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Former National Hockey League (NHL) star Reggie Leach will once again be the feature attraction at an upcoming Regina-based Native hockey tournament.

The tournament will take place April 13 to 15. Simply dubbed the Oskana Cup last year during its inaugural running, the tournament is now officially called the Oskana Cup-Reggie Leach Hockey Challenge.

"I really enjoyed myself up there last year," Leach told Saskatchewan Sage during a telephone interview from his home in Newark, Delaware. "The people there in Regina were great to me."

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The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) is now accepting nominations for the 2007 edition of Lead Your Way! The National Aboriginal Role Model Program.

The program recognizes Aboriginal youth between the ages of 13 and 30 for their achievements, leadership and innovation.

Each year, a dozen young role models are selected from among those nominated. Those role models then spend the year travelling across the country, taking part in a variety of school and community events and sharing their stories with other Aboriginal youth.

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On Jan. 10, the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) Northern Campus in Prince Albert played host to the official launch of the Kistapinanihk education program, designed to provide northern residents with an opportunity to earn a bachelor of education-elementary degree without having to relocate to Regina or Saskatoon.

The Kistapinanihk program uses the same curriculum as is used at FNUC's main campus in Regina, but it offers students a chance to earn their degree without having to travel so far from home.

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His name is Ian Russell but he is better known as Phenom, the newest member of REDDNATION, a hip hop group that has been ripping the roof off clubs and winning awards for their slamming beats.

Russell became a member of REDDNATION in 2004, joining the other members of the group-Darren Brule, a.k.a. Ill Logical; Keith Laboucan, a.k.a. Madjikal; JR Saddleback, a.k.a. Anasaz; and Sean Beaver, a.k.a. DJ Hooligan.

Phenom is originally from Regina, making him the only import in the Alberta-based group.

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The Gabriel Dumont Institute (GDI) has signed a $22.1 million Aboriginal Human Resources Development Agreement (AHRDA) with the federal government that will see the institute take on responsibility for providing training and employment programs to rural, northern and urban Metis communities across the province.

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SkyBlue Morin is working on a number of projects right now. The Metis poet and writer currently has three books in the works, the first about her grandmother and the Michif language, the second a collection of Michif poetry, and the third, Sundance Serenade, a chronicling of her spiritual journey into the Cree culture and into sweat lodges and sundances.

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After two years of serving as Saskatchewan's poet laureate, Louise Halfe handed the reigns over to Robert Currie on Jan. 1.

Halfe, who is also known as Sky Dancer, said she found great satisfaction in travelling throughout the province and interacting with the people during her time in the role.

Halfe travelled the province extensively almost 25 years ago and doing it for a second time through her position was a real eye opener for the respected writer.

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Political and business leaders from across the country will gather in Saskatoon at the end of January to share information on successful ways to get Aboriginal people involved in all aspects of the Canadian economy.

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A product of good business planning, partnerships and a lot of hard work, the Gold Eagle Lodge has become a reality for the Battlefords Tribal Council (BTC).

The grand opening of the new hotel was held Nov. 18.

Celebrations began with an open house beginning at 11 a.m. followed by tours throughout the afternoon. Several guest speakers were on hand for the celebrations. Battlefords MLA Len Taylor congratulated BTC on the completion of the facility and for having the courage to invest in people and in the future.

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Some of the best young First Nation athletes Saskatchewan has to offer will be gathering on Red Pheasant First Nation from July 22 to 26 to take part in the 2007 Saskatchewan First Nation Summer Games.

About 3,500 athletes aged eight to 12 are expected to take part in the games, competing in athletics, golf, soccer and softball, as well as in one demonstration sport-road racing