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Capital hosts Aboriginal head start conference

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One of the first Aboriginal conferences in the new year focused on tomorrow's leaders, now children.

The third Alberta Aboriginal Head Start conference at Edmonton's Sheraton Grande Hotel, held Jan. 29-31, was attended by 160 delegates from 31 communities in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

Alvin Manitopyes, a Health Canada employee from Calgary, was the conference organizer; LeeAnn Murphy, from the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre's Aboriginal Head Start program, chaired the event.

Capital hosts Aboriginal head start conference

Page 3

One of the first Aboriginal conferences in the new year focused on tomorrow's leaders, now children.

The third Alberta Aboriginal Head Start conference at Edmonton's Sheraton Grande Hotel, held Jan. 29-31, was attended by 160 delegates from 31 communities in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

Alvin Manitopyes, a Health Canada employee from Calgary, was the conference organizer; LeeAnn Murphy, from the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre's Aboriginal Head Start program, chaired the event.

Metis reinstate social work program after 3 years

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An educational program once operated through the Edmonton-based Metis Child and Family Services is back on track thanks to the diligent efforts of the Riel Institute for Education and Learning, a branch society of Zone 1V of the Metis Nation of Alberta.

The family intervention/ youth support training program, offered from 1993 to 1998, now falls under the social work program at Edmonton's NorQuest College, explained Joan Tornberg, executive director of the initiative. The program represents a partnership arrangement between the Metis Nation and the college.

Metis reinstate social work program after 3 years

Page 2

An educational program once operated through the Edmonton-based Metis Child and Family Services is back on track thanks to the diligent efforts of the Riel Institute for Education and Learning, a branch society of Zone 1V of the Metis Nation of Alberta.

The family intervention/ youth support training program, offered from 1993 to 1998, now falls under the social work program at Edmonton's NorQuest College, explained Joan Tornberg, executive director of the initiative. The program represents a partnership arrangement between the Metis Nation and the college.

This year, four winners of Awards are from Alberta.

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Roman Bittman, a Metis born in Fort Vermilion, was granted his award in the field of Media and Communications. Bittman's long list of credits include a stint at CBC news where he became producer of the science show The Nature of Things. He's made 100 films and been an advisor to the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. He has also been president of the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation and he was responsible for implementing the Film Industry Labour Tax Credit in English Canada. Bittman now lives in Toronto and works for Visual Bible International.

This year, four winners of Awards are from Alberta.

Page 2

Roman Bittman, a Metis born in Fort Vermilion, was granted his award in the field of Media and Communications. Bittman's long list of credits include a stint at CBC news where he became producer of the science show The Nature of Things. He's made 100 films and been an advisor to the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network. He has also been president of the Nova Scotia Film Development Corporation and he was responsible for implementing the Film Industry Labour Tax Credit in English Canada. Bittman now lives in Toronto and works for Visual Bible International.

Conference encourages young Aboriginal writers

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Aspiring young Aboriginal writers in Northern Saskatchewan will have a chance to listen to and learn from successful writers during a conference organized by Saskatchewan Indian Federated College (SIFC).

Writing the Territory Ahead: Young Aboriginal Writers' Conference will be held February 16 to 18 at the SIFC Northern Campus in Prince Albert.

Students aged 14 to 18 and their teachers are invited to attend the conference, with workshops aimed at both groups planned as part of the event.

Contributions recognized

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Fifteen exceptional people were recognized for their achievements during the 2nd Annual Metis Recognition Awards and Banquet, held in Regina November 24.

The event, organized by the Regina Metis Women, was held at the Ramada Hotel, with about 260 people in attendance.

The awards were handed out in 11 categories, with each recipient receiving a keeper award and Metis sash, and having their name entered on the permanent award.

The awards in the Science and Technology category were given to Jacqueline Lukey and Ray Gosselin.