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Sometimes it only takes 30 seconds for your life to change.

When Travis Youngchief, 31, attended a powwow almost three years ago in Frog Lake, he had no idea his life would take on a new direction.

As he watched a young boy named Sundance Wapass, who was about seven years-old at the time, celebrate his Aboriginal culture by participating in the event, Youngchief felt a spark inside his own spirit.

"I only caught him dancing for about 30 seconds," said Youngchief, adding it was all he needed. "He inspired me."

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When Albert Scott was taken away from his Saulteaux-speaking home as a child to attend residential school, he learned a new language-English-in less than a year. As an adult, he's used his own experience as inspiration, believing that if as a child he could learn English so quickly, why not tap into that same potential among children in his community to teach them Saulteaux?

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Sahtu Dene Metis playwright Marie Clements wants to take you places you never thought you'd go.

The vehicle is her new play Burning Vision, opening April 23 in Vancouver.

"Expect the unexpected," Clements said.

Opening with the discovery of an Aboriginal toddler who symbolizes a uranium rock, the journey from excavation to final atomic explosion above Hiroshima, Japan is presented with a series of scenes that takes the audience on a roller coaster ride through space and time.

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Fourteen Aboriginal people who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in their chosen fields were recognized in Winnipeg on March 10 when the ninth annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards were handed out.

This year's ceremonies saw awards given in the categories of Arts and Culture, Business and Commerce, Energy, Media and Communications, Heritage and Spirituality, Community Development, Sports, Public Service, and Medicine. A Lifetime Achievement Award was also handed out, as well as a National Youth Award.

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Two recent court decisions have sent a very strong message to the provincial government of British Columbia to change the way it deals with economic development projects that affect First Nations.

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British Columbia's treaty referendum is going full steam ahead. The province's Supreme Court rejected a bid by a Vancouver Island band to prevent ballots from being mailed to voters.

On March 27, Judge Robert Hutchison dismissed the challenge by the Hupacasath First Nation to the B.C. government's plan to poll its constituency on treaty principles. The First Nation argued the referendum questions are unclear.

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Look out Indians. Here comes the angry taxpayer for more blood. It's referendum time in British Columbia and indignation has overtaken tolerance and sensibility. It's pathetic how these days the cowboys use democracy to fight the Indians.

First Minister Gordo Cambull is upholding his promise to let the non-Aboriginals determine the future for our Aboriginal grandchildren.

Gordo's referendum has eight questions, which can be condensed as follows:

Should we let those Indians have a say in their own lives?

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For Sara Laslo and her five-year-old daughter Mickaella, celebrating Metis Week in Maple Ridge provided an opportunity to learn something about themselves.

"There's so much I don't know," she said.

Laslo, along with the other participants in the Spring Break program that ran from March 18 to 22, learned a great deal about her history and the Metis culture.

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The Port Alberni Chamber of Commerce held its monthly meeting at the Tseshaht Long House on March 13. The luncheon served as an opportunity for the Tseshaht and Hupacasath to share their culture and ideas for economic development in Port Alberni.

Tseshaht Elder, Kathy Robinson and Ha-Ho-Payuk cultural instructor, Jessie Stevens, welcomed guests. Stevens thanked the staff, parents and students of Ha-Ho-Payuk school for the preparation of the lunch, which featured smoked and barbequed salmon.

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First Nations University-College For A Day was held at Malaspina University-College, Cowichan Campus, on March 14. The organizing committee, co-chaired by Pam Lewis and Ruth Kroek, and their team of committee members: Fran Tait, Yvonne Connelly, Leslie Welin, Jackie Agostinis and Annette de Roux, did a great job in putting the day together.

Presentations were held at the Cowichan Campus and at the Qw'utsun Conference and Cultural Centre. The day began with 670 First Nations participants.