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When a person dedicates their life to a given field, and excels in that field more than any other, an interesting thing sometimes happens-the person's name can become synonymous with their devotion, to the point where one really cannot be mentioned without the other. It is a sign of true mastery, and also of broad recognition and respect. Such is certainly the case for John Arcand, and his lifelong passion, traditional Metis fiddle music.

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A new video featuring three successful youth may be just the tool to help teenagers stay focused on achieving their dreams.

Strength of Spirit profiles three Aboriginal youth who tell their stories of success in a 45-minute movie, which aired for the first time on the Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) March 11.

"It's about the importance of community and providing kids with adequate support," said Monica Goulet, a community education consultant with Saskatchewan Learning, who brought the project to life.

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An increase in the number of community members starting on dialysis prompted the Battleford Tribal Council (BTC) Indian Health Services Home Care program to take action against kidney disease.

"In 1998, Dr. George Pylypchuk, head of Nephrology, University of Saskatchewan and kidney specialist with the Saskatoon Health Region, was contacted to assist in identifying community members at risk for renal disease," said Joan Wentworth, home care director for BTC Indian Health Services. "The goal was early detection and early intervention."

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People from across the province involved in educating First Nations and Metis children will get a chance to get together and share their experiences, during the annual Awasis conference. This year's conference will take place at the Saskatoon Inn in Saskatoon from April 2 to 4.

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The Metis Nation of Saskatchewan (MNS) is on the receiving end of $175,000 in federal funding, to be used to help the organization in its efforts to preserve and promote the Michif language.

The money, coming from Canadian Heritage's Aboriginal Languages Initiative, will be used to help fund the "Moving the Michif Language Into the Future project, as well to allow the MNS to continue developing Michif language curriculum, teaching aids, and other educational support materials.

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A new academic partnership will soon be bringing a more northern and more Aboriginal face to the nursing profession in Saskatchewan.

As of March 7, the Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan (NEPS) officially has a northern campus, with 40 training seats funded annually by the provincial government.

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Fears of America's impending war with Iraq are a constant worry to Gail McNab. Her daughter Alexis Dustyhorn is in the United States Navy, the first Aboriginal woman with the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74, known as Charlie Company, which provides responsive military construction to navy, marine corps and other military operations.

"She will be a construction engineer when she gets out," explained McNab, who was concerned when her headstrong daughter decided on this career path.

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There aren't too many people who get a chance to make their dreams come true before they even turn 20, but that's just what will happen to Reanna Okanee when she goes to Albuquerque at the end of April to compete in the 2003 Miss Indian World Pageant.

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A new agreement between the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and the Saskatchewan department of Learning will pave the way for a pooling of resources aimed at improving education for First Nations students.

The agreement, the first of its kind in Canada, was signed Feb. 27 by Minister of Learning Judy Junor, and FSIN Vice-Chief Lindsay Cyr, who holds the education and training portfolio.