Engaging Aboriginal youth to participate in summer drama camps has become an intricate part of the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company’s programming.
 “It gets youth interested in arts by experimenting with their artistic talents,” said Curtis Peeteetuce, new artistic director of SNTC.

“Performers’ Playhouse Summer Drama Camps for Kids” will be travelling to mainly First Nations communities in July and August.  However, non-Aboriginal communities, both urban and rural, can take advantage of the mobile drama camp if they wish, said Peeteetuce.

A pair of Métis women from Saskatoon was among those nominated for that city’s YWCA Women of Distinction Awards.

Louise Oelke, the executive director of the four Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated shelters in Saskatoon, was nominated in the Health and Wellness category, while Lisa Wilson, a longtime promoter of Métis heritage and culture who works as a director at Saskatoon’s Gabriel Dumont Institute, was nominated in the Arts, Culture and/or Heritage category.

Neither Oelke nor Wilson, however, was named the over-all winner in their respective categories.

A group of La Loche students made history last month when they visited the Canadian Light Source Synchrotron.

They made the trip to analyze data obtained from tree core samples — and they were the first people to ever do such an experiment at the synchrotron.

“We know that acid rain is falling on La Loche,” explained Bryan Chappell, Chemistry 30 teacher at La Loche Community School. “That’s been pretty well established. We don’t know where it’s coming from.”

Student Shaedan Klein said it is possible they could learn something new and exciting from the experiment.

Athabasca Chipewyan Chief Allan Adam is confident Treaty 8 members will stand behind any legal action launched by a First Nations member and is just as confident that legal action will be required in order for the Alberta government to take recommendations by the First Nations seriously when it comes to drafting the Lower Athabasca Regional Plan.

Cut Rock Walk raises funds for, awareness of cancer

The third annual Cut Rock Walk to raise money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation and to raise the awareness of the prevalence of the disease in Fort Chipewyan took place July 7-8. The walk, organized by Darlene Cardinal, had close to 200 signed up just prior to the event. In the previous two years, walkers have raised $25,000.

Energy company supports Blood Tribe’s Mikai’sto Foundation’s Capital Campaign

Homeless Connect provides much needed services

2011 Aboriginal Graduation Banquet & Powwow

A University of Calgary researcher is drawing connections between the Little Red River Cree Nation and the Achuar people of Ecuador.

David Lertzman is an assistant professor in environmental management and sustainable development at the Haskayne School of Business.

Clients of Calgary’s Mustard Seed social agency have benefitted from a program that sees University of Alberta’s occupational therapy students prepare them for independent and responsible living.

Corey Wells has reason to be surprised by her recent win at the 16 annual Esquao awards: the awards were created by the Institute of the Advancement of Aboriginal Women and she works for IAAW.

“It is very overwhelming, humbling, that other people think highly of you and the things you have done,” said Wells, who was among 20 Aboriginal women honoured for achievements in their communities.