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Louis Riel once said, "Our people will sleep for 100 years, and when they awaken, it will be the artists who bring their spirits back." For Tony Belcourt, the president of the Metis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and the chair of the MNO Cultural Commission, this is exactly what's happening.

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Marlene Brant Castellano, who helped establish Native studies as an academic discipline and fought for Aboriginal rights, has been appointed an officer of the Order of Canada.

"I'm pleased and honoured. It really is kind of over the top," said Castellano about her appointment.

A retired professor of Native studies at Trent University and a former co-director of research for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Castellano is very humble about the award.

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Marlene Brant Castellano, who helped establish Native studies as an academic discipline and fought for Aboriginal rights, has been appointed an officer of the Order of Canada.

"I'm pleased and honoured. It really is kind of over the top," said Castellano about her appointment.

A retired professor of Native studies at Trent University and a former co-director of research for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Castellano is very humble about the award.

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A Feb. 25 Supreme Court ruling has helped to clarify the policing powers of First Nations constables operating on reserves, but it was strike three for the citizen of the Fort Williams First Nation when the court ruled against his appeal.

Cecil Decorte was sentenced to nine months in jail at trial after being convicted of breaching a court order to remain alcohol free. The 45-year-old has had a number of convictions related to driving under the influence going back to 1978.

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A Feb. 25 Supreme Court ruling has helped to clarify the policing powers of First Nations constables operating on reserves, but it was strike three for the citizen of the Fort Williams First Nation when the court ruled against his appeal.

Cecil Decorte was sentenced to nine months in jail at trial after being convicted of breaching a court order to remain alcohol free. The 45-year-old has had a number of convictions related to driving under the influence going back to 1978.

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BC Hydro announced that 25 grants have been approved under its 2004-2005 Aboriginal Business Partnership program.

The grants, which were developed in 1999 to support Aboriginal-owned businesses in British Columbia, range in value from $2,500 to $10,000.

The grants are awarded across a wide variety of business types, including to artisans, trades people, service businesses, and many others.

To date, BC Hydro's Aboriginal Business Partnership Program has supported more than 100 Aboriginal businesses in the province.

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BC Hydro announced that 25 grants have been approved under its 2004-2005 Aboriginal Business Partnership program.

The grants, which were developed in 1999 to support Aboriginal-owned businesses in British Columbia, range in value from $2,500 to $10,000.

The grants are awarded across a wide variety of business types, including to artisans, trades people, service businesses, and many others.

To date, BC Hydro's Aboriginal Business Partnership Program has supported more than 100 Aboriginal businesses in the province.

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Provincial court judge Steven Point has been appointed the new chief commissioner of the British Columbia Treaty Commission. The former tribal chair of the Sto:lo Nation was jointly appointed by the First Nations Summit, the province of British Columbia and the federal government.

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Provincial court judge Steven Point has been appointed the new chief commissioner of the British Columbia Treaty Commission. The former tribal chair of the Sto:lo Nation was jointly appointed by the First Nations Summit, the province of British Columbia and the federal government.

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A unique opportunity exists for Aboriginal young people to enjoy a cultural exchange and then share it with a television audience.

Road Scholars Productions Inc. is accepting applications in its Toronto office from students in grades nine to 12 who want to travel, film their adventures, and participate in a television production that will be broadcast on APTN in 2006.

Jane Hawtin is the executive producer of Road Scholars.