Winter carnivals are here again

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Tansi!

BONNYVILLE - Louise Dumais from the friendship centre reports that, along with Family Community Social Services, the centre will host its annual King and Queen Trappers Day on Feb. 21 at the Bonnyville Parent Child Centre. Trophies and cash awards will be up for grabs in snowshoe racing, nail pounding, tea making, flour packing, trapping, Swede saw, bannock-making, jigging, buckskin parade and loon, wolf and moose calling, as well as the honeymoon race which has couples pull one another on toboggans. The friendship centre is hosting Elders' Education Week, Feb. 14 to 17 and has organized a March 10 kinship workshop, a March 24 family feast day from noon to 4 p.m., and a March 30 and 31 workshop on how to deal with difficult discipline problems.

Economis initiative

BIGSTONE - Across the way, a grand opening of Bigstone Forestry Inc. The planning for this economic effort goes back to the fall of 1997, said Foresty Manager Richard Clyde, who adds the project will employ nine workers, expand to 13 next year and, hopefully, more as time moves along. MLA Mike Cardinal, AlPacs "top dog", Bill Hunter, and Bigstone chief and council were on hand for the opening ceremonies. Down the road, they hope to set up a mill near or on Bigstone property.

Winter fun

FORT CHIPEWYAN - It's that time of year when winter carnivals are the rage. Anzac has theirs slated for Feb. 18 to 20. The one up at Fort Chip is scheduled for March 3 to 5. Margaret Villebrun tells us they will host dog sled racing, skidoo racing, trap setting, nail pounding, bannock baking, log sawing, traditional dress and more at the community hall and on Lake Athabasca, near the Northern Store. Oh yeah, they will also be having a King and Queen pageant for youth aged 15 to 21.

Traditioal sport

EDMONTON - If you want to catch a traditional Indian winter sport or two, why not try Edmonton? Make an effort to get out to the Central McDougall and Queen Mary Park Icicle Fest 2000 on Feb. 21 at McDougall Elementary School in Edmonton. Word has it the local Native friendship Centre is assisting the winter carnival, which runs between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. One of the planned events is the age-old sport of snow snake.

Construction begun

EDMONTON - Former friendship centre sports coach, Gordon Russell, is in heaven. The steel frame for the new Crystal Kids youth drop-in centre in northeast Edmonton is now under way and Russell can't wait for completion day to roll around. Needless to say, the centre will need furniture donations, computers, sports equipment and the resources of numerous volunteers with varied abilities to help. So, if you're a coach, arts or crafts instructor, bingo worker or whatever, why not give them a call at (780) 479-5283.

Casino planning?

TSUU T'INA -This First Nation is being hounded by Calgary to use some of its land for a four-lane extension of 37 St. SW. Possible leasing of land is under discussion. As well, there's been more sightings on the reserve of casino cars owned by the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Commission. Could it be that the rez is finally getting serious about the possible building of a casino on its lands? There is also some talk going around about the possibility of another golf course where the old military camp was but staff is keeping quiet for now. They may know something in a few weeks time.

See ya all soon. Take care.