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A Native team will be among those participating in a unique men's hockey tournament later this month in Toronto.

The First Nation Thunderbirds will compete in the inaugural Crown Royal Multicultural Hockey Tournament, which will run from Dec. 27 to 30.

The 16-team event will feature Canadian players representing their various ethnic backgrounds.

Organizers are hoping the four-day tournament will attract at least 20,000 spectators. And if the event is successful, organizers are hoping to eventually launch a Toronto-based multicultural league.

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A Native team will be among those participating in a unique men's hockey tournament later this month in Toronto.

The First Nation Thunderbirds will compete in the inaugural Crown Royal Multicultural Hockey Tournament, which will run from Dec. 27 to 30.

The 16-team event will feature Canadian players representing their various ethnic backgrounds.

Organizers are hoping the four-day tournament will attract at least 20,000 spectators. And if the event is successful, organizers are hoping to eventually launch a Toronto-based multicultural league.

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Music is what keeps Jasmine Nahbexie, an 18 year old from Whitecap First Nation, out of trouble. She's been living on her own in Edmonton since she was 13.

"If it wasn't for my music, I don't know where I would be," Nahbexie said. "It helps me deal with a lot of problems. Like, instead of getting mad or angry, I get up on the stage and perform and that makes me happy every time."

She began rapping at the age of 16. Her music talks about her life growing up alone and her experiences with drugs and alcohol.

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Music is what keeps Jasmine Nahbexie, an 18 year old from Whitecap First Nation, out of trouble. She's been living on her own in Edmonton since she was 13.

"If it wasn't for my music, I don't know where I would be," Nahbexie said. "It helps me deal with a lot of problems. Like, instead of getting mad or angry, I get up on the stage and perform and that makes me happy every time."

She began rapping at the age of 16. Her music talks about her life growing up alone and her experiences with drugs and alcohol.

Page 6

Athabasca University President Dr. Frits Pannekoek presented the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. Leona Makokis, president of Blue Quills First Nations College. The honor took place in Edmonton on Nov. 10.

"I definitely did not get here by myself," said Makokis about her selection for the award. "I work with an awesome team of people at Blue Quills. Any one of these staff members could be awarded this same award because we all work together."

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Athabasca University President Dr. Frits Pannekoek presented the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. Leona Makokis, president of Blue Quills First Nations College. The honor took place in Edmonton on Nov. 10.

"I definitely did not get here by myself," said Makokis about her selection for the award. "I work with an awesome team of people at Blue Quills. Any one of these staff members could be awarded this same award because we all work together."

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TORONTO

Three Albertans are among the 14 outstanding people from across the country selected to receive National Aboriginal Achievement Awards during the 13th annual achievement award gala to be held in Vancouver on Jan. 27, 2006.

Dr. Herb Belcourt will receive an award in the housing category. Artist Jane Ash Poitras will be recognized for her contributions in the area of arts and culture. And broadcaster turned communications consultant George Tuccaro will accept an award in the media and communications category.

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TORONTO

Three Albertans are among the 14 outstanding people from across the country selected to receive National Aboriginal Achievement Awards during the 13th annual achievement award gala to be held in Vancouver on Jan. 27, 2006.

Dr. Herb Belcourt will receive an award in the housing category. Artist Jane Ash Poitras will be recognized for her contributions in the area of arts and culture. And broadcaster turned communications consultant George Tuccaro will accept an award in the media and communications category.

Page 4

The Metis will not allow their fallen hero to fade from memory.

On Nov. 16, a commemoration to Louis Riel was held at Alberta's legislature.

The commemoration was a highlight of Metis Week celebrations held from British Columbia to Ontario the week of Nov. 13 to 19.

The commemoration featured speeches from political leaders, including Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA) President Audrey Poitras, provincial Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Pearl Calahasen, and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein.

Page 1

Maggie Hogson, a well-known activist in the area of residential school survivor healing, said the recently announced compensation package for former residential school students provides formal acknowledgment that the residential school system devastated the Native community over generations.

Hogson, who was a member of the Aboriginal Working Caucus that provided advice to the federal government on residential school compensation, said there is much good to be found in the agreement-in-principle announced in Ottawa on Nov. 23.