Don't believe everything you hear

Page 5

Terrying About

Tansi.

So, how many readers of the March issue of Sweetgrass believed the rumor that there are 16 candidates for the president's position of the Metis Nation of Alberta? Actually, if the truth be known, unofficially of course, there are about six or seven. Let's see, for possibles, there are the current president, Audrey Poitras, as well as Gary Gairdner, Leonard Gauthier, Joe Blyan, Muriel Stanley-Venne, Lyle Donald and ???

This past week there was some great hockey April 1 to 4 at Enoch Arena where the Gift Lake repeated as winners of the coveted Federation Cup tournament, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is hosted by the Metis Settlements General Council.

Gift Lake beat out Peavine 5-4 in the finals with Craig Vanderlight notching the winner with just 44.7 seconds remaining in the last period.

Gift Lake also took home the Old Timers' division after knocking out Buffalo Lake 8-5 in the final game of the round robin of play.

As for the women, Paddle Prairie won 4 - 2 over Elizabeth.

The settlements are in store for a 10-day visit, April 15 to 24, from Hugh Fullerton-Smith from England. He'll be on hand for consultation to anyone wishing info on organic farming or wild game ranching. The contact is Ray Wanuch (780) 427-1122.

The first Canadian National Powwow is preparing to welcome the world at its inaugural May 28 to 30 powwow at the Agricom in Edmonton. Hosted by Treaty 6 with Henry Moosepayo as president, it's sure to be a great time. Especially invited are the prime minister, Premier Klein, Mayor Bill Smith, MP Ethel Blondin-Andrews, Senator Thelma Chalifoux, National Grand Chief Phil Fontaine, Elijah Harper and many more. Organizers are staging a major gala and fundraiser May 1 in Hall A of the Agricom with a banquet, Aboriginal entertainment, crafts, and a silent auction. Contact Willie at (780) 420-0470.

One of Assumption's most respected Elders is not faring too well. Not that he's ill; Alexis Senianthe is just getting on in his years. He is now 92.

Tsuu T'ina is mourning the fire death of two of its members - Catherine Big Plume, 73, and her grandson, four-year-old Joseph. It's believed the fire started by something left on the stove. Our deepest sympathies to the family.

There've been a couple of recent band elections.

On March 24, at Frog Lake, members elected Elmer Abraham as chief over 12 other candidates. The council positions were contested by no fewer than 60 members! with the winners being Clifford and Clayton Cross, Angelique Berland, Karen Abraham, George Frying Pan (ex-chief), and Roland Quinney.

Due to a discrepancy in the voting bylaws, the March 22 election at Kehewin was not allowed and a new date is to be set for a re-election. In the meantime, Chief Eric Gadwa will continue his role as the band chief.

For you Edmontonians, note that May 29, starting at 1 p.m., is the date of the annual general meeting of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre, at which elections will be held for three board members and the president.

That same date is also the annual for Calgary's centre from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, the centre encourages involvement at their April 22 meeting on the Urban Multipurpose Aboriginal Youth Centres Initiative. "We are looking for heavy youth influence there," says the centre director, Peter Paige. Important at the meeting, Paige adds, "is the formula to decide who will sit on the youth committee."