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Five years of unstinting giving to the cause of youth and the sport of minor hockey has caught up with Irvin Willier. A few weeks ago, AATCO Gas presented Willier with its Volunteer Appreciation Award during the final games of Minor Hockey Week in the Agricom.

"I enjoy working with the kids," said Willier. "They show it on their faces that they're having fun, and it's all worth it after you see that look."

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Treaty 8 leaders and members were celebrating a court victory March 8, the day after the Federal Court of Canada's Mr. Justice Douglas Campbell handed down his decision in the Benoit case.

It's expected the decision will be appealed by the federal government, but Native leaders were elated by the judge's ruling that Treaty 8 members have a constitutionally protected treaty right to tax exemption.

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Metis Youth have their own role model program, now in its second year.

Five role models for the 2002 National Metis Youth Role Model Program will be announced at a conference in Vancouver April 26 to 28.

The program is similar to the National Native Role Model Program for First Nations and Inuit.

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Metis Nation of Alberta Zone 1 executive have met with a lawyer to discuss a land claim on part of the Lakeland Provincial Park.

The area of concern represents a Metis settlement the province opened in 1939; it encompasses Touchwood and Seibert Lakes, on the east side of the park.

In 1938, the province passed the Metis Population Betterment Act; one result of that act was the establishment of 12 Metis settlements, eight of which still exist.

The Touchwood/Seibert settlement was rescinded a year after it was provided, in 1940.

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Issues of child development and foster care got particular attention at the Alberta Treaty Women's Gathering Feb. 12 to 14.

On the first day, participants were divided into groups that held breakaway sessions on suicide prevention, drug and alcohol, mental health, cultural awareness, fetal alcohol syndrome and effects, child care and development, and foster care.

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Aboriginal chef and teacher Ben Genaille is gearing up to dazzle his first group of international guests with his unique blend of traditional First Nations and Western cuisine.

Prompted by an article in last June's Raven's Eye news publication, the New World Renaissance Hotel in Kowloon, Hong Kong contacted Genaille and extended an invitation to him to present a special "Canada comes to Hong Kong" event at the luxurious four-star hotel.

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The Kamloopa Invitational Basketball Tournament is once again calling its fans to gather for fun and fair play.

The Kamloops Coyotes men's team is hosting the tournament at Kamloops Senior Secondary on March 29 to 31. The Coyotes will also co-sponsor an all-Native women's tournament held by the Kamloops Redskins on March 30 and 31, the site still to be announced.

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On June 21, the Ktunaxa Interpretive Centre plans to open its doors to the public. The St. Eugene Mission Heritage Restoration Society chose June 21 because it's Aboriginal Solidarity Day in Canada, a fitting occasion, the society thought, for this new centre's launch.

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A leaked document, posted on David Shreck's Web site StrategicThoughts.com, shows the government's plans for the forest industry, and tells MLAs how to speak on the issues.

In the question-and-answer-style document, the government anticipates questions on how cuts to Ministry of Forests (MoF) staff and tenure reductions may result in civil disobedience from First Nations.

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Tsawwassen First Nation Chief Kim Baird doesn't let her age or gender stand in the way of her dreams. As the youngest female chief in Tsawwassen history-she was elected at age 29 and currently serving a second term-and chief negotiator in the Tsawwassen treaty process, Baird said she wants to restore her community's place in the world.