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Nestled between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake in the Okanagan Valley in Penticton, a place exists where First Nations people can go to learn how to give form to their creativity, either through words or visual means. That place is the En'owkin Centre, a post-secondary institute for Native students that offers its teachings in a First Nations context.

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First Nations leaders, environmentalists, Iisaak Forest Resources staff and several others waited on the Tofino government dock Aug. 22 for the boats that would take them to the site where Iisaak Forest Resources (IFR) planned to fall its first tree.

The groups of people, once bitter opponents, were mingling, chatting, joking and smiling broadly, waiting in excited anticipation.

MLA Gerard Janssen was heard singing to Paul George of Western Canada Wilderness Committee (WCWC), "Paul George took his axe and gave the tree 40 whacks!"

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A video about HIV made by young people for young people has been recognized with an Aegis award. Point of Death, a docu-drama dealing with HIV and intravenous drug use, won the award in the training/education category. Aegis awards are handed out annually to recognize excellence in the video production industry.

The video was produced in Fort Smith by 15 local Aboriginal youth . The drama portion of the video was shot in Fort Smith, and the documentary interviews in Yellowknife.

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People across the country will take to the streets Sept. 25 for the sixth annual AIDS Walk Canada.

Communities from coast to coast will be holding AIDS Walks as part of the national event, designed both to raise funds for local AIDS programs, and to increase awareness of AIDS-related issues.

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For the second year running, the Cape Croker Anishnaabek team from the Chippewas of Nawash reserve entered competition at the annual Owen Sound, Ont. dragon boat festival held on July 15.

Held on the river in Owen Sound where it enters Lake Huron, about 4,000 spectators enjoyed the races throughout the day. Twenty-seven teams in various divisions took part.

Croker Annishaabek, in the final of their division, came in a very close second in the 500 meter course, losing by the width of a dragon's whisker.

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Three Aboriginal teenagers will represent Canada next August as members of the Manitoba Polar Ice.

That's when the select pee wee hockey team will return to defend its 1999 gold medal championship at the Sapporo Cup International Ice Hockey Meet in Sapporo, Japan.

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Mike Benedict Jr. has been making a name for himself in lacrosse circles in recent years. For the past half dozen seasons he's been toiling in the National Lacrosse League. During his pro career he's played for the Rochester Knighthawks, Syracuse Smash and New York Saints. Now his father has received some recognition. Mike Benedict Sr. will be one of the newest inductees into the Ontario Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

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It has been 15 years since their retirement, but now they're ready to step back into the competitive world of cross-country skiing.

After dedicating 17 years of their lives to the Canadian National Cross-Country Ski Team and representing Canada in four consecutive Winter Olympics, Sharon and Shirley Firth are planning to start coaching.

"I didn't ski for a while after I finished competing," said Shirley Firth. "I started training five years ago to keep in shape after I had my children."

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Team Indigenous finished the Universal Players Under 20 Tournament in Tampere, Finland with an impressive 4-2 record.

Their last game was a real nail-biter when it came down to a shoot-out between Canada and the host team Universal Players. Charles Washipabano of James Bay beat the opposing goalie in the tie-breaker after the teams deadlocked in a 2-2 draw.

"I'm so proud of this team," said former NHL coach Ted Nolan.

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The 18th annual Tsuu T'ina Nation Rodeo was a scorcher and not just because of mid-day temperatures around 30 C and clear skies. For four days at the end of July, Canada's largest Aboriginal rodeo hosted cowboys from places as far away as Arizona and the competition was as hot as the weather.

Away from the dusty rodeo ground, in the shade of the main arbor was a four-day powwow which, like the rodeo, drew participants from a wide area, and turned the Redwood Fair Grounds into a vast campground and a sea of color.