Rick Garrick — Wawatay News

Kashechewan is looking to build new houses over the next two years thanks to a $3.25 million investment from the federal government.
The new houses will help the growing need for shelter that Kashechewan Chief Jonathon Solomon said comes as a result of a rapidly growing population.
“We are one of the fastest growing communities along the coast; there’s over 40 kids born every year,” Solomon said.
Solomon said the investment would allow skilled tradesmen from the community to build quality homes for the people who need them.

Working together as a team and other leadership skills were the focus Jan. 26-27 for a group of Dennis Franklin Cromarty First Nations High School students.
“It was pretty awesome,” said Marsha Kennedy, a Grade 11 student from Sandy Lake. “I learned how to prevent bullying and learned that bullying behavior from the ages of 12 and older is actually harassment and you can be charged for it. There are ways to stop it.”

Rebecca Belmore’s performance piece — Making Always War — was featured during her Jan. 27 discussion at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.
“At that time (2008) I believe the dead soldiers count in Afghanistan was climbing close to the 100 mark,” said the Lac Seul artist who represented Canada at the Venice Biennale in 2005. “That was kind of what I was thinking about, the idea of how we ... are continually making war.”

Chapleau Cree World War II vet Donald White has stopped hunting since his rifle was seized by a Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) conservation officer on Sept. 29, 2010.
While the rifle has been returned and the final charges in the case were dropped late last year, the seizure of the Elder’s rifle has opened a rift between the Chapleau Cree community and the MNR.

Kasabonika’s Chief Simeon McKay Education Centre has holes in the gymnasium floor big enough for the principal to stick her arm into.
“You can actually just see gravel,” said Helena Trapper, principal of the Kindergarten to Grade 12 school. “The holes can’t be repaired — it has to be a whole new floor.”
Due to the condition of the floor and a limited amount of sports equipment, Trapper said students usually get exercise by playing hockey in the community arena.