October is "Indian Month"

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In the past month, many things have happened here in Indian Country. We had elections, award shows, conferences, a powwow, and of course Halloween. The month of October was one not to forget, one that had both Saskatoon and Prince Albert booming in business because of Indian customers. I ran into old friends and new friends as part of the annual Indian Month, which I now call it.

October 1 had the Second Annual SaskTel Aboriginal Youth Awards of Excellence held in Saskatoon. There were more than 30 Aboriginal youth honored for their achievements in such categories as sports, innovation, and education. The weekend of Oct. 9 saw the Northern Lights Casino host their annual Thanksgiving Powwow in the Communiplex in Prince Albert. The city had great business over the weekend with every hotel booked solid and many restaurants filled with customers. I had to eat at MacDonalds everyday. I had every single extra value meal except for the MacBannok Supreme that was just introduced the day I left town.

The following week, the Prince Albert Grand Council held elections for grand chief. Former Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations clerk of the executive council, Gary Merasty, won the position by a landslide. Later in the week from Oct.13 to 15, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations and Women of the Dawn hosted their annual fall conferences. The FSIN had elections at Centennial Auditorium for 4th vice-chief and 2nd vice-chief. Lawrence Joseph from Big River First Nation got in for a second term as 4th vice-chief. For 2nd vice-chief, Guy Lonechild from White Bear First Nation surprised many people by beating Terry Sanderson and winning the position by a landslide on the second ballot. The first had six candidates running.

Meanwhile, the Women of the Dawn had their conference at the Saskatchewan Inn.

What I don't understand is: How do women from all over Saskatchewan end up having a huge conference during the exact same time as all the men? I mean, is it coincidence or did they plan it that way? I can't help it, but when you have more than 400 Indian men and women in Saskatoon from out of town, with hotels and conferences, something is bound to happen. Ever hear of the term conference babies?

Okay, now let's move on. There's nothing to see here. Just go home and mind your own business.

It was the 5th Annual 1999 First Nations Awards in Saskatoon hosted by the Women of the Dawn from Regina. The awards took place right after the conference. More than 12 First Nation individuals were honored with the awards in several categories, including arts and entertainment, community work, business and journalism.

I wish I could tell you more about it, like who the winners were, but unfortunately, we weren't invited. Instead of being invited they asked me to pay $150 for a ticket to attend the event. Even though I was nominated for the youth award, they still wanted me to pay $150. They even asked me to pay $1,200 for a table so they could look good with more youth attending the event.

I'm not discouraged though, I just wish our people weren't always caught up in politics. For once I'd like to see our people forget about everything and just have a good time for the betterment of all First Nations. The Women of the Dawn did, however ,recognize some high achievers like Doug Cuthand and Judge Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond.

All I have to say is it's probably just as well I didn't attend the event. I probably would have wrote a tabloid-style story like "Best and worst dressed" or "Awards profits in millions."

Before I lash out, and start throwing away all the bannock I just made, I should talk about the Halloween we just had. In the city it was easy to trick or treat, that's until the heavy snow storm hit. On the rez it must have been hard to trick or treat. You probably had to travel two miles to each house to receive a cheap caramel candy that was saved from last year's old Halloween snacks. I stayed in and watched the Blair Witch Projct. It kind of reminded me of when I used to play on the rez with my friends. We used to go into the woods on Halloween and leave one of our friends stranded for days. It was so much fun.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen my friend for years now.

Well that's it for this month's youth column. I hope you can forgive me for my comments, but that's how I feel and "I ain't gonna stop" because youth will always have a voice, as long as Sage and Gen-X are around.

And, oh yeah, next month will be The Last Youth Column of The Century. That means I'm going all out, regardless of what people say.

It's gonna be a column that's going to make you laugh, cry, swear, gamble your paycheck and use the rest on bingo. That's how powerful next month's column will be.

Please feel free to send me some hate mail at Gen-X@Canada.com