Xavier Kataquapit – First Nation Writer / Columnist
I think most of us feel like we have been through several very weird years with the Covid19 pandemic, climate change events like the recent forest fire summer and of course the terrible wars raging in Ukraine and Gaza. I wish I could be more optimistic in looking towards the future but it is not easy.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/protecting-our-elders-should-be-priority
November 11, or what we refer to as Remembrance Day, is a very sad time for myself and my partner Mike. I have been doing a lot of research on my great-grandfather John Chookomolin and my grandfather James Kataquapit who along with 22 other young men from Attawapiskat were literally kidnapped by an army recruiter back in 1917 and taken to Europe to participate in the Great War.
The column has now appeared in print in today’s issue of the Timmins Daily Press on page 3 with a photo of John Chookomolin and James McGrath.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
November 11 or what we refer to as Remembrance Day is a very sad time for myself and my partner Mike. I have been doing a lot of research on my great-grandfather John Chookomolin and my grandfather James Kataquapit who along with 22 other young men from Attawapiskat were literally kidnapped by an army recruiter back in 1917 and taken to Europe to participate in the Great War. My great-grandfather John did not return however grandfather James did make it back after the war.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/we-will-remember-why
Winter is fast approaching and I worry about all my family members and friends from up the James Bay coast and in Northern Ontario that have to deal with the treacherous conditions on our highways during the snowy and icy season.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
I am feeling a little better about the state of democracy these days thanks to the election of Wab Kinew as Canada’s first Anishinabe Premier. He was elected recently with a majority government in Manitoba. So, congratulations to Wab and his New Democratic Party team and as well thanks to all those members of the voting public who chose to make their decision based on values that have to do with social democratic ideals of sharing, openness, tolerance and caring for everyone, the environment and the future of our planet. The fact that he has promised to save and enhance the public health care system is a bonus.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/kitchi-meegwetch-wab-kinew
I am so tired of losing people I am only in my late 40s but it seems as though most of the people I grew up with my age and even younger are passing away far too often. A generation older than me including my parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents are gone. The whole landscape of my life has changed in what seems like a very short time.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/spirit-those-who-have-gone-us
I feel like a survivor at times and there is good reason for that. As an Indigenous person living in this time and country, I have seen so much happen over the past four decades of my life. The sad reality is that I have lost many young and Elders close to me over the years through tragic situations.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://www.timminspress.com/opinion/it-is-time-for-an-indigenous-prime-minister-2
I have been enjoying all kinds of meat and produce from local farmers here in northern Ontario. This is a time of the year I look forward to because with summer comes all the fresh vegetables like lettuce, celery, cucumbers, carrots and many more green, yellow and red veggies. I like to cook and as my partner has a health issue that restricts our moving around like we once did, much of my time is taken with doing stuff around the house and coming up with interesting meals.
…. to read more, please click on the link below
https://wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/farmers-are-real-heroes
It is the time of gatherings and festivals for my people all across Turtle Island. Many Indigenous communities are making the most of summer and also the autumn after not being able to gather much since the Covid19 Pandemic. There are pow wows, traditional gatherings of all sorts, music and fun time events and hundreds of non Indigenous celebrations throughout Canada.
…. to read more, please click on the link below