Sadness on the trails

Page 5

Terrying About

Tansi! Good to speak with all you fine people at the community level once again.

It's been a little rough these last few weeks for a number of people, especially those coping with the deaths of several prominent Native figures. No sooner did the Blood Reserve put the late Jim Goodstriker to rest than communities lost other important people, including longtime Ermineskin councillor Arthur Littlechild, who was a chief and a council member for 23 years. The Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement is mourning the loss of Edward Larose who'd been living at Enoch.

Saddle Lake First Nation is also saddened by the loss of Alphonse Cardinal, a craftsman many people admired for his good-natured ways, and his superlative talents with wooden, miniature scale-model crafts, which he produced and marketed.

Native centenarian Margaret L'Hirondelle, who we featured not long ago as she celebrated her 100th birthday, passed away in late October and was laid to rest in Athabasca on the same day that Sawridge First Nation Chief Walter Patrick Twinn was buried. Twinn, 63, as most people know, was an Honorable Member of the Senate of Canada. He was a gracious financial contributor, especially to the world of sports and, in particular, to boxing and the North American Indigenous Games. The hearts of many are saddened with the passing of such prominent people from our community.

o Saddle Lake councillor Charles Wood is faring as well as could be expected following a recent quadruple heart bypass at the U of A hospital.

o On the lighter side, numerous communities recently hosted Halloween activities for their youth.

Fort McKay, for one, held a Halloween Dance at their school that was well attended, with lots of fun and food, says John Fleming, the new Band activities coordinator. He adds that the school counsellor, Joanne White, is to be thanked for its success.

The Fort McKay band will host a Nov. 20 Day of The Child feast and Round Dance. They are scheduled to open a new community day care centre before Christmas. A pet project of the moms in Fort McKay, it will double as a youth drop-in centre in the evenings with crafts, culture and sports as its prime focus. Then, there's been the McKay Recreation Society, which has put in a new community skating rink next door to their ball diamond. On a final note, the Ft. McKay Group of Companies are donating $1,500 to the school and youth council for their Christmas party.

Up at Trout Lake, community resource co-ordinator Steve Noskiye informs us that their Oct. 3 to 4 Sports Day '97 was a huge success. He reports that they will attempt to make it an annual event, and are extremely appreciative for the help extended by parents and Elders in the community. As well, the Trout Lake Forgotten Ones Society, chaired by general store owner Leonard Bellerose, put up the trophies and prizes for the winners. There were 12 youth and 13 adult events, with all entry fees going to a special fund that is to be used for the community's winter carnival that is planned for February. Another fundraiser was their Halloween Dance, with the proceeds from that going to future volleyball and baseball programs. Additional plans to raise money for community recreation includes raffles and bake sales.

o Hey everyone, just a month or so left before Christmas arrives. Got your shopping done yet? No!! Well, keep in mind to circulate some of your dollars amongst your own craftspeople. The annual Alberta Indian Arts & Crafts Sale is Nov. 21 to 23 at Edmonton's downtown Convention Centre, and the Canadian Native Friendship Centre craft sale is Dec. 6 to 7.

Take care ya all. Talk to ya soon.