Latest Column

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.

  • Mother Earth is full of wonder and I am fortunate to have filled my eyes with many incredible sites. Here I am on a visit to the Sphinx at the Giza Plateau with the historic Pyramids of Egypt in Cairo.
    :: Wawatay News :: Mother Earth Needs You Now

    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

  • Here We Stand - Call To Action land defenders at their permanent camp on the Attawapiskat River
    :: Wawatay News :: Defending The Heart Of Mother Earth

    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

  • Xavier Kataquapit on his BMW motorcycle on a ride in northern Ontario.
    :: Wawatay News :: My Iron Horse Keeps Me Balanced

    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

  • This faded historical photo features my grandfather James Kataquapit who was Chief of Attawapiskat in 1945. Here we see him standing with a hat and pin signifying his leadership. His wife Janie Kataquapit is standing at the door. Chief Kataquapit was also a veteran of the First World War. From L-R are his children: Thomas, Marius, Celine, David, Gabriel and Alex. Missing are brothers George and Leo.
    :: Wawatay News :: Attawapiskat First Nation Election 2025

    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

  • Jeronimo Kataquapit (on the right) is pictured here with his father James Kataquapit (left) and his brother Jonathan Edwards (centre) in a freighter on the Attawapiskat River as they conduct one of their daily live streams. (submitted photo)
    :: Wawatay News :: Support First Nation Youth Movements Protecting The Land

    For almost three decades I have been writing a column and producing writing mostly involving First Nations. At the start I felt more like an activist as did many of our leaders. We had been through more than a hundred years of colonization, residential school atrocities, reservations and living in poverty with insufficient housing, poor health care and little support for education.

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

    https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/support-first-nation-youth-movements-protecting-land