Xavier Kataquapit – First Nation Writer / Columnist
A northern Ontario Indigenous family from Attawapiskat is going on a paddle planting flags to protest the government and protect their land.
…. to watch the full video of the news story, please click on the link below
I’ve been filled with a renewed sense of hope for the future through the work of filmmaker Jeronimo Kataquapit, who has made it his mission to highlight the connection that the people of Attawapiskat have to the land and its waters.
“We keep hearing government and industry saying that nobody uses the land up there anymore — so, according to them, developing the Ring of Fire should have minimal impact on First Nations,” he said.
…. to read the full story, please click on the link below
https://www.timminspress.com/opinion/here-we-stand-aims-to-show-ring-of-fire-is-occupied-land
I’ve been filled with a renewed sense of hope for the future through the work of Jeronimo Kataquapit, who has made it his mission to highlight the connection that the people of Attawapiskat have to the land and it’s waters. He is the son of James Kataquapit and Monique Edwards who are both deeply connected to families in Attawapiskat and Fort Albany First Nation. James is also my cousin. Jeronimo’s grandparents Alex and Susan Kataquapit and Daniel and Elsie Edwards have always represented traditional Cree families who are deeply connected to the land.
…. to read the full column, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/here-we-stand-%E2%80%93-call-action
“This is an important event for me to take part in because this government action will affect my future and it will affect everything including the land, the water and the animals everywhere,” said event organizer 20-year-old Leeon Prince of Mattagami First Nation.
…. to read the full news story, please click on the link below
https://windspeaker.com/news/windspeaker-news/northern-ontario-first-nation-youth-protest-bill-5
First Nation youth in northeastern Ontario took to the streets of Timmins to protest the Ontario government’s recent introduction of Bill 5 which aims to fast track resource development in northern Ontario.
“This is an important event for me to take part in because this government action will affect my future and it will affect everything including the land, the water and the animals everywhere. Their decisions will bypass laws, our people’s rights and directly affect our lives. I wanted to be part of this protest and to help out in any way I could. It was astonishing to see how everyone came together and to see the Eagle staffs, the regalias, the drumming, the flags and the people. I want to say Kitchi-Meegwetch (thanks very much) to absolutely everyone who came out to support us,” said 20 year old Leeon Prince, Mattagami First Nation, one of the organizers.
…. to read the full news story, please click on the link below
https://wawataynews.ca/breaking-news/northern-ontario-first-nation-youth-protest-bill-5
The government of Ontario is pushing through Bill 5 which aims to designate the Ring of Fire as a so-called “special economic zone”. This bill is intended to reduce regulatory processes across major infrastructure, mining, and resource projects. The bill affects several key Acts, including: Ontario Heritage Act, Ontario Energy Board Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Mining Act, Environmental Protection Act, Electricity Act, Endangered Species Act and Rebuilding Ontario Place Act. The Ring of Fire is located in northern Ontario just west of the James Bay lowlands and my home community of Attawapiskat. The proposed development that is being pushed in this region is basically the head waters of the Attawapiskat River which would directly affect all the water flowing out to James Bay.
…. to read the full column, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/and-it-burns-burns-burns-ring-fire
ATTAWAPISKAT – The government of Ontario is pushing through Bill 5 which aims to designate the Ring of Fire as a so-called “special economic zone”. This bill is intended to reduce regulatory processes across major infrastructure, mining, and resource projects. The bill affects several key Acts, including: Ontario Heritage Act, Ontario Energy Board Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Mining Act, Environmental Protection Act, Electricity Act, Endangered Species Act and Rebuilding Ontario Place Act. The Ring of Fire is located in northern Ontario just west of the James Bay lowlands and my home community of Attawapiskat. The proposed development that is being pushed in this region is basically the head waters of the Attawapiskat River which would directly affect all the water flowing out to James Bay.
…. to read the full column, please click on the link below
As a First Nation person I have been terrorized by alcohol and drug addiction all my life. I grew up with this reality and continue to witness the effects of addictions today. From the time I was a child I realized how terrible life was because of alcohol and drugs. I vowed to never head in that direction however, as soon as I went into my teen years I joined the party.
…. to read the full column, please click on the link below
In a world that is so upside down these days we really need to count on our leadership and Elders to stand up for us, for mother earth and to make sure that there is a world in place for future generations. When I first started out writing and faced with interviewing government representatives like Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament, local, regional, provincial and national Chiefs, council members, Mayors, bureaucrats and business corporate executives I was intimidated. I recall my partner and mentor Mike an experienced journalist enlightening me that all these people were just ordinary folk like everyone else. As he commented “they all go to the toilet just like every human being”. I thought this was so funny but also it really did remind me that I had no reason to feel intimidated by anyone just because they held a position in government or had some form of power. That little trick gave me confidence.
…. to read the full column, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/mother-earth-our-side
One of the last hunting trips I took with my father Marius Kataquapit was out onto our traditional lands next to the opening of the Attawapiskat River on the James Bay coast. Dad had injured his foot that winter and although he had a cast on, he insisted on heading out for Niska Tah-mah-nah-oon, (the goose hunt) with myself and my two younger brothers Joseph and Paul. To my dad, it was an easy and short trip as the ride was only an hour snowmobile ride away.
…. to read the full column, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/niska-tah-mah-nah-oon-goose-hunt