THE FREE PRESS NEWS .OCTOBER 17, 1996 All Native education conference comes off, despite no warning By DAVID PLUG Free Press staff writer Local turnout was low and nearly too late but organizers of a native schools conference were grateful that people from Prince George scrambled to attend. The school district, the Metis Society, the Native Friendship Centre and the Lheit-lit’en Nation were only told that our city was hosting the national conference a week-and-a-half before it was to start. The effort that locals made to attend the Building Stronger Communities Through First Nations Schools Conference made organizer Edith Loring-Baker very thankful. But the failure of a local liaison, whom she wouldn’t name, to give locals warning of the conference has left a bad taste in her mouth. “I’m very, very disappointed because we’ve been working on this conference since February,” she says. “And I’m upset that we didn’t have the turnout we were looking forward to.” Lack of warning may have caused the low attendance this year. Where previous conferences in the south have drawn 400 people, Prince George only drew about 100 participants. The missed opportunity for northern participation also leaves the former Hazelton resident sad. “At that second conference, there was a real cry from the delegates from the north to have a conference closer to them,” she says. “Being originally from the north myself, I said, ‘Let’s go there.’” Representatives from every province except for Nova Scotia and PEI attended the conference which was specifically tailored to teaching First Nations students. First Nations Education Services, the organizers of the conference, speak with pride of how relevant their workshops are. “We deal with hard-core issues that happen in our community, “ says Ms. Loring-Baker. Workshop topics included warning signs of suicide, declining native-school enrollment and dealing with troubled youth. A professor from Utah spoke on connecting math problems and lessons to native students’ culture. Renae Morriseau, an actress on CBC’s ‘North of 60,’ led a workshop on using theatre and drama in the classroom. Oct 17,h - 18th -19th nt '1-jk Craft Classes Custom Orders Quality Craftmanship In-store special all weekend long Hours: Mon - Sat. 9:30 - 5pm 562-6544 THINGS 1210 5th Ave. Suite 5 & 6 Above P.G. Sewing Youth tool kit for kids now in the schools Members of the Attorney General’s office are in Prince George to get some of its new youth programs off the ground. “We’re coming up to meet with the city’s youth action team coordinator and to help them set up the ‘Taking a Stand’ tool kits,” says the director of the AG’s youth programs division. The tool kits, which contain violence and crime prevention information, went into local schools on Monday and other community centres, such as the local police stations and youth agencies, on Wednesday. “The province’s youth have been working on putting this tool kit together for the past four years. It was designed and produced by youth for youth,” espouses Ms. Taylor. The tool kit will help youth in a specific community identify what crime issues are prevalent, what safety measures can be taken, and help set out action plans for local crime prevention programs. The Taking a Stand tool kit is one of a multitude of similar youth programs initiated back in April by Attorney General Ujjal Dosanjh. Prices in effect until October 20th, 1996 or while supplies last 2X4 Suspended Ceiling Tile Panels. Plain White - $2.99 ea. Fissured - $3.29 ea. Interior Decorative Wall Paneling Gives the look of wall paper, with out all the work. 4x8 sheet 10 styles to choose from nmryn Only Need a hand tool? We have a great selection to choose from! Right now all in-stock hand tools. 20%0ff Reg. Prices This week's wood is: American Red Oak Heartwood resembles other Oaks with a bisquit to pink colour, with a reddish tinge mostly straight and coarse textured. Uses: flooring, furniture, interior joinery, plywood manufacture & sliced for decorative veneers. We stock a wide variety of items made from Red Oak, rough lumbers, S4 S lumber, Oak Plywood & mouldings. This weeks special is on S.2.S lumber, milled to 13/16" thick, left rough on edges. 99 Per board foot 3. Storm Doors Now is the time to install this quality made storm door to ensure a warm entrance in your home, easy to install, reversible swings. 2 lite ^ ] iminAhi 88 Each White Only 169. Woodsmith Books These are the ultimate project book, plans & material list, & how to's on a variety of projects over 100 volumes in stock we are discontinuing volumes # 1 - thru #30. They are now priced at: 3 75 ■ Ea, Each to clear! CANADA’S FINISHING Windsor Plywood RE! 3670 Opk Crescent9 564-8814 Mon - Thurs 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM • Friday 8:00AM to 8:00PM • Saturday 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM • Sunday 10:00AM to 4:00PM _____----------------------------------------- m m..IB