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Calling Lake treatment centre on a roll

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Anger and grief stemming from the early deaths of several local residents has spawned a major attack against drug and alcohol abuse in this community.

Calling Lake becomes only the second mobile treatment program to be held in Alberta.

The O'Chiese reserve in west-central Alberta was the first reserve in the province to hold such a program in 1987.

"Very definitely, they saw fantastic outcomes on their reserve in terms of numbers treated. Their follow-up rates were extremely favorable," said community spokesman Kris Robins.

CFWE-FM now on satellite

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The Aboriginal Multi Media Society of Alberta (AMMSA) has been beaming satellite transmissions from its radio station in Lac La Biche since July 27.

The only problem with the operation, says station director Ray Fox, is no one knows they can tune it in.

Four Native communities in northern Alberta are being sent radio signals on CFWE 89.9 FM via satellite.

Frog Lake, Cold Lake, and the Conklin and Elizabeth Metis Settlements are receiving the 24-hour, high-tech transmissions seven days per week.

Defense pact alarms spy network

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Canada's spy agency could reopen a nationwide investigation of Native groups suspected of subversion if a recently signed mutual defense pact gains momentum, an agency

spokesman said.

Gerry Cummings told Windspeaker the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) is monitoring the development of the Treaty Alliance of North American Aboriginal Nations.

He said CSIS could step up surveillance of Indian bands involved in the Treaty if the alliance appears to threaten Canadian security.

Ambulance serves Native cowboys

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Pimatisowin. In Cree, it means "life".

This is the name given to the unique ambulance service that travels with the Roasting Cattle Company.

In most cases, ambulance service is obtained from the town or closest town a rodeo s being held at.

But Pimtisowin ambulance workers have earned the trust of the cowboys who ride in rodeos supplied by Roasting Cattle Company stock.

The husband and wife team of Hazel and Tim Millar and paramedic Chris Hall have earned that trust for some very good reasons.

$50 M Resort slated for Athabasca

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A $50 million tourist resort will be built on the banks of the Athabasca River to help restore Native heritage to Northern Alberta, says the president of Blackstar Development Corp. In

Edmonton.

Native entrepreneur Leo Jacobs says Indian heritage in the Athabasca region has been ignored for too long. So, enticing world travelers to experience life before the European

settlers came is the best way to revive a forgotten culture, he says.

The Wayne Gretzky of Grass Dancing

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He's known to some of his peers as the Wayne Gretzky of grass dancing.

And while he's used to being praised for his powwow dancing, the compliment still brings a smile to the face of Sheldon Scalplock.

"I'm getting a lot of compliments from a lot of the older people," Scalplock said.

"There is a lot of younger people I encourage when they're first grass dancing by complimenting them and I show them different moves.

Blackfoot reached cash deal

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The Blackfoot Band has reached a unique funding agreement with Ottawa.

The deal, which is the first of its kind in Alberta, will give $6.6 million to the southern Alberta band in 1989 under an Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA) with the federal

government.

"This agreement is a stepping stone towards developing an Indian self-government framework before Dec. 1989," said Chief Strater Crowfoot.

"This agreement, which is for one year, allows the tribe to work thing through before a multi-year agreement is signed in April 1990," he said.

Treaty Women want their concerns heard

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Alberta's treaty women of Alberta believe their concerns were ignored at the recent Indian Association of Alberta assembly, says he President of the Advisory Council of Treaty

Women.

Helen Gladue said poor communication from both the federal and provincial governments, and lack of written reports from various leaders are of great concern to the organization.

"Without proper communication it is difficult for the organization to meet its mandate, which is to inform treaty women on the issues that affect them," she said.

Most murder victims Native

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More than half the people murdered in Edmonton this year were Native, said the head of the Edmonton Police Department homicide division.

The stabbing death of John Bennett Thresher, a 25-year-old Indian from the Northwest Territories, was the third skid row murder in over a month and the 10th murder victim of 1989,

Murray Barker said.

Barker said six of those killed were Native.

Thrasher died in hospital from a single stab wound to the chest after being stabbed by an unknown attacker.

Ignorance blocks job hopes

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Ignorance remains the biggest obstacle for Natives, the disabled and visible minorities who are trying to get ahead in the work force, says the head of Canadian Human Rights

Commission.

"The biggest obstacle is lack of awareness of the nature of the problem, simply the realistic appreciation that there is a problem," said Chief Commissioner Max Yalden.

"If you recognize you have a problem and determine you're going to do something about it, you're better than halfway there," he said.