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For the past four years, the National Metis Veterans Association has been fighting for the rights of their comrades. With chapters in every province, the organization has been working tirelessly on behalf of Metis veterans who say they were denied services and benefits that were available to other soldiers when they returned home from the war.

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Pointing to a spot in the near distance, Grand Chief Ed Schultz of the Council of Yukon First Nations welcomed all those who had gathered to participate in National Aboriginal Day celebrations at the Rotary Peace Park. The theme of the Whitehorse celebration held June 21 was "New Beginning."

"I'm glad this gathering takes place here because it holds a lot of meaning for us," said the chief, who was born in Whitehorse.

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What began as a mini-powwow to introduce preschool-aged children to powwows and their significance has now become a popular annual event with attendance increasing steadily over the last four years.

The first Scme'm'i?t (children's) powwow had 100 people attend, half of them children from area preschools. Invitations were sent to every daycare and preschool in Merritt, as well as to the three head start programs: Little Stars (Lower Nicola), Upper Nicola and Coldwater Headstart.

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Ron Ignace wants some answers. His son is dead and the three men who killed him were convicted on a lesser charge as a result of police mistakes during the investigation.

Ignace, the former chief of the Skeetchestn Indian Band, has had a very heavy heart since his 21-year-old son Gabriel Palmer, known to his friends and family as Skooks, was viciously killed Dec. 30, 2002.

Ignace called this paper just an hour after Palmer's killers were sentenced to tell us of his call for an inquiry.

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On National Aboriginal Day the chief and members of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation met with provincial officials at Whey-ah-Wichen (also known as Cates Park), to make a joint announcement about a new initiative to promote Aboriginal place names around the province.

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You may not have heard the names Tramaine Miles and Leslie Pasqua yet, but these two 15-year-olds have already taken the boxing world by storm.

It has only been a year since Miles and Pasqua began competing but their stellar performances in the ring have shown that they have the potential to one day become world-class athletes. The two boxers took part in the Cadet Nationals held in St. Catharines, Ont. in May, with Miles coming home with a gold medal. That win also earned Miles a nomination for Sask Sport Inc. May Athlete of the Month.

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If you stop in at the new Petro Canada gas bar and convenience store located on Broadway Street West in Yorkton, you can see for yourself the results of a partnership between Kahkewistahaw First Nation and Parkland Regional College.

The gas bar, owned and operated by Kahkewistahaw First Nation, opened for business May 1 and had its official opening on June 17. But long before they pumped their first tank of gas for a customer or rang in their first sale, the 18 employees of the Petro Canada began learning how to do their job s better.

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Goodbye Fort Qu'Appelle Indian Hospital. Hello All Nations Healing Hospital.

It's not the only change Qu'Appelle Valley residents will see when it comes to their heath care. At a ceremony June 12, officials from the federal, provincial and municipal governments joined File Hills Qu'Appelle Tribal Council (FHQTC) representatives to officially open the All Nations Healing Hospital. Because of torrential rains during the previous two weeks, the opening ceremonies were moved to the Fort Qu'Appelle Rexentre.

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In a quiet suburban neighbourhood in Saskatoon, thousands of women have embarked on a healing journey, trying to come to terms with a painful past. Visitors to Tamara's House, a support network for adult women survivors of childhood sexual abuse, are welcome to share their experiences in a safe and comforting environment. From its emotional release room to the complementary care room where services like reflexology and hand spa massages are provided, Tamara's House aims to take care of the mind and body of each woman that passes though its doors.

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After a lot of planning, negotiating and hard work, Sweetgrass First Nation has realized its goal of creating a new community centre.

A fitness centre, kitchen, gymnasium, stage and balcony are all part of the new facility, a place where kids and adults can hang out, play sports or learn more about their culture. But Chief Rod Atcheynum and the other members of the Sweetgrass First Nation council believe the opening of the centre is just the beginning of a process aimed at educating youth culturally, athletically and academically.