 31. Her cousin, Adrian Lachance of Edmonton, sang a traditional honour song with a drum to recognize her for her achievements.

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While many museums across Saskatchewan have Aboriginal artifacts in their collections, those items aren't always displayed correctly, or with the proper respect required. But thanks to a project being undertaken by the Museums Association of Saskatchewan, that situation should soon be changing.