Volume 10, Issue 16

13th Annual Montreal First People’s Fest

Six months ago, seven Native artists six different Nations across Quebec were asked to create chess sets with a native theme. The end result is seven magnificent creations designed to bridge the gap between tradition, and modern day life. The works were commissioned for a new and exciting exhibit in the ... read more ››

Busy in 0.J.

The long-haired German tourist who cycled slowly into OJ with his bedrolls and bundles on Saturday June 7 must have wondered… this remote Cree community: why it’s busier than Berlin! The annual goose festival was in full swing at the cultural village, including a walking out ceremony, games, a lot of ... read more ››

Earning the Gray

A friend was picking through my hair the other day and while I worried he was looking for gnats or other nasties, it turns out he was kindly pulling out some of the gray hairs. It made me feel my age a little and I thought of the tale I’d ... read more ››

Mark Petawabano 1985-2003

You could tell that Mark Petawabano, though only 18, had left his mark on the Cree Nation. Buses came from Wemindji, Waskaganish, Waswanipi and O.J., with many others just driving in June 12 to say goodbye to Mark. The arena was filled to capacity as mourners paid their respects to ... read more ››

National Gallery Mounts Huge Native Art Exhibit

The National Gallery in Ottawa is set to do something which has never been done before. At least not in the world of art as we know it in this country. A new, permanent exhibit entitled Art of this land opened June 19. One hundred Aboriginal artworks and artifacts, some dating ... read more ››

Pow Wows a Part of Native Culture

Pow Wows are very popular these days all across North America. A good friend of mine, Peter Sackaney, recently invited me to the first Pow Wow in Kapuskasing, Ontario. The two day ‘Honoring All Nations’ Pow Wow in June featured a lot of great dancers, drummers and singers and it ... read more ››

Rouyn Noranda Welcomes Crees

Wachya! It is with a great pleasure that the mayor, Mr Jean-Claude Beauchemin, welcomes all the people of the Cree communities to Rouyn-Noranda. Around 40,000 people spread out on a territory of 6,638 km2 offer you Rouyn-Noranda as your next destination for distraction, shopping and great food in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. For ... read more ››

Two Suspected Killings in Two Days

Two violent deaths in Puvirnituq made for a horror-filled weekend. Police were called to a local residence the evening of Friday, June 13. When they arrived, they found Lydia Emaruituk, 66, lying on the floor, and her son Lazarussi Qaqatuk, who was very intoxicated. An autopsy will be performed to find out ... read more ››

Who Will Be Chief? (2003)

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) will be holding an election for National Chief on July 16, 2003, at the Shaw conference centre in Edmonton, Alberta. At press time the candidates are Roberta Jamieson, from the Mohawk Nation of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in Ontario, former National ... read more ››

Writing for a Living in a World of Body Language

Writing comes from a form of expression, a code from one to another, a message of some sort… Writing most likely came from one’s message to one’s self, a reminder to turn this way down the path instead of the other way, leading straight into a briar patch or tar sands ... read more ››