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Sturgeon Lake, AB.

"The last nine years of my grandfather's life, we were like room mates. My grandfather was a very warm and loving person. He loved everyone and treated everyone equal. My

grandfather never judged anyone. It was the way he was," says Jim Aleck.

Aleck's grandfather is the famous Chief Dan George whose wisdom was passing on at a recent youth/elder conference on the Saddle Lake Reserve.

He hails from the Stolo Nation in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, where his grandfather also lived.

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Sturgeon Lake, AB.

One dark night last year, 17 year old Spencer (not his real name) and his younger cousin decided to steal a car.

That night turned into a nightmare for the two youth, one they would rather forget.

Both boys were drinking heavily and "popping pills" that night when Spencer decided they should steal a car in Stoney Plain.

After they had stolen a car they managed to steal a car but in no time at all, a high speed chase with the RCMP cruiser began.

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The First Annual Youth-Elders Conference held at Sturgeon Lake Aug. 6-9 was attended by hundreds of people across Alberta.

Elders from Fort McMurray, Sucker Creek, Calling Lake, Wabasca, High Prairie, Ontario and the Poundmaker's Lodge in Edmonton offered their expertise to the many youth who

attended the conference.

According to addictions counsellor John Gambler, the conference was dedicated to Elders in appreciation of their wisdom, knowledge and the teachings they offer.

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Housing on Jean D'or reserve is getting worse every year, complains 55 year old Morice Loonskin.

Living n a deteriorating house, Loonskin monitored the construction f his new home next door.

Loonskin questions the construction of the building. "Even before the siding or the floor were put in there was water in the basement."

His wife, who suffers with asthma and bronchial problems, was given a letter recently from her doctor stating that for health reasons she should live in a dry, warm home.

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Lesser Slave MLA Pearl Calahasen is keeping a low profile amid suggestions when may be in line for a provincial cabinet post.

Calahasen declined to comment on whether she's discussed a cabinet post with Premier Don Getty but she'd clearly like the opportunity.

"I wouldn't mind a challenge like that. I always accept challenges," she said.

Calahasen, 36, was elected to the Alberta legislature March 20 in the provincial election.

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Being a trapper all his life, 80 year old Gabe Lazott finds that since his retirement six years ago, life can be boring.

Keeping an immaculate house seems to be the only pleasure he finds in life these days.

Reminiscing causes Lazott to smile and brings a twinkle to his eyes.

He recalls when in his younger days he had a good year at trapping.

"I brought in 90 lynx, that was the biggest catch ever," he said, smiling proudly.

Lazott, a widower, is originally from Fort Vermilion and has a family of ten children.

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Band members here are in a quandary trying to get compensation for flood damage to their homes, one year after a flood forced evacuation of the reserve.

But a provincial government flood relief official claims compensation has been slow because there has been a misunderstanding over the program's eligibility policy.

Driftpile Chief Clifford Freeman said this week the band is still waiting for compensation of $400,000 for damages sustained in the 1988 flood.

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The Dene Tha' Indian band has postponed a referendum on the leadership of Chief Harry Chonkolay after the recent deaths of two band members.

The referendum had been scheduled for Aug. 3 but has now been postponed to Sept. 7, said a band administration worker, who declined to give his name.

The decision was made at the Aug. 10 band council meeting.

Tragedy struck Aug. 6 when 53 year old David Dahdona of Assumption was killed in a single vehicle rolling accident, seven and a half km west of High Level.

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"Don't leave your culture behind," says the former leader of the Federation of Metis Settlements.

Maurice L'Hirondelle, 79, former leader of the group which represents people living in eight Metis settlements in Alberta, stressed that message in a speech to a group of Native

students who will start classes this fall at the University of Alberta.

The U of A's Native Student Services was holding a full blown week of orientation for incoming students.

Page 5

And 18 year RCMP veteran now working in Cardston says a Blood Tribe police force will not work.

"Right now, there's no cooperation, no dedication and no commitment," said Cpl. Alfred Rudd at the Rolf inquiry Wednesday.

"They really don't know what a police force is."

He said the band would be better off continuing the way it is.

"A combination of RCMP and tribal police is the most effective (policing method)," said Rudd.

He added he's told Blood Police Chief Liz Scout the same thing "and she's in agreeance with me."