North

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recently visited Pelican Narrows and Stony Rapids. Hearings will continue until the end of July. To hear what's making the northern hearings a little different from some of the gatherings in the south listen here.

For more information on the hearings, and to watch them in live streaming go to www.trc.ca

La Ronge's Mayor often says his town is the world's best kept secret. However, that secret is getting out in the Philippines. Listen here for a story about the rapidly growing Filipino community.

Thomas Sierzycki, the La Ronge Mayor, says Statistics Canada got it wrong. The 2011 Census say the population for the town is down by 400. With low vacancy rates, high housing starts, and an increase in utilities Sierzycki says the numbers don't add up and the town will appeal. Find out more by listening to his interview with the Afternoon Edition's Craig Lederhouse.

To celebrate Saskatchewan Archives Week the La Ronge location held an open house to display some of it's new photo collections and dig out some old film to show to yesterday's audience. The archives have a unique collection of photos, films, and articles documenting traditional life across the north. It's fun to take a look, and it's open to the public for free. Graham Guest is the archivist, he says many people are able to find family members within the collection. It's also a great place to research for students.

One of the most notable collections can be viewed on line by clicking here: http://scaa.sk.ca/ourlegacy

Here's a photo taken by one of the members of the Senator Myles Venne School Media Club trying out some some new features on the camera. We're meeting Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunch 12:15 - 12:55 to get some really neat stories out on this blog and on the air on CBC Radio. This week Kianna Bird is working on a story about her violin teacher and Haley Ross is putting together a photo slideshow featuring the dogs on Belle's Point reserve. Stay tuned.  

Grade Nine student Tessa Lavallee is part of the media club I'm leading at Churchill and Senator Myles Venne School. Next week she will have a story about a teenager she'd like you to know more about. In fact, Tessa would like people to know more about teenagers, period. She says too often they get stereotyped as being shallow, when really there's a lot more going on than meets the eye.

Tessa is certainly a great example. She has designed an approach she wants to see in schools to help prevent bullying and get teenagers opening up more. She's so passionate about this she even tried out a presentation on a Grade 11 Psychology class. I'll have Tessa's story next week too.

The start of next month's Canadian Challenge International Sled Dog race is moving north of the River to the old Buckland's arena area in Prince Albert. Work being done to repair the bridge has altered the river flow and organizers fear the ice may not be safe. There were some concerns about ice quality in the northern part of the route as well, but last week's -30 conditions have mostly put that to rest. For more details, listen to Gill Gracie's interview with Blue Sky Host, Garth Materie.

If you can't wait to February 21 for the start of the Canadian Challenge, check out the precurser race next weekend. Saturday runs Stanley Mission to La Ronge, and Sunday from the Creighton junction to Weyakwin.   

Thanks to CBC Producer, Josh Page for sharing this great photo with me.

This week the Chief of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band was in Ottawa gathered with First Nation leaders from across the country to meet with the Prime Minister. Tammy Chief Cook Searson provided her perspective on the meetings and some thoughts on what needs to happen next. Listen to her interview with Blue Sky's Gath Materie by clicking the arrow.