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With 2005 having been declared as the Year of the Veteran, many National Aboriginal Day celebrations are being planned to include tributes to Aboriginal veterans.

The day is an occasion to celebrate the culture of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people, and the contributions they have made to Canada. It's held each year on June 21 to coincide with the summer solstice, a traditional time for Aboriginal people to rejoice in their heritage.

This year many events are planned across Saskatchewan to celebrate National Aboriginal Day.

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With 2005 having been declared as the Year of the Veteran, many National Aboriginal Day celebrations are being planned to include tributes to Aboriginal veterans.

The day is an occasion to celebrate the culture of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people, and the contributions they have made to Canada. It's held each year on June 21 to coincide with the summer solstice, a traditional time for Aboriginal people to rejoice in their heritage.

This year many events are planned across Saskatchewan to celebrate National Aboriginal Day.

Page 10

When the 2005 Canada Summer Games open on Aug. 6, it will mark a series of firsts.

It will be the first time the summer games will be held in Regina and the first time that Aboriginal groups will be heavily involved behind the scenes to make the event a success.

If games organizers are successful in their recruiting, as many as 10 per cent of the volunteers who'll become the backbone of the two-week event will be of First Nations or Metis background.

Page 10

When the 2005 Canada Summer Games open on Aug. 6, it will mark a series of firsts.

It will be the first time the summer games will be held in Regina and the first time that Aboriginal groups will be heavily involved behind the scenes to make the event a success.

If games organizers are successful in their recruiting, as many as 10 per cent of the volunteers who'll become the backbone of the two-week event will be of First Nations or Metis background.

Page 10

It was yet another successful season for a Saskatchewan-based First Nations youth volleyball squad.

The highlight for the Thunderchild Titans was winning the bronze medal in the juvenile boys' (18 and under) category at the Saskatchewan Volleyball Association (SVA) provincial championship held in Saskatoon in April.

A team from Saskatoon captured the gold medal while a Prince Albert squad took home the silver.

The Titans were the lone First Nation squad competing at the provincials. Only one of the Thunderchild players is non-Native.

Page 10

It was yet another successful season for a Saskatchewan-based First Nations youth volleyball squad.

The highlight for the Thunderchild Titans was winning the bronze medal in the juvenile boys' (18 and under) category at the Saskatchewan Volleyball Association (SVA) provincial championship held in Saskatoon in April.

A team from Saskatoon captured the gold medal while a Prince Albert squad took home the silver.

The Titans were the lone First Nation squad competing at the provincials. Only one of the Thunderchild players is non-Native.

Page 9

For three days at the end of April, Saskatchewan's poet laureate, Louise Halfe, spent time with parents from Little Pine, Poundmaker, Sweetgrass, Moosomin, Mosquito and Red Pheasant First Nations. Halfe read some of her poems to the parents, shared some of her stories, and welcomed the parents to share some of their own.

The workshops were part of the Battleford Tribal Council's Home and Community Engagement Project, which works to support family and community members so they can in turn support the children in the community in their journey of learning.

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For three days at the end of April, Saskatchewan's poet laureate, Louise Halfe, spent time with parents from Little Pine, Poundmaker, Sweetgrass, Moosomin, Mosquito and Red Pheasant First Nations. Halfe read some of her poems to the parents, shared some of her stories, and welcomed the parents to share some of their own.

The workshops were part of the Battleford Tribal Council's Home and Community Engagement Project, which works to support family and community members so they can in turn support the children in the community in their journey of learning.

Page 8

Teamwork and respect are enhancing the safety of two communities.

Since 1996, Muskoday First Nation and the adjacent town and rural municipality of Birch Hills have operated under a mutual aid agreement under which their fire and rescue departments assist one another whenever necessary. Now the success of that partnership is drawing attention from other groups interested in improving fire services on and off reserve.

Page 8

Teamwork and respect are enhancing the safety of two communities.

Since 1996, Muskoday First Nation and the adjacent town and rural municipality of Birch Hills have operated under a mutual aid agreement under which their fire and rescue departments assist one another whenever necessary. Now the success of that partnership is drawing attention from other groups interested in improving fire services on and off reserve.