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The Fraser Institute's release of its first Report Card on Aboriginal Education in British Columbia paints a dismal picture of the level of academic achievement of First Nations students.

Questions that need to be answered: Why was this report prepared? Does it serve any useful purpose or does it just perpetuate negative expectations of Aboriginal learners?

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Thousands of people took to the streets of Chinatown on Jan. 25 in celebration of Chinese New Year. For the third consecutive year, members of several Indian bands walked alongside Chinese-Canadians in the March for Reconciliation, organized by Canadians for Reconciliation (CFR).

Bill Chu, founder of the organization, explained that Chinese Christians in Action (CCIA) first invited the Aboriginal community to its Dances with Dragons celebration nine years ago, but their participation evolved to a greater level when CFR was born.

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"I never imagined making this film a year ago that it would end up anywhere," said Danis Goulet, director of Spin, a short film that was featured at this year's Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The film festival, an annual showcase for independent films and film-makers from around the world, took place Jan. 15 to 25.

Goulet's film was one of 16 screened as part of the festival's Native forum, which highlighted films made by Indigenous people from Canada, the United States, New Zealand and Australia.

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The Saskatchewan First Nations Women's Council (SFNWC), is expected to become a recognized commission of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) this month.

Saskatchewan's First Nations chiefs are expected to vote to recognize the council during the federation's winter assembly, being held Feb. 10 to 12 in Prince Albert.

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So, how much do you think you know about the accomplishments of Aboriginal women in Saskatchewan? Take the following quiz, provided by the Status of Women Office, Saskatchewan Labour, and see how you do.

QUIZ: SASKATCHEWAN ABORIGINAL WOMEN'S ACHIEVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS

QUESTIONS

1. Who was the first woman to be elected as a chief of a First Nation in Canada?

a) Alphonsine Lafond

b) Gwen O'Soup

c) Marie Ann Day Walker- Pelletier

d) Laura Big Eagle

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When he first joined Team Diabetes Canada, 33-year-old Jason Koochicum did it for the personal challenge running a marathon would provide. But when his sister was diagnosed with diabetes while he was in training, the run he was about to take part in gained a whole new significance.

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The future of post-secondary education was the topic of discussion Jan. 27 as Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson took part in a roundtable discussion at the Saskatoon Campus of the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC).

Clarkson and her husband John Ralston Saul sponsored the roundtable, one of many stops during their four-day visit to the city.

Outside the mercury hovered around -50 Celsius, but inside the roundtable session heated up with an in-depth discussion about the challenges and opportunities relating to Aboriginal post-secondary education today.

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Hockey players and fans from across the county will be heading for North Battleford at the end of March, as the community hosts two perennially popular sporting events.

The Battlefords Indian and Metis Friendship Centre 40th annual All Native Hockey Tournament will be taking place at the civic centre from March 26 to 28, coinciding once again with the Lawrence Weenie Cup Western Canadian Aboriginal Oldtimers Hockey Classic, being held for its fourth year. The oldtimers tournament will be held at the Don Ross Arena, with the final to be held at the civic centre.

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With the number of cases of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) among Saskatchewan's deer and elk population on the rise, hunters are being asked to help Saskatchewan Environment in their monitoring process.

Eighteen new cases of CWD in elk and deer have been found near Swift Current in southern Saskatchewan. According to Saskatchewan Environment, occurrences of CWD have been monitored since 1997. Twelve cases were confirmed as of May 21, 2003.

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Aboriginal people from across western Canada interested in a career in the oil and gas industry will soon be able to get the training they need at the new Thunderchild Petroleum Institute of Technology.

The institute, a partnership between Thunderchild First Nation and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) will provide technical training programs specifically geared to the petroleum industry, offered in a culturally supportive setting. The institute is slated to open this coming spring.