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IAA's Percy Potts roughed up by guards

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Edmonton, AB

A family shopping spree turned into a nightmare of humiliation for Indian leader Percy Potts when he was charged with trespassing at the Eaton Centre shopping mall in

downtown Edmonton August 29.

Potts, a Treaty 6 vice-president for the Indian Association of Alberta, was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed by mall security guards in the lobby of the centre's lavish hotel

after being accused of using an elevator that is only authorized for use by guests and visitors of the Eaton Centre Hotel.

Kehewin band throws chief out

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Kehewin, AB.

Gordon Gadwa is under mounting pressure to formally step down as chief of Kehewin Reserve.

Members expressed a strong lack of confidence in the chief at a meeting Aug. 31 held at the reserve's cultural centre, which drew close to 90 residents.

Gadwa, 44, has ruled the east-central Alberta reserve for more than 10 years. But there's growing dissatisfaction with his leadership, which some members say is dictatorial in

style.

Young people must accept Elders' values

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Native priests must adhere to the vow of celibacy but it is an obstacle for the Native community according to Father Guy Lavallee.

Although the road is long, it is important that native people work within the church to try to right the inequalities and struggles of Aboriginal people, he adds.

Young Native people have a lot to learn from their Elders and must be open to accept the values and the teachings of their betters because these basic truths are what the Elders hold dear to their hearts, he said.

Celibacy blocks path to priesthood

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When a priest is ordained he must take four vows including the vow of chastity and it is this vow that keeps so many Native people away from the ministry, says Father Cliff Sinclair.

"It has been our tradition for many years to raise a family," he says, adding that the vows of poverty, perseverance and obedience are part of the Native tradition.

Sinclair says he has needed his vow of perseverance, especially in his ministries in Fort Vermilion and Canoe Lake in Saskatchewan where he is presently situated.

Priest claims old and new religions are the same

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God's teachings were sent to Native people long before the first European settlers landed in North America, says an Ojibway priest, Father John Hascall.

"People talk about the old way and the new ways as if they were two, but all is one," he says.

AS a chill breeze ruffled the golden leaves on the trees lining the banks of the McKenzie River, Father Hascall, dressed only in a short-sleeved shirt and trousers, spoke of his faith and ministry to Native people.

5,000 Metis, Inuit, Indian gather

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Nature and people's devout faith combined to welcome "Yahtita"

As the waves of the Red Sea parted for Moses, so did the clouds divide to let the sun shine on Fort Simpson for the visit of Pope John Paul II.

Steady rain had fallen upon worshippers early in the morning as they waited to greet the Pontiff. Everywhere people huddled under large sheets of plastic. Young people struggled to keep the Elders warm.

A long awaited promise fulfilled

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Thousands huddled quietly around a huge 17 metre high tipi, watching and waiting patiently for Pope John Paul II to finish talking with their Native leaders.

The tipi and the 5,000 Indian, Dene, Inuit and Metis people had anticipated the Pope after his 1984 visit was cancelled when fog prevented the Pope's aircraft from landing in Fort Simpson, N.W.T. The Pope vowed he would return and Canada's Aboriginal people were rewarded for their long wait Sept. 20.

'No one will cry ... on the trip home'

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Chilly September winds carried a sigh of relief and then eventual joy as the announcement was made to 5,000 people waiting on the banks of the Mackenzie River that the plane carrying Pope John Paul II landed safely in Fort Simpson.

The moment was made more special for Jimmy Dzeylion, who was in the tiny village located 1,400 km northwest of Edmonton when fog prevented the Pope's last visit in 1984.

Despite Pope's strong words feds still skirt the issue

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The fact that the Prime Minister has turned down the Pope's plea for the resumption of the first minister's conference, while at the same time reiterating his government's support of Aboriginal rights, does not surprise the Indian Association of Alberta.

"It's all rhetoric," says Association president, Gregg Smith. "We figured the feds (federal government) would skirt around the issue."