The past year was a good for Lionel Peyachew.

The artist from Red Pheasant First Nation had not one, but two major sculptures unveiled during 2005.

The first, The Four Directions, a 24-foot high piece featuring four bows created out of steel pipes and cables, was unveiled on the University of Regina campus in October. The second, Doorways to Opportunity, was unveiled in Yorkton in December.

Grade 12 student Purcell Moosomin was the guest of honour during a celebration at Cando community school on Dec. 16, held to unveil his logo design for the Living Sky School Division.
According to Shelly Janostin, communications co-ordinator for the Living Sky School Division, a competition was held to find a logo for the division, newly created through amalgamation of three existing school divisions-The Lands West School Division, the Battlefords School Division and portions of the Biggar School Division.

The Whitecalf brothers really know how to rock.

Michael, 19, plays guitar. Ben, 17, plays drums. And Frank, 16, plays guitar and provides lead vocals. Together the three boys from Sweetgrass First Nation are Arrowhead, a heavy metal band the trio formed last year.

"We were jamming with each other for a long time, but it was official last winter," said Frank.
"We're pretty much self-taught," Michael added. "My older brother taught me this one riff and it just went from there."

Michael was in another band, Highway 40, before Arrowhead was formed.

In the rapidly growing metal underground in Prince Albert, one band is making strides in a huge way.

Formed in 2003, Cessate is a five piece wrecking ball of energy. The chemistry and talent of this group is only surpassed by what each individual member brings to the band. Guitarists Justin Bender and Chad Mahberg deliver their ear-splitting and distorted chords with such power that the listener can feel it in their chest. The bottom end supplied by Pete Dabrowicz's BC Rich bass turns each song into a tribal rite of passage.

It's been years in the making, but it looks like the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre (SICC) may soon have its keeping house.

The centre is in negotiations to purchase the building that currently houses the Unitarian church at 912 Idylwyld Drive North. If the purchase goes through, the centre will relocate from the leased space it currently occupies and begin renovations and expansion to accommodate the planned keeping house and museum.

Elections Canada is working to get a message to Aboriginal people across the country that their votes count. And the body that runs the country's elections isn't alone. A number of Aboriginal organizations are also urging the people they represent to get out and vote on Jan. 23.

Almost a month has passed since human remains were found in a field southeast of the community of Southey, and families of women who have gone missing in Saskatchewan are still waiting for RCMP to determine the identity of the deceased.

The people who gathered together at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge in Saskatoon on Dec. 10 likely didn't need a reminder of why they were there, but one was provided anyway. At the front of the room stood 12 empty chairs draped in blankets, representing absent mothers, sisters and daughters.

The theme of the afternoon gathering was E-kiskisiyak Iskwewuk-Remembering the Women. Several of those in attendance were family members of women who are missing or have been murdered, and a number of them shared their experiences and emotions with the audience.

Dene author George Blondin was one of few Aboriginal people who spoke openly about medicine power because he felt young people should know where they came from.
The prolific writer passed away at the advanced age of 87 on Oct. 12 after suffering a stroke this year in his Northwest Territories home.

According to Veterans Affairs Canada, at least 3,000 status Indians - including 72 women ­ enlisted in World War II; the numbers of Inuit, Métis, and non-status are unknown, but can be assumed significant.