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For many years Aboriginal people have celebrated the summer solstice on June 21 and in 1996, former governor general, Romeo Leblanc, officially declared it National Aboriginal Day.

This declaration has given thousands of people a chance to showcase the cultures of Inuit, First Nations and Metis people across the country and recognize the contributions that the first inhabitants of Canada have made.

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Protocol and etiquette.... the ancient way to honor traditions, and acknowledge the ancestors, animal spirits and the Creator.

The bottom line...positive, respectful behavior at all times, with no drugs or alcohol ever allowed on the grounds in powwow country.

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Thousands of people are expected to take part in this year's Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage. It is said to be the largest annual spiritual gathering of Native people in Canada.

Upwards of 30,000 people come to the broad, shallow lake in north-central Alberta to meet old friends, to celebrate, to do penance and to pray for their needs and for each other.

This is the water the Cree call Manito Sakahigan- Lake of the Spirit. The Cree and Blackfoot journeyed to the lake for centuries. It was a place of ceremonies and of great spiritual encounters for Native people.

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As many as 1,000 firefighters are battling the raging House River fire that ignited from unknown causes on May 17.

It is a fire that has now consumed more than 260,000 hectares (three times the size of Edmonton) located between the town of Lac La Biche and the city of Fort McMurray.

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Raging on Kehewin First Nation territory for four days in May, a forest fire brought to light a growing crisis facing Native communities in Alberta, just how ill-equipped they are to deal with forest fire season.

More than 30 per cent of Kehewin's 40-square kilometres, located north of Elk Point, was engulfed in flames between May 16 and 19. While no houses were lost, damage was only kept to a minimum because of the efforts of 100 people, who assisted in damage control.

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Taking aim at an imaginary seal in a crowded school gym located in the prairies may be an unusual way of developing self-respect, but if the screeching laughter of dozens of children and the delight of hundreds of spectators is any indication, the seal dance did the trick.

It was one of many teaching tools used to build respect for self, earth and community, the theme of the fourth annual youth conference in Kehewin held on May 16 and 17.

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Five black crosses, two tipis and a sacred fire marked the place where a vigil was held to honor Aboriginal children who have died while in foster care.

In spite of blasts of wind and rain, about 150 people showed up over the three-day vigil period held from May 20 to 22 at the Rotary Park in Red Deer to pay tribute to the innocent dead.

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For generations, Dunvegan in northwestern Alberta near Grande Prairie was the traditional gathering site of the Beaver people. The Elders tell stories of seeing the river flats covered with tipis, long before the establishment of the site as a trading post, mission and market gardens.

But in the early 1900s, when the trading post closed, the Dunvegan Beaver band was dispersed.

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On May 30, more than 50 works of student art went on display at NorQuest College in downtown Edmonton. The art show was a part of the first student art exhibition and sale titled Art Attack.

Light refreshments, cheese and crackers, and dessert was served as more than 300 people mingled throughout the evening while a violin ensemble played softly in the background.

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Earning a residency at the Banff Centre gives artists an unprecedented opportunity to immerse themselves in their passions.

"No distractions, meals are prepared and everything is done for us. We can develop new work, spend time on an existing project, and collaborate with faculty and other artists-in-residence," said Muriel Miguel.

The artistic director of the Spiderwoman Theatre was one of four Aboriginal recipients recently awarded one of the 15 Paul D. Fleck Fellowships at the Banff Centre.