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Slim win for Ronnenberg

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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.

LOYALTIES: BURYING THE PAST IN A BRAVE NEW WORLD

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The film ends. The applause is instantaneous from a packed house. It is thunderous! It is also a moment of glory for Metis actress Tantoo (Martin) Cardinal.

The date is September 25 and here in Edmonton, the highly regarded film "Loyalties", has just made its debut. A smash hit at the box office? Perhaps. It is too early to tell. But for those who have seen it, they offer nothing but praise.

If moviegoers are looking for a good tear-jerker or a hell-bent for leather film, forget it. If they're looking for action packed drama or violence, forget that, too.

Dumont's celebrate 50th Anniversary

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George and Anne Dumont celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, September 5, at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton. They were actually married on December 27, 1936, but they felt the winter months were not a time for celebration because of the cold weather.

George and Anne have the proud distinction of being parents to 10, grandparents to 37 and great grandparents to 15 more.

The eldest of 10 children, George was born on September 29, 1901 in St. Paul de Metis, or, as it is known now, St. Paul.

INTERVIEW: Bill McKnight

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Since Bill McKnight took over as minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, the former Labor minister has maintained as low a profile as he showed in that ministry.

McKnight spent the first month or so as minister being briefed on the issues that

he would have to face at DIA. With these briefings behind him he raised his profile only slightly, meeting with chiefs in Manitoba and visiting the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) annual meeting in St. John's, Newfoundland.

Robert Laboucane's statement

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As a public servant, I am accountable to the minister, Mr. Crombie, as are all

other civil servants in the department. Some of us are also accountable to our clients

while others feel they are not. This is demonstrated by the actions and attitudes.

When do the "policy" makers become accountable to those affected by these policies?

Reader's freedom of speech "restricted"

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Dear Editor:

My name is Robert Laboucane. I am a Metis and former employee of the Department of Indian Affairs in Calgary. For two years I worked as the District Superintendent for Economic and Employment Development in Southern Alberta. Because of the statement (reprinted on this page,) I was fired in February of this year.

I have enclosed articles which will hopefully explain and give some insight into the unjust and unwarranted dismissal.

Alexis boasts "Little School That Could"

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"We're the Little School That Could" is the motto of the Alexis Elementary School. "We strive to do better - together," says Gary Westhora, principal and teacher.

Situated approximately 100 km northwest of Edmonton on the Alexis Reserve, the school accommodates 52 students in Grades 1 to 6. Until recently, the school also housed the kindergarten program until the Band decided to take control. The kindergarten program will now be run out of the Nikoodi Daycare, although it will still be supervised by the Alexis Elementary School staff.

A word called Cree

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Basically what I'm about to say is that we, the "Cree" people, like all other peoples, have to be proud of what we are. We have to ask for and get respect from other peoples. The route I will use to develop this will be language.

Have you ever noticed that when a Native mispronounces a words of the Englis, I mean"English," language he is immediately ridiculed or corrected. Most often this happens when we are speaking with other Natives. Also, have you ever wondered where this word "Cree" comes from.

Are there Indian superstars?

EDITORIAL

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Cyndy Lauper, Madonna, Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, Alabama, Ricky Skaggs and hundreds more, all of them superstars. There are television shows, magazines and radio shows devoted to watching and reporting everything these larger than life people do. The public go out of their way to buy their favorite superstar's paraphernalia, imitation Michael Jackson gloves, Blues Brothers sunglasses, posters, pins, flags, T-shirts, watches and even Wayne Gretzky Fruit Loops.