Volume 6, Issue 24

A word about plants

As kids during the summer we used to spend most our time doing the tadpole thing, meaning that we spent as much time in the water as we possibly could. I am proud to say that my children are gladly following in that tradition. In feet, if I didn’t know ... read more ››

Chapais revives plan to import waste

It’s back and it’s smellier than ever. The city of Chapais is reviving its idea of expanding its garbage dump to import tens of thousands of tonnes of waste from across northern Quebec. The city’s plan would see a nearly 10-fold rise in the amount of garbage disposed at its sprawling ... read more ››

It isn’t only the natives anymore

You really have to wonder sometimes. My most recent source of confusion arises from the recent Marshall decision by the Supreme Court of Canada. Here’s this poor guy, Donald Marshall, Jr., getting his life back together after spending years upon years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit, getting ... read more ››

Music from the Rock

Who would have thought that four friends could “make it” as a band by performing traditional folk music? The true followers of the band Great Big Sea never doubted it for a moment. This energetic group of guys perform all kinds of music, but they concentrate on giving Newfoundland’s traditional songs their ... read more ››

On the Greens

The last place I expected to be this past week was following a whole bunch of people around a golf course. In the past when I thought of golf courses this image did not really include First Nations people in Northern Ontario. In my mind golf has always been one ... read more ››

One’s Too Many

Every time I hear about a suicide or attempted suicide I cringe. It’s hard to do an article about this subject. I know a little of what people who contemplate suicide may be feeling but I could never really know what the person is going through. I remember one year when ... read more ››

Plutonium shipment opposed

First Nations across Quebec and Ontario are trying to block shipments of highly radioactive plutonium through their communities. Kahnawake is concerned about one shipment scheduled to pass through the St. Lawrence Seaway some time this fall. Also upset is the Serpent River First Nation on the north shore of Lake Huron in ... read more ››

Radio Free Cree: coming to a radio near u

Cree radio is entering the 21st century in the fast lane of the information highway. Cree radio stations are being equipped with satellite dishes, computers, digital phone lines and high-tech training. It’s all being done to get ready for the launch of the Cree regional radio network some time before March ... read more ››

Reggie Mark: The Interview

Reggie Mark is the new chief of Wemindji. To get the job he did what many before him couldn’t. He unseated Walter Hughboy, who had been chief for 21 years, longer than any other Cree chief in power at the time. Mark’s first weeks on the job have been very ... read more ››

The dark days that have too long hung like thick black smog over Creeland are over.

The dark days that have too long hung like thick black smog over Creeland are over. Everything is hunky friggin’ dory. There is no bad news to report. The Nation’s work here is done. We might have to pack up the tools of our trade and move on. No bad news ... read more ››

The Late Crow-Skin Rapids

Told by John Petagumskum I will tell one of the stories I heard from my grandfather. This story took place long ago. North of Whapmagoostui is the river called Naashtipikuu Siipii. It is one of the large rivers that flew up north. This was where the people gathered long ago. Many people ... read more ››

Tragedy on the bay claims eight lives

On Thursday, September 30, two canoes left Moose Factory to go on the traditional goose hunt. The canoes carried 11 people toward Hannah Bay, some 40 miles from Moose Factory. The trip wasn’t an unusual one for the Moose Factory Crees, said Norm Wesley. But this time, one of the boats ... read more ››

Unrest over Marshall ruling in Maritimes

The Supreme Court’s so-called Marshall decision has unleashed a hurricane of unrest in the Maritimes that is being closely watched by First Nations. The decision reaffirmed the right of the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet people to fish lobsters year-round – rights first recognized in an 18th-century treaty. Mi’kmaq people started putting out traps ... read more ››