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] For the last two years, the Alberta government has been quietly asking Ottawa to pardon Metis hero Louis Riel, who was hanged for treason more than 100 years ago.

A petition has been sent to the federal justice department and Ottawa is reported to be considering the action.

Larry Desmeules, president of the Metis Nation of Alberta, welcomed Alberta's efforts to exonerate Riel as a step towards clearing up what he called a mis-interpretation of history.

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] For the last two years, the Alberta government has been quietly asking Ottawa to pardon Metis hero Louis Riel, who was hanged for treason more than 100 years ago.

A petition has been sent to the federal justice department and Ottawa is reported to be considering the action.

Larry Desmeules, president of the Metis Nation of Alberta, welcomed Alberta's efforts to exonerate Riel as a step towards clearing up what he called a mis-interpretation of history.

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The drums were barely silent, the smells of sweetgrass still lingering, when the debate over entrenching self-government rights arose for delegates at the first ever national treaty conference here in Edmonton.

Despite pleas from Assembly of First Nations Chief Ovide Mercredi for "one voice," treaty chiefs from across Canada expressed doubts that Mercredi's moves for constitutional guarantees of self-government are in their favor.

In a strongly worded speech following Mercredi's remarks, Alberta's Beaver

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The drums were barely silent, the smells of sweetgrass still lingering, when the debate over entrenching self-government rights arose for delegates at the first ever national treaty conference here in Edmonton.

Despite pleas from Assembly of First Nations Chief Ovide Mercredi for "one voice," treaty chiefs from across Canada expressed doubts that Mercredi's moves for constitutional guarantees of self-government are in their favor.

In a strongly worded speech following Mercredi's remarks, Alberta's Beaver

The League of Canadian Poets announced its shortlist for the 1997 Gerald Lampert Memorial Award, and Metis poet Marilyn Dumont from northeastern Alberta is among eight writers nominated. The award is for the best first book of poetry by a Canadian published in 1996. The Lampert award is given in memory of Gerald Lampert, an arts administrator who organized authors' tours and took particular interest in new writers. The award carries a prize of $1,000. It is given out annually. Deadline for entries for the next award is Dec. 31.

The League of Canadian Poets announced its shortlist for the 1997 Gerald Lampert Memorial Award, and Metis poet Marilyn Dumont from northeastern Alberta is among eight writers nominated. The award is for the best first book of poetry by a Canadian published in 1996. The Lampert award is given in memory of Gerald Lampert, an arts administrator who organized authors' tours and took particular interest in new writers. The award carries a prize of $1,000. It is given out annually. Deadline for entries for the next award is Dec. 31.

The League of Canadian Poets announced its shortlist for the 1997 Gerald Lampert Memorial Award, and Metis poet Marilyn Dumont from northeastern Alberta is among eight writers nominated. The award is for the best first book of poetry by a Canadian published in 1996. The Lampert award is given in memory of Gerald Lampert, an arts administrator who organized authors' tours and took particular interest in new writers. The award carries a prize of $1,000. It is given out annually. Deadline for entries for the next award is Dec. 31.

Native Communications students from Grant MacEwan Community College will travel to Europe this month. The students' trip has been sponsored by Aboriginal support groups based in Germany and Austria. The students will speak at workshops, lecture at universities and high schools, and participate in media interviews. They have been brushing up on their culture in anticipation of some tough questions from knowledgeable audiences. Margaret Deranger, Caleb Hughes, Erik Christophersen, Elaine Ross and were selected to accompany instructor Byron Christopher on the two-week trip.

Native Communications students from Grant MacEwan Community College will travel to Europe this month. The students' trip has been sponsored by Aboriginal support groups based in Germany and Austria. The students will speak at workshops, lecture at universities and high schools, and participate in media interviews. They have been brushing up on their culture in anticipation of some tough questions from knowledgeable audiences. Margaret Deranger, Caleb Hughes, Erik Christophersen, Elaine Ross and were selected to accompany instructor Byron Christopher on the two-week trip.

Native Communications students from Grant MacEwan Community College will travel to Europe this month. The students' trip has been sponsored by Aboriginal support groups based in Germany and Austria. The students will speak at workshops, lecture at universities and high schools, and participate in media interviews. They have been brushing up on their culture in anticipation of some tough questions from knowledgeable audiences. Margaret Deranger, Caleb Hughes, Erik Christophersen, Elaine Ross and were selected to accompany instructor Byron Christopher on the two-week trip.