In this issue of the Pulse of the Nation we asked people in Eeyou Istchee for their New Year’s resolutions. It is good to know people are getting health-minded and want to better themselves physically, but we only heard from one person who wants to quit bingo or gambling.
Charles Bobbish, Chisasibi: My New Year’s resolution is to think more about my people; to make myself more available to them. I travel a lot and as a councilor you have to be available to your community. I didn’t have time for that before but now I want to give priority to the people and to help them deal with their personal problems.
Barry Bearskin, Chisasibi:
My New Year’s resolution is to not have a New Year’s resolution because I never stick to it anyways.
Delores Washipabino, Chisasibi: My New Year’s resolution is to stop smoking. That’s the battle of my life. I’ve tried 64 times before to try and quit smoking but never succeeded. I wish I had the willpower of Cree People because when they want to quit smoking, they don’t have to use patches or pills, they just go right ahead and stop smoking and that’s it.
Clifford Wasibipabino, Chisasibi: My New Year’s resolution is to watch my health more closely. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and the doctor said I have to start exercising more, eat more healthy foods and that’s what I’ll probably do.
Harry Snowboy, Chisasibi: My New Year’s resolution is to try and keep the same goals I had before. Take care of my family; also to try and keep myself in good physical shape. Just basically do what I’ve done every year: help and try to make a difference in our community and do whatever I can to better myself in order to help other people.
Juliet Weapinacappo, Eastmain: It took me a long time to quit smoking and I finally quit sometime in 2003. That was the hardest thing I found in my life was to quit smoking; I’m still hanging on. I guess that’s still my New Year’s resolution; to keep trying and taking it one day at a time.
George Blacksmith, Mistissini: My New Year’s resolution is to finish my PhD. To finish what I set out to do so after that I can return back home and help my people.
Daniel White, Mistissini: I guess my New Year’s resolution is to be more nice to people because I haven’t been very nice to people in the past year.
John Shem, Whapmagoostui: First of all I want to try and look after my health. And in the New Year I’m going back to school to complete my program, hopefully within one year. I took Business Administration before but didn’t finish so now I want to go back and finish the program. Also I want to include in my New Year’s resolution to be closer to my family and I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Andrew Natachequan, Whapmagoostui: I have quit just about everything now. I don’t use sugar, but it’s going to be hard to quit tea, that’s the only beverage I drink. And I quit smoking for 30 years now and haven’t touched a drop of liquor for almost 40 years. I quit that when I finally realized it wasn’t good for our family life. On March 2nd I’ll be 80 years old and if I ever hurt anyone in my life then that will be my New Year’s resolution; to never again hurt another human being as long as I live. This I speak from my heart. I would like to wish everyone a safe holiday and best wishes for the New Year.
Isaac Masty, Whapmagoostui: For a long time I’ve been trying to lose weight. I know it’s not really helping me to live a normal life style. I tried many times before but never succeeded. The doctor told me I really have to try and lose weight. But right now I’m really enjoying the Christmas feasting, the food is too good. But I will get right on with it this coming year, so that’s my New Year’s resolution. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everybody.
Vera George, Whapmagoostui: One thing I would like to improve is my weight. I want to exercise more and eat healthier meals. I used to go to the gym before but I kept quitting every two months or so. My New Year’s resolution is to be more consistent in my gym workouts. And do more walking around the community to try and stay in shape. Be more health conscious. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Reggie Mark, Wemindji:
For my New Year’s resolution I want to stop smoking. Take up the challenge from the Health board. We were thinking the whole family should take up the challenge. Hopefully we’ll succeed. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.
Nancy Danyluk, Wemindji:
My New Year’s resolution is to be more physically active. To try and live a healthier life style because I’m realizing I’m not watching my health as I should. I used to go join the fitness centre but I want to go back to that starting in the New Year. I also got a Bible last year for a Christmas present .1 haven’t been reading it lately so starting this New Year I want to read it every day. I don’t have to be a Christian to do that. I just want to gain knowledge from the Good Book and to get guidance in my life and to learn to respect my fellow human beings. Merry Christmas to everyone and a Happy New Year.
Caroline Jolly, Nemaska:
My New Year’s resolution is to pay off my bills. Also to try and be more physically active. Because of my job I never have time to do these things. So for this New Year I want to be able to do more physical activities. That is my New Year’s resolution and I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Mary Bowen, Waswanipi:
I have quit just about everything, too. I don’t smoke or drink anymore. The only problem is going to bingos so that’s my New Year’s resolution: try and stop going to too many bingos. My New Year’s resolution is to think more about my people; to make myself more available to them. I travel a lot and as a counsellor you have to be available to your community. I didn’t have time for that before but now I want to give priority to the people and to help them deal with their personal problems.
