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From public service announcements on radio and television to warning labels on cigarette packaging, we've all be told of the hazards of smoking-increased rates of cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory diseases among them. But for children, both before and after birth, the list of possible effects from exposure to cigarette smoke is staggering.

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Smokers in Saskatchewan who are thinking about quitting can now get the information and support they need with just a simple phone call to the Smokers' Helpline.

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What a difference a decade-not to mention a lot of dedication from teachers, staff and students-can make.

In the early 90s, Nutana Collegiate had about 200 students and faced closure. Now it's bursting at the seams with over 700 students from all over the city.

When it looked as if the school would close its doors, a group of teachers asked the school board for a year's grace period, then set out to find out how to change the school for the better.

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Ron Ray wants to inspire First Nations students to pursue science-related careers. One way to do that, the Grade 7 teacher from Se-Se-Wa-Hum school decided, was to show the students the practical side of science-along with the fun side-by having them take part in a science fair. The result was the first ever Treaty 6 science fair, hosted by Se-Se-Wa-Hum on Nov. 25.

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After vanishing nearly 100 years ago, Plains bison will once again be roaming the prairies of Saskatchewan. On Dec. 12, 2003, 50 young bison arrived at the Old Man On His Back Prairie and Heritage Conservation Area located in the southwest corner of the province.

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More than 6,000 people are expected to descend on the Nipawin area this spring to take part in the Saskatchewan First Nation Winter Games from April 9 to 16.

Cumberland House Cree Nation, Shoal Lake Band of the Cree Nation and Red Earth First Nation will host the games, with most of the sporting events taking place in Nipawin, White Fox and Carrot River. The games will see athletes aged nine to 19 compete in broomball, hockey, volleyball and badminton.

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Six programs designed to provide Aboriginal youth in Saskatoon with opportunities to develop skills and participate in cultural programming have received more than $1 million in funding from the federal government.

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LLOYDMINSTER - Juno award winning artist Susan Aglukark was given a rousing welcome as she stepped on stage at Lloydminster's Holy Rosary high school on Nov. 27 to deliver a performance to all the students within the Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD) and guests from Onion Lake First Nation and North Battleford. During the presentation, Aglukark sang personal favourites including her first hit song, O'Siem, and gave a motivational talk that was a big hit with her youthful audience.

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When country singer Mitch Daigneault stepped on stage at SkyDome in Toronto to accept the Best Country Album Award at the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards in November, he was truly in awe of all the musical talent surrounding him.

"It was a nerve-wracking couple of months after the nominees were announced," he said. "I hardly slept at night." He was backstage when the Best Country Album winner was named. "I felt so honoured. There was a tremendous number of wonderful musicians and to be chosen from among all of them was humbling and hard to fathom."

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Information about Saskatchewan's Aboriginal people past and present is currently being compiled for an encyclopedia to be published as part of the province's 2005 centennial celebrations.

The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan (ESask), a project of the Canadian Plains Research Centre at the University of Regina, will highlight the province's natural and cultural heritage, including Saskatchewan's physical environment, social and cultural life, industry and economics, both historic and present day. The encyclopedia should be available to the public in September 2005.