Summer is gearing up to be hot

Page 5

Terrying About

Tansi!

? It's nice that we've been gaving some great weather lately, but now the darn forest fires have picked up. Last weekend I saw about 100 of our Aboriginal brothers and sisters bussed off to fire lines near Niton Junction and Lesser Slave Lake. Right in the thick of it all, contacting and hiring workers was Teri House (again). The gal was some busy over at the Metis Nation office in Edmonton And, yes, it really does look like we could be in for one really hot summer. Some old records may be shattered this time around, and not just temperature recrods, but fire records too. Last year by May 2, there wre 29 fires reported in Alberta. So far this year, we've had 160.

? Lac la Biche's Willard Lewis has now got his opponent signed up for that May 29 Canadian Cruiserweight title bout at Edmonton's Italian Centre on St. Albert Trail. His opponent is Eric Lucas from Vancouver. For info, call Harold at 463-7857.

? Talk about things booming! A good buddy of mine from Wabasca reports that business in the oil patch has exploded and - get this - a camp at Sandy Lake has 2,000 souls!

, , , Speaking of Wabasca, my apologies for the error in last month's paper regarding the Bigstone Powwow. I said it occurs May 29 to June 1, but it should read June 19-21. It will also feature a June 18 round dance. Hope ta see ya all there. Call Gordon Gladue 891-0677.

? Kenton Randle of Ft. Vermilion presently leads in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association's bareback riding with $6,032. Roger Lacasse of Edmonton is second with $5,582 and Calgary's Wade Graves is third with $4,162.

? Ted Hodgson with the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta, just returned from a North American Indigenous Games meeting at Fargo, North Dakota. He reports that things are go after Fargo got a vote of confidence. The mega sporting event will take place July 10 to 17, 1998. Communities better prepare their athletes for qualifiers and get their fundraising in high gear.

? Two recent visitors to Edmonton were actress Tantoo Cardinal, this year's winner of a National Aboriginal Achievement Award, and Gregory Coyes of Seventh Fire Productions. The two are collaborating on a couple of short films called, Why The Rabbit Turned White (a Wesakechak story), and Legend of the Spirit Bear (the rare, white Kermode bears on the West Coast).

The two productions will feature characters artistically created by that gifted and noted artist, Norval Morrisseau who now lives in southern B.C.. The films are being adapted for television viewing and could become a part of an ongoing series.

? There's word in the wind that either Buffalo Lake or Kikino will feature a concert with some good American country and western singers who are not huge names, but apparently huge on talent. Could it be that Arnold Strynadka (and his Uke-Cree fiddle made from a plunger) has a part in all this? Stay tuned; we hope to have more by next issue.

? The last weekend in May is really getting top-heavy. Aside from the Bigstone Powwow, the Canadian Native Friendship Centre's annual meeting in Edmonton, and the Dreamspeakers Festival at Edmonton's Hawrelak Park, we also have the Oki Napi Eagle Claw Society and the Freehorse Family Wellness Society co-hosting a May 30 round dance at the Airport Hangar on Kingsway Avenue in Edmonton, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

? On a final note, CONGRATULATIONS on the 10th anniversary of Edmonton's Metis Cultural Dancers. Their May 2 party at the Friendship Centre was well-attended with special guests from various parts of both Canada and the United States. Hope to see ya going strong 10 years down the road, and then some!