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Grace Elliott-Nielsen was honoured by the staff and board of directors of Tillicum Haus in Nanaimo at a special Christmas ceremony held Dec. 17.

Elliott-Nielsen, executive director of Tillicum Haus and president of the British Columbia Native Friendship Centres was presented with a ceremonial blanket and a carved plaque, on which were mounted the Order of British Columbia that she received in 2000 and the Queen's medal presented to her this year.

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The Canadian Coast Guard recently announced that it intends to decommission nine foghorns on the west coast of Vancouver Island, citing the availability of advanced technology. According to Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council's fisheries biologist Josie Osborne, in "a recent CBC Radio interview coast guard spokespersons said 'foghorns are essentially obsolete in this technological age of wonder, where onboard navigation systems are available to everyone'."

Year in review-Jan. 2002

In an issue that was heavy with matters affecting First Nations health, development and self-determination, the big provincial news story in the January 2002 issue of Raven's Eye was the dispute between the Ahousaht Nation and Pacific National Aquaculture over PCA's 10,000 escaped fish farm salmon.

We also told you about a B.C. Supreme Court judgment, in which a former student in the Christie Indian Residential School was awarded compensation of more than $233,000 for abuse he endured at the school in the 1950s and 1960s.

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An employment and training agency known as the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Service Society (ACCESS) attributes its success to focusing on the job seeker, keeping his needs a priority and bringing in the community perspective, according to the society's chief executive officer, Tara Gilbert. Internet and youth programs are their specialty, she said.

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This fall the Lower Nicola Indian Band will send their children to a brand new school that was constructed with First Nations sensibilities in mind. As of the Dec. 5 opening, young people in kindergarten to Grade 6 will learn about their Nlekepemx culture within regular study programs in the classroom.

Later, if the demand is there, the band will expand the curricula to accommodate students up to Grade 12.

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Last fall, in a sacred ceremony at the Tsow-Tun le lum Treatment Centre on Vancouver Island, Jim Bob began to achieve some completion for the pain he suffered as a child.

"The abuse you suffered should not have happened. I am profoundly sorry that it did."

Those words spoken by Brian Thorpe, a senior staff member of the United Church of Canada, were part of the healing process.

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A small but committed group came together to celebrate Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Day on Dec. 1 at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre. The gathering was sponsored by the Healing Our Spirit BC Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Society and the Red Road HIV/AIDS Network.

Healing Our Spirit is a non-profit organization with 10 years' service providing education, advocacy and support for Aboriginal people with HIV or AIDS. Red Road is a coalition of AIDS service organizations.

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Two Aboriginal leaders from British Columbia were recognized by Ecotrust with the Buffett Award for Indigenous Leadership on Nov. 13 in Portland, Ore.

The Buffett Award honors First Nations members over the age of 35, who make significant contributions in conservation and community development and improve social, economic, political or environmental conditions in their community.

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The 14th annual North American Native Arts and Craft Festival was once again a huge success with artists travelling from across British Columbia to participate. Held at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre on Hastings Street, the Dec. 14 and 15 event was packed with artists, crafters, singers and dancers. Said founder and organizer Kat Norris, "I couldn't fit everyone in this year."

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"I don't understand women."

These are the opening words in All of My Relationships, a one-act play written by Curtis Ahenakew, who also plays the lead character Randy. His confusion about women and relationships isthe basis for the play, which was presented by Injun' Nuity Theatre Company, in association with Theatre in the Raw. It debuted at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre on Nov. 21 to a sold-out audience.