When art is taught in class, that's the day kids will come to school, according to Ontario Arts Council executive director John Brotman, who praises the provincial government for injecting a $60 million annual investment by 2010 to his organization.
What really excites Bronfman is that the funds will allow for increased ability for arts education and creating partnerships to foster creative expression in youth, Aboriginal and culturally diverse-communities and emerging artists ­ whether they are in school or in working in the community.

The Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) will unveil a new Justice and Public Safety Career Preparatory Program for Aboriginal learners this September at its Chilliwack campus.
Designed to help students be more competitive in securing policing, correctional service, paramedic, fire fighting, sheriff, fish and wildlife, border service and other such careers, the program focuses on teaching useful skills in classes taught by Aboriginal instructors.

Missinipi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) ­ an Aboriginal radio station based in La Ronge ­ will incorporate an Aboriginal Language news program as part of their television news broadcast this year, with plans to launch it on June 21.
The program will air in several Saskatchewan communities through the regional broadcaster, Saskatchewan Communications Network, and can also be seen on the MBC Web site.

A pair of teams that have become accustomed to celebrating were doing so again at this year's National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.
The Ontario South girls' squad once again won the gold medal in its category, at the Canadian tournament, which concluded on May 3.
This marked the sixth time in the tournament's seven-year history that the Ontario South side has won the girls' division.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan won the boys' grouping. This marked the third time the western province has emerged victorious in this division.

A pair of individuals from the Yukon capital of Whitehorse have been selected as Canada's top Aboriginal coaches of the year for their efforts in 2007.
Danielle Lang, who coached the Northern Blazers girls' under-16 soccer squad, won her Tom Longboat coaching award as she was chosen as the best female coach.
And Leslie Johns, an archery coach who was in charge of the Yukon entry at the Canada Winter Games, was picked as the top male coach.
The awards, in honour of legendary runner Tom Longboat, are annually presented by the Aboriginal Sport Circle.

The bid deadline for NAHC 2009 has been extended to May 30

Artist-Steve Rain
Album-Let It Rain
Song-Make Me Right
Label-Rain Records
Producer-Steve Rain & Rob Hewes

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?
Waawaate Fobister: To be a best friend, there are plenty of qualities that are important to me. But if I had to pick one, I value honesty the most in a friend.

W: What is it that really makes you mad?
W.F.: Racism and homophobia.

W: When are you at your happiest?
W.F.: When I am in a room with all my family and we are just laughing our hardcore belly laughs.

W: What one word best describes you when you are at your worst?
W.F.: Scared, haha

Ontario provincial government has announced the release of funds to enhance Aboriginal communities' capacity to negotiate with government and the private sector regarding their land and resources.

Elvis has left the building. Or in this case, Elvis has left Canada for a few days, in the form of Gerry Barrett ­ an Elvis impersonator, popular stand-up comedian, actor, and radio show host from Winnipeg ­ who heads to Las Vegas to help break a world record.
"I'm always telling the youth to follow (their) dreams," he said about his decision to be part of the Elvis tribute on May 25. "And so I thought I would take my own advice, I'm a big Elvis fan and I thought it would be fun to take part in this record-breaking event."