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Urban Indians recognized New-status rep comes aboard

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New-status Indians, who recently received status through Bill C-31 and who are predominantly urban dwellers, are to be represented on the Board of the Indian Association of Alberta (IAA) by a non-voting appointee.

A resolution was made to include "urban Indian" involvement in the association during the final day of the IAA annual assembly after several new status delegates had addressed the meeting calling upon the association to recognize their rights.

Ten new members elected to board

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Ten members were elected to the Board of Directors for the IAA during the final day of the annual assembly held in Eden Valley June 15, 16, and 17.

As results were reported, a tie for one board position in the Treaty 7 area between former treasurer Frances Weaselfat and Alfred Dixon was announced.

In accordance with IAA bylaws the two names were place in a hat and a one extra vote was given to the name drawn. Alfred Dixon's name was chosen and he was awarded an extra vote.

IAA official warns of corporate plan

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A three-man "dictator-like" committee armed with widespread powers and the ability to control the purse strings of every Indian nation has been put into place by the federal government warns IAA official, Peter Many Wounds Jr.

In an emotional address at the assembly on the new corporate plan released by the Department of Indian Affairs recently, Many Wounds demanded that all DIA officials immediately leave the room.

Leduc boxer suing Alberta Amateur Boxing Association

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Grant Burwash of Leduc is suing the Alberta Amateur Boxing Association for $100,000. Burwash claism the association failed to ensure the fight was judged fairly.

The bout in question took place at the Edmonton's Canadian Native Friendship Centre on April 26. Burwash took to the ring with Fort McMurray's Brent Marchand in the Alberta championship title, when Burwash was allegedly hit by a low blow. Referee Joe McGowan stopped the fight since Burwash was unable to go on. A tally of the score up to that point gave Marchand a split decision over Burwash.

School celebrated Indian culture by making a totem pole

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Students at Edmonton's Edith Rogers junior high school erected a 21-foot totem pole that they built themselves. Every year the school has multicultural celebrations, and this year they are focussing on Native Canadians.

The 21-foot log was brought in from British Columbia. Carving had to begin immediately while the log was still wet. The students worked in shifts, six students at a time, until 7 or 8 p.m. and on weekends using only chisels and mallets. The totem pole was completed in 14 days.

Austrian accuses Lubicon of using AIM tactics

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An Austrian museum curator has charged that American Indian Movement (AIM) tactics are "very much apparent" in the Lubicon Lake Olympic boycott.

He claims that "the Lubicon themselves certainly would not have had this idea" and goes even further by saying, "their advisor (Fred Lennarson) is a form AIM employee and even if he was not, this is a strategy . . . practised by AIM in the U.S.A. in the '70s."

AIDS could have devastating effect on Native communities

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Although there haven't been any reported AIDS cases in Alberta's Native population, Indian Association of Alberta (IAA) vice-president Lawrence Courtoreille says, "I'd be very concerned if the AIDS (virus) started to hit the Indian communities.

"It never ceases to amaze me ? the type of diseases that follow the whiteman," says Courtoreille, "TB and smallpox that almost wiped us out, then cancer and other diseases."

Recently, Manitoba health experts said the first AIDS-related death of a Native is reason for alarm in the northern community.

Blue Quills students reunite after 10 years

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This year marked ten years since the first Blue Quills Morning Star class graduated from the two year program.

Saturday June 20, some of the 18 who completed it were reunited at the graduation-reunion celebrations.

The Morning Star Program was set up jointly by the now defunct Alberta Indian Education Centre and the University of Alberta. The Blue Quills Native Education Council picked up the program.

For one year, Morning Star was the only post-secondary program at Blue Quills.

Ottawa Report

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A new report was released recently on the subject of battered women and it reminded me of a line in an old Humphrey Bogart movie: "The only thing a dame understands is a slap in the face or a slug from a .45."