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The Saskatchewan government marked International Literacy Day on Sept. 8 by announcing funding that will allow 15 communities across the province to develop local community literacy plans.

The funds are being provided through the SaskSmart Innovations Fund, created to help communities provide programs and services designed to address their local literacy needs.

"These grants will assist communities in meeting their literacy needs at the grassroots level," said Deb Higgins, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Literacy Commission.

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A number of books by Aboriginal authors and illustrators are among those nominated for this year's Saskatchewan Book Awards.

Treaty Promises, Indian Reality: Life on a Reserve, written by Harold LeRat and Linda Ungar, is one of the 89 books to make the list. In the book, LeRat recounts his life on Cowessess First Nation, his experiences in residential school and the political history of his home community.

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Sakimay First Nation Chief Lindsay Kaye, Regina mayor Pat Fiacco and Roland Properties Inc. member Garry Oledzki gathered behind the Regina International Airport's Saskatchewan's Gateway sign on Sept. 26 to break ground on what is to be the first partnership involving First Nations on any airport property anywhere in Canada.

This new venture called Gateway Centre will employ qualified Aboriginal people to work at the gas bar, convenience store and car wash complex, which is expected to be completed by next summer.

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There are a number of familiar faces running for office in the upcoming Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) election, including three members of the current FSIN executive who are all vying for the position of chief.

Incumbent FSIN Chief Alphonse Bird will be making a bid to retain the position. Running against him are current third Vice-chief Delbert Wapass, and fourth Vice-chief Lawrence Joseph.

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The Kelowna Accord seemed to have died when the Conservative Party formed the government of Canada, but one Liberal Member of Parliament is hoping to bring the agreement back to life.

At the end of September, MP for Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River, Gary Merasty, tabled a motion calling on the Conservatives to immediately implement what was agreed to in the Kelowna Accord.

That means the House of Commons will be forced to vote on the issue this month.

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Beginning in 1992, the month of October has been set aside to commemorate the role women have played and continue to play in the development of Canada and Canadian society. This year, Women's History Month is being dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Aboriginal women in Canada's past and present.

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The budget cuts announced by the federal government at the end of September are having a negative impact on various agencies that serve the Aboriginal community. Literacy organizations are some of the most drastically affected.

Carol Vandale, executive director of the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Literacy Network, said that, thanks to the federal government's plans to cut $17.7 million from the budget of the Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program, the organization may even have to shut its doors.

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Wearing white and pale blue ribbons and clutching balloons bearing the names of missing and murdered Aboriginal women, 36 men and women walked through downtown Yorkton, taking part in a mourning vigil.

The Sisters in Spirit Walk held the morning of Oct. 4, was hosted by the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Women's Circle Corporation (SAWCC). The walk was part of the Sisters in Spirit national campaign launched by the Native Women's Association of Canada as a way to raise awareness and help stop violence against Aboriginal women and children.

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The works of Indigenous film and media artists from around the world will be showcased and celebrated in Toronto from Oct. 18 to 22 during the seventh annual imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival.

Both short and feature-length films will be screened during the festival, which will also focus on new media, radio works, art installations and more.

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Lawrence Martin credits the teachings he has learned from sacred ceremonies for what he is today and what he has accomplished for his community. He strongly believes in the sweat lodge ceremonies that he practices regularly and acknowledges that it's those teachings that assist him through each day as a politician, musician, healer and curator.