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SADDLE LAKE - Aboriginal communities across Canada wanting to preserve their cultural heritage may do well to look at the community-style effort of the Saddle Lake First Nations in strengthening their cultural spirit and identity.

The Cultural Education Centre at Saddle Lake is the focal point of activity aimed at cultural preservation, attracting the involvement of youth and Elders from the homes of this community, 90 miles northeast of Edmonton.

EDITORIAL

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Much of this issue is about alcohol and drug abuse.

The occasion is National Drug Awareness Week. But the problems talked about here are of concern every week of the year.

They talk in broad terms of the tragedy and suffering and loss that this disease brings. But there are also very personal stories that share the real experiences of individuals, and the healing they have experienced.

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It may take 10 or 20 years to implement the self-government plan proposed by the Metis Association of Alberta (MAA) says MAA President Sam Sinclair.

And there are a number of hurdles to clear before there is even an opportunity to do that.

First, the MAA must convince the Alberta government to support the plan.

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The following points are viewed by the Metis Association of Alberta as the "reference text and guide for upcoming discussions with the province and the federal government":

1. Principles of Metis Self-Government in Alberta

- there should be legal recognition of democratic political institutions established by the Metis people of Alberta;

- this legal recognition should include the power of Metis political institutions established the Metis people of Alberta;

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Elder John Tootoosis from the Poundmaker Nation in Saskatchewan recently visited the new School of Native Studies at the University of Alberta.

Tootoosis is a member of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Senate and will very soon receive the governor e general's Order of Canada arward. At the age of 86, he is also the subject of a biography written in 1976. The book, John Tootoosis, was co-authored by Jean Goodwill and Norma Sluman. Tootoosis also has an extensive history in Saskatchewan Native politics.

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MORLEY - For the second election in a row, two of the three Stoney chiefs were ousted from office after a general election which saw the highest voter turnout in years.

Chiniki chief Frank Kaquitts was soundly defeated after receiving only 22 votes. Kaquitts ran against five opponents, including the man he defeated in the1984 election, Frank Powderface. The new chief is former chief Alvin Two Young Man.

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CALGARY - The Stoney election which saw the defeat of two out of three chiefs is just the first of four band elections slated for the Treaty 7 area this fall. However, the most controversial appears to be the Blood band election scheduled for November 27.

The band is embroiled in a bitter feud between the band chief and council and a faction of band members who have asked that their council be disbanded by the federal government.

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On behalf of the Alberta Aboriginal Veterans Society, Vic L'Hirondelle and Delia Grey laid a wreath at the city Cenotaph in Edmonton calling to mind those who fought and died in past wars.

The pair were among approximately 1,500 others including the veterans, servicemen and citizens who partook in the Remembrance Day ceremonies in frigid minus 19 C weather.

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Recent efforts to remove the Saddle Lake Band council from office have, to this point in time, met with absolute failure. The attempt stems from a dissident group which purports to have gathered over 500 band member signatures to a petition that demands the resignation of the band's chief and eight councillors.

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Everyone has to die sometime. But if you're a status Indian and if you care about the well being of the loved ones you leave behind, the auditor-general has some advice for you.

Don't die of old age. Don't get a heart attack. And don't get knifed in a bar. Kenneth Dye says the best way to die, from an accounting standpoint, is in a traffic accident.