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.
- :: Wawatay News :: First Nation Youth Fighting For The Land
I was happy to see our First Nation youth continue to speak out against proposed mining development in the far north in the so-called Ring of Fire region.
These past few weeks, it was good to see Jeronimo Kataquapit, the founder of the ‘Here We Stand – Call To Action’, continue his fight against proposed mining developments near the Attawapiskat River in the Ring of Fire mining region. I was proud to see him stand with his cousin Ramon Kataquapit, co-founder of Okiniwak, a national youth-led movement uniting First Nations youth to advocate for equity and equality.
It was encouraging to watch and listen to the events they held this past week, which showed that they are present and want to be heard. They made an appearance in Toronto outside of the world-famous Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) annual convention which was held in the city in the first week of March. It was important for these young First Nation advocates and protectors of the land to make themselves known at this prestigious mining conference which brings together billion-dollar companies, investors and professionals in the industry.
…. to read the story, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/first-nation-youth-fighting-land
- :: Windspeaker :: Who is in control of your social media?
We are all part of a great change in human civilization. Whether we know it or not, we are living through humanity’s first steps into the modern digital age.
I grew up in the 1980s in my remote home community of Attawapiskat on the James Bay coast in northern Ontario. Back then, it really felt like we lived in another world because we only had one reliable radio signal and three television channels with up-to-date news and content. Long distance phone calls were available, but everyone was constantly concerned about the cost of using a phone, so it was only reserved for the most important calls.
…. to read the story, please click on the link below
https://windspeaker.com/under-northern-sky-xavier-kataquapit/who-control-your-social-media
- :: Wawatay News :: Ice Roads Of Winter Freedom
Winter road season has finally started again on the James Bay coast. This seasonal ice road is an important transportation route for everyone because it offers a sense of freedom, allowing people to travel away from their home communities for all kinds of activities. This is the time of year when major bingo events take place in the communities and families from nearby First Nations can travel to visit their relatives. There are also major hockey tournaments that bring people together to take part in fun and exciting events.
The winter ice road is also an opportunity for many families to access southern communities and the railway network in Moosonee to gather food items, household goods and other necessities at a more affordable price. This is also the time for individuals to search for their next major vehicle, snowmachines, ATVs or other large equipment down south, so they can more easily and affordably transport them north.
…. to read the story, please click on the link below
https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/ice-roads-winter-freedom
- :: Wawatay News :: We Were Hockey Heroes
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
- :: 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