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Members from Headstart Programs across Canada have been selected to go on fact-finding missions to other communities offering the same program.

Of the 80 Headstart programs operating across the nation, and the 22 in Alberta, the Lac La Biche Regional Awasisak and Family Development Circle Association has been selected by Health Canada to swap ideas with the Headstart program in Buffalo Narrows, Sask. The Indigenous cultural exchange began on Nov. 16.

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Alberta social services announced it is funding 18 new community projects across the province to address prevention and education about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Each project will receive $10,000 and is part of the $1 million the ministry has earmarked to deal with FAS.

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The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology's Aboriginal High-Tech Computer Institute is developing programs to qualify Native people for careers in computers. This new institute is a private school within the auspices of NAIT and will hold programs in both Edmonton and Calgary beginning in January.

The curriculums are on the cutting edge and the first in Alberta, said NAIT Program Co-ordinator Martine Sabatier.

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An Alberta's First Nation took advantage of a program that showed band employees how to respond to violent situations that could occur when dealing with people in crisis.

In late November, the day-and-a-half crisis intervention workshop held by Counter Assault Technologies of Edmonton instructed Enoch band employees in ways to defuse potentially volatile situations. It was welcome training, according to participants.

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The Edmonton Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee was on city council's cut list when it decided where it will send city representatives to act as a liaison between council and committees.

"Recently, council voted to take councilors off of some committees," said Councilor Larry Langley. "In its review of the 50 or 60 committees that councilors attend, we realized some had to be cut." He was confident the committee will still function, although he admitted it was in danger at one time.

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Canada's cruiser-weight boxing champion, Willard Lewis of Hobbema, can cut yet another notch in his Canadian title belt as he continues to pile up his wins.

On Nov. 26, Lewis successfully maintained his unbeaten professional record in a hard-fought 10-round decision over veteran Eric Davis from Indianapolis in a Big Bank Boxing card labeled "Thunder Strikes" at the Edmonton Inn.

Lewis established himself early by taking it to Davis who cowered, complained, clinched and did just about everything else humanly possible to avoid Lewis' constant onslaught.

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Alberta Justice Minister Jon Havelock is considering a proposal that could see a First Nations court established on the Tsuu T'ina First Nation.

The proposal, titled A New Direction - a First Nation Court, is the result of two years discussions between the Tsuu T'ina Nation, Alberta Justice and the federal Justice department.

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More than 200 guests crowded into the rotunda at the Alberta Legislature on Nov. 16 to pay homage to Louis Riel, a Metis political leader hanged for treason in 1885 for his part in the Northwest Rebellion.

The Metis community annually conducts remembrance services, a reception and cultural activities in commemoration of Riel. As is customary, Edmonton's city council declared the week of Nov. 16 Metis Week and allowed the community to fly one of its flags in front of city hall throughout its duration.

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Terrying About

Tansi!

Christmas really is a time for children. On that note, I wanted at least one Christmas-like visual for my column, and so included a picture of Santa Claus at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre where he handed out presents to a number of youngsters.

So, from Terrying About With Terry Lusty, here's wishing all you children and all you people who have made headlines in our paper over the last year, the most Merry Christmas you have ever known!

Say, there's a couple of special congrats in order.

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The family of a mother and child shot dead by an RCMP constable are not satisfied with the inquiry that cleared him of any responsibility in the deaths and want to conduct a private investigation.

Corporal Dave Voller killed Connie Jacobs and her nine-year-old son Ty last March when he was called to assist a Tsuu T'ina social worker and a band policeman trying to take Jacobs' children into care.

"I didn't expect them to find him guilty," said Cynthia Applegarth, Jacobs' sister. "Given that there was never an objective investigator inside the house."