Page 1

Young Indigenous people in Canada are choosing suicide in numbers that have never been exceeded anywhere, at any time, in recorded history.

As federal and provincial officials, First Nation and Innu leaders, care providers and others bicker back and forth about money and political considerations, the casualty list grows daily.

And the suicide numbers only tell part of the story. For every person who succeeds in taking his or her own life, there are many others, equally dispirited, who make unsuccessful attempts.

Page 12

The Prince Albert Grand Council held their annual curling bonspiel on the weekend of the Super Bowl, leaving the final draw to be played while the big game was on.

"I actually wanted to watch the Super Bowl," joked Bill Cameron, one of the four men on the championship team.

"I thought we'd split the money and forget about the final, but these guys didn't want to, so we decided to play the game. And we got lucky on a couple of the ends, and we made some good shots as well, so it evens out and I'm happy with the way we played."

Page 12

The Prince Albert Grand Council held their annual curling bonspiel on the weekend of the Super Bowl, leaving the final draw to be played while the big game was on.

"I actually wanted to watch the Super Bowl," joked Bill Cameron, one of the four men on the championship team.

"I thought we'd split the money and forget about the final, but these guys didn't want to, so we decided to play the game. And we got lucky on a couple of the ends, and we made some good shots as well, so it evens out and I'm happy with the way we played."

Page 12

This year?s edition of the annual Prince Albert Indian Metis Friendship Centre Aboriginal hockey tournament saw twice the action, as well as twice the amount of hardware handed out to the participating teams. The tournament not only had Senior men?s competition, but Novice hockey as well. Organizers were pleased with the turn-out at both levels.

?For the first year (with Novice competition), yes, we were pleased,? said Joe Watson, one of the organizers of the weekend.

Page 12

This year?s edition of the annual Prince Albert Indian Metis Friendship Centre Aboriginal hockey tournament saw twice the action, as well as twice the amount of hardware handed out to the participating teams. The tournament not only had Senior men?s competition, but Novice hockey as well. Organizers were pleased with the turn-out at both levels.

?For the first year (with Novice competition), yes, we were pleased,? said Joe Watson, one of the organizers of the weekend.

Page 11

What do the Lebret Eagles have in common with George Armstrong, Ted Nolan, Gino Odjik and Freddie Sasakamoose?

They?re examples of First Nations people in the sport ? and business? of hockey.

And they?re also going to be the subject of a one-hour documentary about First Nations and hockey that will be broadcast on Global Television later this year.

The changing face of the Canadian prairies means the faces on the hockey ice ?and in the hockey boardrooms ?are going to change, says Clay O?Bray, a Winnipeg film producer.

Page 11

What do the Lebret Eagles have in common with George Armstrong, Ted Nolan, Gino Odjik and Freddie Sasakamoose?

They?re examples of First Nations people in the sport ? and business? of hockey.

And they?re also going to be the subject of a one-hour documentary about First Nations and hockey that will be broadcast on Global Television later this year.

The changing face of the Canadian prairies means the faces on the hockey ice ?and in the hockey boardrooms ?are going to change, says Clay O?Bray, a Winnipeg film producer.

Page 11

Last season, just like this season, Ray Francis represented the Lebret Eagles at the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League all-star game. And that?s where the similarities end.

Last year the all-star selection brightened an otherwise dreary season from Francis, as the Eagles were mired in last place overall in the SJHL. With the 2000-01 Eagles cementing their hold on a playoff position, the all-star game is a fun break in a long, grueling, and yet enjoyable season.

Page 11

Last season, just like this season, Ray Francis represented the Lebret Eagles at the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League all-star game. And that?s where the similarities end.

Last year the all-star selection brightened an otherwise dreary season from Francis, as the Eagles were mired in last place overall in the SJHL. With the 2000-01 Eagles cementing their hold on a playoff position, the all-star game is a fun break in a long, grueling, and yet enjoyable season.

Page 8

Onion Lake First Nation is one of three First Nations in Canada selected to take part in a pilot project aimed at reducing smoking among Aboriginal youth.

The First Nation will receive $75,000 to develop and run projects designed to encourage youth within the community not to smoke.

The money is coming from the First Nations Youth Anti-Smoking Project (FNYAS), with sponsorship from two tobacco companies.

Applications for funding under the project were received from more than 30 First Nations communities, with three selected to receive funding.