Page 32

The "Golden Girls" will be among 13 students graduating this spring from Brandon University's First Nations Aboriginal Counselling program.

This year, Matilda Lathlin, 53, Judy Stevenson, 54, and Tina Fox, 62, will be among those graduating from the four-year undergraduate program that blends Western education with traditional philosophy.

Students take courses in traditional teachings and spirituality, as well as courses in psychology and other social sciences to provide a Western-style education with Aboriginal cultural underpinnings.

Page 30

The Moose Deer Point First Nation serves as a role model for First Nation communities looking for creative ways to boost local economies.

Recently the Ontario government paid tribute to their ground-breaking initiative with Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. and the Schad Foundation to develop Niigon Technologies. The company operates a precision injection molding facility on reserve.

Page 29

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.

The Battleford Tribal Council members include Little Pine, Poundmaker, Sweetgrass, Moosomin, Mosquito, Red Pheasant, Lucky Man and Saulteaux, located northwest of Saskatoon.

Page 27

Six dialysis chairs are heading more than 600 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg to the Island Lake First Nations Renal Care and Dialysis Centre.

The four First Nation communities in the Island Lake region- Garden Hill, Red Sucker Lake, St. Theresa Point and Wasagamack-are accessible only by water, air or a less than reliable winter road.

Island Lake has the highest rate of diabetes in Manitoba, many times the provincial average.

Page 26

Winning first place in the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest in Phoenix, Arizona is not an easy feat. Just ask 28-year-old Lisa Odjig. But she did it.

She brought a trophy and $2,500 home after the first place win at the thirteenth annual contest held on Feb.1 and 2. Odjig competed against 18 men in the adult category to win the coveted title.

"It was great, there are a lot of friendly people in Phoenix. Since I've competed there I've met a lot of people. I'm so excited taking first place. This is something that is really exciting to me," she said.

Page 21

Ryan McMahon, 25, is a youth worker at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto. The centre provides community-building cultural and recreational programs.

Multi-colored paintings cover the walls and there is a hustle and bustle of people running towards the gym, looking for athletic activities.

There is a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere in the air. But the young Aboriginal man who had agreed to talk with this writer about his experiences with the justice system hasn't shown up.

Page 20

Page 19

Two large Canadian corporations are reaping the benefits of being good neighbors.

Both Xerox and Sodexho are giants in their fields-the former in manufacturing and distributing copier machines, the other in the hospitality industry. Their corporate reach extends across Canada, but their newly-elevated status in the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program of the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business can be attributed to their willingness to work hand-in-hand with those closer to home.

Page 18

The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB) only began its Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program three years ago, and already it has received the praise and support of many of the country's largest companies. Each year, more and more firms are entering the program, which provides a framework and a certification process for them to assess and improve their interaction with Aboriginal peoples and communities.

Page 17

After three years of operation, the Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) program continues to broaden its membership, as more and more companies that want to establish good relationships with the Aboriginal community join the program.

Now, there are 20 companies involved, which provides member businesses with a framework within which they can set goals for improving relations with the Aboriginal community while giving them the tools to gauge their success.