Recently I had to deal with a tooth pain so I looked up a dentist in the area and made an appointment.
Like most people, I dread going to see the dentist and that is a shame.
Thankfully, my original problem was not too far gone but after my initial examination, the dentist realized that I had better schedule myself in for basic teeth cleaning and a further examination.
There is an epidemic happening in First Nation communities.
I know first hand that this epidemic is a killer and it is debilitating for many of my people. The epidemic is diabetes.
When I was a child growing up in Attawapiskat, I knew nothing about good nutrition or healthy eating.
My mom and dad made sure that we always had food on the table and at the best of times, it was nourishment from the land. At the worst of times, it was a sugary cereal, processed meats, canned foods and way too many chocolate bars, cookies, pastries and chips.
Congratulations to the Omushkegowuk Walkers for making their trek to Ottawa all the way from Attawapiskat.
These walkers represent our ability to exercise our democratic right to protest peacefully.
Making a living as an artist is not an easy thing to do but most of the time the rewards are amazing.
As a writer I understand that money is not the big motivation to write. Most writers in this country just get by. However, even if the monetary rewards are not great I find there is a lot of satisfaction in being able to work at something I have a passion for. I believe that is the case for most artists whether they are writers, visual artists, performance artists, dancers or musicians.
A flock of great white tundra swans fly overhead.
These Wah-pee-soo, (Cree for swan) are easy to spot with a large body and long neck. They are majestic as they move through the air under the power of their great wings. In the north it is rare for us to spot these beautiful and graceful birds during the spring migration. I am amazed as I watch this group of birds landing on a farmer’s field here in southern Ontario.
They join a greater flock of hundreds of other tundra swans as they noisily gather and collect the waste corn from last fall.
Janelle Golinowski, a member of Mattagami First Nation, will be showcasing her talents as a traditional dancer at the Miss North Ontario Regional Canada Pageant 2014.
The 18-year-old explained that she is proud yet humble to have been selected to represent her community for the pageant scheduled to be held May 1 to 3 at the Fraser Auditorium, Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.
If the comings and goings of people can be compared to a pebble tossed into a lake and the resulting ripples that radiate infinitely, then I would say that the passing of John R. Bradley, a member of Six Nations, will bless many with a spirit of good nature and humour for generations.
His life was all about sacrifice, dedication and doing his very best for family and friends. He passed away on April 1, 2014 at the age of 94.
These days my mind is filled with worry.
I have been watching the events unfolding in the news concerning the Ukraine. I find it unbelievable that major super powers are taunting each other on Russia’s doorstep in the Ukraine.
This current major conflict wouldn’t be so bad except for the fact that many of the countries involved have nuclear weapons. The only time I am aware that tensions have been so high among super powers with nuclear arms was during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. It is alarming and upsetting that we are at the precipice of the Third World War again.
I am not much of a mechanic but I am handy enough to be able to do basic maintenance on my truck and motorcycle.
Like most guys I know from remote First Nation communities, I am more or less like the saying goes, a jack-of-all-trades and master of none.
I am dazzled by the starry night sky.
I have always taken a great comfort in looking up at the stars. When I look up to the heavens and the greater universe I find a perspective of the world that has kept me grounded and aware of my place in life. I discovered this reality as a child living on the James Bay coast in my home community of Attawapiskat. Now as an adult I continue to look upward and I always feel humbled when I spot a point of light that is 500 light years away and totally out of my reach.
There is a great deal of worry, fear and anxiety to Maachestan, the Cree word for “spring break up” on the James Bay coast. There are so many variables and...
It is that time of the year when the Niska – the Canada Goose, are flying north and the traditional hunt of we Cree happens out on the land. This is...