Xavier Kataquapit

There is a mining boom in northern Ontario and Native people are reaping some of the benefits of this development.
Eight area First Nation people celebrated their graduation from mining training at a ceremony held at the Timmins Inns and Suites June 23.
These graduates completed four months of training by Dumas Mining in a partnership program with Wabun Tribal Council, the Matachewan Aboriginal Access to mining jobs Training Strategy (MAATS) and Goldcorp Inc.
All of the graduates have been guaranteed positions with either Dumas Mining or Goldcorp Inc.

Recently, I have been spending a lot of time in northern Quebec. I have met many great people and I have made a few new friends. The change in scenery is very enjoyable.
There is something wonderful about crossing the Quebec border from northern Ontario. I always feel more like I am driving into France from some non-French speaking European country.
I have done that a couple of times. Although the border is only a few hours away from just about anywhere in northeastern Ontario it seems as though I have traveled to another country when I reach Quebec.

The fifth annual Wabun Youth Gathering July 18-29 had 85 youth from Wabun Tribal Council communities attend.
The gathering, held in Elk Lake, southeast of Timmins and near Matachewan First Nation, was sponsored by Wabun Tribal Council Health Services. It featured presentations by Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief Stan Beardy and Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose.

Have you ever been stumped? The meaning traditionally has to do with being stuck and unable to proceed with something. It dates back to early agriculture when a farmer hit a stump while ploughing his field and stopped dead.
I really understand the origins of this word after having fought with an 80-year-old stump in my backyard recently. Earlier in the summer I had taken the tall pine down with my chainsaw as it was rotting and had become a danger.
This regal old tree stood more than 50 feet high but something had gotten to it and large holes appeared where rot had set in.

I woke to some sad news Aug 22. Instead of an alarm clock I woke to the friendly voices at CBC Sudbury. However, this morning they had bad news for all of us here in the north and in particular Aboriginal people. They were talking about the passing of Jack Layton.