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The Christmas season is generally a time of merriment, good cheer and giving. With its passing, however, a much less festive, but equally inevitable season takes its place - tax season. Although it too involves giving, most people find little merriment or good cheer in its observance.

But according to Anita Rosdahl, manager of the First Nations Bank of Canada's Saskatoon branch, with proper financial planning and management, tax season does not have to be dreaded.

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In October, Sage was there for the unveiling of a sculpture of Leo LaChance during the official opening of the new provincial courthouse in St. Albert. The courthouse was built on the same block where LaChance was shot to death by white supremacist Carney Nerland in 1991.

Also in October, Sage brought you news of the death of Metis leader, writer, academic and activist Dr. Howard Adams, who passed away at his home in Vancouver.

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Relations between the File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council (FHQTC) and the Town of Fort Qu'Appelle plunged to a new low this winter thanks to a dispute over the operation of Fort Qu'Appelle Indian Hospital.

At a Jan. 8 meeting at the Treaty 4 Governance Centre, Saskatchewan Health, the Touchwood Qu'Appelle Health District and the Town of Fort Qu'Appelle reaffirmed their agreement to build a new Fort Qu'Appelle Indian Hospital (FQIH).

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September's Sage took a look at the Saskatchewan Children's Advocate Office's efforts to improve service to First Nation's children by hiring two Aboriginal advocates.

Also in September, we brought you coverage of the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the signing of Treaty 6 in Fort Carlton, and news about Standing Buffalo Dakota Nations' new fire department.

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The August issue of Sage included a story about the Circle of Strength program, created by Keeseekoose First Nation and the East Central Health District. The program was developed to deal with the mental health issues of the children and grandchildren of residential school survivors.

We also brought you coverage of the Healing our Mind, Body and Spirit gathering, hosted by Okanese First Nation to teach First Nations people the power of traditional healing and traditional society.

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A new video about the residential school experience in Saskatchewan has been created in an attempt to educate people, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, about the affects those experiences have had on numerous generations.

Childhood Lost - The Residential School Experience, was produced by Chalen Ewing of Greywolf Productions, and directed by Doug Cuthand of Blue Hill Productions.

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The July issue of Sage included news of a lawsuit launched by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) over Bill C-68, the Firearms Act. In the suit, the FSIN claims the bill infringes on the treaty right to hunt.

We also brought you a story about the section of Highway 11 between Regina and Prince Albert being renamed Louis Riel Trail, and coverage of Treaty Days celebrations across the province.

Sage also celebrated with the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT), as the institute turned 25.

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In June, Sage took a look at concerns about the quality of drinking water in Saskatchewan, as well as at continued attempts by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) to get an increase in federal funding for First Nations post-secondary education.

We brought you pictures of children celebrating their heritage, both at the Thunderchild Interschool Memorial Powwow hosted by Thunderchild First Nation, and at the 10th annual Fine Arts Festival hosted by the Prince Albert Grand Council.

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Aboriginal people have a long list of justifiable complaints with the treatment they have received from the Canadian government. Few issues, though, have so wounded the First Nations as that of the residential school program that operated in this country for much of the last century. Decried by many as a form of genocide, the program shaped the lives of countless thousands of residential school attendees, who are only now coming to terms with the incomprehensible motives of such schools, and with the heart-wrenching abuses associated with them.

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The May issue of Sage brought you coverage of the annual powwow hosted by Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC) in Regina, as well as photos and results from the 2001 Saskatchewan First Nations Winter Games held in Prince Albert.