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Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Human Resources and Western Development, is asking the national for input into the rebuilding of Canada's social security system.

A copy of the government's new discussion paper, Improving Social Security in Canada, is available free of charge by dialing 1-800-735-3551.

Also available are background documents and question-and-answer workbook for those individuals who want to contribute their ideas to the minister. Response will be analyzed and submitted to the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development.

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Selected issues for discussion in the federal government's paper Agenda:" Jobs and Growth, Improving Social Security in Canada.

Unemployment Insurance

Long-term unemployment in Canada is particularly pervasive among Aboriginal people or those groups dependent on a single industry or resource, reads the paper. The unemployment rate for Aboriginal people is approximately twice that of the rest of the Canadian population.

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As promised, relations between the new Parti Quebecois government in Quebec and First Nations peoples have proven to be front-page material fairly quickly.

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News of the birth of a rare white buffalo is spreading among American Indians, inspiring pilgrimages to what many tribes believe is a sacred, apocalyptic animal.

"This is like the second coming of Christ on this island of North America," said Floyd Hand, a Sioux medicine man from Pine Ridge, S.D. "The legend is she would return and unify the nations of the four colors - the black, red, yellow and white."

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At an annual general assembly in early October, the Presbyterian Church publicly confessed its sins against the First Nations.

"We regret that there are those who are deeply scarred by the mission and ministry of the Church..."stated the confession presented by Rev. Dr. George Vais, head of the church.

"With the assistance and encouragement of the Canadian government, children were taken from their homes and placed in residential schools."

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Four Yukon land claim settlement are poised to be implemented after 21 years of negotiations on surface rights and compensation.

The Yukon Surface Rights Board Act, or Bill C-55, was introduced to the House of Commons in Ottawa on Oct. 7 by Indian Affairs and Northern development Minister Ron Irwin. On receiving royal assent, a last-step formality to legislation, the Yukon land claim settlements can be implemented.

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Leaked internal government documents stated the Department of Fisheries and Oceans had "no idea" what Aboriginal Fisheries Officers had been doing for the three-month summer fishing season.

The document, released by Reform fisheries critic John Cummins, is a Sept. 4 conservation and protection report penned by a DFO fisheries officer. It said the AFO's or Guardians had been ineffective in the enforcement of the Aboriginal Fishery, had not provided communications regarding their activities, and had pursued an agenda which was incompatible with the department's.

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Native women across Canada are being urged to seek out the Standing Committee on Human Resources Development as it travels the nation, to let their opinions of social security reform be known.

Janis Walker of the Native Women's Association of Canada said women will be among the most affected by the reforms so it's very important they make their voices heard. The reforms were proposed by Human Resources Minister Lloyd Axworthy in a discussion paper released Oct.. 6 entitled Agenda: Jobs and Growth, Improving Social Security in Canada.

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The federal social services review should not be considered a means to off-load responsibilities for Aboriginal people to Canada's lower governments, said Rosemarie Kuptana, president of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada.

Changes to the system of transfer payments are being suggested in the Human Resources Department's discussion paper on social services reform. Transfer payments are money from the federal government to the provinces or territorial government that help fund programs such as welfare and social services.

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The sale of sweetgrass and smudges as incense has caused a bit of a stink for a couple of south Edmonton stores.

"It's a no-no situation, because they're sacred," said Tom Cardinal, the new president of the Indian Association of Alberta, when he learned of the goods for sale.

The Fort Door, a Canadian store, is selling braided sticks of sweetgrass for $4 each.

Owner Tom Sawchuk said he's sold sweetgrass since he first opened his shop 15 years ago.

"I'm going to continue to sell sweetgrass. This is my livelihood," said Sawchuk.