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The proud parents of Aaron Kakepetum (Geordi and Lynda) shared the following news story with me. I want to congratulate Aaron on all the work he does to achieve this level of excellence and thank him for being such a strong ambassador for all Nishnawbe Aski Nation youth. It is through individual efforts demonstrated by NAN youth like Aaron that the First Nations are being recognized and honoured. The following article can be found on-line at in the Bozeman Chronicle. Icedogs' Kakepetum named Defenseman of the Year 03/22/02 By Chronicle Staff Bozeman Icedogs' Aaron Kakepetum earned Defenseman of the Year and All-America West Hockey League first-team honors for the 2001-2002 season Thursday, as selected by league coaches. Kakepetum is a Balmertown, Ontario, native who has dual citizenship in Canada and America. He currently leads all AWHL defensemen in scoring with 10 goals an 26 assists. "All areas of his game are constantly improving, and now he's more of an offensive threat," Icedogs coach John LaFontaine said in a press release. Icedogs center Troy Brummett also earned co-Rookie of the Year honors, and Bozeman goalie Joe Tuset was named to the all-AWHL second-team. Brummett is a Oregon, Ohio, native and currently leads the Icedogs in scoring and is tied as the tenth top scorer in the AWHL with 32 goals and 25 assists. Tuset, a native of Eagan, Minn., has started most of the year for Bozeman and led the league as the top-ranked goaltender for most of the season. Tuset, who signed with Northern Michigan earlier this season, is currently ranked second with a 2.48 goals against average, 893 saves and a .910 save percentage. Fernie, British Columbia, Ghostriders forward Conner Hughes was named the league’s Most Valuable Player and to the All-AWHL first team. He is third in league scoring with 40 goals and 72 points in 44 games. Other multiple award winners, besides Kakepetum and Hughes, are Helena Bighorns goaltender Mike Dowers (Goaltender of the Year/All-AWHL First Team) and first-year Billings Bulls defenseman Brooks Turnquist (co-Rookie of the Year/All-AWHL Second Team). Here are the 2001-02 AWHL award winners: Individual awards Most Valuable Player: Conner Hughes, Fernie, B.C. Goaltender of the Year: Mike Dowers, Helena Defenseman of the Year: Aaron Kakepetum, Bozeman Organization of the Year: Fairbanks, Alaska, Ice Dogs co-Coach of the Year: Brian Meisner, Butte/Rob Proffitt, Fairbanks co-Rookie of the Year: Troy Brummett, Bozeman/Brooks Turnquist, Billings All-AWHL first team Goalie - Mike Dowers, Helena Defense - Robbie Bina, Bismarck Defense - Aaron Kakepetum, Bozeman Forward - Lou Garritan, Billings Forward - Conner Hughes, Fernie, B.C. Forward - John Sullivan, Billings All-AWHL Second Team Goalie - Joe Tuset, Bozeman Defense - Jake Postnikoff, Fernie, B.C. Defense - Brooks Turnquist, Billings Forward - Justin Hauge, Fairbanks, Alaska Forward - Brett Roat, Butte Forward - Jeremy Robinson, Fernie. B.C

Eight Canadian Rangers have become the first Canadian Rangers from Northern Ontario to leave Canada for training. They completed a week of advanced training at the U.S. Army's training facility at Fort Knox, Kentucky, which has some of the world's most sophisticated battle simulators and about 5,500 troops. The eight were Master Corporals Matthew Gull of Peawanuck, Joseph Lazarus of Kashechewan, Craig Moore of Constance Lake, and Rangers Redfern Wesley of Kashechewan, Derek Moses of Moose Factory, Barry McKay of Kitchenuhmaykoosib, and Richard Mekanak and George Tait of Sachigo Lake. At the request of the U.S. general commanding Fort Knox, the Rangers set up a tipi at the main entrance to Fort Knox and they became headline stars when the media learned about their presence. They received a full-page report in The National Post, appeared on CTV's main newscast, were reported on by CNN, and featured in special reports by CBC-Radio in both Ontario and Quebec. The Canadian Rangers astounded both Canadian and U.S. troops with their competence, including their shooting, rappelling and their expertise during a day-long combat exercise at Fort Knox's artificial town, where soldiers learn to fight in the world's most advanced urban warfare training facility. the Rangers played the role of local partisans assisting the Canadian troops. On March 13, 2002 the National Post carried an article about this Canadian force. Read this story