Xavier Kataquapit

I’ve been trying to catch a glimpse of the Wawatay lately. Wawatay is the Cree word that describes the northern lights or Aurora Borealis. I use an app on my phone called My Aurora Forecast these days to keep track of the lights but I never seem to have much luck. When the Wawatay are out, there are clouds blocking my view or I am in the wrong place at the wrong time. Most times, the Wawatay are overhead but they are just too faint to be seen because of the all the light pollution surrounding me. To see them it takes time and it is something that requires patience and persistence.

Faye Naveau, an Indigenous actress, artist and performer from Mattagami First Nation has a vision that revolves around the creation of an Indigenous Theatre reality that features a venue, programming and a place where First Nation people can showcase their art in all forms. Currently she is taking part in a leading role as ‘Sybil’ in the upcoming play ‘Witches In The Woods’ during the inaugural Tamarack Festival in Timmins from September 13 to 15.

Wabun Tribal Council hosted the 17th Annual Wabun Youth Gathering for senior Indigenous youth in Beaverhouse First Nation. The gathering which was held from August 12 to 15, 2024 is the second half of this annual gathering which is meant for youth from the ages of 14 to 18. The first part of the event was held in Mattagami FN on July 15 to 17 for junior aged youth. These annual events are hosted and organized by the Wabun Tribal Council Health Department with the support of the tribal council’s member First Nations.

My home community of Attawapiskat First Nation on the James Bay coast has been filled with excitement for the past few months in anticipation of Kattawapiskak Keekehwin Gathering 2024. A major week long event from August 4 to 10 will be filled with lots of fun entertainment, games for children, feasting, fund raising activities and major live musical performances. The event will be complimented by the 2nd Annual Attawapiskat First Nation Education Authority (AFNEA) Wellness Initiative Pow Wow taking place on August 9 and 10.

I never quite realized how hard life was when I was growing up in my home community of Attawapiskat on the James Bay coast. At the time in the 1980s, our Elders saw the community as becoming modernized and more comfortable compared to what they had known a few decades before.