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Bright lighting, new paint and an elevator installation are all part of the renovations happening at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre in Edmonton.

"For the last 10 years we wanted to do this and we've finally found the money to do it," said Martha Campiou, president of the centre. The elevator alone cost the centre $175,000. The elevator was installed for the elderly and the physically challenged.

"A lot our Elders found the stairs hard to climb. Now everyone will get to enjoy the facility," said Campiou.

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A piece of needle-point artwork titled 'Merry Little Rider' donated by Colleen Klein, wife of Premier Ralph Klein was auctioned off at a fundraiser breakfast for Kids Kottage, a 24-hour crisis centre for abused and neglected children.

The Kottage which is located on 13308-101 St., opened its doors in July,1995. The event was held at the Crowne Plaza Chateau Lacombe Hotel in Edmonton. Guests roared with laughter as Stockwell Day auctioned off the item.

"This is what Mrs. Klein says to the premier as he rushes off to work," said Day.

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Talk to the feather

The urban rez - it's a term that is being used lately to describe a homeland for many Aboriginal people in the city. But even the sound of "urban rez" brings to mind a land of concrete that is disconnected from nature's beauty and sustainability, a land that held false promises for the Aboriginal people who came to find what their white brothers said was a better life for their children.

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The Treaty 8 centennial commemoration gala raised more money than expected as the premier of Alberta, Ralph Klein, and several government ministers, presented a cheque for $800,000 to the Treaty 8 committee at their fundraising event at the provincial museum on April 20.

The provincial contribution to the Treaty 8 committee left the chairperson, Chief Richard Davis, honestly surprised and grateful, he said.

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The signing of a seven-year framework agreement between the Metis Nation of Alberta and the provincial government took place on April 20 at Government House.

Audrey Poitras, president of the Metis Nation of Alberta, along with representatives of the provinces six Metis zone regional councils were part of the ceremonial signing with Premier Ralph Klein and the minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs, Dave Hancock.

The latest framework agreement is the longest one to be signed in the past 12 years. The agreement will run until March 31, 2006.

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For the controversial Cheviot mine, it's a case of two strikes and you're out -at least for the time being.

The coal mine, proposed for just outside Jasper National Park, received the second of two major blows in late April. That blow was delivered by a court ruling which quashed federal approval of the mine.

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The Youth Empowerment and Recreation Symposium, held April 30 to May 3 at the University of Alberta, aimed to build on what has been good about earlier Aboriginal Youth Conferences in Edmonton and to add a little more.

Dennis Arcand is the main organizer for the event that was presented by Alexander First Nation. He explained that added component was recreation and the University of Alberta the perfect location for the conference.

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A fundraising gala to kick off a national powwow in Edmonton entertained more than 200 people on May 1 at the Northlands Agricom in Edmonton. The money raised from the gala will be put toward the costs of the national powwow which will take place on May 28 to 30.

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A conference at a reserve in Hobbema stirred up a lot of questions and feelings. Tears were shed as grandparents, parents, and other relatives recounted how children from the reserve were apprehended by the province's social services.

"We'd like our kids to come home," said Tammy Crier, member of the newly formed Women's Support Group on the Samson Reserve in Hobbema.

"We want our kids back in our community to learn our culture and to live amongst family and relatives," she said.

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Lori-Ann Larocque, also known as Miss Metis Alberta for this year, has been on the road touting a stay-in-school message for teenagers.

"An education is important. It's the greatest gift you can give yourself, your future and your community," Larocque told an audience composed of a handful of teenagers while on a recent visit to Edmonton's St. Joseph's Catholic High School.

"I was lucky to have my mother and a strong family.

"And being the oldest of six children, I wanted to set a good example for my brothers and sisters."