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Saskatchewan's First Nations communities can find Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to be a very useful tool in recording the history of their traditional activities, explained Ben Hjermstad.

Hjermstad is a senior archeologist with Golder Associates, a consulting company that provides a range of engineering and environmental solutions for civil engineering and natural resource projects. He said the best way for people to visualize where they've been undertaking their traditional activities is on maps.

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Poor market conditions for Canadian produced wood products will mean a two-month layoff for about 50 workers employed by Wapawekka Lumber.

The Wapawekka sawmill is a joint venture, with the Lac La Ronge, Peter Ballantyne and Montreal Lake First Nations combining to own almost half of the company, with Weyerhaeuser Canada owning a slight majority, and operating the business.

The mill, located north of Prince Albert Pulp & Paper, has about 44 full-time and 16 casual employees. Many of the employees are First Nations people.

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A new health centre designed to serve the Cumberland House Cree Nation and the Village of Cumberland House is one step closer to becoming a reality, thanks to funding commitments from the provincial and federal governments.

Saskatchewan Health has announced it will provide $200,000 to go toward planning and design of the new centre, with Health Canada committing $60,000.

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When one person makes a positive change in his or her life, the benefits spread to those around them. When that positive change is going back to school for Grade 12, the benefits spread even further.

That's the case with the 2003 graduating class from the Adult 12 Program at the Saskatoon campus of the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT). Thirty adults, aged 18-50, became students again, and have changed their lives forever.

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Seven outstanding young people have been recognized as role models through the Metis National Council (MNC) National Metis Youth Role Model Program, including four youth from Saskatchewan.

The role model program was launched by the MNC in 2000 as a way to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Metis youth.

The 2003 honorees received their role model awards at a gala banquet held April 26 in the Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Que. The gala was part of this year's National Metis Youth Conference.

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For William Yuzicapi, it's a labor of love. Or a love of labor.

No matter which, his two-year project-establishing a community radio station on the Okanese First Nation-is about to come alive by the end of May.

That's when CHXL-FM, broadcasting at 95.3 on FM radio, will officially take to the air.

For Yuzicapi, who's worked in Regina's commercial radio for the past decade, it's an opportunity that doesn't come by every day.

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Kinistin First Nation and Whitecap Dakota Sioux First Nation are among the latest group of 19 First Nations to get involved in the First Nations Land Management Initiative.

The initiative has been in place since 1996, when 14 First Nations and the federal government signed the Framework Agreement on First Nations Land Management. That agreement lets First Nations who have signed opt out of the sections of the Indian Act that deal with administration of land, allowing them to set up their own systems for management of their lands and resources.

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The arrival of mosquitoes has never been anybody's favorite sign that the long winter is finally over, but since the arrival of the West Nile virus in Canada, these tiny creatures are being seen not just as an annoyance, but as a real threat to people's health.

To help deal with that threat, Health Canada will be working closely with First Nations bands, chiefs and councils this year to help prevent the spread of the virus within their communities.

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The Saskatchewan men's team was golden in Akwesasne, claiming top spot in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship held April 27 through May 3.

A year ago, it was the Saskatchewan women's team that won the bronze medal at the inaugural national tourney, also held in Akwesasne. This year the team placed fifth in the six-team women's division.

Saskatchewan, which had not entered a men's club last year, was one of eight entrants at this season's event.

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Aboriginal people across Saskatchewan should soon be enjoying greater access to sport, recreation and cultural programs, thanks to $5.5 million from the province's centennial funds.