Page 7

Native people should play a greater role in deciding the future of Native foster children, according to recommendations by the provincial ombudsman.

That will help cut down on confusion within Alberta family and social services, said Harley Johnson.

The welfare of Native foster children has not always been a priority of the government, said the government watchdog.

He has tabled the results of a 16-month study into the handling of Native foster children by social services.

Page 7

Native people should play a greater role in deciding the future of Native foster children, according to recommendations by the provincial ombudsman.

That will help cut down on confusion within Alberta family and social services, said Harley Johnson.

The welfare of Native foster children has not always been a priority of the government, said the government watchdog.

He has tabled the results of a 16-month study into the handling of Native foster children by social services.

Page 7

Native people should play a greater role in deciding the future of Native foster children, according to recommendations by the provincial ombudsman.

That will help cut down on confusion within Alberta family and social services, said Harley Johnson.

The welfare of Native foster children has not always been a priority of the government, said the government watchdog.

He has tabled the results of a 16-month study into the handling of Native foster children by social services.

Page 4

The glass of whisky and the vial of sleeping pills sat side by side on the coffee table in front of me for what seemed an eternity.

The silence around me screamed as the howl of grief and depression roared inside my head. It was unrelenting. The biggest decision of my life sat in the contents of two containers. One by itself would get drunk. The other would probably really mess me up. Combining them would kill me as surely as if I'd stepped in front of a gravel truck.

Life. Or Death.

My choice. Right now. No turning back.

Page 4

The glass of whisky and the vial of sleeping pills sat side by side on the coffee table in front of me for what seemed an eternity.

The silence around me screamed as the howl of grief and depression roared inside my head. It was unrelenting. The biggest decision of my life sat in the contents of two containers. One by itself would get drunk. The other would probably really mess me up. Combining them would kill me as surely as if I'd stepped in front of a gravel truck.

Life. Or Death.

My choice. Right now. No turning back.

Page 4

The glass of whisky and the vial of sleeping pills sat side by side on the coffee table in front of me for what seemed an eternity.

The silence around me screamed as the howl of grief and depression roared inside my head. It was unrelenting. The biggest decision of my life sat in the contents of two containers. One by itself would get drunk. The other would probably really mess me up. Combining them would kill me as surely as if I'd stepped in front of a gravel truck.

Life. Or Death.

My choice. Right now. No turning back.

Page 4

The glass of whisky and the vial of sleeping pills sat side by side on the coffee table in front of me for what seemed an eternity.

The silence around me screamed as the howl of grief and depression roared inside my head. It was unrelenting. The biggest decision of my life sat in the contents of two containers. One by itself would get drunk. The other would probably really mess me up. Combining them would kill me as surely as if I'd stepped in front of a gravel truck.

Life. Or Death.

My choice. Right now. No turning back.

Page 4

From the poorly-built homes of the Blood Tribe in southern Alberta to Edmonton's inner-city squalor to the dilapidated shacks of Indian Cabins near the Alberta/N.W.T border, living conditions for Native people are as appalling as they cold possibly be.

Poor housing for Alberta's Native population has been a problem ever since Indians stepped foot from the security and comfort of teepees to deal with the white negotiator, who promised him a better way of life if he gave up portions of his land.

Page 4

From the poorly-built homes of the Blood Tribe in southern Alberta to Edmonton's inner-city squalor to the dilapidated shacks of Indian Cabins near the Alberta/N.W.T border, living conditions for Native people are as appalling as they cold possibly be.

Poor housing for Alberta's Native population has been a problem ever since Indians stepped foot from the security and comfort of teepees to deal with the white negotiator, who promised him a better way of life if he gave up portions of his land.

Page 4

From the poorly-built homes of the Blood Tribe in southern Alberta to Edmonton's inner-city squalor to the dilapidated shacks of Indian Cabins near the Alberta/N.W.T border, living conditions for Native people are as appalling as they cold possibly be.

Poor housing for Alberta's Native population has been a problem ever since Indians stepped foot from the security and comfort of teepees to deal with the white negotiator, who promised him a better way of life if he gave up portions of his land.