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Native farmers will reap a bitter harvest this year following federal cuts to Aboriginal economic development programs.

Details of the 10-per-cent cuts announced in Finance Minister Don Mazankowski's December mini-budget may spell the end to services such as the Alberta Indian Agricultural Development Corporation. The corporation has served as a resource centre for farmers since 1978, providing information on technical and financial programs, as well as sponsoring workshops and conferences for Alberta Indian farmers.

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Gerald Thom has been named interim president of the Metis Nation of Alberta in the wake of the death of president Larry Desmeules.

Thom was a senior vice-president of the MNA for two three-year terms and leader of the Zone 1 region.

Thom vowed to maintain important negotiations begun by Desmeules.

"The tripartite agreement with the provincial and federal governments and the Metis Nation of Alberta will remain a top priority," Thom said.

Page 8

Gerald Thom has been named interim president of the Metis Nation of Alberta in the wake of the death of president Larry Desmeules.

Thom was a senior vice-president of the MNA for two three-year terms and leader of the Zone 1 region.

Thom vowed to maintain important negotiations begun by Desmeules.

"The tripartite agreement with the provincial and federal governments and the Metis Nation of Alberta will remain a top priority," Thom said.

Page 8

Gerald Thom has been named interim president of the Metis Nation of Alberta in the wake of the death of president Larry Desmeules.

Thom was a senior vice-president of the MNA for two three-year terms and leader of the Zone 1 region.

Thom vowed to maintain important negotiations begun by Desmeules.

"The tripartite agreement with the provincial and federal governments and the Metis Nation of Alberta will remain a top priority," Thom said.

Page 8

Gerald Thom has been named interim president of the Metis Nation of Alberta in the wake of the death of president Larry Desmeules.

Thom was a senior vice-president of the MNA for two three-year terms and leader of the Zone 1 region.

Thom vowed to maintain important negotiations begun by Desmeules.

"The tripartite agreement with the provincial and federal governments and the Metis Nation of Alberta will remain a top priority," Thom said.

Page 8

More than 800 people turned out to mourn the death of Metis Nation of Alberta president Larry Desmeules at the first ever Metis state funeral.

Desmeules, 53, died of a heart attack in his home in the early hours of Feb. 24.

At the funeral, Manitoba Lt. Gov. Yvon Dumont called Desmeules "a man of decision, commitment and undying loyalty."

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When Larry Desmeules died on Feb. 24, he left behind an enviable record of achievement on behalf of the Aboriginal community. Bigger than life itself - not just physically, but in his vision and his ability to achieve as well - there were many who chose to magnify his human weakness rather than the magnitude of his achievements.

But the record speaks for itself. Through more than 25 years of service in a variety of roles, he carried his people into the 21st century - sometimes screaming and kicking, but ever forward.

Page 8

When Larry Desmeules died on Feb. 24, he left behind an enviable record of achievement on behalf of the Aboriginal community. Bigger than life itself - not just physically, but in his vision and his ability to achieve as well - there were many who chose to magnify his human weakness rather than the magnitude of his achievements.

But the record speaks for itself. Through more than 25 years of service in a variety of roles, he carried his people into the 21st century - sometimes screaming and kicking, but ever forward.

Page 8

When Larry Desmeules died on Feb. 24, he left behind an enviable record of achievement on behalf of the Aboriginal community. Bigger than life itself - not just physically, but in his vision and his ability to achieve as well - there were many who chose to magnify his human weakness rather than the magnitude of his achievements.

But the record speaks for itself. Through more than 25 years of service in a variety of roles, he carried his people into the 21st century - sometimes screaming and kicking, but ever forward.

Page 8

When Larry Desmeules died on Feb. 24, he left behind an enviable record of achievement on behalf of the Aboriginal community. Bigger than life itself - not just physically, but in his vision and his ability to achieve as well - there were many who chose to magnify his human weakness rather than the magnitude of his achievements.

But the record speaks for itself. Through more than 25 years of service in a variety of roles, he carried his people into the 21st century - sometimes screaming and kicking, but ever forward.