Volume 20, Issue 26

Democracy or hypocrisy?

As I write, the Canadian Senate is in the middle of a debate over a motion to suspend three of its members without pay. They are Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau, all Harper appointees who have since been forced out of the Conservative caucus after embarrassing revelations about ... read more ››

New technology could prevent diabetes-related blindness

A technology that has just been made available to the diabetics of Eeyou Istchee could help prevent the onset of diabetic-related blindness. The tele-retinopathy process will transmit retina images taken in the north to specialists so that the patient can access top-notch medical care without leaving their home community. Patients in ... read more ››

QPIRG’s Culture Shock discussion highlights Aboriginal incarceration

A panel discussion on Aboriginal incarceration was one of the many events that took place at this year’s Culture Shock, an annual event which looks to dispel the stereotypes surrounding immigrants, refugees, Indigenous peoples and communities of colour. Hosted by the Quebec Public Interest Research Group (QPIRG), the event seeks ... read more ››

The first snow

I am always thrilled by the season’s first snowfall. A few days ago I was pleasantly surprised to awake to see a soft fresh blanket of snow outside my window that covered the pines and forest floor. In my remote cottage near the great James Bay, winter comes early and ... read more ››

The medium is the message

Long ago, when books were rare or unheard of, storytelling was the way to pass on wisdom, humour, dirty jokes, tragedies and just plain old information. Then along came the Bible, which was translated into a new written language called syllabics, or “mi-me-mo-ma,” as some liked to call it. In ... read more ››

Yum-Yum not fun-fun: "Little Indian" chip logo sparks outrage

It was hard not to wonder what kind of publicity Warwick, Quebec’s Yum-Yum Chips was hoping for last week when they announced the return of the company’s “Little Indian” logo, featuring a cartoon of a long-haired Aboriginal child wearing a cowboy-movie-style headband and feather. The brand’s web-page and Facebook fan ... read more ››