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What started as a coffee chat among a few friends has grown into a new economic movement for the Prince Albert area. The Prince Albert Regional Aboriginal Business Association (PARABA) hosted its first annual Aboriginal Economic Development Conference on Feb. 4 and 5, drawing approximately 110 delegates to discuss Aboriginal economic development strategies.

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An unlikely alliance, that included the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation working side-by-side with Aboriginal organizations, has succeeded in bringing elk back to the forest around Montreal Lake. Chief Henry Naytowhow, of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, said he believes the project can serve as a model for other partnerships in conservation. A shipment of 65 elk transplanted from Elk Island National Park in Alberta was released Jan. 22 on the band's traditional lands, 100 km north of Prince Albert.

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A unique First Nations business is breaking new ground in the field of telemarketing communications because of its ability to go where other call centre services might not - First Nation communities.

The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) Call Centre is based on the Asimakaniseekan Askiy reserve and offers its services on a national level - but primarily in Saskatchewan - in the First Nation languages of Cree, Dene, and Saulteaux.

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The number of Native students in Saskatoon schools is rising dramatically and education officials say the trend is likely to continue for years to come.

Enrollment figures from the Saskatoon Catholic school system show that 195 of the 251 new students enrolled in the system this year are of Aboriginal descent.

Similar figures from Saskatoon's public school board weren't available but officials there say Native enrollments have been rising steadily over the past few years.

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The Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans' Association is hoping to use its legal action against the government of Canada as a rallying point for First Nations veterans all across the country.

That was the intent of Keeping Our Strength, a three-day conference at Winnipeg's Best Western International Inn from August 25 to 27.

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They were Metis - proud of it - and definitely not shy about showing it.

For the more than 100 people who showed up to join in the merriment at the second annual Border City Metis Day Celebration, it was a special chance to share in that pride, heritage and identity.

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Whoever wins the provincial election, the next Saskatchewan government has a lot of work to do on relations with First Nations, said Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Grand Chief Perry Bellegarde.

Issues such as health care, education, justice and taxation issues will be important to First Nations people in this election, Bellegrade said.

"We always have to watch what's going on at the provincial level because any changes on policies or programs impact on our people," said the FSIN leader.

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No child should have to go to school running on empty.

Even if they just have time to grab a chunk of bannock with milk before catching the school bus, or a quick piece of pizza with fruit juice before they strap on the rollerblades and hit the sidewalks.

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The grandson of the man for whom the Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation is named cut the ceremonial ribbon Aug. 12 to officially open the first personal care home on a Saskatchewan reserve.

Charlie Buffalo smiled and applauded after performing the ceremony in front of a crowd of about 300 band members and dignitaries. He is also one of about 25 residents in the new $2.6 million facility, which overlooks Echo Lake nestled in the Qu'Appelle Valley.

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As September and the start of the new school year approaches, many students are very excited to return to class and tell their stories of summer to all their friends.

It's the time of the year when stores like Wal-Mart and Staples cash in on the big back-to-school shopping spree. It could be just the start of yet another school year, except this time it's the end of the century.

Which leaves us with some questions.