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The Supreme Court of Canada has sent a message saying there are far too many Aboriginal people in Canada's jails. The ruling came during the sentencing of a British Columbia Aboriginal woman for manslaughter.

The high court also ruled that Canada's courts put too many Aboriginal people behind bars and alternatives need to be found.

It's a message that Aboriginal justice workers have been trying to get out for years.

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Members of the Aboriginal student population at the University of Saskatchewan held a couple of demonstrations in early April because they are worried by funding and hiring practices within the university and, especially, the department of Native Studies.

The students fear corporate funding, specifically the million dollar donation - which was intended to provide a "home away from home" for Aboriginal students -by Alberta's Nova Corp. to the university's First and Best fund raising campaign, is being used for other purposes.

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About 48 First Nation men are in the middle of a training experience that will take them across the province laying pipe. For many of them, this is the first time they will get an opportunity to work on a pipeline.

The men took part in an intensive four-week heavy equipment training program from April 5 to May 7. The program was designed to make the men employable in the pipeline industry.

Vincent Ironeagle, a member of the Pasqua First Nation, about 60 km northeast of Regina, says this is his first experience with a pipeline.

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Saskatchewan Justice will provide $60,000 in annual funding to start up a program that will assist victims of crime in the Churchill River region.

Athabasca MLA, Buckley Belanger, made the announcement at the Beauval Arena on April 21. More than 20 people were present to hear Belanger say the provincial government will also kick in $5,200 to help with start-up costs.

Tom Opekokew represented the Canoe Narrows First Nation. Ile-a-la-Crosse Mayor Max Morin and RCMP representatives also attended.

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A deal that will see an Indian-run casino operate on an urban reserve is getting the green light from the city's top politician.

The Painted Hand Casino which operates in downtown Yorkton will be the second reserve-based casino but the first to operate in an urban municipality. The Bear Claw Casino on the White Bear Indian Reserve near Carlyle was the first Indian casino in the province.

The federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs has confirmed that a deal could be approved as soon as the middle of May.

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The Saskatchewan government unveiled new forestry regulations on March 31 that will make it easier for everyone to have a say in how the province's forests are used.

The regulations - under development since the Forest Management Act was passed in 1996 - outline how the province wants to do business in the forest and formalize the process that gives the public a say in forest harvesting and management.

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The history books may have gotten the events surrounding the death of Cree warrior Ah-see-we-yin wrong, but Harry Michael is keeping his story safe.

The 84-year-old former chief of the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation learned from his grandfather, J.B. Bighead, the story of how one of the first victims of the 1885 North West Rebellion was gunned down. He has passed it on to his son, Andy Michael.

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It's after eight. The stars are out and so are the kids. Do you know where your children are?

Is help and support for young people on your reserve just a phone call away? Or have you been left in the dark?

Since the start-up of a new youth centre last fall, these are questions that are a lot easier to answer now for parents and caregivers at Onion Lake First Nation.

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An organization that provides help to women and children in times of crisis is itself seeking help from the town of Fort Qu'Appelle.

At a recent town council meeting, the board that oversees the operation of the Qu'Appelle Haven women's shelter in Fort Qu'Appelle, asked the town to consider a break on its taxes.

The Qu'Appelle Haven pays about $7,000 a year in municipal taxes, said board member Joan Bellegarde. In comparison, its shelter in Regina pays about $70 in property taxes.

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A warm, sunny afternoon of midwinter sunshine can wreak more havoc on a finely carved ice sculpture than the worst barbs of the nastiest art critic.

Fortunately for the sculptors of a large male head, one of the creations currently on display at the Sapp Gallery in North Battleford, Mother Nature decided to lend a helping hand this year, keeping the skies clear, the air cold and the sunshine on hold.