Xavier Kataquapit – First Nation Writer / Columnist
Every morning for a few weeks now I am waking up to the sound of Pee-Nay-Sheesh (small birds) singing outside my window. Mostly the singing is coming from the Tree Swallows flying frantically around in what seems like circles.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/thank-goodness-birds-are-singing
It looks like the swallows are back and that is a sure sign of spring and warmer weather to come. A couple of weeks ago I heard the honking of Niska (Canada geese) as they paused to take a break on the field behind our house here in Kirkland Lake. They seemed to have moved on now and have arrived at their summer destinations on the shore of James Bay.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/spirit-traditional-hunt
If you pause to think about it, there are special people in our lives that we always assumed would always be around no matter where our life journey takes us. We take for granted that the things and people we grew up with will never change and will forever stay the same.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/i-guess-it-was-love
I have learned a few things in being on this earth for almost 5 decades and one of them is to live in the moment. Ever since my partner ended up with a lung disease I have been even more aware of how important it is to savour life, be kind as much as possible and to find joy in the work you do. This is not always easy but I find it leads to a more happy existence.
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There have been so many changes over the past couple of decades for Indigenous First Nations and I am amazed at how life has changed for many people. Most of the changes have been for the good and that of course has to do with more access to education and employment opportunities. Sadly, we have also experienced a terrible time of drug addiction in our communities that have made life difficult for a lot of people and many have died.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/working-together-brings-great-results
Extreme cold weather is part of life every winter on the James Bay coast. The cold was normal for my parents who were both born on the land during a time when people didn’t have very much. My late father Marius Kataquapit was a trapper and hunter that learned to live and thrive on the land from the time he was a child.
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We celebrate Valentine’s Day with wishes for those we are romantically interested in or, in general, for good greetings to family and friends. However, the history of this day, which is celebrated on Feb. 14, is very different. Everyone grows up with the annual traditions that their parents followed without question. It is strange to follow long-standing European traditions when you come from an Indigenous background.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://windspeaker.com/under-northern-sky-xavier-kataquapit/valentines-day-and-power-love
It was good to see recent developments by northern Indigenous political leadership to deal with the epidemic of drug and alcohol abuse and the dire situation of suicide primarily by young Native people in northern Ontario. I know we are all fed up with watching so many of our family members and friends becoming helpless with addictions and the resulting violence in our northern First Nations. We are also feeling helpless with so many of our people dealing with mental health issues.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://www.timminspress.com/opinion/we-might-need-a-miracle
Recently I have been watching news reports on how the left more socialist parties in our country and other parts of the world are being taken over by more conservative, right wing factions and some of this I suspect is also happening in Indigenous political organizations. When I look at political trends and decisions being made by governments, I follow the old saying that states “always follow the money”.
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Welcome to 2024. This is one of the warmest starts to winter I can recall in almost five decades. Most of my life I remember growing up with four distinct seasons and winter was always freezing with lots of snow. Winter came in November up north on the James Bay coast and left at the end of April and even stayed at times into May.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://www.timminspress.com/opinion/mother-earth-needs-us-now-2