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In these fast paced times of post-modern pan-Indian cultural shock (maybe shlock would be a better word) the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre has taken a strong stance.

"The SICC is not here to promote competition powwow. We are here to promote and preserve traditional culture," said Darlene Speidel, director of Cultural Resource Development at the centre in Saskatoon.

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Sometimes it gets so crowded in Meeko Nastapoka's place that she has to move into the canvas tent she's pitched out back.

She has been a widow since 1980, and her home would be large enough if she shared it with just her own children - or even with her grandchildren too.

But after 11 years of renting the house, Nastapoka, now 70, lives here with 14 other family members. There is just no room left.

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The people of Kangiqsualujjauq are working long hours in an effort to recover from the devastating avalanche that buried a section of their community on New Year's Eve and killed nine people and injured another 25.

"It's slowly, slowly moving. We are trying to get organized," said Maggie Emudluk, mayor for the Inuit municipality. At this time people are trying to recover from the shock of what happened, but they are getting a lot of support from each other, she said.

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I have always wanted to say this, and for the first time in my life, I've got to. Awhile ago, I was asked by some friends to hang out with them at a powwow on Manitoulin Island. Unfortunately, I was unable to because - here it comes - I had to fly to Hollywood to work on a script for Robert Redford's Sundance Institute. There, I said it again. I can now die a happy man.

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A Tsimshiam mother is grieving the loss of her daughter while investigators prepare to examine why seven-year-old Leslie-Ann Gamble died in Vancouver's B.C. Children's Hospital on Jan. 11.

Leslie-Ann and her four-year-old brother, Andrew, were seized by social workers on Nov. 2. Both children were born with a rare pituitary gland disorder that prevents their bodies from retaining salt. They need medication every morning and evening and require frequent doses of salt as well as constant monitoring. Any fever is a potentially lethal threat.

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When Manitoba's northern affairs minister, David Newman, insinuated that Cross Lake was jeopardizing the development of a $65 million titanium mine through its insistence that the governments of Canada and Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro honor a 1977 Northern Flood Agreement, it only served to heighten a dispute that has been raging for two decades.

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Jennifer Vivier was in trouble, big trouble.

It all started about four years ago when the then 13-year-old Metis from Edmonton was living in Calgary and having difficulties with her mobility.

She couldn't walk. She fell out of bed and couldn't get up by herself. She couldn't dress herself or eat without someone else's assistance. Her sense of balance was gone, because her nervous system was impaired, said her mother, Barbara.

The deterioration was rapid, "like a matter of days, one week at the most," said Barbara.

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An Ontario First Nations political organization has asked the Canadian Human Rights Commission to rule that a landmark pay equity decision that affected federal government employees should have been extended to band employees.

The discrimination complaint was filed by the Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians on Nov. 27 on behalf of several Ontario band-employed nurses. Th association was given special permission by the commission to act as an agent for the nurses.

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Viola Thomas, president of United Native Nations, is fighting to get a man convicted of multiple sex offenses against young Native boys back in jail for good. She wants the man declared a dangerous offender and sentenced to a life term.

Several community leaders spoke at a press conference on Dec. 18, which was called to bring attention to the release of Ralph Rowe from Mountain Prison in British Columbia. Rowe has served the last four years at the correctional facility after being sentenced to a six-year term for sexual assault.

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Dear Editor:

Recently, I witnessed an event that touched my heart and my spirit deeply. It had been a long time coming and, when it did, it was no surprise that it was the women who led the way.

It was our women who led the people in our community to take back their power from those elected Indian Act leaders who appear to have forgotten our traditional ways.