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Committee to guide mental health board

Page 7

A desire to see mental health services delivered in a way that is acceptable to the Aboriginal community has prompted the creation of a wisdom committee by the Alberta Mental Health Board.

Marty Landrie, the board's mental health co-ordinator, said they consulted the Capital Health Authority's Aboriginal service department, which has a wisdom committee, about ways to develop mental health services for Aboriginals.

Order of Excellence recognizes public service

Page 9

When Chester Cunningham received a phone call from Alberta's Lt. Gov. Lois Hole earlier this year, he thought the gardening expert was calling to ask him how his strawberry plants were faring. Instead, she informed him he would be receiving one of this year's Alberta Order of Excellence awards.

"I really didn't expect it, but it was a real pleasant and humbling surprise," Cunningham said.

The formal investiture ceremony was at Government House Oct. 19.

Order of Excellence recognizes public service

Page 9

When Chester Cunningham received a phone call from Alberta's Lt. Gov. Lois Hole earlier this year, he thought the gardening expert was calling to ask him how his strawberry plants were faring. Instead, she informed him he would be receiving one of this year's Alberta Order of Excellence awards.

"I really didn't expect it, but it was a real pleasant and humbling surprise," Cunningham said.

The formal investiture ceremony was at Government House Oct. 19.

New concept neighborhood centre opens

Page 10

EDMONTON - Ma'mowe Child and Family Services Authority opened the first of 11 neighborhood centres in Edmonton last month, making services for children and families more community-friendly and lessening the number of agencies that families have to approach for help.

The new North Central Neighbourhood Centre is in the Rosslyn district. It offers a wide range of child and family services and referrals. Also prominent in bright and roomy surroundings is an Aboriginal ceremonial room, a community kitchen and a child care suite for children in need.

New concept neighborhood centre opens

Page 10

EDMONTON - Ma'mowe Child and Family Services Authority opened the first of 11 neighborhood centres in Edmonton last month, making services for children and families more community-friendly and lessening the number of agencies that families have to approach for help.

The new North Central Neighbourhood Centre is in the Rosslyn district. It offers a wide range of child and family services and referrals. Also prominent in bright and roomy surroundings is an Aboriginal ceremonial room, a community kitchen and a child care suite for children in need.

Contest win inspires painter

Page 12

Linus Woods hasn't done a lot of painting since his father passed away, but his surprise win at a national art contest has given him a surge of artistic energy.

Woods won first place at the Peace Hills Trust eighteenth annual First Nations art contest Sept. 24.

"I was surprised," said Woods. "This contest is great for anybody who is talented. It's pretty good. There was a lot of good work in the show. I could have picked a lot of first prizes besides mine."

Contest win inspires painter

Page 12

Linus Woods hasn't done a lot of painting since his father passed away, but his surprise win at a national art contest has given him a surge of artistic energy.

Woods won first place at the Peace Hills Trust eighteenth annual First Nations art contest Sept. 24.

"I was surprised," said Woods. "This contest is great for anybody who is talented. It's pretty good. There was a lot of good work in the show. I could have picked a lot of first prizes besides mine."

Mind, body, spirit to control diabetes

Page 13

The Aboriginal Diabetes Wellness program has helped more than 2,100 people manage the illness in its four years of existence.

"It was iniated because of the need to provide Aboriginal people with a diabetes program," said program manager Elmer Ghostkeeper. "As you know, there is a large amount of our people with diabetes in our communities. It is estimated at about 26 percent."

Ghostkeeper said some communities have even more, but on average one out of every four Aboriginal people have diabetes.