This page is dedicated to providing my readers who would like to follow my latest column which I produce on a regular basis every second week.
- :: Windspeaker :: Mike was a beacon of love and friendship
I lost the love of my life Michael McGrath this past Sunday December 28, 2025. He was a bright light that shone for so many people in our families but also in a circle of friends that seemed to span the world.
Mike was born and raised in Iroquois Falls into a grand Irish Canadian family that originated from the Ottawa valley. His mother Emily McGrath imparted in him her kind and gentle spirit, and his grandmother Margaret Dunn, whom everyone knew as Granny, guided and influenced his life.
…. to read the story, please click on the link below
https://www.windspeaker.com/under-northern-sky-xavier-kataquapit/mike-was-beacon-love-and-friendship
- :: Wawatay News :: Christmas Is All About Love
Christmas is just around the corner and everyone is getting into the spirit of the holidays with music, decorations, department store shopping and stocking up on food for big family feasts. Decorations are happening everywhere and this year, we had an early supply of cold and snow, so we in the north, will definitely have a picture post card Christmas filled with mounds of white, frost and crystalline snow.
This is also a bittersweet time for myself and many other people. We lost people during the holidays and there are tragic memories or commemorations that are inextricably tied to this time of year. We also have to deal with rampant consumerism where we are constantly badgered, bothered or encouraged to buy, spend and consume as much as possible whether we have the money or not. As the world grows more and more financially difficult for all of us, it is getting harder and harder every year to fulfill that promise of achieving the Hollywood, Hallmark, all American white Christmas we’ve all grown up to see in movies and TV shows.
…. to read the full column, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/christmas-all-about-love
- :: Wawatay News :: We Need To Stand With First Nation Leaders
On December 2, 2025 during a Special Chiefs Assembly hosted by the Assembly of First Nations, the chiefs from across Canada voted unanimously to adopt an emergency resolution tabled by British Columbia First Nations leaders to support upholding the current oil tanker ban on the pacific coast as well demanding the withdrawal of the agreement clearing way for a new oil pipeline to the coast of British Columbia. Both federal and provincial governments have been doing their best to divide and conquer in rapid fire meetings with First Nations across the country in negotiating agreements and handing out money. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed a memorandum of understanding on November 27 to co-operate on energy, opening up the prospect of an exemption from the tanker ban to support a major pipeline.
…. to read the full column, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/we-need-stand-first-nation-leaders
- :: Wawatay News :: Mushkegowuk Council Declares Emergency To Deal With Addictions
An epidemic of addictions has led Mushkegowuk Council in north eastern Ontario to declare a state of emergency. A crisis has occurred including issues of homelessness, limited access to shelters, the lack of mental wellness and too few addictions supports in the council’s territory.
Myself and our First Nations leaders have been watching as this crisis has been developing over the years to the point where it is killing and severely impacting people in our communities as well as our members living off reserve. Things have gotten to the point where it is making our communities unsafe and resulting in so many tragic endings for my people.
…. to read the full column, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/mushkegowuk-council-declares-emergency-deal-addictions
- :: Wawatay News :: There Is No Such Thing As A Just Or Honourable War
As we are ready to honour November 11, Remembrance Day I think about the destruction war has done to my James Bay Cree family and my partner Mike’s Irish Canadian family. When you are affected by the death, wounding or dramatization of family members you realize how the terrorism of war ripples on into generations.
There is no glamour, no justice and no sense to any war ever fought that I can understand.
…. to read the full column, please click on the link below
https://wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/there-no-such-thing-just-or-honourable-war