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Caribou hooves and Raven's wings take to stage

Imagine what it would be like to be caught in the middle of 10,000 stampeding caribou. What would it sound like? How would you survive? Well, you don't have to imagine for very long. The stampede will travel to Vancouver when Red Sky, a contemporary Aboriginal performing arts company, brings the wildly successful Caribou Song to the stages of the Firehall Arts Centre Feb. 8 to 11.

Cruise ship terminal gets a big boost

North America's only cruise ship terminal with a First Nations theme is one step closer to becoming a reality with an investment of $9 million from the Government of Canada. Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport) made the announcement in Campbell River Nov. 9. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will provide $6 million and Western Economic Diversification will provide $3 million for the construction of the terminal.

Justice minister admits to "series of injustices"

Federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler got an earful from the chiefs-in-assembly when he showed up at an Assembly of First Nations meeting to wave the Liberal Party of Canada flag on Dec. 8, and B.C. issues were well represented.

When it was announced late on Day 2 of the special chiefs' assembly that it would be Cotler who would represent the Liberals during a candidates election forum, a lot of excitement was generated. Cotler is one of the world's leading international law scholars and has a resume that is breathtakingly diverse.

Talent search will spotlight Aboriginal musicians

A project organized by the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA) is giving up-and-coming Aboriginal performing artists a chance to have their music heard.

Dig Your Roots-Aboriginal will showcase the talent of up to 100 Aboriginal artists from across the country, who will have their work featured on the Dig Your Roots Web site. Out of those 100 or so performers, 15 will be selected to appear on CD compilations and to take part in a series of regional concerts that will air live on the NCRA's member radio stations.

Achievement award winners will visit Vancouver

The National Aboriginal Achievement Awards will be handed out in Vancouver on Jan. 27, and two people living in British Columbia will be on the receiving end at the 13th annual achievement award gala.

The community development award will be presented to Wendy Grant-John for her efforts to bring economic and social development opportunities to her Coast Salish community of Musqueam.

Dissent continues to grow

Disgruntled members of the Tsimshian Nation are calling for a "timeout" to treaty negotiations, claiming that the current representatives at the table are self-appointed and operating under a shroud of secrecy.

The concerned group, comprised of community leaders from all of the Tsimshian bands, met in mid-December in Prince Rupert, just days after circulating a petition that demands a halt to the current process until a referendum of the membership is held.

Dissent continues to grow

Disgruntled members of the Tsimshian Nation are calling for a "timeout" to treaty negotiations, claiming that the current representatives at the table are self-appointed and operating under a shroud of secrecy.

The concerned group, comprised of community leaders from all of the Tsimshian bands, met in mid-December in Prince Rupert, just days after circulating a petition that demands a halt to the current process until a referendum of the membership is held.

Elder thanks wolf for gift

Note: Alfred Lennie passed away in Feb. 2006. We print this sacred story with the permission of his wife, Julie.
I was a trapper and guide in the Northwest Territories, 200 miles north of Tulita, at a place called Lennie Lake. I lived with my wife and daughter in a little log cabin, nestled in the bushes along the lake. Many times we would see wolf packs hunting and travelling out our window. I would take my rifle, load it with a few shells and shoot a few of them, until one day, when a lone wolf changed my life.