Get ready for Christmas

Page 5

Tansi!

Christmas is just around the corner. Soon all those shopping centres are going to be one huge traffic jam!

I need your HELP! I am still trying to locate the whereabouts of Jim Thunder. If anyone knows where he is or knows a relative of his that I can contact, please call or write to me in care of Sweetgrass paper. Thanks. (403-455-2700; 15001-112 Ave., Edmonton T5M 2V6)

The Oct. 15 Peace Hills Annual Art Contest awards and the grand opening of the new Nipisihkopahk High School on the Samson Reserve at Hobbema the following day were quite a treat to attend in case you missed them.

Edmonton's Aboriginal female performing artists have certainly left an impression on Canada's artistic jurors. Recording artist Laura Vinson and a cappella singing group, Asani, both from Edmonton, have been the only two Albertans chosen to represent their province at - who-eee, get this -the Canada Council Showcase of Culturally Diverse and First People's Music at Vancouver's Centennial Theatre on Nov. 22.

The council's intent is to promote and heighten awareness of Aboriginal artists in Canada. Approximately 250 individual acts from all over Canada applied for spots, and Vinson and Asani (Cathy Sewell, Sherryl Sewepagaham, Karen Donaldson, Julie Golosky-Olmsted) were two of the 48 selected. Congrats ladies! I know you'll do our province and people proud.

The Nistawoyou Friendship Centre in Fort McMurray has a new executive director, Gerald White. Prior to this, White worked one year with Native Counseling Services as a court worker, and three years with the Fort McKay reserve's National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program as its co-ordinator and director of programs.

He's now held office for three months and said the centre is going to host an old-time supper to recognize some of its founding members. It'll likely be around mid-December, he added.

A Nov. 20 Round Dance and 6 p.m. feast sponsored by the Whitehorse Family and the Edson and Hinton Friendship Centres will be held at the Hinton Community Centre. Everyone is welcome.

The Native Seniors Centre in Edmonton has a free Christmas dinner Dec. 11 at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre for members of either centre who are 55 years old and over.

Speaking of the friendship centre, it is hosting its annual Christmas Round Dance on Dec. 4 with a traditional meal at 6 p.m. The first eight drums will be paid. Everybody welcome!

On Dec. 5 and 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, the friendship centre in Edmonton hosts its annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Sale. People are encouraged to turn out and support our artists.

On Dec. 13, the Edmonton friendship centre hosts its annual Children's Christmas Party, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. You have to register children in advance and be a member with the centre to qualify.

And, speaking of parties, Crystal Kids is offering their Christmas dinner and Santa gift-giving on Dec. 16 at the Eastwood Community Hall.