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Aboriginal businesses are playing an essential role in Canadian economic development, according to a recently release report by Industry Canada.

The report, Aboriginal Entrepreneurs in Canada: Progress and Prospects, states that over 20,000 businesses in Canada are Aboriginally-owned. Between 1981 and 1996, the number of Aboriginal people who were self-employed grew almost three times faster than the national increase in self-employment.

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Aboriginal businesses are playing an essential role in Canadian economic development, according to a recently release report by Industry Canada.

The report, Aboriginal Entrepreneurs in Canada: Progress and Prospects, states that over 20,000 businesses in Canada are Aboriginally-owned. Between 1981 and 1996, the number of Aboriginal people who were self-employed grew almost three times faster than the national increase in self-employment.

Page 11

Extremely dry weather conditions have been a major factor in setting a 20-year record high in the number of forest fires in Saskatchewan this year. As a result, a fire ban has been issued.

"There are 75 fires active and 11 are not yet listed as under control," said John Cook, spokesperson for Environment and Resource Management (SERM). "We currently have 1,786 firefighters at work."

To date, there have been a total of 1,093 forest fires in the province compared to 447 fires last year at this time.

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Extremely dry weather conditions have been a major factor in setting a 20-year record high in the number of forest fires in Saskatchewan this year. As a result, a fire ban has been issued.

"There are 75 fires active and 11 are not yet listed as under control," said John Cook, spokesperson for Environment and Resource Management (SERM). "We currently have 1,786 firefighters at work."

To date, there have been a total of 1,093 forest fires in the province compared to 447 fires last year at this time.

Page 9

The green, gently rolling hills of the Thunderchild Reserve in Saskatchewan never looked more beautiful or welcoming than at the 33 rd Powwow, held at the end of July.

Thunderchild, which is located near the town of Turtleford and Turtle Lake, played host to an old-time celebration of song, dance and drumming.

Held in an open air arbor and cushioned by well manicured natural grass, dancers really seem to appreciate the cultural event and look forward to the powwow circuit.

Page 9

The green, gently rolling hills of the Thunderchild Reserve in Saskatchewan never looked more beautiful or welcoming than at the 33 rd Powwow, held at the end of July.

Thunderchild, which is located near the town of Turtleford and Turtle Lake, played host to an old-time celebration of song, dance and drumming.

Held in an open air arbor and cushioned by well manicured natural grass, dancers really seem to appreciate the cultural event and look forward to the powwow circuit.

Page 6

Hockey is not the only sport to boast of rookie sensations. The Rangeland Derby, also known as the sport of chuckwagon racing, has its own share of rookies.

Take for example, Bruce Morin from Debden and Roger Moore of Loon Lake, Saskatchewan. Both these cowboys were running some pretty good fractions at this year's Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races.

Morin, a rookie last year as well, is a 44-year-old Cree who has managed some good running times, but often got hit with penalties that kept him low in the standings.

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Hockey is not the only sport to boast of rookie sensations. The Rangeland Derby, also known as the sport of chuckwagon racing, has its own share of rookies.

Take for example, Bruce Morin from Debden and Roger Moore of Loon Lake, Saskatchewan. Both these cowboys were running some pretty good fractions at this year's Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races.

Morin, a rookie last year as well, is a 44-year-old Cree who has managed some good running times, but often got hit with penalties that kept him low in the standings.

Page 6

"It was the best fun - being a Cowessess band member and part of the summer games."

That sums up the excitement Darren Lerat, 13, of Saskatoon feels about the 24th annual Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games held in the Qu'Appelle Valley on the Cowessess First Nation, north of Broadview.

Morley Watson, First Vice Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations echoes that sentiment on behalf of Saskatchewan's 72 First Nations, "the summer games show what our First Nations are all about."

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"It was the best fun - being a Cowessess band member and part of the summer games."

That sums up the excitement Darren Lerat, 13, of Saskatoon feels about the 24th annual Saskatchewan Indian Summer Games held in the Qu'Appelle Valley on the Cowessess First Nation, north of Broadview.

Morley Watson, First Vice Chief of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations echoes that sentiment on behalf of Saskatchewan's 72 First Nations, "the summer games show what our First Nations are all about."