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When local residents collaborated three years ago to start a potato plantation, the only intention they had was to provide food for the community. The initiative has since turned into an economic venture.

"For a long time the chief and council have been strongly encouraging growing vegetables for the food supply. Now it's gone beyond that," said Joseph Bighead economic development officer Ed McRae.

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When local residents collaborated three years ago to start a potato plantation, the only intention they had was to provide food for the community. The initiative has since turned into an economic venture.

"For a long time the chief and council have been strongly encouraging growing vegetables for the food supply. Now it's gone beyond that," said Joseph Bighead economic development officer Ed McRae.

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A group of teenagers and elders from Black Lake have triumphantly completed a 10-day canoe trip through the wilderness of northern Saskatchewan that was designed to help them preserve their Dene culture.

The trip was planned by band councillor Freddie Throassie as a response to the threat posed by the new Athabasca seasonal road, which is currently under construction.

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A group of teenagers and elders from Black Lake have triumphantly completed a 10-day canoe trip through the wilderness of northern Saskatchewan that was designed to help them preserve their Dene culture.

The trip was planned by band councillor Freddie Throassie as a response to the threat posed by the new Athabasca seasonal road, which is currently under construction.

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Richard Kent says he's trying to work himself out of a job.

The fire prevention officer for the Prince Albert Grand Council has only been in his job for two years, but envisions the day it won't be needed.

Kent hopes each of the 23 communities he looks after will someday have their own paid fire chief.

Right now the fire departments are run on a completely volunteer basis, but that's not good enough for real safety, he said.

"We never ask for volunteer police departments and volunteer medical services," Kent said.

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Richard Kent says he's trying to work himself out of a job.

The fire prevention officer for the Prince Albert Grand Council has only been in his job for two years, but envisions the day it won't be needed.

Kent hopes each of the 23 communities he looks after will someday have their own paid fire chief.

Right now the fire departments are run on a completely volunteer basis, but that's not good enough for real safety, he said.

"We never ask for volunteer police departments and volunteer medical services," Kent said.

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Dedication and hard work have paid off for members of the all-volunteer fire department in Black Lake.

The squad won the prestigious National Aboriginal Fire Fighting Competition - something no other team from western Canada has accomplished.

Richard Kent, fire prevention officer for the Prince Albert Grand Council, credits the pride and dedication of the Black Lake firefighters for the win.

But it didn't come until after two years of rigorous training and improvements.

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Dedication and hard work have paid off for members of the all-volunteer fire department in Black Lake.

The squad won the prestigious National Aboriginal Fire Fighting Competition - something no other team from western Canada has accomplished.

Richard Kent, fire prevention officer for the Prince Albert Grand Council, credits the pride and dedication of the Black Lake firefighters for the win.

But it didn't come until after two years of rigorous training and improvements.

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There's a new Aboriginal web site making big waves on the World Wide Net.

Designed to give people from all over the world an exciting taste of Wanuskewin, this 300-page interactive site delivers a comprehensive pre-tour of one of Canada's most important heritage and tourism attractions, done from the Native perspective.

Funded by Industry Canada and the School Net Digital Collection, the project was created to encourage Aboriginal students to get involved in computer technology on their own terms, both culturally and spiritually.

The Prince Albert Aboriginal Headstart Preschool recently turned out its first-ever graduating class. The preschool opened last fall and enjoyed a good initial response from parents.