Welcome to AMMSA.COM, the news archive website for our family of Indigenous news publications.

Health centre open

Page 2

Although it's only been open for a few weeks, members of the four Hobbema bands have beat a path to the door of the new Hobbema health centre, says its new assistant director.

"We are really getting a good response," said Linda Dumkee who added that the convenient location of the new centre has saved band members the long and often exhausting journey to Edmonton.

"We even have a kidney dialysis machine," said Dumkee adding that Hobbema residents with kidney problems used to travel to Edmonton University hospital for this treatment.

Gov't snubs child welfare meeting

Page 2

The organizer of an international Aboriginal child conference feels the Canadian government has snubbed his conference and embarrassed Canadian Aboriginal people.

In a press conference after a speech to the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Monday Oct. 5, Indian Affairs Minister Bill McKnight was asked to speak to the organizers of the 3rd annual International Aboriginal Child Conference by Saskatchewan Native, Yvonne Wuttunee.

Reserve law under fire

Page 1

The "under-funded, and all too frequently inadequate" state of law and order on Alberta reserves came under fire when a Indian Association of Alberta task force released a discussion paper to leaders at the All-Chiefs conference, Sept. 29.

"Alberta Indian program delivery lags behind Indian policing programs elsewhere in Canada," says the paper, which must receive approval from the chiefs before the task force releases it to the government.

Aboriginal enrolment up at SIAST

Page 19

The number of Aboriginal students enrolled at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) is increasing, according to an annual report submitted by the institute to the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission.

In 2001-2002, almost 2,300 of the 12,000 students registered at SIAST's four campuses in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon were Aboriginal, which translates into 18.9 per cent of total enrollment. The rate for 2000-2001 was 17.5 per cent.

Friday entertains in the a.m.

Page 18

Jason Friday is the morning guy heard over Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) station CJLR in northern Saskatchewan. The music-sports-news-entertainment show is broadcast from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

"I arrive at the station before 5 to get everything ready. It's a well listened-to show and together with my co-host Dallas Hicks, who joins me around 8, we bring the first news of the day to our listeners," he said."We get the world up and running for the day so it's a pretty important show."

Bison operation combines culture and economics

Page 16

A unique livestock operation which began 10 years ago has become a profitable business venture for the Wahpeton Dakota First Nation.

And the Tatanka bison herd, which is 80 per cent band-owned, has created a culturally-significant activity for the 400 members as well.

"In 1993 the band was looking for business opportunities and the chief at the time, Cy Standing, and council thought bison ranching looked like a profitable venture," said Byron Standing, economic development worker and councillor.

Increase savings by budgeting

Page 15

There are several reasons that people cite for not preparing a budget: it's tedious, it's time consuming, it's difficult, and it's unnecessary, to name only a few. Some of these reasons are valid, while some are little more than flimsy excuses, but taken together they do demonstrate a near universal truth-budgeting is an activity that no one really enjoys taking part in.

Common sense key in taking control of finances

Page 14

As the New Year begins, many of us make resolutions to change our lives for the better. And as the post-Christmas bills start to roll in, one of those resolutions often is to dig our way out of debt, and to stay that way.

There are, thankfully, some simple, straightforward ways to take control of your personal finances. With only a little foresight, planning and expert assistance, anyone can learn to better handle his or her money.

Border City Aboriginal Headstart planning reunion

Page 13

Excitement is building as the Border City Aboriginal Headstart (BCHS) program gears up for a unique and historical event-a five-year reunion of all former students, parents and community supporters.

"It will be the first reunion of it's kind to be celebrated for former Headstart students in Saskatchewan, Alberta or in all of Canada," explained executive director Lisa Zackowski.