Post Tagged with: "Xavier Kataquapit"

First Nation struggles win recognition

It has been a hot and humid summer in northern Ontario. However, the political climate for First Nation people in this province and right across Canada has been refreshing. Good things are beginning to happen for First Nations in education, […]

The author visits the memorial of his Grandfather

The generational sacrifice of war

My great-grandfather, John Chookomolin, died of the Spanish flu 99 years ago after being transported by ship to England to fight in the First World War as part of the Canadian Forestry Corps. When I first visited his grave at […]

Remembering a mother

Remembering a mother

My mother, Susan Kataquapit, passed from this world on July 23 at the age of 73. My brothers and sisters, her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren are feeling the loss of our matriarch and the connection to our traditional past. She […]

Remembering to be grateful

I was lucky. Raised in a large family by my mom Susan and dad Marius, my eight siblings and I were always well cared for and guided. Life was not very easy for any of us living in Attawapiskat 20 […]

Positives for a change

Positives for a change

The difference in attitude toward First Nations people with the new federal government is amazing. The contrast with the closed and hostile Harper government is huge. That difference was illustrated by the meeting in early June that members of a […]

Hate is a four-letter word

On June 12, we were all reminded just how crazy, bigoted and homophobic our world is. At least 49 people were massacred and 53 more injured at a gay club in Orlando, Florida, by one gunman with a high-powered assault […]

The times they are a-changin’

Many people do not realize that a very big change has happened for First Nation people when it comes to political commitments and more positive relationships from the government of Canada and province of Ontario. We have come from an […]

The graduation trip

Elementary school graduating classes are heading out on special trips all over the country. I remember what a big deal that tour was for my classmates and I when we visited Toronto and Niagara Falls. Up to that point I […]

It’s the end of the world as we know it

So much of our society seems to be obsessed by the end of the world: Armageddon, the end of times, the grand finale. There are so many websites and blogs dedicated to this subject and most of them sadly are […]

Action needed to foster hope in First Nations

Suicide has always been an issue in First Nations across Canada. The problem recently exploded with reports of a suicide pact between 11 teenagers in my home community of Attawapiskat. There are many reasons young people in remote First Nations […]