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ASSUMPTION - The official opening of new services which will improve the quality of life for the Dene Tha people here and at Meander River and Boucher River were celebrated recently.

The new services will provide natural gas for more than 200 homes at Assumption and Boucher River and improved roads for Meander River.

"We are very happy" with the new roads at Meander, says Dene Tha Chief Harry Chonkolay, and "there are many elderly people who will benefit from the natural gas. The cost of wood is quite high here."

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Many Native people from all ages and walks of life are seeking answers to questions directed toward Native culture.

Some of these questions deal with identity, spirituality, history, and traditional lifestyles. It is common knowledge that the Elders of the village or community provided answers and guidance to those in need. However, one may wonder how can this apply to an individual who is attending school or working on a nine to five job.

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Ahneen, tansi and howdy once again. Three things have been on my mind off and on this past week: my hat, TV and ethnocentricity. Because winter is closing in, my lid gets more and more useful all the time. You know a person loses 90 per cent of their body heat through their heads, eh? Sticking your fingers in your ears or talking less won't help. Neither will a winterized headband with earflaps sewed on. Of course, you could wear one all summer too. In case of rain, sun, woodpeckers and seagulls.

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The general expectation of post-secondary Native students is to acquire skills that will better themselves and the people. It is generally agreed that by looking to education, we stand a better chance of survival.

From what I am learning, I get the feeling that Native people are losing commonly held negative beliefs and opinions about education. These negatives were imbedded in the minds of Native people back in the days of forced schooling. Today, we are no longer forced to go to school; we got by choice.

Native Women urged to join

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Calling Making Connections, an organization formed by women from groups such as the Edmonton Learner Centre, Alberta Nurses for Nuclear Responsibility, Voice for Women, and Tools for Peace was organized to increase understanding of issues connecting disarmament, economics and development from the women's perspective.

Past president of the Alberta Native Women's Association, Loro Carmen, a representative for the group, says she would like to see Native women participate with other ethnic groups to discuss these critical issues.

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Alcohol, drugs, lack of unity and too much fighting are just some of the problems that Doris Courtoreille of Swan River feels exist on her reserve. A participant in the Project Charlie program a a conference held in Edmonton, September 29 to October 2, Courtoreille learned of ways to deal with problems that stem from alcohol and drug abuse.

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Native broadcasters didn't get all they asked for out of a recent federal task force, but they shouldn't complain.

The task force on Canadian broadcasting, chaired by Gerald Caplan and Florian Sauvageau, gave a lot of moral support for Native programmers. However, there are a number of holes in the Native chapter of their report. But given the state of the federal economy these days, Native broadcasters shouldn't cry about the size of the hole in the Caplan-Sauvageau donut. Instead, they should be working like hell to hang onto the dough.

Regina opens new friendship centre

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REGINA - An official ribbon cutting ceremony instigated a celebration that not only attracted political dignitaries from various levels of government, but more importantly, individuals who were instrumental in securing the first friendship centre in this city.

It was a dual celebration, for the Native and non-Native community of Regina,

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GROUARD - A community forum here October 4, strongly made the point that the local community considers the Alberta Vocational Centre (AVC) Grouard "is education for Native people, by Native people - and it always has been."

The forum was organized as part of research by a joint working committee composed of government officials, Grouard community members, and Indian and Metis representatives. The joint working committee was established as the result of a protest last May that saw the blockading of the AVC facility at Grouard.

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SEEBE - An exuberant Doris Ronnenberg announced she felt fully vindicated after her re-election as president of the Native council of Canada (Alberta) for another two-year term.

The election came at the end of a grueling day of heated debate at the NCC(A) annual assembly held at the luxurious Rafter 6 guest ranch at Seebe, overlooking the Stoney Indian reserve west of Calgary, October 5 and 6.