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Even with a growing library of documents, Metis genealogist Geoff Burtonshaw says he can help only about three out of every four people who contact him.

The problem, he explains, is knowing where to begin to begin the search.

"You have to have a date to know where to look," he says. (Microfilmed demographic information in the Manitoba Script, for instance, fills a drawer in a file cabinet.)

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Geoff Burtonshaw used to build offices, schools and homes, but now he helps people reconstruct their Metis past.

For 15 years, Burtonshaw, a retired journeyman carpenter, has been collecting old government, church and other records to create family trees for 947 people.

"It's often the 45-to-50-year-olds who have some old grandma tell them as she is dying, 'You have Indian blood'. . . They don't have a clue about their background. Where do they go?" asks Burtonshaw.

Page 11

Geoff Burtonshaw used to build offices, schools and homes, but now he helps people reconstruct their Metis past.

For 15 years, Burtonshaw, a retired journeyman carpenter, has been collecting old government, church and other records to create family trees for 947 people.

"It's often the 45-to-50-year-olds who have some old grandma tell them as she is dying, 'You have Indian blood'. . . They don't have a clue about their background. Where do they go?" asks Burtonshaw.

Page 11

Canada's premiere Metis celebration, Back to Batoche 2000, witnessed a return of people from all over Canada and some states for the 30th anniversary of the event.

This year's July 22-29 attendance definitely surpassed last year's 2,000. According to the sponsoring Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, an estimated 10,000 came. This year, Batoche ran for a full week compared to the usual three-day weekend.

Page 11

Canada's premiere Metis celebration, Back to Batoche 2000, witnessed a return of people from all over Canada and some states for the 30th anniversary of the event.

This year's July 22-29 attendance definitely surpassed last year's 2,000. According to the sponsoring Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, an estimated 10,000 came. This year, Batoche ran for a full week compared to the usual three-day weekend.

Page 7

Chief Morris Monias' vision of a powwow for the community of Heart Lake has finally become a reality.

It's been almost 12 months since the chief of the Heart Lake First Nation had a vision to bring a powwow to his people. The weekend of July 28 to 30 saw the realization of that dream.

The first Heart Lake powwow saw 170 dancers in full Native dress take to the ring from Friday until Monday morning.

Page 7

Chief Morris Monias' vision of a powwow for the community of Heart Lake has finally become a reality.

It's been almost 12 months since the chief of the Heart Lake First Nation had a vision to bring a powwow to his people. The weekend of July 28 to 30 saw the realization of that dream.

The first Heart Lake powwow saw 170 dancers in full Native dress take to the ring from Friday until Monday morning.

Page 7

A powerful wind storm threatened to end the traditional powwow held at Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre during the Buffalo Days Powwow and Tipi Village celebration July 21 to 23.

The traditional powwow arbor assembled with willows and tree branches that was nestled among 27 Blackfoot tipis survived the thrashing on the evening of the 22nd.

Page 7

The wind blew up, the dancers ran for shelter and the crowd scattered as security tried to maintain calm.

The Blood First Nation Millennium Fair, Rodeo & Powwow Celebration 2000 was hit by a severe wind storm on the evening of July 22.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. the powwow arbor and grounds were thrashed by the powerful winds, causing tents and trees to blow over. A power line was blown down and so were several port-a-potties. Emergency services immediately responded to restore power at the site.

Page 7

The wind blew up, the dancers ran for shelter and the crowd scattered as security tried to maintain calm.

The Blood First Nation Millennium Fair, Rodeo & Powwow Celebration 2000 was hit by a severe wind storm on the evening of July 22.

At approximately 9:30 p.m. the powwow arbor and grounds were thrashed by the powerful winds, causing tents and trees to blow over. A power line was blown down and so were several port-a-potties. Emergency services immediately responded to restore power at the site.