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.

  • 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

  • photo by Ray Hookimaw, Attawapiskat FN First Nation protest leaders at the July 17 Chiefs meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney concerning Bill C5. From L-R: Ramon Kataquapit, Jeronimo Kataquapit and Danny Metatawabin.
    :: Wawatay News :: First Nation Youth Protest Ottawa National Meeting Regarding Bill C5

    First Nation youth from northern Ontario protested a major meeting between hundreds of Chiefs and Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa on Thursday July 17. The federal government had set up the meeting with the Chiefs in a tightly controlled event that was held at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. Jeronimo Kataquapit, an Attawapiskat First Nation youth leader led a group of 20 other young First Nation protesters to the entrance of the meeting and were turned away by security. Media had also been blocked from the event.

    “When people come into your home, you don’t stand by and watch them do whatever they want. You protect it,” said Kataquapit speaking to reporters outside the meeting.

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

    https://www.wawataynews.ca/breaking-news/first-nation-youth-protest-ottawa-national-meeting-regarding-bill-c5

  • Jeronimo Kataquapit has made us all proud for his ability to live up to the title of his grass roots movement ‘Here We Stand – Call To Action’.
    :: Wawatay News :: Jeronimo’s Fight Is For All Of Us

    Jeronimo Kataquapit has made us all proud for his ability to live up to the title of his grass roots movement ‘Here We Stand – Call To Action’. In a Monday morning meeting with Mushkegowuk Council Chiefs leading up to the Thursday July 17 meeting with the federal government, Jeronimo took the opportunity to state to the leadership that we need to take a stand and that we all need to take action in order to protect our communities, First Nation rights and the lands and waterways we all live on.

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

    https://www.wawataynews.ca/blogs-columns/jeronimo%E2%80%99s-fight-all-us