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For more than 50 years, the Sacred Heart Church on the Beaver Lake First Nation has been the site of a religious pilgrimage that draws people from near and far.

With Father Roy from Lac La Biche's St. Catherine's Catholic Church presiding over the gathering, more than 500 people were drawn to the activities, prayers and blessings held throughout the three-day celebration that got underway Aug. 25.

The popularity of the event has grown steadily over the years. For the Sunday morning service, the small church was no match for the crowds of people who attended.

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For more than 50 years, the Sacred Heart Church on the Beaver Lake First Nation has been the site of a religious pilgrimage that draws people from near and far.

With Father Roy from Lac La Biche's St. Catherine's Catholic Church presiding over the gathering, more than 500 people were drawn to the activities, prayers and blessings held throughout the three-day celebration that got underway Aug. 25.

The popularity of the event has grown steadily over the years. For the Sunday morning service, the small church was no match for the crowds of people who attended.

Page 6

With well under $200,000 a year in federal housing money and a 1,300 member, largely young population living in overcrowded conditions on the Alexis reserve, Chief Francis Alexis was used to hearing "We need more housing."

Realizing they will always be stuck with a housing shortage at the present rate of construction and being all too aware of the limitations of the government purse, the chief decided to try something new: Ask their own people to work-unpaid-to save on labor costs and put up twice as many houses for the same money as before.

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With well under $200,000 a year in federal housing money and a 1,300 member, largely young population living in overcrowded conditions on the Alexis reserve, Chief Francis Alexis was used to hearing "We need more housing."

Realizing they will always be stuck with a housing shortage at the present rate of construction and being all too aware of the limitations of the government purse, the chief decided to try something new: Ask their own people to work-unpaid-to save on labor costs and put up twice as many houses for the same money as before.

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Tansi!

Now that school has resumed, so too have friendship centre programs for the fall. Some centres are undergoing renovations such as the one at Lac La Biche, while others are still experiencing staff changes.

For example, the Rocky Mountain House Friendship Centre has just hired Berv Martin as its new executive director. And, word has it that the Napi Centre at Pincher Creek is in the planning stages for an alternative school that could accommodate teenagers from 14 to 19 years of age.

Youth centre activity

Page 5

Tansi!

Now that school has resumed, so too have friendship centre programs for the fall. Some centres are undergoing renovations such as the one at Lac La Biche, while others are still experiencing staff changes.

For example, the Rocky Mountain House Friendship Centre has just hired Berv Martin as its new executive director. And, word has it that the Napi Centre at Pincher Creek is in the planning stages for an alternative school that could accommodate teenagers from 14 to 19 years of age.

Youth centre activity

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National Chief Matthew Coon Come made three statements at the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly that set out some parameters for the future:

1. The rule of law recognizes Aboriginal rights and title - the Delgamuukw Supreme Court decision.

2. Businesses wanting to extract wealth from First Nation traditional lands will have to do business with those First Nations.

3. First Nations will not be silent about the denial of their rights - the final arbiter is the international court.

Welcome to the post-Delgamuukw era.

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National Chief Matthew Coon Come made three statements at the Assembly of First Nations annual general assembly that set out some parameters for the future:

1. The rule of law recognizes Aboriginal rights and title - the Delgamuukw Supreme Court decision.

2. Businesses wanting to extract wealth from First Nation traditional lands will have to do business with those First Nations.

3. First Nations will not be silent about the denial of their rights - the final arbiter is the international court.

Welcome to the post-Delgamuukw era.

Page 3

The Frog Lake First Nation hosted the fifth annual gathering of the Cree Nation, Nehiyaw Pimatisiwin or Cree Way of Living, from Aug. 15 to 27, and welcomed close to a thousand Cree people from across Canada.

The Cree Nation that spans from Northern Quebec into the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia stood in solidarity, asserting their distinct identity.

"This is a movement by the Cree people to unite. We are the largest tribe and we represent probably 51 per cent of the Canadian Aboriginal population," said chairman of the gathering Alex Ahenakew.

Page 3

The Frog Lake First Nation hosted the fifth annual gathering of the Cree Nation, Nehiyaw Pimatisiwin or Cree Way of Living, from Aug. 15 to 27, and welcomed close to a thousand Cree people from across Canada.

The Cree Nation that spans from Northern Quebec into the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia stood in solidarity, asserting their distinct identity.

"This is a movement by the Cree people to unite. We are the largest tribe and we represent probably 51 per cent of the Canadian Aboriginal population," said chairman of the gathering Alex Ahenakew.