Busy year right out of the gates

Page 5

Terrying About

Tansi!

Big things already in the new year

Say, how many of you out there have managed, so far, to keep your New Year's resolutions? Good luck to all of ya.

In Edmonton, the Provincial Museum of Alberta is fast becoming a mecca of sorts as the public beats a path to the doors of the Syncrude Gallery of Aboriginal Culture. If. you have the opportunity to tour this huge exhibit, I'd be interested in hearing your opinion(s) regarding the display. Write to me care of Sweetgrass at 15001-112 Ave., Edmonton, AB T5M 2V6.

The Native Student Association at the University of Calgary invites people to their March 9-13 Native Awareness Week.. Information can be found around mid-Feb. by calling 220-6034. The university has a number of Aboriginal students enrolled, with several in Masters programs and at least three are studying for Ph.Ds. Among them are Dale Auger in Education, Evelyn Ziegried in Archaeology and Marc Paul in Math. A recent Ph.D. grad is Jeff Gaboury (Metis) in Medical Physiology. Congrats to you Jeff.

Keith Blood, a councilor with Heart Lake First Nation reports they are nearing completion of a new water treatment plant. They also recently opened a new day care centre and began construction of a new health centre. The community was in stitches Jan. 23 thanks to the comic relief provided by the basketball wizardry of the Harlem Comedy Kings.

Hobbema's Montana Band is planning to begin work on a new bridge between their reserve and the Samson Band in March or April.

Economic Development Coordinator Melvin Potts also states that a lagoon and water treatment plant are finished and that they have instituted a two-year water and sewage training program.

Barb Currie, Director of Education at the Meskanahk Ka-Nipa-Wit School at the Montana Band, expresses satisfaction with their facility which opened last spring. The K-9 school has 16 teachers, a Brighter Futures program for older students who want to get back into class, an outdoor classroom, and Cree and culture programs.

Sheldon Souray, from the Fishing Lake Metis Settlement, is playing for the NHL's New Jersey Devils. His team played the Oilers on Jan. 28 in Edmonton. He was on the receiving end of a fine home coming welcome from about 75 family and friends who traveled to the city to take in his pre-game practice.

Calgary area residents are chomping at the bit to try their clubs on the newly-completed first 9 holes of the Tsuu T'ina Reserve's golf course. The additional 9 holes will not be ready until the fall. Tsuu T'ina is also moving forward with the creation of a business park on the southwest edge of the reserve

Over at Duncan's First Nation, councilor Tony Testawich expressed delight with their new K-6 school and a dozen new houses. They are also exploring economic development initiatives and land claims, both of which are "looking very good!" As well, band members are enjoying a busy work season. Many of the people are employed in forestry or by the oil and gas industry, working on pipelines, and training in heavy equipment operation.

Cross-Cultural Families of Native Children in Edmonton are sponsoring a Career Fair March 7 at the Ben Calf Robe School, with workshops, displays and a mini round dance. Call 490-0405 for info.

The Metis Settlements General Council has already had a busy year. President Ken Noskey says they finalized a new Federal-Provincial Tripartite agreement and unveiled a Business Plan for the council. Good to see they're looking out for their futures and that of the generations to come.