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The Alexander Red Hawks fastball team is flying high with confidence and excitement as it prepares for the North American Indigenous Games in Denver, CO. From July 2 to July 9, approximately 10,000 Indigenous athletes will represent 31 teams from across the U.S. and Canada at the games.

"I don't want to come across as being really arrogant about it but we're very confident that we will win," said Jody Arcand, manager and player for the Red Hawks. "We love the game and we're really passionate about the game."

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William Gruben of Tuktoyaktuk was asked to create a sculpture that would portray the spirit of Healing Our Spirit Worldwide-The Fifth Gathering (HOSW), an international Indigenous conference being held in Edmonton this summer. At the time, Gruben had no idea the challenges he would face as he sought to support the Indigenous communities and the theme of the gathering through his art.

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Keeping the Culture Alive was the theme of the workshop, but it's also something that the staff at Sun and Moon Visionaries promotes and practices everyday. Sun and Moon Visionaries is located at 127 St. and 105th Ave. in Edmonton. It is an art gallery and studio, which offers cultural workshops to young people.

"The intent for Sun and Moon is to retain culture in our urban centres here in Edmonton," said Joy Sinclair, program development co-ordinator for Sun and Moon.

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The St. Mary's and Fort Vermilion public schools organized a wonderful display of Native culture for National Aboriginal Day in this tiny northern community.

The day started off with a sweetgrass ceremony as well as a tipi-raising held at the Fort Vermilion Community Complex grounds. After getting rained out, the rest of the events moved to St. Mary's school gymnasium.

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It was cloudy and cool but that did not stop more than 1,000 people from celebrating National Aboriginal Day at Heritage Park in Fort McMurray on June 21.

Face painting, entertainment by a local Native dance group, music by a country band, Native sewing demonstrations, information on the history of Native people in the area and traditional foods, such as buffalo stew, bannock and a fish fry kept the gathering going for more than four hours.

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The Toronto-based Native improv troupe, Tonto's Nephews, was in Edmonton in June to compete with teams from around the world at the Improvaganza International Improv Festival.

If Tonto's Nephews is not a name that sounds familiar, maybe the actors that make up the group, or some of the more mainstream television shows that they have been involved with, might ring a few bells.

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The University of Victoria announced June 9 that EnCana Corporation, one of North America?s leading natural gas producers, is providing $1 million towards the first ever National Chair in Aboriginal Economic Development. The chair, based in the faculties of business and law, will direct a program of research, relationship-building and education to advance Aboriginal economic development in Canada.

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Susan Aglukark has released her new CD called Blood Red Earth, her most personal and reflective album to date.

Written by Chad Irschick and Aglukark, Blood Red Earth captures the stories shared with her during her journeys to northern and remote communities, echoing the people?s hopes and expectations for a bright future.

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John Snow Sr. of Morley passed peacefully at his home on June 15. He is predeceased by wife Alva and survived by seven adult children and several grandchildren. Snow Sr. served as chief of the Nakoda-Wesley First Nation from 1968 to 1992 and again from 1996 to 2000. He was an ordained minister of the United Church of Canada and an author. His book These Mounains Are Our Sacred Places (1977) was recently reprinted by Fifth House Publishers.

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Edmonton YWCA?s Tribute to Women of Distinction presented the Honourable Lois E. Hole Award for Lifetime Achievement to Muriel Stanley Venne, president and founder of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women.

The awards of distinction are divided into 12 nominations categories and recognize 44 women. They recognize visionary women who have made a significant and lasting contribution.