First Nations student Joel Cardinal is off to a Geneva, Switzerland UN conference this summer as the first-place winner of an Aboriginal essay competition sponsored by the federal Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Canadian uranium producer Cameco. Cardinal, who is majoring in international studies, studied part-time this past year while completing a 12-month internship with the B.C. government. His 1800-word essay looked at how international governments have negotiated with indigenous groups over natural resources, and explores how Canada could improve its foreign policy by addressing First Nations issues. "International issues and indigenous people have always been my focus," says Cardinal, who is considering both law school and work opportunities with government or indigenous organizations.