Page 27

Buffalo Spirit

It is apparent that the radical right is getting ready to pounce on the recent success of gay and lesbian couples in the courts by launching a campaign to officially limit marriage to the bonding of a female with a male.

Of course, they plan to refer frequently to "the American heritage" and to "what the Bible tells us" in order to galvanize their followers.

Page 25

Don Burnstick may be a funny guy, but his Redskins are no joke.

The popular entertainer's Redskins hockey team captured the Native Stanley Cup on their very first try, blanking the Beardy's Blackhawks 2-0 in the final game of the Battlefords Indian-Metis Friendship Centre All-Native Hockey Tournament.

The 40th annual tournament took place March 26 to 28 in North Battleford, Sask. with the final played before a crowd of 1,700-plus fans.

Page 24

One is a talented lacrosse player who has made his mark on the world scene. The other is a teenaged track star who has shone nationally and is hoping for glory outside of Canada some day.

Both share one thing in common. They were named the 2003 winners of the Tom Longboat Award.

Delby Powless and Deanna Sullivan were presented with their awards as the country's top Native athletes during the 31st annual Canadian Sports Awards. The event was staged March 23 in Toronto.

Page 23

There were moments during the old-timers Native hockey tournament in Saskatchewan in March that he looked just like he did all those years ago-helmetless, hair flowing in the wake of a powerful stride. Just like back in the day when he patrolled right wing on the Stanley Cup championship Philadelphia Flyers.

But oh, how looks can deceive, because deep inside, The Rifle, Reggie Leach, is very much changed.

Page 22

THE URBANE INDIAN

Not that long ago, I found myself walking the halls of one of Canada's newest universities and its first Aboriginal one, logically enough named First Nations University, but affectionately known as FNU. (As we say in the humor business, the jokes about the acronym just write themselves.)

The gentleman who was giving me the tour bumped into some of the faculty and introduced me. One woman said she didn't have to be introduced. She knew me, and my work. In fact, she said, "I use him in my Human Sexuality class."

Page 21

NASIVVIK

"Aboriginals to join MPs' panel: Five Groups Granted Permanent Status". The title of this recent newspaper article perked my attention to full alert. As a keenly interested observer of such developments, it sounded to me like history being made. Or at least, being sneaked in through a side door beyond the scrutiny of its supposed beneficiaries-the Aboriginal people of Canada.

Page 21

PRO BONO

Dear Tuma:

I am trying to help my cousin register her kids to our band, but am having a great deal of difficulty as the band registry says that the kids are non-Native. I believe that this is wrong.

Page 21

MEDIUM RARE

In mid-January, Kanehsatake exploded in the national consciousness once more. Looking back at the media coverage of the events, familiar patterns emerge.

Page 20

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?

Richard Peter: I guess honesty.

W: What is it that really makes you mad?

R.P.: Oh, that differs each day. I guess impatient people. So wherever that happens, whether it be driving or just in a line-up somewhere.

W: When are you at your happiest?

R.P.: I don't know. I guess when everybody else around me is happy also. So whenever I'm around a lot of people, all my friends and family and they're having a good time, then that's when I'm having a good time.

Page 19

This year's National Aboriginal Achievement Awards show held in Calgary April 4 cost an estimated $3 million, reports the foundation that puts together the gala awards night. That's down from last year, when the foundation held its 10th anniversary show in Ottawa at a cost of $4.5 million.