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First Nations people who access Health Canada's Non-Insured Health Branch (NIHB) services must sign consent forms so that their private information can be used by the government. The deadline for signing is Sept. 1, and if people don't meet that deadline they will be forced to pay cash, up-front, for medical services.

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Acting as a co-op while permitting its members to maintain their own individuality, the First Nations Agrigroup of southern Ontario is creating a better political and financial environment for farmers.

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Danny Beaton, a 49-year-old Turtle Clan Mohawk of the Six Nations Confederacy, came to Owen Sound at the beginning of May, at the invitation of the M'Wikwedong Native Cultural Centre. He was asked to give a presentation at St. Mary's High School on the "the North American Native Perspective of the Sacredness of Mother Earth."

He arrived carrying a big pack and with his traditional flute over his shoulder in a sling. The end of the flute is shaped like the head of the raven.

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A sit-in by Nishnawbe Aski citizens that began April 23 in the office of the zone director for Health Canada in Sioux Lookout has ended peacefully, yet the citizens of Nishnawbe Aski are remaining vigilant to ensure their concerns about Health Canada's national directives for First Nations are dealt with expediently.

Now Health Canada has weeks, not months, to negotiate with them in good faith, the chiefs say.

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Ontario squads once again captured some hardware at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

Just like they did a year ago at the inaugural Canadian tournament, which was also held in Akwesasne, Ontario teams ended up winning two medals.

This year's national event was staged April 27 through May 3. Six girls' teams and eight boys' squads took part.

The Ontario South girls' club successfully managed to defend its title. It defeated Eastern Door and the North (EDN being the acronym for the Quebec-based team) 6-3 in its gold-medal contest.

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Leaders from the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin and the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve participated in a three-day child welfare conference April 30 to May 2. The event held in Aundeck Omni Kaning (formerly Sucker Creek) was organized to attract more First Nations foster homes.

Chief Patrick Madahbee, master of ceremonies for the assembly, welcomed First Nations family services workers and Children's Aid representatives from as far north as Moosonee and as far south as London.

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filled with the delicious aroma of juicy fried chicken and fresh bannock. The sitting area is crowded with Elders visiting quietly while waiting for cook Agnes Case and bannock maker Yellicy Hunlin to finish last-minute preparations in the kitchen.

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Wild horses in central British Columbia will be cautiously observed and protected by a First Nations ranger hired by the Xeni Gwet'in First Nation government.

Chief Roger William of the Xeni Gwet'in said that ranger patrolling of the ?Elegesi Qiyus Wild Horse Preserve, which the Xeni Gwet'in founded, will start in May.

"He'll be patrolling the whole area and just making sure that there's no misuse of our wild horses," said the chief. The ranger will ride horseback or drive a vehicle. "He could be camping here and there throughout the year."

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The hands of an artist are one of the many tools used to create his vision. They're often dripping with paint, callused, or weathered and beaten from the elements and labor, but always full of rich history and stories. And such history lies in the hands of Vancouver Island local artist, Calvin Hunt of the Kwakwaka'wakw Nation, who chips and smoothes his visions into the canvas of Western Red Cedar creating Kwagu'l art.