MARCH 31 MARKED THE 50th

THE JOURNAL PIONEER REPORTS

Gordon Campbell, the premier of British Columbia, seems to have some memory issues. It wasn’t long ago that he was boasting that his government was going green. Now all of a sudden he’s reviving a massive hydroelectric project from three decades ago that will disrupt an area of the Peace Country.

It has been nine years since he first stepped onto the ice and discovered this would be his passion.

Fourteen-year-old Wynter Cyr of the Pasqua First Nation will travel to Prague in the Czech Republic during the month of April 2010. He will play hockey for Team Western Canada Selects for the second year in a row.
In 2009, Cyr played for the same team, bringing home the gold medal winning over top European teams from Sweden, Czech Republic, and Finland.

Michael Linklater had his share of homes on both sides of the border during his collegiate basketball days.
The 27-year-old Cree guard, however, managed to conclude his career on a rather upbeat note, winning a national championship.

Linklater helped the University of Saskatchewan Huskies win the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) men’sbasketball title. The Huskies defeated the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 91-81 in the gold-medal contest held on March 21 in Ottawa.

Sylvia McAdam was surprised but pleased to be using her law degree to write a book for the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre (SICC) on protocol and tradition.

“We shouldn’t be surprised but it’s selling very well – over 1,000 copies have been sold since its release,” said McAdam in an interview with Sage, adding that they’ve run out of the first press run and had to re-order more books.

The memory of one of Saskatchewan’s most well known visual artists is being kept alive through an online exhibition.

The hope is that his talent will be shared with younger generations.

‘Bob Boyer: His Life’s Work’ is a virtual museum that was launched on March 5 by the MacKenzie Art Gallery and the Canadian Museum of Civilization.

As Alanis Morissette would say: Isn’t it ironic!

On March 26th, the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation rolled out the red carpet for 14 outstanding individuals less than a mile down the road from the First Nations University of Canada in Regina, where the academic institution is in danger of having the rug pulled out from underneath it by the federal government.
The topic was mentioned more than once during the night by those such as Métis academic, teacher and film-maker, Dr. Raoul, J. McKay, who was honoured for his work in education.

Darcie Arkinson wanted to make sure he was at the powwow with his family, especially since it’s not every day he does what other members of his family do and celebrate Aboriginal culture.

Arkinson took turns with cousins from across the province dancing with other First Nations people at the Brandt Centre during the recent First Nations University of Canada’s Powwow.

“Being a First Nations person is important to me. My culture, this is what it’s all about,” said Arkinson, who is 22-years-old.

There is a clear importance in knowing and understanding one’s family history.

Just ask Lawrence Arnault, author of ‘Cyprien Morin and his Descendants’.

“Understanding Aboriginal family history is important for retaining the culture and knowing where you came from,” said Arnault, who is extremely passionate about his family history and about Métis genealogy in general.