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The 2004 Saskatchewan First Nation Winter Games held April 9 to 16 have been dubbed a tremendous success.

The host team Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) took the overall title with a total of 184.5 points, knocking off the six-time defending winter games champion Meadow Lake Tribal Council who finished in second, just 14 points behind. Saskatoon Tribal Council placed third with 141 points and also took home the most improved team award.

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The First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) is doing something it's never had to do in the past 13 years.

The university, formerly known as Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC), is looking for a new president. Dr. Eber Hampton, who has served in that position since 1991, is stepping down effective July 1. Hampton is returning to his first love, teaching.

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Chris Tyrone Ross is one busy guy these days. At the ripe age of 24, he is the chief executive officer of his own company, Rez X Publications. After the company's launch in December, Ross' first order of business was to create a newspaper with the same name. The first issue was released in April, but the enterprising young man from Red Earth First Nation already has big plans to expand Rez X readership.

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Brendan Whitecap seems to have the golden touch when it comes to traditional First Nations drumming. Each of the three years he has entered the Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival, he has come home with first prize in the solo category.

This year, his solo, which he wrote, was dedicated to his grandmother, who he lives with on Moosomin First Nation. Whitecap was also invited to perform at the festival's annual gala, which features the "best of the best."

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The efforts and accomplishments of young people from across Saskatchewan were officially recognized on April 30, as the sixth annual SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence were handed out.

The theme of this year's awards ceremony was Honouring Our Heritage by Building Leaders for Tomorrow, a suitable sentiment for an event recognizing the accomplishments of a group of outstanding Aboriginal youth.

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Negotiations are ongoing between Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the provincial government over plans to develop a wellness clinic on urban reserve lands, said Muskeg Lake business advisor Lester Lafond, but the First Nation is keeping it's options open.

The First Nation hopes to develop a health mall on its urban reserve in Saskatoon, which would basically provide one-stop shopping for healthcare-related services, Lafond explained.

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With six simple words on April 29, the Supreme Court of Canada ended a 12-year battle over the off-reserve, tax-exempt status of Treaty 8 people.

"Dismissed with costs to respondent" was the only direction from the Supreme Court to those seeking leave to argue Benoit versus the Crown before Canada's highest court.

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The second annual Medicine Wheel of Sports Development Conference will be held May 24 to 26 at the Fantasyland Hotel with hopes that the people who attend will share stories and be inspired by the 20-plus workshops and four keynote speakers scheduled.

"It was made so that recreation directors could network and listen to success stories and to catch up on new technologies in the area of sports. It was also catered to accommodate mature youth to come out (and participate)," said conference co-ordinator Tony Alexis.

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The National Aboriginal Forestry Association (NAFA) is working to get the message out to Aboriginal youth that a career in forestry involves much more than just planting trees.

The association, which works to promote Aboriginal control and sustainable development of forest resources for the benefit of Aboriginal communities, is targeting youth in an attempt to address the current shortage of Aboriginal people involved in management of forest resources.

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Light Walkers International based in Cochrane is offering training that will provide participants with the skills to deal with issues stemming from being raised in an unhealthy environment, and to help others deal with their own healing process.

Gina Russell, 44, is a former participant of Turning Wounds to Wisdom. Russell, who was born and raised in Cold Lake, said that the program helped her to deal with the pain she suffered being parented by residential school survivors.