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Howard Rainer was one of the many speakers at the Seventh Annual "Believe in the Healing" conference held in Victoria April 2 to 4, but despite his involvement in the event, Rainer believes the time for healing is over.

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About 500 people from across Canada gathered in the Victoria Conference Centre April 2 to 4 to take part in the 7th annual "Believe in the Healing" conference.

The conference was aimed at those involved in helping to empower children and youth, including school administrators, teachers and school board trustees, First Nations associations, bands, community workers, school support staff, social workers, counsellors, psychologists, justice workers, police, health care providers and parents, as well as youth themselves.

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A three-day conference to discuss methods of encouraging Aboriginal students to stay in university resulted is a fruitful exchange of ideas, organizers said.

The RETAIN 2000 conference at the University of Northern British Columbia drew about 300 delegates and volunteers, said co-ordinator Yvonne Pierreroy.

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Here it is the spring of 2000 and after almost two centuries of illegal occupation by foreigners in our territories we still have to prove that we have lived here since the beginning of time.

As a First Nations person from the Shuswap Nation it would be easy to get discouraged and say, "I've got a good education. I can get a good job" and forget about our struggle and leave the messy business of sorting out our problems to someone else. That would be very easy indeed.

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A very special lady was honored with a very special award that recognizes her many years of service to the community.

As part of her 84th birthday party held at the Shulus Hall, Pearl Clayton was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Merritt Ambassador Society in appreciation of her work with First Nations youth, as well as many organizations within the community.

Clayton was born April 14, 1916 in the tiny village of Upper Nicola. She moved to Merritt 28 years later.

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VERNON - If you are an Aboriginal veteran, you are entitled to receive the Aboriginal Veterans Millennium Medal.

The medal is recognition from the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs for the long history Aboriginal people have in serving the Canadian Armed Forces and will honor those who risked their lives and made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight for freedom and democracy.

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VANCOUVER - A national conference this summer will allow participants an opportunity to look at conflict resolution from an Aboriginal perspective.

"Interaction 2000 - Pulling Together - the Sixth Biennial National Conflict Resolution Conference" will be held June 10 to 13 at the University of British Columbia.

The event is being organized by The Network: Interaction for Conflict Resolution, a national association "dedicated to promoting constructive conflict resolution in all sectors of society."

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Lawyer Hugh Braker has become the first First Nations lawyer appointed to the Queen's Counsel in British Columbia.

Called to the bar in 1984, Braker has served on many committees of the Law Society, and is currently a member of the Credentials Committee. He has also sat on the Provincial Council of the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Barristers Association, and chaired the Native Law subsection.

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CAMPBELL RIVER - Elders from across the province will descend on Campbell River this summer for BC Elders Gathering 2000.

The 24th annual B.C. Elders Gathering, to be held from July 10 to 13, will be hosted by the Campbell River and District Golden Age Elders Society, and the Campbell River, Cape Mudge, Comox, Kwiakah and Homalco First Nations at the Strathcona Gardens Arena.

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Words of condolence, loss and praise were issued by leaders from across the country at the news of the passing of Chief Joe Mathias.

Mathias, hereditary Chief of the Squamish First Nation, died March 10 in Vancouver at the age of 56.

A long-time proponent of Aboriginal rights, Chief Mathias dedicated much time and effort towards the goal of having those rights recognized.