Welcome to the Saskatchewan run

Page 9

Hi and welcome to the Saskatchewan run.

Windspeaker welcomes all our Saskatchewan readers and we are proud to announce we will be serving Saskatchewan with news, sports and community stories about you - the pride of Saskatchewan - our Native people.

And now you have your very own Border crossing column.

Just recently, Oct. 23-27, I traveled across the border to Lloydminister, the Battlefords, Cut Knife, Prince Albert, Duck Lake and Saskatoon.

It was a pleasant trip because I met interesting and friendly people all along my rout.

This edition I would like to share some of that friendliness with you.

Prince Albert: Remember you heard it here. These three lovely ladies who work a cooks at the Native friendship center told me they're single and "We're looking for men!"

Oh, they're cute. Rosemary Arcand is holding the bannock - enough to tempt any man - while Yvonne Deschambeault smiles real pretty, enough to capture the heart of any man, and Irene Daniels show off 48 or so bowls filled to the brim with sweets, enough to make a hungry man crave for her affection.

They are warm people and the three of them are real pals. You might say...like three peas in a pod.

Saskatoon: When I was there, I got lost looking for the bus depot.

No...I wasn't going there because that's where Native people hang out. It's because that's where I hang our , in any city, town, hamlet, snow bank.....

Anyway, I drove through the center of the city, crossed a river and found myself 16 km from Saskatoon. So I stopped at a garage and asked an attendant on duty "Do you know the way to Saskatoon?"

"No," he said. "But I heard that song somewhere before," he finished.

"That's Do You Know the Way to San Jose!, I hollored in my most-holloring Native voice.

So he told me where to go, but it wasn't in the direction of Saskatoon.

Anyway. I met some wonderful people in that city, who I'd like to say hi to. Hi Debbie Shom, secretary in the language department at the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre, Stan Cuthand (curriculum development for Native studies), Kelly Parker and Delbert Fisher, who work in the technical (audiovisual) unit of the center, Marry Jane Eley (graphic department) and Donna Ahenakew (library and information services).

Actually their story and pics are being developed right now, so you will get to meet them on a more personal basis in our next edition.

North Battleford: I was fortunate to scoop this story.

You see when I met Don Peakman, who is the programs director for the Battlefords Indian Metis Friendship Center, I said "Don, you must be real sports-minded to handle so much as far as recreation and sports activities for the center goes."

"You're darn right, Shakey. Follow me!" he quipped and then took off at what can only be described as the 'Running Brave' shuffle.

"The name's Rocky, not Shakey," I hollored at him in my most Native hollering voice, showing my discontent.

"This is what I drive to work in!" he declared proudly, pointing to a miniature race car.

I said quietly..."You must really love sports."

"I'd die for sports! Say, you want to run a few laps around the center?" he asked.

"In what?" I asked.

"No, in bare feet, Dork!" he hollored like a read sports pro.

"The names ROCKY!" I screamed but only his socks were there.

Hey...I'm just kidding Don.

Actually, Don said the racing car is for an upcoming raffle the center will be holding.

Don, it was nice to meet you, but I wasn't fibbing about one thing. Don is a real sports buff.

Border Crossing: is what fun is all about. If you have something you'd like to see in your column, please call Border Crossing at (403) 455-2700. Until next time we meet, backs to the wind everyone and drive safely.