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There were certainly enough nay-sayers who believed First Nations run casinos would be a negative influence on Saskatchewan's society, both morally and economically. Yet today, some of those very same people who resisted the change are now among the loudest supporters of these businesses.

Not only have the casinos created jobs and brought revenue to First Nations, a portion of the casino profits have gone directly back into the communities through donations to local organizations.

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A new 25-year gaming agreement between the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and the province of Saskatchewan is one step closer to becoming reality, following the signing of an agreement in principle on April 25.

FSIN Chief Perry Bellegarde and Ron Osika, minister of Government Relations and chairperson of the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), signed the agreement in principle, which sets out the terms of a new gaming agreement between the First Nations organization and the province.

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When the Treaty 4 executive council took a look at the economic possibilities of ethanol, it liked what it saw.

But it's a bit soon for the organization to start to enter into agreements for ethanol production, said File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council (FHQTC) representative president Ron Crowe.

Late last month, The Treaty 4 Trust and the Melville Regional Ethanol Committee (MERC) held a day-long conference to discuss the merits of building an ethanol facility in the Melville region.

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Wanuskewin Heritage Park and the University of Saskatchewan are joining forces to improve awareness and understanding of First Nations culture among all people in Saskatchewan.

The two organizations signed a memorandum of understanding on April 25, creating a partnership that was almost a year in the making.

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This year's Saskatchewan First Nations Circle of Honour Banquet and Awards gala is fast approaching, and organizers, nominees and guests are all looking forward to an uplifting evening that will proudly highlight the achievements and initiatives of the province's Aboriginal community.

Scheduled to coincide with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Chiefs Spring Legislative Assembly, the event will take place on June 4 at the Radisson Hotel in Saskatoon.

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The Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) is offering a new course on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) to students across the province, and potentially around the world.

The 45- hour non-credit course is designed to help adult educators, caregivers and others interested in learning more about FAS, providing them with information on the different types of FAS, and strategies to help them deal with children with FAS more effectively.

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The Aboriginal Committee of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour is hosting a conference to examine the problems and opportunities involved in increasing the number of Aboriginal people employed in Saskatchewan.

The Building a Representative Workforce Conference will take place May 30 to June 1 at the Echo Valley Conference Centre near Fort Qu'Appelle.

Page 3

Jason Mercredi, a Grade 12 student from La Ronge, was one of five people from across the country selected as this year's Metis youth role models at the National Metis Youth Conference held in Vancouver April 26.

Mercredi was chosen as a role model in the personal achievement category.

"I am not quite sure of any awesome gifts that I possess," Mercredi said after learning of his selection as a role model.

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On April 25, the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC) held an honoring circle to celebrate the success of its students and recognize the contributions of organizations that provided more than $30,000 in donations and scholarships.

The awards ceremony and reception were held at the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts in Regina and honored 20 students for their academic accomplishments.

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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-sq. km, 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.