Page 3

The families of people serving time in penal institutions are a forgotten sector in the justice system, says the head of a new support group for the relatives of inmates.

"There are many things in place to help the victims," said Tasha Pelletier, who founded the Helping Hands Society three months ago. "There are things to help the inmates. But there is nothing for the families."

Pelletier knows what she is talking about. For the last 12 years, she has been forced to raise her two children alone while her husband served time in federal institutions.

Page 3

The families of people serving time in penal institutions are a forgotten sector in the justice system, says the head of a new support group for the relatives of inmates.

"There are many things in place to help the victims," said Tasha Pelletier, who founded the Helping Hands Society three months ago. "There are things to help the inmates. But there is nothing for the families."

Pelletier knows what she is talking about. For the last 12 years, she has been forced to raise her two children alone while her husband served time in federal institutions.

Page 3

The families of people serving time in penal institutions are a forgotten sector in the justice system, says the head of a new support group for the relatives of inmates.

"There are many things in place to help the victims," said Tasha Pelletier, who founded the Helping Hands Society three months ago. "There are things to help the inmates. But there is nothing for the families."

Pelletier knows what she is talking about. For the last 12 years, she has been forced to raise her two children alone while her husband served time in federal institutions.

Page 3

The families of people serving time in penal institutions are a forgotten sector in the justice system, says the head of a new support group for the relatives of inmates.

"There are many things in place to help the victims," said Tasha Pelletier, who founded the Helping Hands Society three months ago. "There are things to help the inmates. But there is nothing for the families."

Pelletier knows what she is talking about. For the last 12 years, she has been forced to raise her two children alone while her husband served time in federal institutions.

Page 3

Sturgeon Lake residents opposing the election of chief Darlene Desjarlais, who

is neither a treaty Indian nor a band member, occupied the band hall demanding her resignation.

Up to 100 people have joined the protest in the community 300 km northwest

of Edmonton, community member Jerry Goodswimmer said in a telephone interview.

"Desjarlais doesn't have status membership anywhere in Canada," Goodswimmer said. "We want one of our members leading our community. It has already eroded the community. There are two sides."

Page 3

Sturgeon Lake residents opposing the election of chief Darlene Desjarlais, who

is neither a treaty Indian nor a band member, occupied the band hall demanding her resignation.

Up to 100 people have joined the protest in the community 300 km northwest

of Edmonton, community member Jerry Goodswimmer said in a telephone interview.

"Desjarlais doesn't have status membership anywhere in Canada," Goodswimmer said. "We want one of our members leading our community. It has already eroded the community. There are two sides."

Page 3

Sturgeon Lake residents opposing the election of chief Darlene Desjarlais, who

is neither a treaty Indian nor a band member, occupied the band hall demanding her resignation.

Up to 100 people have joined the protest in the community 300 km northwest

of Edmonton, community member Jerry Goodswimmer said in a telephone interview.

"Desjarlais doesn't have status membership anywhere in Canada," Goodswimmer said. "We want one of our members leading our community. It has already eroded the community. There are two sides."

Page 3

Sturgeon Lake residents opposing the election of chief Darlene Desjarlais, who

is neither a treaty Indian nor a band member, occupied the band hall demanding her resignation.

Up to 100 people have joined the protest in the community 300 km northwest

of Edmonton, community member Jerry Goodswimmer said in a telephone interview.

"Desjarlais doesn't have status membership anywhere in Canada," Goodswimmer said. "We want one of our members leading our community. It has already eroded the community. There are two sides."

Page 2

Saskatchewan's $455-million land claim is only a few signatures away from becoming reality. And negotiations are hammering out the last few details before a signing ceremony that should take place before the end of July.

"We're doing some minor touching up on the document," said Winston McLean, a spokesman for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. "We're dotting the i's and crossing the t's."

Page 2

Saskatchewan's $455-million land claim is only a few signatures away from becoming reality. And negotiations are hammering out the last few details before a signing ceremony that should take place before the end of July.

"We're doing some minor touching up on the document," said Winston McLean, a spokesman for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. "We're dotting the i's and crossing the t's."