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Lieutenant governor raises awareness on mental illness

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As the 27th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, James Bartleman has made mental health awareness one of his top priorities. Because of his efforts to help others by sharing his own experience with depression, the former foreign policy advisor to Jean Chretien has been awarded the Courage to Come Back Award. Bartleman, a member of Mjnikaning First Nation, and six others were honoured May 20 at a gala sponsored by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Native instructors wanted

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Outward Bound Canada is putting new emphasis on Native programs and on recruiting Native staff this year.

The organization's courses develop and improve technical and leadership skills and teamwork in a wilderness setting.

It is a non-profit, charitable educational organization and independent school, begun in 1976 with programs aimed at educators and lovers of the rugged outdoors. Courses in canoeing, mountaineering, sea kayaking, first aid certification and much more help people achieve their personal best and sometimes find jobs.

Sun spirits stole the show

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The Milk International Children's Festival of the Arts, which ran from May 23 to 30 at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre, featured eight days of entertainment for children. Programming included live music, dance, circus, theatre, storytelling, puppetry, improv and sketch comedy and film. Many of the performances featured hybrid forms of dance theatre and storytelling theatre.

Career fairs present a world of vocational choices

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Traditional and non-traditional vocations were showcased in two career fairs held on Manitoulin Island recently. First Nation students had an opportunity to explore many appealing options in the world of work.

An exhibition organized by the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin (UCCM) drew 550 visitors to the M'Chigeeng community complex May 4. Elementary and secondary students from both Manitoulin and the North Shore participated.

Volunteers restore remote burial grounds

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Volunteers were in good spirits when they arrived in traditional Muskegowuk territory to take part in the restoration of the ancestral burial grounds at Moose River Crossing. From May 21 to 24, 75 eager participants from Ontario, Saskatchewan and Quebec gathered at the former village and railway settlement for the annual event, which pays homage to the people who once inhabited this area.

New era of respect proclaimed

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Rainy River First Nations announced May 14 that it has reached an agreement with Canada and Ontario on the general terms of a proposed land title settlement after 10 years of negotiations.

If ratified, the agreement will make reparation for reserve land illegally surrendered and sold by the federal government in 1914 and 1915.

Native leaders eye moves on rights

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If the federal election candidates think an Aboriginal plank or two in their platforms are really going to ensure Indians' participation, either as federal election candidates or at the polling stations, they might ask why the Indian political organizations are not saying the latest, greatest federal party promises mean a lot to them.

Loving family and hard work combine for success in college

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A person with determination, perseverance and faith can achieve anything in life. That was proved positively at the 2004 Fort Chipewyan Keyano College graduation ceremony on April 30.

Eddie Courtoreille graduated Keyano College with an almost perfect attendance record over four years, achieving his goal of earning his diploma in the college preparation program.

Powwow continues to pay tribute to community

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Wherever visitors walked inside Ben Calf Robe School on May 8, they couldn't avoid seeing beautiful powwow outfits, each uniquely designed with beads, feathers or bells.

And they couldn't avoid hearing the sound of the announcer's voice over the crowd of dancers or the beat of a big hand-made drum.

But most importantly, they couldn't avoid feeling the spiritualism that wrapped around participants like a warm blanket on a cold day on the powwow trail.