On the first day of spring, the Cold Lake Native Friendship Centre kicked off its fund raising campaign for a new building with a traditional feast. About 50 people, including Cold Lake’s mayor and representatives from the Cold Lake First Nations and the Canadian Forces Base were in attendance.

As if to highlight the need for a new facility, there was a leak in the roof as the snow melted outside.

Agnes Gendron, the centre’s executive director, said the building is too old and too small for what is needed.

With Carl Quinn belting out the Cree words to his much-loved song “Nipin” and the audience singing right along with him, the recent Mahtesa Nehiyawetan (Let’s Speak Cree) event on the Samson Cree Nation closed on a high note.

The Turtle Awards are a valuable way to recognize people for their efforts, to encourage them to continue their hard work and to let others know that much can be accomplished.

“Aboriginal people are very humble, so in honouring them, they are excited and you can see the pride in their faces when they get the award,” said Mandy Griffiths, cultural liaison and parent educator at the Red Deer Native Friendship Centre.

Nominations have now closed for the third annual Turtle Awards, hosted and sponsored by the Red Deer Native Friendship Centre.

An American with ties to a Saskatchewan First Nation laced up her skates for this year’s National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Saskatoon.

Sydney Daniels, originally from the Mistawasis First Nations, is the daughter of former NHLer Scott Daniels. Scott Daniels played in the National Hockey League for 11 years for the Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils. He and his family live in Massachutes, which is where Sydney has lived all her life. But, with her dual citizenship, she was able to come to Canada to join the girls Team Saskatchewan.

Home ice proved to be advantageous for both Saskatchewan clubs at this year’s National Aboriginal Hockey Championships as both squads captured gold medals.

For the boys’ side, this marked the fourth straight year winning the gold medal at the NAHC, which has been held annually since 2001.

Insight provided by family and friends of Jim Brady, a Métis activist who disappeared under questionable circumstances, has resulted in a one hour documentary that delves into the life of a man who left a tremendous legacy in both Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Approximately 100 scholars from across Canada will come together in Regina from June 24-27 to present their Masters and PhD research topics relating to Indigenous health.

The Indigenous Peoples Health Research Centre will host the 11th Annual Indigenous Innovation Integration Gathering. The centre funds community-based research with the integral idea of ‘knowledge translation,’ aiming to take research off the shelves and make it more applicable to Indigenous communities, said IPHRC research associate Cassandra Opikokew.

The work of Métis artist Leah Dorion will be featured prominently in two venues in the country’s largest outdoor gallery event.

“It’s such an honour,” said Dorion. “It’s such a first class event with the number of artists and the amount of public that gets involved.”

Dorion’s work is part of The Works Arts & Designs Festival, which runs June 23 to July 5, in Edmonton, Alberta.

A 17-year-old boy originally from the Mistawasis First Nation is making history in another continent.

Brandon Sand was one of five youth chosen from around the world to participate in a gruelling 250-km run over six days in Bolivia across the Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat.

Lt. Gov. Gordon L. Barnhart is flanked by Valerie Arnault-Pelletier (left) and Monica Goulet at the opening he hosted at Wanuskewin Heritage Park for the Sasipenita pilot exhibit, The Recognition of Place: Strength and Endurance of Aboriginal Women. The travelling exhibit was a concept developed by Goulet and came to fruition through the nonprofit organization Sasipenita, which means “never give up” in Swampy Cree. The exhibit features women leaders and showcases the work of five Aboriginal artists.