Page 6

Tansi, Ahnee and hello.

This summer is winding down. There's a chill in the air these mornings and on my frequent drives into the country I've noticed the hawks becoming more numerous and busy as

they prepare themselves for the long flight to the south.

There are even the first sightings of leaves on the ground. Somewhere in this change of seasons I can imagine the children discovering that fallen leaves are one of the most

Page 5

Edmonton

Athabasca MLA Mike Cardinal says he'll take his 30 percent pay hike, approved recently by an all-party legislative committee, without batting a eyelash.

"I sure the hell earn mine (salary)," he said when contacted by Windspeaker.

Cardinal said he decided "with no second thought" to take the increase being given to MLAs.

"In my particular case, I believe I earn my way and then some. If I went to a private corporation with my 35 years experience and with the amount of effort I give, my salary

Page 5

Lac La Biche, Alta.

Help may be in the wings for a financially strapped friendship centre in northern Alberta which is on the verge of closing its doors.

William Landstrom, president of the Lac La Biche Native Friendship Centre, is optimistic about getting much needed funding from Alberta Municipal Affairs despite the fact that

friendship centres are a federal responsibility.

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Edmonton

A government probe into Native justice in Alberta will be delayed for one month until October.

A committee made up of Indian, Metis and government representatives was scheduled to begin a study Sept.. 1 to determine why a disproportionate number of Natives are in

provincial jails.

But last week, it was revealed there will be a delay in the process.

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Ottawa

A Native justice spokesman for the Assembly of First Nations is conducting a Canada-wide study of the federal prison system in response to a report he claims ignores Native

concerns.

Paul Doxtator began his cross-Canada tour of federal penitentiaries on behalf of the AFN last month to speak to members of Native brotherhoods within the prison system.

He is gathering information to include in a comprehensive study about the treatment of Native inmates in Federal penitentiaries.

Page 3

Hobbema, Alta.

Hobbema's suicide rate only two years ago considered the highest in Alberta and possibly of any Indian band in the country, has been substantially reduced by 95 per cent in

the past two years.

Statistics released by Hobbema's Nayo-Skan Drug and Alcohol Counselling Service to Windspeaker show that from a statistical high of 17 suicides in 1987, Hobbema had four

suicides in 1988 and so far, one in 1989.

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Kehewin, Alta.

Kehewin Band Chief Gordon Gadwa's explanation for the revolt on is reserve is being dismissed by a leader of his opposition.

"The real issue is him," said Irvin Kehewin. "And it's not through pettiness or jealousy."

In a recent interview, Gadwa fingered a decision to pay gas royalties to Indians given treaty rights under Bill C-31 as the reason for the rebellion that threw him out of office

more than two weeks ago.

Page 2

Edmonton

A prominent Alberta Indian leader plans to tackle one of the province's largest corporate giants in court after being mauled and humiliated in public by three of its employees.

Percy Potts, vice president of Treaty 6 for the Indian Association of Alberta (IAA), told Windspeaker Wednesday he plans to file legal action against Triple Five Corporation, Ltd.

stemming from an incident at its downtown Eaton Centre shopping mall Aug. 29.

Page 1

Edmonton

The tuberculosis rate among Alberta's Treaty Indians is "very unacceptable," says an IAA official.

"I think it can be brought down considerably," said Gregg Smith, Treaty 7 vice-president with the Indian Association of Alberta.

"It's going to require work from not only health providers but from our own people in wanting it brought down," he said.

A total of 176 TB cases were reported in Alberta last year. Forty-five of the cases, almost half were Treaty Indians while another 13 cases were Metis.

Page 1

Edmonton

Construction of a $1.3 billion pulp mill be Alberta Pacific Forest industries near Athabasca may never get off the ground if its future owners can't convince the government and

public it will be environmentally safe.

That was the warning from Alberta's Environment Minister Ralph Klein last week after finding major flaws in the developer's Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report.

A recent government review of Alberta Pacific's environmental impact assessment showed 231 areas of concern for the Alberta government.