Category: column

I recently lost my cousin Joey Okimaw. We were childhood friends who had grown up together since we first entered grade school in Attawapiskat. Joey’s parents are Margaret and Peter Okimaw. Margaret is my first cousin and she is the daughter of my uncle Alex and aunt Susan Kataquapit. It was always exciting to be around Joey when we were kids because he was the first grandchild in Alex’s family. It meant that Joey and his siblings Gregory and June were always surrounded by a group of young, vibrant aunts and uncles. Alex’s children are Janie, John, Rosalyn, Bertha, Evelyn, Morris, James, David, Helen and Margaret. They are all older than me, so we younger cousins, looked up to all of them.

…. to read the story, please click on the link below

https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/we-were-hockey-heroes

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

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

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

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

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

I am the product, evolution of many thousands of years as are you. I grew up on the land in the remote far north of Ontario following in the footsteps of my Cree ancestors of the great James Bay and Muskego. I speak my Cree dialect based on a language that is ancient and I understand the history of my people and our connection to Mother Earth.

My people have been living the nomadic life of hunters and gathers for thousands of years and this is knowledge that I have learned from my parents and Elders. I grew up on the land in my remote First Nation of Attawapiskat but I have also lived and worked in southern cities and towns of Ontario. I have been fortunate to have travelled to 35 countries, learned about other cultures, their foods, music, issues, life and filled my eyes with incredible and beautiful images.

…. to read the full column, please click on the link below

https://wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/mother-earth-needs-you-now

One of the most beautiful serene places I’ve ever visited was on the banks of the Opinagau River in northern Ontario, just near the corner of land where James and Hudson Bay meet. This is a river just south of the Lakitusaki River, known in English as Lake River. Opinagau River is also just north of the Nawashi River, the home territory where my mom Susan (Paulmartin/Rose) Kataquapit and her family originated from.

My dad Marius Kataquapit took us to this northern river one fall to go moose hunting. Our group never did manage to see any moose on that trip but it was an amazing time to be on the land surrounded by absolutely no one for hundreds of miles all around.

During that trip, we set up regular base camps along our way and whenever we stopped, my younger brothers and I would head out to walk as much and as far as we could to explore the land.

…. to read the full column, please click on the link below

https://wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/defending-heart-mother-earth

This wave of cold weather reminds me that I do not have a lot of motorcycle riding time left and that summer will soon be turning into fall. Students are heading back to school and some of the birds are already flying south.

I love my motorcycles because on a bike I am in deep meditation. I must be one hundred percent aware of my control of my bike as I head down the road. I love classic bikes and I now ride a 2000 BMW R1100R, that features a flat horizontally opposed twin cylinder engine, a design this German company has been producing for over a hundred years. At this point after riding a bike for almost 30 years I feel at one with this magnificent machine rolling down the road. It is necessary for me to be absolutely conscious of every bump, twist and turn on the road and as well I have to keep an eye on my mirrors to watch for any traffic behind me. Up here in northern Ontario I also need to watch for animals that cross on to the road. I have often had to brake hard or swerve to miss a moose, a bear, fox and beaver.

…. to read the full column, please click on the link below

https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/my-iron-horse-keeps-me-balanced

My home community of Attawapiskat First Nation will be holding a local election this month on August 29. It is an exciting time not just for those living in the community but for those members, like myself, who now live and work in southern cities and towns away from the James Bay coast. This will officially be the first community election where off-reserve members who don’t reside in the community will have the opportunity to vote for their leadership. Although off reserve voting had occurred in previous elections, it was in a very limited capacity. This will be the first ever organized effort by local election officials to widely include off reserve members. Election officials will travel to Timmins on August 18, Sudbury on August 20, North Bay on August 21, Kingston on August 23, Cochrane on August 25 and Moosonee on August 27.

…. to read the full column, please click on the link below

https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/attawapiskat-first-nation-election-2025