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Remains exhumed from a First Nations burial ground on Old Birch Island 67 years ago will finally be returned to Whitefish River this summer. For Chief Franklin Paibomsai, the battle to secure the repatriation has been arduous.

The small band, consisting of 315 on-reserve members and 435 off-reserve members, has been grieving the violation of their community cemetery since 1939. At that time, Emerson Greenman, a University of Michigan professor, conducted an unsanctioned dig. Human bones, copper kettles, iron knives and beads were removed from the gravesite.

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Remains exhumed from a First Nations burial ground on Old Birch Island 67 years ago will finally be returned to Whitefish River this summer. For Chief Franklin Paibomsai, the battle to secure the repatriation has been arduous.

The small band, consisting of 315 on-reserve members and 435 off-reserve members, has been grieving the violation of their community cemetery since 1939. At that time, Emerson Greenman, a University of Michigan professor, conducted an unsanctioned dig. Human bones, copper kettles, iron knives and beads were removed from the gravesite.

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The Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) held its election on May 2, and although the official results of the voting weren't yet available at press time, it was clear before the polls even opened who would be filling a good number of the positions up for grabs.

Of the 45 elected positions available in the MNO's four province-wide governing institutions, candidates for 16 were acclaimed, among them were three members of the MNO executive-president Tony Belcourt, chairman Gary Lipinski and co-chairman France Picotte.

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The Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) held its election on May 2, and although the official results of the voting weren't yet available at press time, it was clear before the polls even opened who would be filling a good number of the positions up for grabs.

Of the 45 elected positions available in the MNO's four province-wide governing institutions, candidates for 16 were acclaimed, among them were three members of the MNO executive-president Tony Belcourt, chairman Gary Lipinski and co-chairman France Picotte.

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It's a one of a kind program in Canada. Northern Ontario Native students will soon receive letters and books from non-Native students from 85 different public schools in the province in a new pen pal project created by Lt.-Gov. James K. Bartleman to promote literacy among Aboriginal youth.

Bartleman announced the project April 7, joined by Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy, president of the Ontario Principals' Council Doug Acton, Toronto District School Board trustee Sheila Ward and Jarvis Collegiate principal Andrew Gold.

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It's a one of a kind program in Canada. Northern Ontario Native students will soon receive letters and books from non-Native students from 85 different public schools in the province in a new pen pal project created by Lt.-Gov. James K. Bartleman to promote literacy among Aboriginal youth.

Bartleman announced the project April 7, joined by Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Stan Beardy, president of the Ontario Principals' Council Doug Acton, Toronto District School Board trustee Sheila Ward and Jarvis Collegiate principal Andrew Gold.

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Soon a computer with Internet access will be all a person living in a remote community will need to receive industry-recognized information technology training, thanks to the First Nations Distance Learning Program.

The program is being developed by Cisco Systems Canada, a worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, in partnership with Industry Canada, Human Resources Skills Development Canada and the First Nations SchoolNet regional management organizations (RMOs).

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Soon a computer with Internet access will be all a person living in a remote community will need to receive industry-recognized information technology training, thanks to the First Nations Distance Learning Program.

The program is being developed by Cisco Systems Canada, a worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, in partnership with Industry Canada, Human Resources Skills Development Canada and the First Nations SchoolNet regional management organizations (RMOs).

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A world champion and a Paralympic gold medallist are this year's national recipients of the Tom Longboat Award.

The awards honor Canada's most outstanding Aboriginal athletes.

Lara Mussell, an ultimate Frisbee player who lives in Maple Ridge, B.C., is the female athlete for 2004. And the male winner is Richard Peter, a wheelchair basketball player, who lives in Vancouver.

Both were presented with their awards at a ceremony on April 21 in Miramichi, N.B. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

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A world champion and a Paralympic gold medallist are this year's national recipients of the Tom Longboat Award.

The awards honor Canada's most outstanding Aboriginal athletes.

Lara Mussell, an ultimate Frisbee player who lives in Maple Ridge, B.C., is the female athlete for 2004. And the male winner is Richard Peter, a wheelchair basketball player, who lives in Vancouver.

Both were presented with their awards at a ceremony on April 21 in Miramichi, N.B. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.