Wawatay News reporter Lenny Carpenter went out on the goose hunt from April 14-22 at his family spring camp located about 24 kilometres west of Moosonee. It was the first time since moving to Thunder Bay for college three years ago that the 28-year-old was able to go on the hunt.
I am so used to the hustle-and-bustle of the city that I forgot how calm and serene it is out in the bush.
It has been three years since I last went on the annual spring goose hunt, and since I was no longer tied to the financial and studious burdens that comes with post-secondary schooling every April, I eagerly awaited going on the hunt this year with my dad and brother.
Members of the MoCreebec Council of the Cree Nation and First Nations leaders are mourning the loss of a chief described as a well-respected and dedicated leader.
MoCreebec Council of the Cree Nation Chief Randy Kapashesit, 51, died of a massive heartattack on April 25 while visiting family in Minneapolis, MN. While what led to the heart attack has yet to be determined by a coroner, MoCreebec Chairman Allan Jolly said that Kapashesit had previously been diagnosed with a thrombotic disorder and required blood thinner medication.
The “shaking” and “vibrations” felt by residents on the southern James Bay coast on the evening of May 1 was the result of an earthquake, according to National Resources Canada.
At about 8:04 p.m. on May 1, many Moosonee and Moose Factory residents experienced a shaking sensation, rattling dishes, and heard what one resident described as a “tractor passing by.” The effects were felt in Fort Albany, Kashechewan and as far away as Attawapiskat First Nation. No injuries or major damage are reported.
Crystal Davey spent much of her early childhood moving from home to home and school to school.
The Rocky Bay First Nation member grew up as a Crown ward and attended over 40 schools by the time she was 10 years old. Then she came under the care of Dilico Anishinabek Family Care and her life improved from there.
It was a day of sharing their culture as Mattagami First Nation celebrated the Beaverfest on April 28.
In its 9th year, the Beaverfest is an annual celebration and sharing of the Mattagami people’s culture, said Mattagami First Nation Chief Walter Naveau.
“It’s a way to experience how we lived and share our culture, and show people that this is who we are as First Nations people.”
Naveau said the beaver is a significant part of his people’s culture.
When Zac Tait of Wapekeka First Nation moved to Thunder Bay last fall, he was determined to continue the annual tradition of going out on the goose hunt.
After all, the 38-year-old hunted while growing up in Sachigo Lake and it was something he rediscovered more than 10 years ago after living mostly in urban centres such as Thunder Bay, Peterborough, Fort Frances and London, Ont. When he married and moved up to Wapekeka First Nation, Tait decided to reconnect with traditional hunting.
“I had to feed my family,” he said. “My wife likes to eat traditional meat.”
A Thunder Bay youth art group took part in a large public painting project in partnership with Mac’s Convenience stores and the City of Thunder Bay’s Crime Prevention Council from May 1-5.
The Paint Bomb the Mac’s project had the Definitely Superior Art Gallery’s youth art collective Die Active paint the back and side of the Mac’s Convenience store located on 346 May Street North in Thunder Bay. The large-scale contemporary wall art painting was designed and painted by eight Die Active youth following mentorship workshops and training at Definitely Superior Art Gallery.
Grand Chief Stan Beardy has thrown his hat into the ring for the Ontario regional chief position, becoming the only challenger so far to incumbent Angus Toulouse.
Beardy made the announcement on May 13, noting he had been thinking about it for some time after serving four terms as Nishnawbe Aski Nation grand chief.
“I’ve been very lucky, very blessed to have that kind of support from my chiefs,” Beardy said. “I just feel that it’s time to look for new opportunities.”
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