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Education program struggles against diabetes pandemic

Page 21

Getting back to traditional lifestyles is one of the best ways to combat the pandemic of diabetes raging through Saskatchewan, according to Tracy Nash and Jan Kroll.

The pair constitute the Diabetes Education Program administered by the Prince Albert Grand Council. Nash is a dietician, and Kroll is a registered nurse.

They spend most of their time out on the road, visiting 11 northern communities and spreading the word about the dangers of the third leading cause of death by disease in Canada.

Late policy review puts Aboriginal children limbo

Page 17

Only seven days after the provincial government announced the week of Nov. 15 as Celebrate Adoption Week, Lyle Oberg, minister of Family and Social Services, admited the adoption record for Aboriginal children in the province is shameful.

Alberta Liberal Family and Social Services critic, Linda Sloan, questioned Oberg about the inadequate support for Aboriginal children and the adoption process. She said more than 1,000 Aboriginal children are in limbo waiting for adoption.

Cree fighter has high hopes

Page 15

A 23 year-old Cree from Hobbema, Alta. has been honored with the Barney O'Connor Boxer of the Year Award for "displaying exemplary character, courage and boxing ability."

Canadian Cruiserweight champion Willard Lewis (also known as Red Thunder Rock) was presented with Alberta boxing's most prestigious award on Dec. 7.

Boxers make winter games team

Page 15

A boxing training camp may not be the place most people expect to be during the holidays, but for Jesse Derocher, a member of Team Saskatchewan, it's part of the journey to get to the 1999 Canada Winter Games.

Derocher, 16, and his six teammates will be in Cornerbrook, Nfld. on Feb. 27 to compete in the intermediate boxing events. In the meantime, it will be training camps and a dedicated workout schedule for Derocher who is from the Flying Dust First Nation in Saskatchewan.

For all seasons--a story

Page 4

A very long time ago, before Manitou created man, he created animals. And he smiled on them and he gave them the gift of speech.

Nor did the animals ever forget that the Manitou had smiled on them.

With the season of the "first snows" the animals had a celebration of Thanksgiving. The eldest, Owl would sing a special song for Manitou.

Also thanking and honoring their Creator, animals offered drum-songs. In the sounds of the drum, their heartbeats went out to the Creator.

Canada, now's your chance

Page 4

Isn't Canada lucky?

The federal government has a fiscal dividend at a time when it has been told by a United Nations committee that it should stop playing politics with the human rights of Indigenous peoples.

What perfect timing! With all this extra money in the federal treasury, Canada can afford to prove to the world that it really believes in the ideas contained in the International Bill of Rights.

Sometimes things just fall together so perfectly, don't they?

Results from the AFN study

Page 3

Most of the problems of First Nations people are brought on by themselves.

Strongly disagree 17%

Disagree 27%

Neutral 17%

Agree 23%

Strongly agree 16%

Don't know/refused 1%

First Nations people are managing their own affairs well.

Strongly disagree 12%

Disagree 31%

Neutral 20%

Agree 25%

Strongly agree 7%

Don't know/refused 5%

First Nations people should have their status respected to protect their language and culture.

Strongly disagree 5%

Disagree 10%