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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there are 100,000 HIV positive women of child-bearing age in the United States, and that 7,000 infants are born to infected mothers each year. The U.S. rate of perinatal HIV transmission among women not receiving antiretroviral therapy is 15 to 30 per cent. Recent findings from a major clinical trial suggest that treating mothers and newborns with zidovudine may significantly lower the risk of HIV transmission.

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Besides abstinence, using a condom is the most effective way of preventing the spread of HIV and AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases, if you use it correctly. Here's how:

1. Use a new latex (rubber) condom each and every time you have intercourse.

2. Open the package, being careful not to tear the condom. (Partners with long or sharp nails should pay particularly close attention here.)

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1. HIV and AIDS are the same thing.

Not exactly. AIDS is the end result of HIV infection. (Human Immunodefiency Virus) shelters itself in the body as it slowly goes to work. The virus attacks the immune system which is supposed to protect the body against disease. But HIV is so powerful that it eventually destroys the immune system, leaving the body open to many overwhelming infections. That's when a person has AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.)

2. Condoms don't work

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Women are particularly at risk of getting HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS, for a number of reasons.

"The cards seem to be stacked against them," says Dr. Bryce Larke, Medical Director of Alberta Health's Provincial AIDS program.

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"Condom Granny" Jackie McPherson is well known in many Aboriginal communities for her down-to-earth workshops on how to prevent infection from HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

"I talk from the heart," says the grandmother from Manitoba's Little Black River First Nation.

"We want elderly people involved," McPherson explains about the fight against AIDS in Aboriginal communities.

"The younger generation need support to guide them in the right direction. A lot of them are crying out for education."

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Giving safe care to people with HIV of AIDS in the community is largely common sense. Everyday good hygiene will usually be enough.

HIV, the virus that precedes AIDS, can be passed in these ways.

- HIV can be found in blood, semen and vaginal fluids of infected people.

- Anyone infected with HIV can transmit the virus to another person through vaginal and anal intercourse.

- Sharing needs or syringes for injecting drugs like cocaine, heroin or steroids can pass infected blood from one person to another.

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Nolan Mamakeesic is not much different from you.

He's 26 years old. He grew up in Sandy Lake and left there to go to high school in Sioux Lookout, Ont. when he was 15 years old. He got into a minor scuffle with the law soon after and didn't finish Grade 12. He likes the outdoors, but after getting a taste of town and city life, he finds going back to Sandy Lake a little stifling.

Actually, there is one thing different about Nolan Mamakeesic. He has tested positive for HIV - the virus that causes AIDS. He is the first known case from the Sioux Lookout Zone.

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More than a century ago, at treaty time in 1876, Plains Cree Chief Ahtahkakoop had a vision.

"Let us not think of ourselves, but of our children's children," said the powerful chief to his people.

With the buffalo gone, Ahtahkakoop saw education as the means of providing the children with the tools they would need in the white man's world. He saw to it the reserve was never without a place of learning. First, farming instruction was provided and soon there was a school. Later, there was a second, larger school

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The Chiefs Economic Development Advisory Council (CEDAC) has divided into an exciting, new venture in Native arts and crafts. Beginning this month, CEDAC will be compiling a comprehensive list of all Alberta Native artisans and arts and crafts dealers. This database is the first step in the planning and development of a unique Native arts and crafts incubator to be located in Edmonton, Alberta.

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Sam Bob never really intended to be an actor. In fact, the Vancouver Native had been working toward his degree on criminology at Simon Fraser University when his sister dragged him to audit for a summer theatre project. That was five years ago, and he hasn't looked back since.