Welcome to AMMSA.COM, the news archive website for our family of Indigenous news publications.

Cyclist braves elements for healthy cause

Page 27

Northern resident Rob Genaille began a long trek to Winnipeg on Aug. 10. He is cycling from Fort Smith, N.W.T. to the windy city to raise awareness for diabetes and to raise funds for a new family resource centre in Fort Smith. He will be stopping at several First Nations and Metis communities along the way.

The 47-year-old said he does not have diabetes and wants to keep it that way. He stays physically active, away from alcohol, and makes healthy food choices.

Conference inspires hope

Page 26

The conference sponsored by the Indian Residential School Survivors Society titled Survival and Beyond: Hope, Help & Healing Gathering, brought survivors and their families, along with church and government representatives together on the beautiful University of British Columbia campus last month.

From July 4 to 7, participants had the chance to network and move forward in their healing.

Aboriginal women badly served by health care

Page 26

Aboriginal women across Canada are facing problems accessing health care, due in part to system's inability to address cultural and language issues.

Recent studies commissioned by the Atlantic Centre of Excellence for Women's Health (ACEWH) show shortcomings in health care provision for Aboriginal women-as well as immigrant, refugee and minority women-living in Atlantic Canada.

History Television's chiefs series scheduled for viewing this fall

Page 25

Five of North America's First Nations leaders will be honored this fall in a series of documentaries on History Television.

"The series titles are Sitting Bull, Pontiac's Rebellion, The Worlds of Joseph Brant, Black Hawk War, and The Trial of Poundmaker," said Greg McIsaac, publicist at History Television.

"The stories are told from the First Nations perspective, in consultation with actual descendants, who appear in the films as well."

The viewers will see the desperation and anguish as the stories unfold, but pride is evident as well.

Single dad becomes singularly successful

Page 21

Being a parent is not easy. Being a single parent is hard. Being a single father of three young children while pursuing a career in art is almost unimaginably difficult, and exactly what Mi'kmaq artist Alan Syliboy went through almost 15 years ago.

Syliboy was born on Sept. 8, 1952 on the Millbrook First Nation in Truro, N.S. He still lives only 250 feet away from there.

He said he has been drawing as long as he can remember.

"You get a reputation among your peers as a person who draws," Syliboy said.

Sharing with the world

Page 20

Thousands of Catholic people from hundreds of nations around the world flocked to Toronto this past July 22 to 28 to take part in World Youth Day 2002 where youth celebrated religion.

Clinging to each other, groups of 20, 30, sometimes 50, individuals would pass through the crowds chanting, "John Paul II, we love you," some in English and some in their mother tongues.

Creative solution found to funding problem

Page 19

In a time of education cutbacks and reduced funding for the arts, the Aboriginal Art Project of Edmonton Public Schools is in a unique position. It doesn't have to worry about money for the next couple of years.

The project raised $1,400 recently, and none of it came from the school board. Instead, the fundraising was the result of the efforts of three Aboriginal young people, with a little help from the Edmonton Police Service and the Interprovincial Association on Native Employment (IANE).

Prince George team cleans up at nationals

Page 18

The Prince George Riverkings were more than a match for all of their rivals at this year's Canadian Native Fastball Association championships.

The Riverkings won all four of their contests and took top honors in the men's A Division of the national tournament, which concluded Aug. 4 in Brandon, Man.

The Prince George team thumped another British Columbia squad, the Invermere Nightmares, 12-5 in their final contest of the double-knockout tourney.

LPGA card in woman's sights

Page 16

Cheryl Tooshkenig is rather eager to make a bit of history.

The 23-year-old, who hails from Walpole Island, Ont., is hoping to become what she believes would be the first Native player on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour.

American Notah Begay III, who is also Native, has been making headlines on the men's pro circuit, the PGA Tour, in recent years.

Thrills, spills & chills at Kainai

Page 15

One of the favorite stops on both the powwow trail and rodeo circuit is Kainai Days Summer Powwow, Rodeo and Fair that was held in Stand Off, Alta. on July 19 to 21.

The weekend proved to be a hot and dusty one, but that didn't slow the dancers or the cowboys down.

This year's Kainai rodeo roster listed some of the top names on the Indian rodeo circuit, plus those making their way through the ranks. The cowboys and cowgirls are all collecting points towards the 2002 Indian National Finals Rodeo that will be held in California.