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Patricia Whitebear has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the tourism industry. She has received the 1997 Canadian Aboriginal Tourism Award, presented by Canadian Airlines International and the Journal of Aboriginal Tourism.

"I'm really honored to receive this award, and to be put in such a category. I'm very dedicated to my community and culture," said the White Bear tourism co-ordinator.

Whitebear advises other communities and entrepreneurs not to depend too heavily on financial backing.

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I am writing this column from Prince George, B.C. My wife, Trisha, was invited to speak at the Children, Families, Communities '98 conference. Our two youngest children, Kate and Jack, are traveling with us. This family time together, away from most of the distractions of my wife's hectic life, is time to cherish. As Father's Day approaches, I am grateful for the next two weeks we will be all on the road together.

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I am writing this column from Prince George, B.C. My wife, Trisha, was invited to speak at the Children, Families, Communities '98 conference. Our two youngest children, Kate and Jack, are traveling with us. This family time together, away from most of the distractions of my wife's hectic life, is time to cherish. As Father's Day approaches, I am grateful for the next two weeks we will be all on the road together.

Page 3

The provincial government is joining forces with Aboriginal communities to help prevent fetal alcohol syndrome.

"It is the leading cause of metal retardation and is the only one totally preventable," said Cathy Ryan, community health nurse at Ocean Man First Nation.

"We recommend a pregnant woman not to drink at all. They don't know if it takes consistent drinking for the child to develop FAS, or if it's just one drink at the wrong time," said Ryan. "Whatever part of the baby was developing, stops developing."

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The provincial government is joining forces with Aboriginal communities to help prevent fetal alcohol syndrome.

"It is the leading cause of metal retardation and is the only one totally preventable," said Cathy Ryan, community health nurse at Ocean Man First Nation.

"We recommend a pregnant woman not to drink at all. They don't know if it takes consistent drinking for the child to develop FAS, or if it's just one drink at the wrong time," said Ryan. "Whatever part of the baby was developing, stops developing."

Page 3

Don Ross believes in the political process and he wants other Aboriginal people to jump on the bandwagon.

The 39-year-old former candidate and current national co-president of the Liberal party's Aboriginal Peoples Commission spoke at a Liberal fundraising dinner in Prince Albert on May 28. He said Aboriginal people should be involving themselves in political parties, while keeping their identity and "be proud of that, and be involved."

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Don Ross believes in the political process and he wants other Aboriginal people to jump on the bandwagon.

The 39-year-old former candidate and current national co-president of the Liberal party's Aboriginal Peoples Commission spoke at a Liberal fundraising dinner in Prince Albert on May 28. He said Aboriginal people should be involving themselves in political parties, while keeping their identity and "be proud of that, and be involved."

Page 3

Claude Petit is fighting one more battle.

The Korean War veteran, and Order of Canada recipient, is part of a group fighting to round up funding for an Aboriginal war memorial in Ottawa.

So far, the group of veterans is only about one-tenth of the way to its $1 million target, but they recently won a major skirmish in the war in Prince Albert.

Lumber industry giant Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd. chipped in $25,000 toward the soaring bronze and marble artwork.

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An initiative has begun to help struggling Aboriginal artists become recognized.

The Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre, is currently developing a program, First Nations Art Marketing, that will enable First Nations artists to promote and sell their work using digital technology through the internet. An exhibition web site will be set up to help customers purchase art right from their computers.

The project originated after a perception that Aboriginal artists didn't have the financial backing to show their work.

Page 2

An initiative has begun to help struggling Aboriginal artists become recognized.

The Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre, is currently developing a program, First Nations Art Marketing, that will enable First Nations artists to promote and sell their work using digital technology through the internet. An exhibition web site will be set up to help customers purchase art right from their computers.

The project originated after a perception that Aboriginal artists didn't have the financial backing to show their work.