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Ovide Mercredi, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, addressed the students at Red River College in Winnipeg on Feb. 22. His message was a somber one.

Mercredi spoke of the growing sense of uncertainty in the Canadian population. Uncertainty over jobs, uncertainty about the country, especially since the Quebec referendum, and uncertainty about the future is what drives Canadians today.

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The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) announced the official opening of the Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert, Sask. on March 6.

The Northern Lights Casino is the second of four SIGA casinos planned for the province. The Gold Eagle Casino in North Battleford led the way by opening a week earlier.

The opening of the Northern Lights Casino marks the official kickoff of the first phase of the SIGA gaming plan. The two additional casinos will follow later with Yorkton opening in June and Whitebear in July.

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The Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) announced the official opening of the Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert, Sask. on March 6.

The Northern Lights Casino is the second of four SIGA casinos planned for the province. The Gold Eagle Casino in North Battleford led the way by opening a week earlier.

The opening of the Northern Lights Casino marks the official kickoff of the first phase of the SIGA gaming plan. The two additional casinos will follow later with Yorkton opening in June and Whitebear in July.

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The three partners in the delayed Rama casino resort project signed an operating agreement that will see construction resume immediately, Chief Lorraine McRae of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation announced on March 19. The interim facility near Orillia, Ont., should be ready for opening day in July.

The First Nation came to an agreement on March 8 with the Ontario Casino Corporation, the provincial government's regulatory body, and Carnival Hotels and Casinos, which has contracted to operate the facilities.

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The three partners in the delayed Rama casino resort project signed an operating agreement that will see construction resume immediately, Chief Lorraine McRae of the Chippewas of Rama First Nation announced on March 19. The interim facility near Orillia, Ont., should be ready for opening day in July.

The First Nation came to an agreement on March 8 with the Ontario Casino Corporation, the provincial government's regulatory body, and Carnival Hotels and Casinos, which has contracted to operate the facilities.

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A national forum to deal with immediate issues on land use, land entitlement and claims has been called for by First Nations chiefs and officials across western Canada.

To be held in Calgary from April 14 to April 16 at the Calgary Convention Centre, the forum will be organized by First Nations Conferences in association with Indian Resource Centre and sponsored by several major corporations including Husky Oil, NOVA Corporations, iSTAR, PanCanadian Petroleum, TransAlta Utilities and Canadian Airlines International.

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Restricting construction tenders on some government projects to First Nation-owned companies isn't a good way to develop Aboriginal business or to employ Aboriginal people, say members of the province's Liberal party.

During the question period on March 7, Liberal labor critic Ron Gantefoer asked the governing New Democrats why a Crown corporation was asking for Native preference in some construction tenders.

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Restricting construction tenders on some government projects to First Nation-owned companies isn't a good way to develop Aboriginal business or to employ Aboriginal people, say members of the province's Liberal party.

During the question period on March 7, Liberal labor critic Ron Gantefoer asked the governing New Democrats why a Crown corporation was asking for Native preference in some construction tenders.

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Ochapowace First Nation is suing provincial finance minister Janice MacKinnon and the Saskatchewan government over the province's seizure of band money.

The lawsuit may go beyond the $1,068.90 which the provincial government sized from the band's bank account, said Kevin Mellor, a Regina lawyer hired by the band for the legal case.

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Ochapowace First Nation is suing provincial finance minister Janice MacKinnon and the Saskatchewan government over the province's seizure of band money.

The lawsuit may go beyond the $1,068.90 which the provincial government sized from the band's bank account, said Kevin Mellor, a Regina lawyer hired by the band for the legal case.