Like we always say when September rolls around, where did the summer go? Well, once again folks it just blew by us. There was a lot happening in Indian Country every weekend with various events and activities. I enjoyed the summer traveling with my family attending various events throughout the summer.

A couple of events that really made it a very worthwhile summer that I would like to briefly touch on are as follows; The Ft. McKay 1st Regional Gathering held on July 14-18, 2006, was very well organized with people from across Canada attending. The Athabasca Tribal Council hosted the event which featured various workshops by the elders from the surrounding area.

The awesome musical talent displayed and the heartwarming welcome by the community was something that Ft. McKay should be very proud of. The event sure made people to start planning for a return to wherever the next Regional Gathering would be held in 2007.

The athletic ability of the many, many participants was encouraging to see and a guarantee of a lot of great laughs. Especially watching the sack races, wheelbarrow races, three-legged race, and much more. Now you gotta have a little bit ability to be able to participate in some of these events.

The people of Ft. McKay and the organizing committee need to be commended in hosting and organizing a great event.

It was not a sporting event but I was certainly touched by the Gerald White Tribute that happened at the Kikino Silver Birch Celebrations in August. Gerald White was a great musician and a master at being an emcee at many, many events throughout Canada. He was a friend to everyone that has come to meet him and he certainly enjoyed making people laugh.

Great job to Floyd Thompson, Denise White, and everyone involved in making the Kikino Celebrations a huge success this year and every year.

CHRIS SIMON JOINS THE NYI

Long Island, New York, U.S.A. - The Islanders have signed veteran left wing Chris Simon to a one-year contract, reuniting him with Ted Nolan, his head coach during his final year of junior hockey. Last season with the Calgary Flames, the 6-3, 220-pound Simon was 8-14-22 with 94 penalty minutes in 72 games. The previous NHL season, Simon helped lead the Flames to the Stanley Cup Final after he was dealt by the Rangers to Calgary at the trade deadline, scoring five goals in 16 playoff games.

"Chris brings so much experience and so many intangibles to the Islanders," said Vice President and general manager Neil Smith. "He's been one of the game's most respected leaders and effective role players for more than a decade. As he proved in Calgary by averaging around 12 minutes a game, he still has plenty of hockey left in him. Chris is going to be a terrific mentor for our young players because he is all about the team. We're very proud to have Chris Simon as a member of the New York Islanders."

The 34-year old Simon won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996. In 677 career NHL games with Quebec/Colorado, Washington, Chicago, the Rangers and Calgary, Simon has 133 goals, 142 assists, 275 points and 1,690 penalty minutes. He also has 10 goals and 18 assists in 79 playoff games.

As a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League in 1991-92, Simon was coached by the Islanders' new head coach, Ted Nolan. Like Nolan, Simon is an Ojibwa Indian and is very active in the First Nations community.

"I was extremely interested in coming to the Islanders and I'm very happy things worked out," said Simon, originally selected 25th overall by Philadelphia in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. "I've known Ted for a long time and I'm so excited about having him as my coach again. Neil Smith said I had an important role with the Islanders, and as a player you love to hear that from the general manager. I'm really looking forward to my first training camp as an Islander."

We will miss Chris Simon in Alberta as he sure did a lot of work with First Nations in the City of Calgary. Alberta’s loss is New Yorks’ gain.

SCOTT FERGUSON SIGNS WITH THE SHARKS

San Jose, California, U.S.A. – Veteran defenseman Scott Ferguson has signed a standard player contract with the San Jose Sharks. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

In 2005-06, Ferguson, 33, appeared in 46 games for the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros. He posted 13 points (five goals, eight assists) and finished seventh on the team in penalty minutes (105) and plus/minus, posting a +6 player rating.

The six-foot-one, 195-pound Metis of Lac La Biche, Alberta, has appeared in 218 career NHL games, posting 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists). In addition, Ferguson has accumulated 310 career penalty minutes while appearing for the Edmonton Oilers, the Anaheim Ducks and the Minnesota Wild.

Ferguson was originally signed by the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent in 1994 and made his NHL debut as a member of the Oilers in the 1997-98 season.

TROTTIER RETURNS TO NEW YORK AS AN ISLANDER

Long Island, New York, U.S.A. – The Hockey Hall of Famer and the Islanders legend Bryan Trottier has returned to New York as the director of player development for the New York Islanders.

It was Trottier's triumphant return to the ice since being hired as executive director of player development. His presence was evident with fans and players excited to see the one of the greatest Islanders skating again. New head coach Ted Nolan watched closely from the stands, evaluating the future of the organization.

Like I said in our previous issue, the New York Islanders are destined to a great 2006-07 season. They have a bright future with the new coaching changes and the new players signed will make quite an impression.

BEAVER BITS:

During my travels, I get asked quite a bit why I don’t write about certain events in Indian Country. Well, my answer to them is, ‘I can’t be everywhere so I rely on your community people and our readers to send me an e-mail and let me know about the event.’

Once I know about your event, I will follow-up and report on the results or the interesting news. Let me know and I will let our readers know about your event.    

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