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Two environmental groups, EarthWild International and Wildcanada.net, released a report in July naming Canada's 10 most endangered rivers.

British Columbia had three of them. The Okanagan River was classified third most endangered, while the Taku and Iskut rivers were tied for fourth on the list.

Number 7 was the Peel River, which flows partly in Yukon and partly in the Northwest Territories.

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The former press secretary to Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault as press secretary to Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Phil Fontaine?

That could be what you'll see in the coming weeks.

Nancy Pine, a Garden River (Ontario) band member, left a reporter's position at CKCO television to join the minister's staff as press secretary. In June of 2002, she returned to CKCO after two years in Ottawa.

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Peter Wortman has had plenty of interest.

But as of late August, Wortman was still waiting for even one team to commit to playing in the British Columbia First Nations Basketball League (BCFNBL).

Wortman hopes to have a 36-team provincial league start this fall. His plans are to have six zones, each consisting of six clubs, square off in their own league action. Winners from the zone championships would then meet at the provincial finals next April.

"I'd love to start in October," Wortman said. "But things are going kind of slow."

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The Elders are the heart of the Snuneymuxw community, said Chief John Wesley at the band's annual golf tournament Aug. 29.

It is because they are so vital to the health and strength of the community that the First Nation chose to dedicate its second annual tournament held at Glengarry Golf Course in Qualicum Beach to them.

Wesley said the tournament also gave the chiefs from distant bands a good opportunity to socialize while contributing to a worthy cause.

"It's good for all the chiefs to get together," he said.

Page 3

"This baby almost wasn't born."

That's what John Delorme, the co-ordinator of the 27th annual Elders' gathering, said when asked about the challenges of organizing this year's event.

The gathering is no small undertaking, but this year offered more obstacles than usual, namely a lack of time and money.

Delorme said the United Native Nations originally were the hosts. "At some point the UNN didn't feel they wanted it. I don't think the leadership was behind it."

Page 2

The second annual Aboriginal Tourism Awards, held in conjunction with the Tourism Weetama Festival in Whistler Aug. 16, drew as enthusiastic a group of people as you will find anywhere.

Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia (ATBC) and Tourism Whistler hosted the gala, which recognizes and celebrates outstanding entrepreneurs within the Aboriginal tourism industry. Eight awards were presented.

Page 2

There's a new kid in town. Actually, it's a new organization. And while they may be fresh on the scene, they've been a long time in coming and they represent thousands. They are the B.C. Elders' Council.

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After being held for its first two years in Akwesasne in eastern Ontario, the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships are heading west.

The tournament will be staged in Prince George from April 18 to 24, 2004. The majority of the matches will be held at the Prince George Multiplex, a facility that has a seating capacity of about 6,000. The rink is home to the Western Hockey League's Prince George Cougars.

Page 1

The second annual Aboriginal Tourism Awards, held in conjunction with the Tourism Weetama Festival in Whistler Aug. 16, drew as enthusiastic a group of people as you will find anywhere.

Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia (ATBC) and Tourism Whistler hosted the gala, which recognizes and celebrates outstanding entrepreneurs within the Aboriginal tourism industry. Eight awards were presented.

Page 16

Merelda Fiddler has been asking questions all of her life.

"I was always big into questions as a kid and I would talk to strangers a lot. Which used to freak my mother out a lot because I was always talking to whoever was around. I always wanted to know what it was they did and why. I believe that 'why' was probably the first word out of my mouth," she said.

With her inquisitive nature, combined with a love of politics and writing, it's no wonder the 27-year-old from Meadow Lake became a journalist.