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Charges of nepotism and corrupt election practices, responsible for a bitter dispute on the Big Prairie Metis Settlement (Peavine), continue and are confirmed by a government official who states the recent elections "were not fair and were not democratic".

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PEOPLE

Being offered the opportunity to sing the opening song at the Winter Olympics is an honor at which few can boast. But for Winston Wuttunee, a Native folk singer, it is an honor he had to reluctantly refuse.

"I strongly support and believe in the Lubicons' boycott of the Olympics," says Wuttunee. "They are fighting for a cause they believe in, and I feel I am showing my support for them by refusing to sing."

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EDITORIAL

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced last Tuesday the long awaited establishment of a western provinces diversification program. The business communities have expressed some optimism that this plan, coupled with steadily rising oil prices, holds hope for an economic revival in the west.

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The First Ministers' talks were not a failure and the fact that no constitutional amendment as formulated has only made Aboriginal groups stronger and more determined to entrench their rights and uphold treaty promises, says AFN Grand Chief Georges Erasmus.

"The talks would have been a failure if we had accepted the prime minister's proposal," he said. "However, as it turns out we must use another route."

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The federal government is trying to force Indian people to accept federal terms for Indian self-government by means of economic starvation, according to Gregg Smith, spokesperson for the Prairie Treaty Nations Alliance (PTNA).

"The objective in the eyes of the federal government is not to deal with Indian people fairly," said Smith, who is also the president of the Indian Association of Alberta (IAA).

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In this issue of Windspeaker we take a look at self-government. The First Ministers' Conference has been over for several months now and of the four lobbying groups involved, only the Inuit Committee on National Issues has made a visible move toward following up on this subject. The other groups have kept quiet.

What is currently happening and what's next in the bid for self-government? Is the objective still the same or has it changed?

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There'll be free corn-on-the-cob and hot dogs at the fourth annual "Metis Kids Picnic" tomorrow ( Aug. 8) between noon and 6 p.m. at Victoria Park in Edmonton.

The picnic is being held for Metis and other Native children in Edmonton and surrounding areas. Kids will participate in games such as sack races, baseball games and other activities throughout the afternoon.

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Champion Forest Products (Alberta) Ltd. recently announced that its fully bleached market kraft pulp mill, located in Hinton, Alberta, will undertake a modernization and expansion project which will double the capacity of the mill.

Prior to commencement of construction, the company will undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment which will assess the impact of this project upon Hinton and the environment, with special emphasis on Athabasca River quality and its downstream uses. This study will follow guidelines developed by Alberta Environment.

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After one month of alcohol and drug abuse treatment, O'Chiese reserve band members successfully finished a mobile treatment program on August 5.

The unique program is designed to treat abusers by literally going into their homes and working directly with clients.

Program Coordinator and Nechi Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counsellor Emile Ward noticed a difference between treating people in institutions as compared to dealing with them in their home environments.

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A youth camp, hosted by the Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council, is to be held during the week of August 17 ? 21. The camp will feature many activities as well as talks on issues which deal with youth today.

The camp is geared towards the youth between the ages of 13 and 17. It will feature activities such as canoeing, hide tanning, fishing and trapping. It will also include lessons on traditional games to be taught by Mike James.