Metis events dominate November

Page 5

Tansi!

Guess who's back in town?

Marilyn Dumont!

The writer and poet used to live in Edmonton, then moved to British Columbia, where she has been working as the director of the First Nation student centre at Simon Fraser University. From now until May 2001, she is writer-in-residence at the University of Alberta.

So, for all you budding writers, those having difficulty publishing your work, she may be just the contact you need to help you pursue your dreams of getting published. Dumont can be contacted by telephone at the English department on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Wednesdays 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Phone (780) 492-7811.

Education and training

The Kayas Cultural College at Fox Lake, a remote Cree community that is home to veteran artist Henry Nanooch, has been long known for its arts and crafts production.

The community has also offered computer courses there and is currently assessing last year's programs in relation to meeting community needs. Last year they started a course in plumbing and also ran a heavy equipment operator's course during the summer. Their carpentry program that is now in its fifth year. The college hopes to develop a human resources program that would see agencies interfacing with the community.

While on the subject of training, Dennis Laboucan, the chairperson for the East Prairie Metis Settlement, reports that they fired up their training program in logging at the start of October. For now, there are only six people in the program, which includes cutting and skidding. Participants will be certificated after six weeks. Funding stems from the Strategic Training Initiatives of HRDC in Edmonton.

Rodeo scene

Bareback bronc rider Kenton Randle from Ft. Vermilion won when he spurred his horse to an 81 at the Kinsmen Rodeo at Lacombe in September and placed second with an 83 behind Bill Boyd, who kicked out an 84 at the Hanna Indoor Pro Rodeo. Saddlebronc rider Shawn Henry from Wainwright managed a third-place finish at Lacombe and could be in the hunt at this fall's Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton.

Another lad who placed third was Ryan McDonald from the Caslan Metis Settlement. He tied for third in the boys steer riding at Hanna with a 72.

Randle sits in the top 10 in the Canadian standings for bareback and that Todd Munro from Bassano sits fourth in the wild cow milking competition. Now there are a couple of names that are not unfamiliar to folks at the world-famous Calgary Stampede.

Metis Week

November is always a huge month in the Metis community.

Metis Week for both Edmonton and Calgary is proceeding with a number of open houses, a Riel commemorative ceremony, flag raising ceremonies and more. Although Edmonton's itinerary was not yet established, Calgary's is.

Members in Calgary plan to host an open house at their offices and a flag-raising at city hall on Nov. 13. There'll be a business reception at the Coast Plaza Hotel on Nov. 16 followed by an Elder's supper the next day as well as a fruit and bannock fund-raiser with all proceeds going to a children's Christmas party.

The week will close on Nov. 18 with a Fun Day at the Crossroads Community Hall. For further information, call the Metis regional office in Calgary.