Monday, July 3, 2000, in the Bella Coola Valley.

This valley is a flawless middle ground between sea and sky. It must have been this way all along the coast before these valleys were logged off or cheesed up for the tourists. I spend most of this first morning staring up at the mountains and out at the water, in slack-jawed awe of my surroundings.

Monday, July 3, 2000, in the Bella Coola Valley.

This valley is a flawless middle ground between sea and sky. It must have been this way all along the coast before these valleys were logged off or cheesed up for the tourists. I spend most of this first morning staring up at the mountains and out at the water, in slack-jawed awe of my surroundings.

Page 4

Since it appears we're never going to see an Aboriginal minister of Indian Affairs, maybe the best we'll ever get is a guy like Bob Nault. Not previously a hard-core Ottawa insider type, he's that most rare of politicians - a non-lawyer with a labor background from a northern riding that includes 51 First Nations. Our sources even tell us Mr. Nault got a lot of help in the last federal election from First Nations chiefs to get him re-elected.

Page 4

Since it appears we're never going to see an Aboriginal minister of Indian Affairs, maybe the best we'll ever get is a guy like Bob Nault. Not previously a hard-core Ottawa insider type, he's that most rare of politicians - a non-lawyer with a labor background from a northern riding that includes 51 First Nations. Our sources even tell us Mr. Nault got a lot of help in the last federal election from First Nations chiefs to get him re-elected.

Page 3

Indian Affair Minister Robert Nault has announced that he will push for a new law to help fill in some of the legislative gaps in the Indian Act and push his department to pursue an unprecedented consultation process that reaches out to all First Nations people.

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Indian Affair Minister Robert Nault has announced that he will push for a new law to help fill in some of the legislative gaps in the Indian Act and push his department to pursue an unprecedented consultation process that reaches out to all First Nations people.

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Two newly signed agreements in principle (AIP) negotiated between Meadow Lake Tribal Council in northwestern Saskatchewan and the federal and provincial governments are examples of the direction Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault wants to take Native nations with the development of a new First Nations governance act.

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Two newly signed agreements in principle (AIP) negotiated between Meadow Lake Tribal Council in northwestern Saskatchewan and the federal and provincial governments are examples of the direction Indian Affairs Minister Robert Nault wants to take Native nations with the development of a new First Nations governance act.

Page 32

The Aboriginal Ambassador Program, a part of Winnipeg?s Downtown Watch Ambassador group, trains members of the city?s Aboriginal population to help provide a safe environment on the streets of Winnipeg.

The ambassadors act as a safety patrol with Winnipeg City Police. Graduates of the program go on to careers in law enforcement and other justice-related employment.

?We are the eyes and ears of the downtown area in providing safe walks and providing basic rescuer first aid,? said 25-year-old graduate Adam Miller, a Metis from Winnipeg.

Page 32

The Aboriginal Ambassador Program, a part of Winnipeg?s Downtown Watch Ambassador group, trains members of the city?s Aboriginal population to help provide a safe environment on the streets of Winnipeg.

The ambassadors act as a safety patrol with Winnipeg City Police. Graduates of the program go on to careers in law enforcement and other justice-related employment.

?We are the eyes and ears of the downtown area in providing safe walks and providing basic rescuer first aid,? said 25-year-old graduate Adam Miller, a Metis from Winnipeg.