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Children learn science is fun

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Despite ominous roving thunder storms and unpredictable downpours, the Kenjgewin Teg science and technology camp refused to be rained out.

The sessions conducted by outdoor expert Andre Leblanc ran for two weeks in late July and early August on Manitoulin Island.

In its second year, the camp offered both an indoor and an outdoor component for First Nations children aged 9 to 12. Instruction took place on the picturesque shores of Lake Manitou.

M'Wikwedong band fears losing its cultural centre

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"We are family and we want stay in our home," say the people of M'Wikwedong.

The M'Wikwedong Native Cultural Centre in Owen Sound has been based in a house rented from Westside United Church for the last two years.

The church has informed M'Wikwedong that they must vacate the property by Sept. 30.

On July 22, about 20 members of the M'Wikwedong, including a drum circle, formed a picket line outside the church to make a protest at being turned out.

Hope for the future renewed with agreement

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The Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA) Zone IV and Alberta Human Resources and Employment (AHRE) signed a new agreement that will improve services and help Metis people realize their employment and career goals.

The Partnership Framework on Increasing Metis Employment is the first of its kind in the area.

"This is a historical step in working together," said Cecil Bellrose, vice president of Zone IV. "This is going to be a great benefit to the Metis people in the Edmonton region."

Leadership and accountability focus of forum

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The Indigenous Peoples Leadership Conference will take place Sept. 17 to 20 in Edmonton. Intended to be the first in a series of international Indigenous-led forums, IPLC 2002 will bring together experts to focus on how cultural perspectives impact leadership and accountability and how, in turn, leadership and accountability impact the social and economic well being of Indigenous peoples, their communities, and their business partners around the world.

Metis youth explore future opportunities at conference

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The eighth annual Metis Settlements Youth Conference held July 15 to 19 at Kikino Silver Birch Resort, gave 93 young people from six of the eight Metis settlements a chance to interact with their peers from other communities and broaden their vision of the future.

Workshops on personal development and a career and education fair were key elements of the five-day conference, said conference co-odinator Pauline Thompson.

Blood Tribe Health Centre

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The people working at Blood Tribe Health Centre are beginning to feel more like health care workers and less like sardines now that the new building expansion has been completed.

The grand opening of the expansion took place on July 18, with speeches from dignitaries and even a little entertainment.

The 1,490 square metres of new space connects two existing buildings-the health clinic and the long term care facility- and provides for office space and clinic areas for as many as 50 employees serving a community of 8,000 people.

Alberta brings the hardware home from games

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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 sports.

Thrills chills and spills at Kainai

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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 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.