Little Child won't you dance with me?Native Aboriginal Days in Jasper National Park

Two dancers share a moment after performing in the Welcome Dance ceremony, part of the National Aboriginal Days celebrations in Jasper on June 20, 2010.

Most natives - including non-status Indians, Métis and First Nations - left the area when it became a national park. It wasn't exactly their idea.

Many of those native groups with traditional ties to the land were back in Jasper for the June 19-20 weekend.

Scores of white folks who joined in the Friendship Dance thought that it was about time.

Photo copyright Stephen A. Nelson

Little Big Man: National Aboriginal Days in Jasper National Park, June 2010

Two Mountain Cree dancers pose after performing traditional dances as part of the Aboriginal Days celebrations in Jasper, June 19 and June 20.

Many of the natives taking part in the festivities - including First Nations, Métis and non-status Indians - were descendants of the native people who lived, hunted and trapped in the Jasper area before it became a national park.

Photo copyright Stephen A. Nelson

Kyoto, Japan: Temple of the Golden Pavilion

Temple of the Golden Pavilion 
(金閣寺), Kyoto, Japan

The Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion) is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. It's also known informally as Rokuon-ji (鹿苑寺, Deer Garden Temple).

Photo taken during a trip to the Kansai District  - cultural centre of Japan.

Photo copyright Stephen A. Nelson

Edmonton First Impressions: More to Alberta's Capital City than Oilers, Eskimos and Folk Festivals

By Stephen A Nelson

The Brandon Sun

June 19, 2010

You never a get a second chance to make a first impression.

And, to be honest, our first impression of Edmonton was, um ... unimpressive.

“Grey sky, grey city, grey people,” said my friend Andrea — a traveller from

Switzerland who was visiting the city for the first time.

Still, Edmonton does have some great offerings for visitors.