Page 5

Twenty-eight-year-old Leila Houle from Goodfish Lake First Nation is the new Ms. Edmonton, and she's heading to London, Ont. this month to compete in the national Ms. Canada pageant.

Houle works as the communications manager for Treaty 6 education. She decided to run after someone saw an article about the Ms. Edmonton competition in Alberta Sweetgrass and encouraged her to enter.

"The idea of beauty pageants is new to me ... I'm a humble person because that is how my kookum raised me," said Houle.

Page 4

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.

Page 4

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.

Page 3

A concert and silent art auction was held at the Provincial Museum of Alberta on March 5 to increase awareness and raise money for the Brett Janvier treaty defence trust.

The trust was established to help the Janvier family fight charges against their son Brett for selling fish on reserve land without a provincial licence.

Janvier faces charges stemming from a sting operation mounted by Alberta Fish and Wildlife, he explained.

Page 3

A concert and silent art auction was held at the Provincial Museum of Alberta on March 5 to increase awareness and raise money for the Brett Janvier treaty defence trust.

The trust was established to help the Janvier family fight charges against their son Brett for selling fish on reserve land without a provincial licence.

Janvier faces charges stemming from a sting operation mounted by Alberta Fish and Wildlife, he explained.

Page 2

Dear Editor:

Re: Sweetgrass burning ban

The ban on smoking tobacco products in Alberta's jails is a commendable policy from a public health point of view. It recognizes the well-documented dangers of second-hand cigarette smoke on all concerned-inmates, correctional officers and administrators.

Second-hand cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene and hydrogen cyanide-the same toxic soup inhaled by the smoker.

However, Sweetgrass is different.

Page 2

Dear Editor:

Re: Sweetgrass burning ban

The ban on smoking tobacco products in Alberta's jails is a commendable policy from a public health point of view. It recognizes the well-documented dangers of second-hand cigarette smoke on all concerned-inmates, correctional officers and administrators.

Second-hand cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, benzene and hydrogen cyanide-the same toxic soup inhaled by the smoker.

However, Sweetgrass is different.

Page 2

Dear Editor:

Re: Sweetgrass burning ban

I was interested to read in your publication that the authorities in charge of Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Institution have apparently banned sweetgrass burning in smudging ceremonies, but continue to allow incense burning during Roman Catholic ceremonies in the correctional facility's chapel.

Page 2

Dear Editor:

Re: Sweetgrass burning ban

I was interested to read in your publication that the authorities in charge of Fort Saskatchewan Correctional Institution have apparently banned sweetgrass burning in smudging ceremonies, but continue to allow incense burning during Roman Catholic ceremonies in the correctional facility's chapel.

Page 2

The Alberta finals of Aboriginal Icons was held March 5, with about 200 people taking part in the event modeled in the American Idol and Canadian Idol tradition.

Performers sang either a cappella or accompanied by pre-recorded music, with the occasional person singing a song of their own composition.

The only entry requirement for Aboriginal Icon was to be a First Nations, Metis or Inuit individual, regardless of residency.

The contest was the creation of Richard Jenkins, president of Bear Clan Consulting.