Page 8

The verdict is in on Wabasca's new system of sentencing young offenders by elders' committee, rather than by the court. And according to the judge, police and others, it is successful on all counts.

Judge Clayton Spence, who every two weeks visits the Wabasca-Desmarais communities and the Bigstone Reserve, is pleased with the results.

Since January 1991, youths who have pleaded guilty in court no longer appear before Spence for sentencing. Instead, they are interviewed along with their parents by

Page 8

The verdict is in on Wabasca's new system of sentencing young offenders by elders' committee, rather than by the court. And according to the judge, police and others, it is successful on all counts.

Judge Clayton Spence, who every two weeks visits the Wabasca-Desmarais communities and the Bigstone Reserve, is pleased with the results.

Since January 1991, youths who have pleaded guilty in court no longer appear before Spence for sentencing. Instead, they are interviewed along with their parents by

Page 7

When the youth of Wabasca-Demarais break the law, they get charged and appear in court just like anywhere else.

And just like anywhere else, if they plead guilty, they get what's coming to them. But for the past 15 months, it hasn't been a judge who metes out the punishment.

Five leaders of the largely Native community northeast of Slave Lake have been handling that job. And according to all reports, whatever they're doing is working.

Page 7

When the youth of Wabasca-Demarais break the law, they get charged and appear in court just like anywhere else.

And just like anywhere else, if they plead guilty, they get what's coming to them. But for the past 15 months, it hasn't been a judge who metes out the punishment.

Five leaders of the largely Native community northeast of Slave Lake have been handling that job. And according to all reports, whatever they're doing is working.

Page 6

I have been studying our natural habitant for a long time. I have been able to understand more about life as a result.

Nature is my university. I can learn all I need to know from our wildlife and the environment that they live in.

I believe that much of our knowledge comes from observing nature. That is why we live in harmony with Mother Earth.

Page 6

I have been studying our natural habitant for a long time. I have been able to understand more about life as a result.

Nature is my university. I can learn all I need to know from our wildlife and the environment that they live in.

I believe that much of our knowledge comes from observing nature. That is why we live in harmony with Mother Earth.

Page 6

I Have Spoken

I wonder sometimes where all this progress and modern technologies is taking us.

It seems to me that people are always trying to find ways to escape the truth. They do not want to get at the root of the problem. They do not learn from the mistakes they make every day.

Maybe if they would look to the past, they could learn some valuable principles

as to the way people are supposed to live.

Page 6

I Have Spoken

I wonder sometimes where all this progress and modern technologies is taking us.

It seems to me that people are always trying to find ways to escape the truth. They do not want to get at the root of the problem. They do not learn from the mistakes they make every day.

Maybe if they would look to the past, they could learn some valuable principles

as to the way people are supposed to live.

Page 4

Tansi, ahnee and hello. It was three years ago on a spring morning exactly like this when the Old One gave me some very important words.

Being spiritual is living with a moist heart, he said. A moist heart. These days as creation gives a collective shrug and springs back into life again, I find myself drawn more and more into that level of being.

Page 4

Tansi, ahnee and hello. It was three years ago on a spring morning exactly like this when the Old One gave me some very important words.

Being spiritual is living with a moist heart, he said. A moist heart. These days as creation gives a collective shrug and springs back into life again, I find myself drawn more and more into that level of being.