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The lure of the national stage is not enough to woo Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs' Phil Fontaine into the race for top spot at the Assembly of First Nations. Instead, Fontaine has chosen to seek another term as Grand Chief of the AMC and work toward the dismantling of Indian Affairs in Manitoba.

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There's been a flurry of activity in Ottawa recently, as Indian Affairs Minister Ron Irwin stepped-up efforts to still the waters of discontent in and around the Mohawk community of Kanesatake, Quebec.

Tensions between Kanesatake and neighboring Oka town council began to boil May 19 when Mohawks started work on land adjacent to their crowded burial ground to expand the sacred site. Mohawks used bulldozers and chainsaws to clear the land, which was the focus of the dispute between the two communities during a 78-day standoff in 1990.

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First Nation communities must have leaders who have the vision, ambition, and ability to broaden their economic interests beyond the current narrow poltical-fiscal purpose of achieving larger government grants and more control over band budgets. They need to formulate and implement effective, meaningful, economic development initiatives that will bring employment and business opportunities not only at the community level, but also in the Canadian mainstream economy.

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The Department of Justice Canada is offering three-year scholarships to Metis and non-status Indians interested in attending law school starting in the 1994-95 academic year.

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Edgar and Arnold Ahenakew want to make sure traditional funerals are not a thing of the past.

That is why they have formed Keyanow Funeral Services in Prince Albert.

"It was something we thought there was a need for," explained Edgar Ahenakew.

"People are not treated with the proper respect and dignity. A funeral in a Native setting is a lot different than one in a non-Native setting. Native funerals last the good part of the day and have sets of wakes, while at a non-Native funeral, everybody is fidgety and looking at their watches."

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"Empowerment" is more than a 90's buzz-word to the northern British Columbia community of the Lheit'Lit'en Nation. It is a way of taking charge, moving ahead - and claiming the future through education and resource management.

As Chief Peter Quaw says, "If you plan, you will succeed!"

Six years ago, this community of 210 was experiencing severe economic problems. People were unemployed.

They lacked the skills for new jobs. They were losing hope, and the whole community was suffering.

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With the echo of ceremonial gun-fire and the flapping of eagle's wings, the Tsuu T'ina Nation introduced its economic plan for the future to more than 500 visitors and dignitaries Monday, May 2 at the reserve southwest of Calgary.

Alberta Premier Ralph Klein and Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs Ron Irwin were two of the dignitaries who witnessed the rifle salute and the symbolic release of two formerly convalescent eagles as part of opening ceremonies for the nation's new 7,380 square-metre administration building.

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Finding solutions to the challenges faced by Aboriginal business women is the goal of the newly formed Aboriginal Women's Advisory Network.

The network will be made up of Aboriginal women from fields such as education, law, business, the arts, finance, community development and government. Representatives of the Circle of Aboriginal Business Leaders and senior female managers and executives from the bank will also be members.

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Calgary fashion designer Carol "Starlight" Mason has already proven worthy of her Blood name, "Material Woman."

Since she started Starfire Clothing Company, Ltd., in 1990, she has been turning heads and winning sales in both Canada and the United States with her Native and country-style fashions.

Now the Native business-woman wants to use her imagination to expand her business. For that idea to take shape, however, Mason will need money even more than fabric.

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Gino Odjick has made himself into one of the most popular and most valuable members of the NHL Vancouver Canucks. In a year of minor disappointment all around in the Canucks organization - nothing has quite lived up to early season hopes - Odjick and his sidekick, "Russian Rocket" Pavel Bure, stand out because they've had sterling seasons.

Bure has lived up to his billing. The diminutive speedster is in contention to lead the league in goals scored. Odjick has grown from an enforcer into a complete winger.