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Officers of the Royal Bank are adamant that they do not want to be seen as opportunists slathering after the money Aboriginal people have obtained or will obtain through residential school survivors' settlements such as the Alternative Dispute Resolution process. They point out that it is their efforts since about 1989 in establishing respectful business relationships with Aboriginal people that have resulted in the Residential School Survivors Society choosing the bank as its financial institution.

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A Manitoulin Island entrepreneur will launch a magazine celebrating hunting as a way of life. The first issue will be out in November.

Wawashkesh Magazine has long been the dream of Manitoulin educator and outdoorsman Neil Debassige. He developed a passion for hunting through outings with his father, and for many years he has devoted himself to videotaping and photographing deer for family viewing.

"People love to look at pictures of deer; I always have a camera in the truck," he said. "I use a 35 mm camera with a zoom plus a digital camcorder."

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Chris Houle has certainly had plenty to write home about during this, his first season as a professional hockey goaltender.

Houle, a native of Caslan, Alta., was in limbo for several weeks. But the Cree Native has certainly shone on the ice when he has been given the opportunities to do so.

Houle, who was never drafted by a National Hockey League club, accepted an offer this past summer to attend the Philadelphia Phantoms' training camp.

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Aboriginal art was on the block on Dec. 6 at the Odawa Native Friendship Centre in Ottawa as 180 collectors paid $25 a ticket to have a traditional dinner and the opportunity to purchase original Native Canadian artwork.

The auction raised $17,000 that goes toward the centre's overhead cost as well as core programming. Jerry Lanouette, president of the Odawa Native Friendship Centre, was pleased and said the auction is essential to keeping the centre open.

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When the Ontario Native Education Counselling Association (ONECA) met in Toronto Nov. 27 to 29 for its annual conference, laughter found a place on the agenda.

"Laughter brings us together as a group," said Cindy Fisher, ONECA's departing 2002-2003 president. "We come back next year to laugh."

Established in 1985 and based in Naughton, ONECA "is one of the longest-standing Anishinabe organizations," according to Fisher. One of the association's key aims is to offer professional development opportunities to its 150 members.

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Nishnawbe Aski Nation Business Awards recognizing business achievement were handed out to entrepreneurs, executives, businesses and organizations for the thirteenth year at a dinner held for 400 in Thunder Bay Nov. 26.

Awards were given to theYouth Entrepreneur of the Year; Business Man of the Year; Business Woman of the Year; Executive of the Year; Partnership of the Year; Development Corporation of the Year; and the Building Communities Award 2003 was handed out.

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For the past 16 years, M'Chigeeng First Nation has hosted a traditional powwow on Labour Day weekend. Five years ago, the powwow committee launched a Jan. 1 celebration that is fast becoming an enjoyable way to welcome the new year.

This year, representatives from several Manitoulin Island First Nations gathered at the M'Chigeeng Community Complex to greet 2004. Four drum groups presided over the celebration as veterans, dancers and community members participated in an afternoon of family oriented activities.

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The Career and Employment Services office run by the Grand Prairie Friendship Centre is now called FUTURES Employment Services and Resource Centre and has moved to a new location at suite 202, 10135-100 Ave.

FUTURES' grand opening was held on Dec. 11 and helped mark the friendship centre's 38 years of community involvement and four years of helping people in Grande Prairie find employment.

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The Alberta government has accepted 84 of the 95 recommendations made by its Commission on Learning, many of which will focus attention on the learning outcomes of Aboriginal students in the provincial school system.

The recommendations include greater involvement with First Nations communities in developing school curriculum and other learning resources for and about Aboriginal people. There is also a focus on encouraging First Nations and Metis people to become teachers, and on establishing strong lines of communication between Aboriginal homes and schools.

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Over the past few years, concerns have been raised that the majority of Aboriginal communities in Canada have yet to embrace the unlimited advantages that computers can offer.

So Dan Martel, who works for Lesser Slave Lave Indian Regional Council, took it upon himself to organize the Information Communication Technology forum held in Edmonton on Dec. 8 to 10.