While timetabling is a challenge for a small high school like Amiskwaciy Academy, new principal Fred Hines said the payout is worth the effort.

“I definitely see a change in the students. They express themselves very well, more articulate, confidence-building,” said Hines, who will be training a second teacher this fall to be able to offer the Aboriginal Youth Entrepreneurship program in Grade 12.

It’s been a great summer for the cast and crew of Blackstone. The popular Canadian television drama wrapped its first season with a cliffhanger that left audiences wanting more, and the show’s producers have received the green light to go ahead on a second season. Work is already underway on the first episodes.

New author Victor Lethbridge never intended to win an award for his first publication.

“I was truly amazed when my name was read at the award ceremony,” said Lethbridge, a member of the Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation.

Little Chief and Mighty Gopher: The Pemmican Frenzy won the Children’s and Young Adult Book of the Year at the 2011 Alberta Book Awards.

“Once I started writing the book, it took on a life of its own,” said Lethbridge, who was happy about being named as one of four finalists with 164 submissions received in the category.

A 17-year-old youth from the Gift Lake Métis Settlement was among those honoured at the 7th Annual Canadian Aboriginal Writing and Arts Challenge gathering held at Toronto’s Design Exchange on June 6.

“They called me during school hours. I had to write an exam. I was shocked. I didn’t think I would win,” said Taylor Thom, who won the Arts Challenge for her piece Soar Again.

Being honoured at the awards ceremony, which was attended by such well known Aboriginal artists as Joseph Boyden, Drew Hayden Taylor and John Kim- Bell was rewarding for Thom.

The Aboriginal Housing Society in Lethbridge has secured a new partnership that will better accommodate the needs for affordable housing.

In response to two applications put forward by AHS, Lethbridge City Council recently approved $1.14 million in grant funding which will create the comfort of home for many urban Aboriginal as well as non-Aboriginal tenants.
About 300 Aboriginal people are interested in applying for these new homes, said AHS general manager Boyd Thomas.

Since being appointed executive director at Edmonton’s Canadian Native Friendship Centre, Adam North Peigan has been a busy man! The process of rebuilding the organization and exploring more centrally-located properties has taken up his time.

But North Peigan is confident CNFC is on its way to becoming a reputable Aboriginal agency in the city of Edmonton once again.

Edmonton’s Chamber of Commerce is trying to address a labour shortage by creating a more diverse workforce.
“Diversity on the worksite lends itself to increased productivity. That has been demonstrated to be a fact,” said Dennis Gane, manager of business development with the chamber.  “A diverse workforce brings new ideas and understanding.”

The plan stems from the chamber’s top five Workforce Priorities.

The goal is to develop a more diverse and inclusive business community.

Well-known George Poitras has been chosen by Alberta Venture publication as one of the 50 most influential people in the province. As a resident of the community and former chief of the Mikisew First Nation located at Fort Chipewyan, he has been advocating on behalf of all peoples in the area for years, most notably as a result of the tar sands development that is ongoing in the northern half of the province.

Clients at the Eagle’s Nest Stoney Family Shelter live what the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters’ latest report says.

Dancers of all ages and dressed in bright regalia helped make the celebration at Bar U Ranch a success.

Photo: Parks Canada, Bar U Ranch National Historic Site

Bar U Ranch salutes First Nations