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With immediate ancestral ties to people who used war canoes to conduct raiding parties, Snuneymuxw Elder Bill Seward observes how these boats are bringing Aboriginal peoples together.

His community, along Nanaimo's water shore, hosted a 25-race event on June 29 and 30. The Harbour City was one of 15 weekly stops this season between British Columbia and Washington where different tribes have hosted or will host a regatta.

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Faced with the prospect of losing his team because there was no head coach, Brian Baker stepped into the role of bench boss with the North Shore Thunder in the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA).

All the while, he's maintained a regular shift on the floor.

Now in his third year with the Thunder, the first for the club in North Vancouver since its relocation from Kelowna after two seasons, Baker, 38, accepted the double-duty position after an earlier coach was dismissed before the season started.

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From the opening ceremonies at the North American Indigenous Games in Winnipeg July 28, to the closing ceremonies on Aug. 4, thousands of athletes, volunteers, and spectators shared in the excitement, exuberance and team spirit that was evident throughout the 11-day sporting event. At any time of day, hundreds of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit youth on Winnipeg streets and at the sporting events were visible by their colorful tracksuits, representing their traditional territories, cultures and sport.

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An effort by the provincial government towards greening the Gulf Islands has run into opposition from local First Nations.

The northern tip of Valdes Island, a 15-square-kilometre island south of Gabriola Island, had received cabinet approval on June 19 to be converted into a provincial park, yet the Lyackson First Nation was never consulted. The reserve claims this property was stolen more than a century ago and the band didn't know this tract of land was presently available.

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The cost of feeding a family can be a big chunk of your monthly expenses. And sometimes, buying fresh produce becomes a burden that the family budget cannot bear.

To help solve that problem, the Good Food Co-op has been established in the East Kootenay region of the Columbia Valley.

Patsy Nicholas, a member of the Columbia Lake Band and an employee at the Akisqnuk Heath Centre, said she heard about the program when she was at a Canada Nutrition Program workshop in Cranbrook.

Page 2

There was lots of fun and prizes at the inaugural Chehalis traditional powwow, an hour-and-a-half east of Vancouver, held the last weekend of June. The three-day event, attended by approximately 2,500 people from Western Canada and the United States, kicked off on June 28.

Powwow chairman Ralph Leon said, "It was a good turnout. There were drum groups from Idaho, Washington, Alberta and singers from Arizona."

Some of the participants, particularly the Elders, stayed with Chehalis families, while other powwow-goers took advantage of the free camping.

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The Vancouver foundation announced July 10 that a jury has chosen 13 recipients of its Visual Arts Development Award 2002, which has a pot of $56,000 to be divided among them. Three of the recipients are Aboriginal. The money, administered by the Contemporary Art Gallery, will help these emerging and mid-career artists and artisans to develop their work.

Aboriginal recipients are Christopher Auchter (Skidegate), a Haida artist and animator; Troy Hunter (Cranbrook), a photographer; and Chris Paul (Saanichton), a jewelry maker.

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The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs announced on July 23 the death of Jane Gottfriedson of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band. She passed away that morning in Penticton.

Jane was one of the founders of the B.C. Native Women's Society and she was active in the Constitution Express representing Native women. She was also a member of the UBCIC Chiefs' Council and was a former board member of the Institute of Indigenous Government.

In addition, Jane was involved in the national movement at every level and was a strong advocate for Bill C-31.

Page 2

The Area D Gillnetter's Association presented a $2,000 cheque to Uchucklesaht Chief Councillor Charlie Cootes Sr., to assist in the operation of the Henderson Lake Hatchery.

"This is a significant occasion as it marks the first time a resource user group has directly recognized the contribution that Henderson Lake Hatchery makes to the commercial fishing industry," said Cootes.

Page 2

Dear Editor:

My grandaughter, Lisa Young, 21, has been missing from Nanaimo since June 29. Lisa was last seen about 2 a.m. on that date leaving the Jungle Cabaret. We are extremely worried. If you have any information please call me (250) 725-2765 or her parents, Don and Joanne Young at (250) 758-2037 or her uncle, RCMP Const. Mike Martin at (250) 838-0703 or the Nanaimo RCMP at (250) 754-2345.

Thank You.

Chief Councillor Moses Martin

Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation