Page 6

It's common enough to hear talk about how strange the political air is on the western side of the Rockies. British Columbia is significantly, er, different from the rest of Canada. As are British Columbians.

There are also big differences in the Aboriginal community, and they aren't, for the most part, inter-tribal differences. In the rest of Canada, Indians are signatories to treaties, but few of the couple of hundred bands in B.C. have ever signed anything. This accounts for the huge attention given to land claims on the coast.

Page 6

It's common enough to hear talk about how strange the political air is on the western side of the Rockies. British Columbia is significantly, er, different from the rest of Canada. As are British Columbians.

There are also big differences in the Aboriginal community, and they aren't, for the most part, inter-tribal differences. In the rest of Canada, Indians are signatories to treaties, but few of the couple of hundred bands in B.C. have ever signed anything. This accounts for the huge attention given to land claims on the coast.

Page 5

Sentencing circles could alleviate some of the estrangement Native youth feel from the mainstream justice system, says a member of a federal group gathering input for a revised Young Offenders Act.

"We have to begin looking at (alternatives to jail) that fit culturally," says Joan Pennell. "One youth I spoke to had been put in open custody (by the circle) rather than serving a jail term. He was able to stay in his own community and really felt that someone cared for once.

"He'd been put in an Aboriginal (justice) program with the sweats, etc."

Page 5

Sentencing circles could alleviate some of the estrangement Native youth feel from the mainstream justice system, says a member of a federal group gathering input for a revised Young Offenders Act.

"We have to begin looking at (alternatives to jail) that fit culturally," says Joan Pennell. "One youth I spoke to had been put in open custody (by the circle) rather than serving a jail term. He was able to stay in his own community and really felt that someone cared for once.

"He'd been put in an Aboriginal (justice) program with the sweats, etc."

Page 4

Cheering on the Canucks in the third game of their playoff series against St. Louis is way cooler than hunting caribou in Yukon, according to a group of students from Old Crow. The 12 students and three adults took in the Canucks' game as part of a 10-day stay in Abbotsford, about an hour east of Vancouver.

It was a completion of an exchange trip when 10 Abbotsford Junior Secondary students visited the Yukon town of Old Crow-population 250-and learned about a different way of life. Their experience included lessons in trapping, hunting and showshoeing.

Page 4

Cheering on the Canucks in the third game of their playoff series against St. Louis is way cooler than hunting caribou in Yukon, according to a group of students from Old Crow. The 12 students and three adults took in the Canucks' game as part of a 10-day stay in Abbotsford, about an hour east of Vancouver.

It was a completion of an exchange trip when 10 Abbotsford Junior Secondary students visited the Yukon town of Old Crow-population 250-and learned about a different way of life. Their experience included lessons in trapping, hunting and showshoeing.

Page 3

The third spiritual Unity Ride will take place this July entirely in Saskatchewan, covering the 712 kilometres between Pheasant Rump Reserve near Kisby and Wahpeton Reserve near Prince Albert.

Last year's riders crossed the U.S.-Canada border into Saskatchewan from their starting point in South Dakota and next year's are scheduled to ride between Saskatchewan and Wyoming. Hundreds of Sioux riders from eight years to 60 have joined.

Page 3

The third spiritual Unity Ride will take place this July entirely in Saskatchewan, covering the 712 kilometres between Pheasant Rump Reserve near Kisby and Wahpeton Reserve near Prince Albert.

Last year's riders crossed the U.S.-Canada border into Saskatchewan from their starting point in South Dakota and next year's are scheduled to ride between Saskatchewan and Wyoming. Hundreds of Sioux riders from eight years to 60 have joined.

Page 3

An established Indian advocacy group thinks Ottawa should have consulted with provincial Natives before it yanked $180,000 in annual grants from their membership and reinvested in the Chief's organizations this spring.

Mel Buffalo, President of the Indian Association of Alberta, is alarmed with the sudden financial crisis it's touched off at the 60-year-old non-profit group as he tries to find out what's happened "behind the scenes".

"If that's the case that's fine but I think they should have heard from our people first."

Page 3

An established Indian advocacy group thinks Ottawa should have consulted with provincial Natives before it yanked $180,000 in annual grants from their membership and reinvested in the Chief's organizations this spring.

Mel Buffalo, President of the Indian Association of Alberta, is alarmed with the sudden financial crisis it's touched off at the 60-year-old non-profit group as he tries to find out what's happened "behind the scenes".

"If that's the case that's fine but I think they should have heard from our people first."