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EDITORIAL

The apparent "disintegration" of the Saskatchewan Metis Association may well set an example to Alberta's Association if infighting, alleged dishonesty and accusations continue to run rampant amongst leaders and members.

A good, long, hard look must be taken at the candidates in the upcoming election. A faultless method of selecting the leaders must be utilized. Most importantly, the ethics of the elected individuals must be rooted in a firm commitment to serve the electorate only and leave personal goals aside.

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Statistics Canada revealed last week that up to 125,000 people ? many of them immigrants ? have erroneously identified themselves as Metis, Inuit or North American Indian on the 1986 census form.

The mistake has made Metis Association of Alberta board member Ben Courtrille very unhappy.

"I'm not happy at all. We need those statistics very, very badly."

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A 22-year old man has been charged with murder following the death of a three-year old Swan River Reserve boy.

RCMP say autopsy will be performed to determine whether Nathan Robert McCue died as a result of injuries received in a beating.

Hugh Richard Chalifoux, 22, of Swan River Reserve, is to appear in Slave Lake provincial court July 15.

RCMP are still investigating the incident which occurred in Kinuso, 240 km north of Edmonton.

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Edmonton

A 20-bed shelter for women in crisis will not be reopened, despite efforts of women's groups.

Social Services Minister Connie Osterman says that Edmonton's Hilltop House was closed June 30 because of budget cuts and because former residents can be served by the department in other ways.

Osterman says, "I believe there are (other) counselling services available, but the gals (the women protesting the closure) think these people need someone with them at night as well ? sort of a total atmosphere."

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Two recent tragedies involving Native children has put Manitoba's new system of Indian-controlled child welfare agencies under criticism.

The agencies were established in the early eighties after controversy about adoption of Indian children by white parents. The agencies were established to ensure that Native children are placed with Native families.

However, the agencies have been criticized recently for their handling of certain cases.

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Education Minister Nancy Betkowski today announced the appointment of a new superintendent for the province's largest school district.

"Mr. Brian Callaghan has accepted the position of superintendent for Northlands School Division #61, effective July 13," says Mrs. Betkowski. "The size of the division and the location of some rather remote schools makes the job a challenging one; Mr. Callaghan's nomination was enthusiastically approved by the trustees."

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The National Association of Friendship Centre (104 in Canada) has just concluded a 16th Annual Assembly in London, Ontario.

Significant resolutions passed at the assembly include a call for the renewal affirmation of the Native Friendship Centre Programme, commencing in April 1988. Other business dealt with included:

- Financial support for the North American Indian Veterans tour of Europe in November 1987, to conduct a traditional memorial ceremony for all Native Veterans who served in World Wars I and II, and in post war peace keeping forces.

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There is a need for qualified trainers of all occupations in the Native Community.

Born out of frustration and a need for these trainers at the Nechi alcohol and drug abuse training centre, a new program has been designed there to "teach potential trainers".

Program training coordinator at Nechi, Butch Wolf Leg, says there are a number of unqualified trainers not doing a sufficient job at training people in the Native community, no matter what occupational subject is being taught.

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Pope John Paul II's visit to the United States is still a few months away, but he's already got American entrepreneurs in a frenzy.

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Leaders of six Ontario bands say they have been left in limbo after being granted band status by the federal government.

They say that they are not eligible for financial support since they have no land base. Without federally funded education programs, the children of the 431-member Key-Way-Win band have not attended school for years, ever since they were granted band status.