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When the people of Stanley Mission go to the Amachewespimawin Co-op, whether it's to buy groceries, get gas, or eat a meal, they are not only getting what they need, but also giving back to their community.

The Amachewespimawin Co-operative has been operating in this northern community since the early 70s, starting out as the Stanley Mission Co-op, a small retail store. Since then, the co-op has grown, both in physical size, and in the service it offers to the community.

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Resistance may be a natural part of change, but one Saskatchewan educator hopes to overcome this obstacle when it comes to incorporating Aboriginal literature into the curriculum.

Beverly Kynoch, who has her masters degree in Education, is a volunteer with AWASIS (Cree for child), a branch of the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation that deals with First Nations and Metis education. She is currently working with Dr. Shauneen Pete-Willett at the University of Saskatchewan on re-designing the communications curriculum for Saskatchewan Learning.

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If you have access to a computer with an Internet connection, and you are motivated to learn, you have what it takes to become a student at Cyber School, an Internet-based school run by the Saskatoon Catholic Schools.

The Cyber School is a relatively new addition to the world of education. The first class at the virtual school was offered in August 2000. Now, a total of 16 different courses are offered, including one at the Grade 9 level, four at the Grade 10 level, five in Grade 11, and six in Grade 12. And another four courses are currently in development.

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Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan have the most to gain monetarily from getting an education, and the most to lose by not getting one, according to a recent study done by University of Saskatchewan economics professor Eric Howe.

The study, Education and Lifetime Income for Aboriginal People in Saskatchewan, uses statistical information and trends in employment and wage rates for Aboriginal people to forecast the average lifetime income for Aboriginal men and women who achieve differing levels of education.

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It's not the way most gas stations have their grand openings.

In addition to a ceremonial ribbon cutting there was an honor song and prayers from Elders, asking for good fortune for the Paskwa Pit Stop.

The new station and convenience store on the Pasqua First Nation officially opened on Oct. 4.

The service station is a way to bring jobs and consumer dollars to the First Nation, said the band's chief, Elaine Chicoose.

"This is a project that's been in the back of the minds for a lot of band councils over the years," she said.

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Tyra Bitternose is less than six months old, and already she's seen enough of hospitals to last a lifetime.

Instead of diapers and baby clothes, the Bitternose and Stanley families are spending their time and money on the highways and hotel rooms, as little Tyra struggles for her life and doctors treat her defective heart.

The infant is currently at Edmonton's University of Alberta Hospital, recovering from major heart surgery.

"She's a fighter," said her proud grandfather, Delvin "Doc" Bitternose of Fort Qu'Appelle.

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While the ideal place for children to grow up is in their own home with their own parents, sometimes, due to child neglect or abuse, that situation becomes less than ideal. When that happens, the children affected are often placed in foster care.

With the high number of Aboriginal children and youth in care in Saskatchewan-more than 70 per cent of those in care within the province are Aboriginal-there is always a great need for Aboriginal people who are willing to become foster parents.

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In its 17 years of existence, the publishing department of Saskatoon's Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) has never had a year like this one. A preserver and chronicler of the history, stories, arts and crafts of Saskatchewan's Metis people, GDI's publishing unit this year put out four books, six videos, and a little CD project called Drops of Brandy, which is actually the most comprehensive collection of Metis fiddle music ever produced. Not bad, considering the department only employs four staff members.

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When it was all over that Sunday morning, Elias Lonethunder was a pretty happy boy.

The 11-year-old from the Ocean Man First Nation struggled to carry away his prize from the contest-a 10 kilogram bag of organic flour.

Lonethunder won the prize by being the youngest of 18 competitors in the first Organic Bannock Panic at the powwow grounds on Sept. 15, one of the last events held during the Treaty Four commemorations.