October 18, 2012

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Red Lake writers festival talks healing PAGE 16 Vol. 39 No. 34

First Nation Catholics celebrate first Aboriginal Saint PAGE 11

Mushkegowuk grand chief battling cancer PAGE 3 9,300 copies distributed $1.50

October 18, 2012 Northern Ontario’s First Nation Voice since 1974

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Healing addictions in North Caribou James Benson Special to Wawatay News

In a fight against prescription drug abuse, North Caribou Lake officially opened the doors for its new Suboxone Treatment Centre on Oct. 15.

The grand opening celebrations of New Horizons featured a ribbon cutting, unveiling of the sign and speeches by local volunteers and dignitaries such as local clergy members and the council members who gave praise to the many people who helped make the treatment centre a reality.

Edna Quequish, one of the main volunteers to spearhead the project, said that the need to address the issue of prescription drug abuse is critical.

“I was asked by the chief and council back in January 2011 to chair the working group [and] to start looking for options on how we can start addressing this issue of drug abuse in our community,” said Quequish, during her speech to the gathering crowd.

She, along with band councillor Swanson Kenequanash and Naomi Chikane have been involved with the planning and volunteer work since its inception.

Quequish added that North Caribou has already seen positive outcomes in its struggle to deal with prescription drug abuse, and the new centre will help.

The new suboxone treatment centre was needed as the number of participants in the program grew too large for the old building.

The first intake for the most recent treatment program began on July 23, and the community has since seen many positive changes, Quequish said.

“Without the support of the chief and council, we wouldn’t have made it this far,” said Quequish, noting that their overwhelming support has been tremendous.

James Benson/Special to Wawatay News

Gregory Sakchekapo, Chief Jowin Quequish, and Liam, Ceejay and Cody Kenequanash open the new North Caribou Lake Suboxone Treatment Centre with a ribbon cutting.

All four children are without parents due to the abuse of prescription drugs that tragically took their parents life. The community is making inroads in the fight against prescription drug abuse, with interest in the suboxone program large enough to require the new building.

ᐊᔕ ᐊᓂᑭᑫᐣᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᑲᑭ ᓇᓇᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᐃᔑᐁᐧᐱᓯᐨ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ ᑲᑭᐳᓂᐱᒪᑎᓯᐸᐣ ᕑᐃᐠ ᑲᕑᐃᐠ ᐊᐧᐊᐧᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐃᐧᓇᐣ

ᒣᐡᑭᑲᑲᐧᒪᐃᐧᓂᓂ ᑲᕑᐃ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ ᑫᑲᐱ ᑭᒥᓇᑲᓄ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᐡ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐱ 1976 ᑲᔭᑭᐊᐧᓂᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᐡᑲᐧ ᐱᒪᑎᓯᓂᐸᐣ ᐅᒪᒪᒪᐣ ᓱᐱ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ. “ᓂᔭᓄᔭᐊᑭ ᐣᑭᑕᔑᑲᐣ ᐁᑭᑲᑫᐧᑌᐱᓇᒪᐣ ᒋᒥᓂᑯᔭᐣ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔕᐠ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᑭᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐣ ᐅᑕᔭᒥᑕᒪᑫᐣ ᑐᕑᐊᐣᑐ ᑲᑕᓇᓄᑭᓂᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᐅᒋᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᑎᐸᑯᓂᑫᐃᐧ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᐊᐸᒋᑐᓂᐨ ᑲᐸᑭᑕᔓᐊᐧᑌᐠ ᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᒥᑭᐊᐧᓄᐊᐧᐠ. “ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᑯ ᑭᐸᐯᒋᓭ, ᑭᓇᑲᐧᐡ ᐁᑭᐱᒥᑲᒪᐣᐠ, ᑎᐱᓇᐁᐧ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᐣᑭᐅᒋᒣᑲᐧᐡᑲᓇᐣ. ᒥᔑᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐣᑭᐱᓇᓇᑭᐡᑲᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐣᑭᐱᐊᔭᓱᓂᑯᐠ ᐊᑎᐟ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ. ᒥᑕᐡ ᐊᓂᔕ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋ

ᑲᐡᑭᑐᔭᐣ ᒋᑌᐱᓇᒪᐣ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔕᐠ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ.” ᐊᒥ ᑲᐯᐦᐃ ᑲᑭᐃᓇᑲᓄᐨ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ ᑲᑭᓇ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔕᐠ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑲᑭᑎᐸᒋᒪᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐅᒪᒪᒪᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᐡᑲᐧᐱᒪᑎᓯᓂᐸᐣ ᑲᑭᓇ ᑭᒐᑭᑌᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐊᐱ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᔑ ᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᒋᑲᑌᑲᐧᐸᐣ ᑯᑯᑯᐦᐸᐃᐧᑎᑯᐠ ᑲᑭᓴᑭᑌᑭᐸᐣ ᐁᐧᐡᑲᐨ. “ᐊᒥ ᑲᑐᑕᑯᔭᐣ ᐁᑭ ᓇᓇᐱᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᐃᐧᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲ ᑫᑯᐣ ᐁᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ, ᐁᑭᒐᑭᑌᐠ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐁᑲ ᓇᐣᑕ ᐁᔑᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ. “ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᑕᐡ ᐁᑲ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᔕ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐁᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᓇᓇᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᐣᑕᒪᐣ ᑲᐃᓇᑌᐠ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔑᐃᐧ ᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒋᑫᐃᐧᐣ. ᑲᐯᐦᐃ ᐣᑭᐱ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᐣ ᐊᑯᓇᐠ ᐅᐁᐧ ᑲᑭᐱᒪᑕᓄᑲᑕᒪᐸᐣ ᐅᒪ ᑲᑕᔑᐱᒪᑎᓯᔭᐠ ᐃᒪ ᐁᑭᐅᒋ

ᐅᐱᑲᐸᐃᐧᒪᑲᐠ ᑲᐱᒥᐊᔭᓂᑫ ᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ. ᑭᔭᒥᑯ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐧᐁᑎ 1970 ᑲᑭᐱᐃᓇᑭᑌᐠ ᐊᐦᑭᐃᐧᐣ ᑭᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐠ ᒋᔭᓂᔑᑎᐸᒋᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᔑᐅᑐᑭᒪᒥᐊᐧᐨ.” ᐊᒥ ᑲᑐᑕᐠ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ ᐁᑭᒪᑕᓄᑲᑕᐠ ᐁᐃᐧᓇᓇᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᑕᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ

ᑲᐃᔑᐁᐧᐱᓯᓂᐨ ᐅᒪᒪᒪᐣ ᑲᑭ ᐃᐡᑲᐧᐱᒪᑎᓯᓂᐨ ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭᐃᐡᑲᐧ ᑌᐱᓇᑭᐸᐣ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓄᐃᐧ ᑎᐸᐦᐊᒪᑯᐃᐧᐣ, ᒥᐦᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᔭᓄᒋ ᑲᐡᑭᑐᐨ ᒋᐱᒥᑎᐸᐦᐊᐠ ᓂᔭᓄᔭᑭ ᑲᑭᑕᔑᑲᐣᐠ ᐁᑭᓇᓇᑐᓇᐠ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂ. “ᐊᔕ ᑕᐡ ᐣᑭᑌᐱᓇᐣ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔕᐠ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ, ᐊᒥ ᐁᑲᐧ ᓄᑯᑦ ᐁᑭᑫᐣᑕᒪᐣ ᐊᓂᐣ ᒪᔭᑦ ᑲᐃᔑᐁᐧᐸᓄᑯᐸᓀᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᑎᐱᑲᐠ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ. “ᓀᐅᐨ ᐣᑭᑲᑫᐧᑌᐧᒥᐣ ᒥᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐁᑲ ᐁᑌᐯᐧᑕᒪᐣᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐃᓇᒋᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔕᐠ.” ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔕᐠ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐸᐸᑭ ᐁᑕ ᐅᑭᐃᐧᐣᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐁᐧᐱᓯᓂᐨ ᐅᒪᒪᒪᐣ , ᐁᑲᐧ ᔕᑯᐨ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐃᐧᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᐢᑭᐧᓂ ᒋᑭᐊᐧᐸᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᑫᐧᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᑕᔑ ᐃᐡᑲᐧᐱᒪᑎᓯᓂᐨ.

“ᐯᔑᐠ ᑲᑭᑎᐸᒋᒧᐨ ᓂᔑᒣᐡ ᐁᕑᓂ ᐃᑭᑐ ᑭᑲᓄᑫ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᐢᑕᐦᐃ ᒥᐢᑭᐧᓂ ᐁᑭᐊᐧᐸᐣᑕᒧᑯᐸᓀᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐊᐱ ᑲᑎᐱᑲᓂᐠ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ. ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐃᒪ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔕᐠ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᒪᑲᓂ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒋᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᒪᒋᓂᔕᐦᐊᒧᐧᐊᐨ ᒥᔭᐃᐧᓂ ᒋᓇᓇᑲᒋᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ, ᔐᒪᐠ ᐅᑭᐃᔑ ᐸᑭᑎᓇᓇᐊᐧ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᓇᐦᐃᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ. “ᐃᒪ ᐅᑕᓇᐠ ᐅᑕᐸᓂᐠ ᐅᑭᐃᔑᐳᓯᐁᐧᐱᓇᓇᐊᐧ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᐃᔑᑕᐸᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᓂᔓᑯᐣ ᑲᐃᓯᓭᓂᐠ ᐊᒥ ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭᓇᐦᐃᓂᑫᐊᐧᐨ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ. “ᓂᔓᑯᐣ ᑲᐃᐡᑲᐧ ᐱᒪᑎᓯᐨ. ᐅᒪᒥᑐᓀᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ ᐅᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᑫᑯᓀᐣ ᓇᐱᐨ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᐸᐸᔑ ᓇᐦᐃᑲᐊᐧᑲᓄᐨ.”

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ᐃᓇᐱᐣ ᐸᑭᑭᓂᑲᓂᐠ 3

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ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

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ᑌᓇᐢ ᑲᕑᐊᒧᕑᑎ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓂᐠ ᐊᐧᐃᐧᒋᑕᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑌᓇᐠ

ᒪᐡᑭᑯᐊᐧᐠ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᐅᑭᑭᐡᑲᑯᐣ ᑲᐊᓂᒪᐠ ᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᐣ

ᐊᑎᐟ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓂᐠ ᑌᓇᐢ ᑲᕑᐊᒧᕑᑎ ᐦᐊᔾ ᐢᑯᓫ ᑲᐃᐡᑯᓄᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᐱᐊᐧᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐁᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑕᔑ ᐅᓇᔕᒥᑎᓇᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᐊᔕᒥᐣᑕᐧ ᐁᑲ ᑲᐅᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᒪ ᑕᐣᑐᕑ ᐯ ᐅᑌᓇᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᒪ ᐃᐡᑯᓄᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐅᑎᔑᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧᐣ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓂᐠ ᑲᐃᔑᐱᑎᑲᓂᑕᐧ ᐁᑲ ᑲᐅᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐯᔑᑲᐧ ᐯᔑᑯᐱᓯᑦ ᐁᐊᐣᑕᐃᐧ ᐃᐧᒋᑕᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐊᔕᒥᐣᑕᐧ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ, ᔕᑯᐨ ᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᐊᑎᐟ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓂᐠ ᐁᐧᓴ ᐊᒋᓇ ᐅᑎᓀᑕᓇᐊᐧ. ᑕᑯᑕ ᒥᑭᐢ ᓀᐣᑲᐃᐧᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᐅᒋᐨ, ᐅᑭᒪᒋᑐᐣ ᐸᑲᐣ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᐅᑎᐡᑯᓂᐠ ᒋᐊᐣᑕᐃᐧ ᐃᐧᒋᑕᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑕᔑ ᐅᓇᔕᒥᑎᓇᓂᐊᐧᓂᐠ ᐯᔑᑲᐧ ᐯᔑᑯᐱᒥᑯᓇᑲ. ᒥᑭᐢ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐃᒪ ᐅᑕᓄᑭᐠ ᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᑲᑕᓇᓄᑭᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑕᒥᓀᐧᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᒋᐱᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑕᐧ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᒪᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᑯ ᐁᑭᒋᓀᐣᑕᐠ ᑲᐊᐧᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᐨ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐊᐸᒋᑐᓂᐨ ᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᓂ.

ᒪᐡᑭᑯᐊᐧᐠ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᑯᓯ ᑭᐣᐢᑎᐣ ᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᑲᒥᑯᐠ ᐁᑭᐊᓇᐃᐧᒋᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᒋᒪᓂᔑᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᓂᔑᐣ ᐁᐱᑯᑕᒪᑲᓂᑭᐣ ᑲᐊᒧᐁᐧᒪᑲᓂᐠ ᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᓂ ᑲᑭᐅᒋ ᐅᔑᐦᐅᒪᑲᓂᐠ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐃᔑᒥᒐᐱᑫᔭᓂᐠ ᐅᓇᑭᔑᔭᐱᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐅᐦᑯᓂᐠ. ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭᐃᐡᑲᐧ ᒪᒋᔕᐧᑲᓄᐨ, ᐱᑕᐯᑯᐠ ᐁᐅᒋᐨ ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᑭᐅᑕᐱᓇᑲᓄᐸᐣ 2004 ᑲᔭᑭᐊᐧᓂᐠ ᒪᐡᑭᑯᐊᐧᐠ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᒋᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐨ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᓄᑯᑦ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐱᒥᓇᑕᐃᐧᐦᐊᑲᓄ ᐁᑲᑫᐧ ᒐᑭᓯᑲᑌᓂᐠ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᐊᑯᓯᐃᐧᓂ ᐁᑭᐊᓂ ᒥᓯᑌᐡᑲᒪᑲᓂᐠ ᐱᑕᐁᐧᐦᐃ ᐅᒥᓯᑕᐣᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᒪ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ ᑲᐅᒋ ᒪᒪᓯᓇᐦᐊᒪᑎᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑭᐅᓇᒋᑲᑌᓂ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᑲᓄᐨ ᓫᐅᑎᐟ ᒥᓇ ᐱᑯ ᐅᐊᐧᑯᒪᑲᓇᐣ.

DFC students giving back to community

Muskegowuk grand chief battling cancer

A group of Dennis Franklin Cromarty high school students have been helping to serve dinner to homeless people in Thunder Bay. The school visits Shelter House once per month to assist the shelter in providing a meal, but for some students that is not enough.

Dakota Meekis from Sandy Lake, for example, is starting a separate group of students who can serve dinner at the shelter once per week.

Meekis said she thinks the workers at Shelter House can use the support, and that she enjoys helping the people who use the shelter’s services.

Mushkegowuk grand chief Stan Louttit is in a Kingston hospital following an unsuccessful surgery to remove two cancerous tumours from his colon and liver.

Following the surgery, the Fort Albany First Nation member who was first elected as Mushkegowuk grand chief in 2004 is now undergoing treatment for the cancer, which has spread to his stomach lining.

A facebook group has been set up to provide a place for people to support Louttit and his family.

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ᓂᔑᐣ ᐅᐡᑭᓂᑭᑫᐧᓴᐠ ᐁᐃᐧᒋᓂᑕᐃᐧᑭᒥᑎᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑭᑭᔕᓄᑲᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᑲᑭᐊᐃᔑᓂᔕᐦᐊᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᓂᔑᐣ ᐅᐡᑭᓂᑭᑫᐧᓴᐠ ᐁᐧᑎ ᔕᐊᐧᓄᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐁᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᔕ ᐅᑭᑭᔕᓄᑲᑕᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᑭ ᐊᐃᔑᓂᔕᐦᐊᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᐁᐧᑎ ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯ ᐊᐢᑭ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ. ᐁᒪ ᒥᓇ ᒍᓫᐃᔭ ᒧᑲᐢ ᐃᒪ ᐅᐠᐱᓫ, ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᐁᐅᐣᒋᐊᐧᐨ, ᐅᑭᒪᐊᐧᐣᑐᓇᓇᐊᐧ ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ 5,500 ᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᐸᐸᑭᑎᓂᑲᑌᓂᑭᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐱᑯ ᑭᐊᑕᐁᐧᐊᐧᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐅᑭᔭᓂ ᒪᒪᒋᓂᔕᐦᐊᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᔭᓂᐳᓇᑭᓱᐨ ᐊᐧᑌᐸᑲᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ ᐁᐧᑎ ᓄᐱᒪᑲᒥᐠ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓇᐣ ᑲᐊᔭᑭᐣ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ. ᐅᑯᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᐡᑭᓂᑭᑫᐧᓴᐠ ᐅᑭᔭᓂᒪᐊᐧᑐᓇᓇᐊᐧ ᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᓇᐣ ᐅᑕᓇᐠ ᑲᔭᑭᐊᐧᓂᐠ ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭ ᑭᑫᐣᑕᒧᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᐁᑲ ᓇᐱᐨ ᐁᓂᑕᐊᐧᑭᐣᑕᓱᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᐁᐧ ᓄᑯᑦ ᑲᐊᐦᑭᐊᐧᓂᐠ ᐊᒥ ᐸᔦᐡ ᐁᔭᓂᒪᑕᓄᑲᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᐃᐧᐃᔑ ᐃᐧᒋᑕᐊᐧᐨ.

Sisters complete mission of sending books north Two teenaged sisters from southern Ontario have completed their mission of sending books to NAN communities.

Emma and Julia Mogus of Oakville, Ont., collected more than 5,500 books in donations and purchased from their own pockets.

The books began to be sent up in late September to 24 remote communities in northern Ontario.

The sisters began collecting the books last year after discovering the low literacy rates in First Nations communities. They say this year’s initiative was only the beginning.

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DFC students serving food, top left; Whitesand model Jade Willoughby, right; Sisters from southern Ontario sending books north, mid left; and Mushkegowuk grand chief Stan Louttit, bottom left.

ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑎᐸᒋᒧᐱᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᑭᐅᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᐢᑯᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᑭᐱᑐᓇᐊᐧ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᐱᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭᒪᒪᐃᐧᐡᑲᐊᐧᐨ ᐱᑯ ᐊᐁᐧᓀᓇᐠ ᑲᑲᐡᑭᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᑲᑎᐸᒋᒧᐊᐧᓯᓇᐦᐃᑫᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᐱᑯ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᑲᑭᑫᐣᑕᑯᓯᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᑫᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐅᒋ. ᐃᐁᐧ ᐱᑯ ᐅᓴᑦ ᑲᑭᑐᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᒪᒪᐃᐧᐡᑲᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᒋᑭᑫᓇᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᐃᒪ ᐃᓀᑫ ᐃᑭᑐᐃᐧᓂ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐱᐦᐃᑫᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᐧᒋᑕᐧᐊᐧᐨ ᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᑲᑭ ᑭᑭᓇᐊᐧᑌᑕᑯᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᐃᓀᑕᒧᐃᐧᓂ. ᓱᓴᐣ ᐢᑲᐧᐟ ᑲᓫᑲᕑᐃ ᐁᐅᒋᐨ ᑭᐊᐧᐸᑕᐦᐃᐁᐧ ᐅᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᐣ ᐁᑭᒪᓯᓇᐦᐊᑭᐣ 39 ᐁᑲ ᑲᐅᑲᐯᔑᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐃᑫᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᒪ ᑲᓇᑕ ᐊᐦᑭᐠ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᑲᑎ ᑌᐟᓫᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᐢᑯᓴᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᑲᐅᒋᐨ ᑭᐊᐧᐸᑕᐦᐃᐁᐧ ᐅᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᐣ, ᐁᑭᑎᐸᒋᒪᐨ ᐅᑯᓯᓴᐣ ᐁᑭᐊᐧᓂᐦᐊᐨ ᐃᒪ ᐃᓀᑫ ᐅᒋ ᑲᑭᑲᐧᒋᑎᐯᓂᒥᑯᐨ ᑫᑯᓂ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᐃᐧᓄᓇ ᓫᐃᑐᐠ ᑭᐁᐧᑎᓄᐠ ᒥᓂᓱᑕ ᐅᑭᐊᓂᒧᑕᐣ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐱᐦᐃᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂ ᑲᐃᔑᑲᑫᐧ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑎᓱᐨ ᐁᐧᒥᑎᑯᔑᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᔑᐊᐧᓇᐱᓂᑯᐨ.

Red Lake shines light on First Nations authors From local writers to an internationally acclaimed author, Red Lake’s Turtle Island Writing Festival brought the works of Aboriginal writers to the forefront.

Much of the festival was geared at ‘healing through words,’ and the authors involved exemplified that idea.

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ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧᑫ ᐅᑕᓂᑲᐡᑭᑐᐣ ᑲᒐᑲᑌᔑᒥᐣᑕᐧ ᐅᐡᑭ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᑭᐡᑲᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒉᐟ ᐃᐧᓫᐅᐱ ᐊᐧᔾᐟᓴᐣᐟ ᐃᐡᑯᓂᑲᓂᐠ ᐁᐅᒋᑎᐯᑕᑯᓯᐨ ᐊᔕ ᐊᓂᐱᒋᓂᓇᐦᐃ ᑲᐃᔑ ᒐᒐᑲᑌᔑᒥᐣᑕᐧ ᐅᐡᑭᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᑭᐡᑲᒧᐊᐧᐨ. ᐁᑲ ᐃᒪ ᐊᑐᐊᐧ ᐃᔑᑲᐯᔑ, 22 ᑕᓱᔭᑭᐃᐧᓀ ᐊᒥ ᑲᐃᔑᓂᑲᓇᑲᓄᐨ ᓇᑫ ᒋᔭᓂᐊᐧᐸᒪᑲᓄᐨ ᐃᒪ ᐱᐊᐧᐱᑯᐠ ᒋᐃᔑᐊᒋᑲᑌᓂᑭᐣ ᐅᒪᓯᓇᑭᓱᑯᐃᐧᓇᐣ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᐃᐧᓀᑕ ᐁᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧᐨ, ᐃᐧᓫᐅᐱ ᐅᑭᑲᑫᐧ ᔕᐳᐡᑲᐣ ᐃᐁᐧᓂ ᑲᑭᐃᔑ ᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᒪᑲᓄᐨ ᐁᐸᑲᓂᓇᑯᓯᐨ ᐃᒪ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧ ᐃᔑᒋᑫᐃᐧᓂᐠ. ᔕᑯᐨ ᐃᐧᓫᐅᐱ ᐅᐃᐧᑲᑫᐧ ᔕᑯᒋᑐᐣ ᐁᑲ ᒋᑭᐱᐡᑲᑯᐨ ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑲᑭᐱᐡᑲᑯᐨ ᒥᓇ ᒋᐅᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐊᐨ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᐅᐁᐧ ᑲᐃᐧᐃᔑᒋᑫᓂᐨ ᐁᑲ ᑫᐃᐧᐣ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᒋᐃᔑᓇᑭᐡᑲᒥᓂᐨ. ᓄᑯᒥᑫ ᑭᑕᑭᐧᐸᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᐃᔑᐅᓇᐱᓱᓇᓄᐊᐠ ᐅᐡᑭ ᑫᑯᓇᐣ ᑲᔭᓂᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑕᒪᒪᓯᓇᑭᓴᐧᑲᓄ ᐁᐧᑎ ᒪᔭᒥ ᑭᒋᒧᑯᒪᓇᑭᐠ.

Model Willoughby on the rise Jade Willoughby of Whitesand First Nation is rising in the model industry. Based in Ottawa, the 22-year-old was labeled as an “up-andcoming” model by an online modeling publication. Being one of the only working First Nations models, Willoughby has had to overcome the label of having a “specialized” look within the industry.

Willoughby wants to overcome the barriers and ensure other aspiring First Nation models will not have to face these challenges.

She recently took part in a fashion show in Montreal and was part of two magazine photo shoots in Miami.

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Thank You, Airlines!

Your fast, courteous delivery of Wawatay News to our northern communities is appreciated.

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Wawatay News

OCTOBER 18, 2012

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ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Shedding light on decades-old death Mishkeegogamang man finally obtains police report on mother’s 1976 death Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Mishkeegogamang’s Gary Wassaykeesic has finally obtained the police report on the 1976 death of his mother Sophie Wassaykeesic.

“For the past five years I’ve been lobbying to get this police report,” said Wassaykeesic, who obtained the police report through a freedom of information request made by a lawyer with Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto. “It’s been a real grind, it’s been a real trek, a real personal experience. I’ve met a lot of people and I’ve received a lot of help from quite a few people. And that’s one of the reasons I’ve got this police report now.”

For years Wassaykeesic had been told all the information on his mother’s death was burned when the Ontario Provincial Police’s Central Patricia detachment burned down years ago.

“I’ve been told over and over that it didn’t exist, that the police station had burnt down and there was nothing on record,” Wassaykeesic said. “But what they don’t know is I’ve been through the system. I’ve always known since I started this that this society is built upon a paper trail. Even back in the 1970s they had to report to their commanding officers.”

Wassaykeesic began looking into his mother’s death after he received his residential school compensation payment, which provided him with the financial means to begin his five-year odyssey in search of more information.

“Now that I’ve got the police report, now I know exactly what happened that night,” Wassaykeesic said.

“We filed an appeal automatically because we do not agree with this police report at all.”

Wassaykeesic said the police report provides his family with some of the details from his mother’s

“Now that I’ve got the police report, now I know exactly what happened that night.”

- Gary Wassaykeesic

death, but it does not mention any blood being found where she died.

“One of the claims that my younger brother Ernie (has) is that he saw a lot of blood that night,” Wassaykeesic said.

Wassaykeesic said the police report indicated there was no autopsy on his mother, noting her body was released to the band for burial.

“They just put it on the band truck and took it up to the reserve and then she was

buried two days right after,” Wassaykeesic said. “Two days after. There are people wondering on reserve why she was buried so fast.”

While Wassaykeesic had always been told that his mother’s death was caused by suffocation due to alcohol, he believes there was more to her death than what was recorded, suggesting she may have been murdered.

He also said that people told him they heard “a lot of banging” at the time she died.

Wassaykeesic said five women were ordered to wash bloody blankets from his mother’s home after her death.

“So how come it doesn’t say that in the report?” Wassaykeesic said. “My brother jumped on the band truck and he looked under the blanket and he saw blood on my mother, up to the point where post traumatic stress disorder set in that very evening. He’s been living with that all these years.”

Wassaykeesic said it was only within the past few years that he has been able to get his younger brother to open up about what he saw back then.

“For over 30 years he’s been living with this,” Wassaykeesic said. “Now that I’ve finally looked into it, and finally got it open and people

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Gary Wassaykeesic reads the police report on his mother’s death, which he got through an access to information request after being told it was lost in a fire. are starting to realize, my brother feels better. And my

family feels better now, not totally, but now they’re start-

ing to open up.”

Wassaykeesic recommends other families look more closely into the cases of their missing or murdered family members.

“You can’t keep stuff like this hidden all the time,” Wassaykeesic said. “You can’t push it down and expect to live that good (life) because you are always going to have it inside you.”

National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo recently called for a National Public Commission of Inquiry on the unresolved cases of murdered and missing indigenous women in Canada.

“Action is required now – to achieve justice and to ensure our peoples are safe,” Atleo said on Oct. 4.

“I encourage all communities and indigenous citizens to tell their stories and seek support, and today I challenge all Canadians to make the pledge, sign a postcard, tell your story.”

First Nation leaders declared Oct. 4 as a National Day of Remembrance for murdered and missing indigenous women in Canada.

“Ending violence against and among indigenous peoples is a priority every day,” Atleo said. “Today we stand in honour of the too many women who have lost their lives to violence and those whom remain missing.”

ᒣᐡᑭᑲᐧᑲᒪᐃᐧᓂᓂ ᑫᑲᐱ ᐅᑭᑌᐱᓇᐣ ᑲᐃᔑ ᑎᐸᒋᒪᑲᓄᓂᐨ ᐅᒪᒪᒪᐣ ᑲᑭᐃᐣᑎᓂᐨ ᑲᑭᐳᓂᐱᒪᑎᓯᓂᐨ ᐃᒪ ᐅᒋ ᐸᑭᑭᓂᑲᓂᐠ 1 ᐊᒥᐦᐃ ᒧᔕᐠ ᑲᑭᐃᓇᒋᒧᑕᐊᐧᑲᓄᐨ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ ᐅᒪᒪᒪᐣ ᑭᐅᐣᑕᐱᓀᐊᐧᐣ ᐁᑭ ᑭᐳᓇᒧᓭᓂᐨ ᒥᓂᑫᐧᐃᐧᓂᐠ ᐅᐣᒋ, ᔕᑯᐨ ᐃᑯ ᐅᑭᑕᓀᐣᑕᐣ ᐁᑲ ᒥᓯᐁᐧ ᐁᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᑎᐸᑐᑌᓂᐠ ᐊᓂᐣ ᒪᔭᑦ ᑲᑭᐃᐣᑎᑫᐧᐣ, ᐅᑕᓀᐣᑕᐣ ᐃᑯ ᐁᑭᓂᓴᑲᓄᑫᐧᐣ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐁᑭᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᑯᐨ ᐸᐸᑲᐣ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐣ ᐁᑭᓄᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ “ᒥᔑᓇᐧ ᐁᑭᒪᒪᑌᐁᐧᓂᐠ” ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐊᐱ ᑲᑭ ᐃᐡᑲᐧᐱᒪᑎᓯᐨ. ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᓂᔭᓇᐣ ᐃᑫᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᑭᐊᓄᓇᑲᓄᐊᐧᐠ ᒋᑭᓯᐱᑭᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᒥᐢᑭᐁᐧᑲᓂᑭᐣ ᓂᐸᑲᓇᐣ ᐃᒪ ᐅᒪᒪᒪᐣ ᐅᐊᐧᑲᐦᐃᑲᓂᐠ ᐊᐱ ᑲᐃᐡᑲᐧᐱᒪᑎᓯᓂᐨ. “ᑫᑯᓀᐣ ᑕᐡ ᐁᑲ ᐁᑭᐅᐣᒋ

ᐃᐧᐣᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐅᐁᐧ ᐃᒪ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔕᐠ ᐅᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ.” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ. “ᐁᑲᐧ ᐊᐧᐁᐧ ᓂᔑᒣᐡ ᑭᐊᐧᑭᒋᑲᐧᐡᑯᓂ ᐅᑕᐸᓂᐠ ᐁᑭᐸᑭᑭᐱᑐᐨ ᑲᑭᐊᑲᐧᓇᐦᐅᒥᐨ ᐊᒥ ᑲᑭᐊᐧᐸᒪᐨ ᓂᒪᒪᒥᓇᐣ ᐁᓴᐃᐧᐢᑲᐧᑭᓯᓂᐨ, ᒥᑕᐡ ᐊᐱᐣ ᐃᒪ ᑲᑭᐅᐣᒋᐧ ᓴᑭᓂᑯᐨ ᑲᑭᔭᓂ ᒪᔭᑭᔭᐨ ᑲᑭᑯᐡᑫᐧᐣᑕᐠ ᐃᐁᐧ ᑲᔭᓄᓇᑯᔑᓂᐠ. ᒥᐱᑯ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ ᑭᔭᐱᐨ ᑲᐱᒥᐃᐧᒋᐃᐧᑯᐨ.” ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ ᐃᑭᑐ ᓄᑯᒥᑫ ᐸᔦᐡ ᑲᑭᑲᐡᑭᐦᐊᐨ ᐅᔑᒣᔕᐣ ᒋᑭᑎᐸᒋᒧᑕᑯᐨ ᐊᓂᐣ ᒪᔭᑦ ᑲᑭᐃᓇᐱᔑᓄᑯᐸᓀᐣ ᐃᐁᐧ ᐊᐱ. “ᐊᐊᐧᔑᒣ ᓂᐦᓱᒥᑕᓇ ᑕᓱᔭᑭ ᐅᑭᐱᒥ ᑲᓇᐁᐧᐣᑕᐣ ᐅᐁᐧᓂ” ᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ. “ᐁᑲᐧ ᑕᐡ ᐊᔕ ᐁᑭᔭᓂ ᒪᑕᓄᑲᑕᒪᐣ, ᒥᓇ ᐁᑭᐸᑭᓇᒪᐣ ᒥᓇ ᐁᔭᓂ ᓂᓯᑕᐃᐧᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐃᐧᔭᐠ, ᒥᐦᐃᒪ

ᐁᔭᓄᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᑯᐨ ᓂᔑᒣᐡ. ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑫᐃᐧᓇᐊᐧ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐠ ᓂᐊᐧᑯᒪᑲᓇᐠ ᐊᓄᒋᒥᓄᔭᐊᐧᐠ, ᑲᐃᐧᓂᓂᑯ ᑌᐯᐧ ᒪᔑ ᒥᑐᓂ, ᔕᑯᐨ ᐊᔕ ᐣᑕᓂᑲᐡᑭᑐᒥᐣ ᐁᔭᓂ

ᑲᑭᓂᓯᒪᑲᓄᓂᐨ ᐅᐊᐧᑯᒪᑲᓂᐊᐧ. “ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᒧᔕᐠ ᑲᑭᑲᑐᓯᒥᐣ ᐅᓄᐁᐧᓂᐊᐧᐣ ᑭᑎᓯᓭᐃᐧᓂᓇᐣ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ. “ ᑲᐃᐧᐣ ᑲᔦ ᑲᑭᐃᔑ ᑲᑫᐧ ᐊᐧᓂᑫᐣᑕᓯᒥᐣ ᐁᑲᐧ

“ᐊᒥ ᑲᑐᑕᑯᔭᐣ ᐁᑭ ᓇᓇᐱᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᐃᐧᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᐁᑲ ᑫᑯᐣ ᐁᑕᑲᐧᐠ ᑎᐸᒋᒧᐃᐧᐣ, ᐁᑭᒐᑭᑌᐠ ᔑᒪᑲᓂᔑᐃᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐁᑲ ᓇᐣᑕ ᐁᔑᒪᓯᓇᐦᐃᑲᑌᐠ.”

- ᑲᕑᐃ ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ

ᐊᓂᒧᑕᒪᑎᔭᐣᐠ.” ᐊᐧᓭᑭᓯᐠ ᐅᑐᒋ ᐃᐧᐣᑕᒪᐊᐧᐣ ᑯᑕᑭᔭᐣ ᑎᐯᐣᒋᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᒋᑲᑫᐧ ᒥᑐᓂ ᐱᑯ ᓇ ᓇ ᑕ ᐃ ᐧ ᑭ ᑫ ᑕ ᒧ ᐊ ᐧ ᐨ ᑲᓀᐱᒋᐊᐧᓂᐦᐊᐊᐧᐨ ᓇᐣᑕ

ᒋᐃᔑᑲᑫᐧ ᒥᓄᐱᒪᑎᓯᔭᐠ ᐊᓂᐡ ᑲᐯᐦᐃ ᐱᑯ ᑲᓄᒋᐦᐃᑯᐣ ᐱᐣᒋ ᑭᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐠ.” ᑲᓇᑕ ᑭᒋᐅᑭᒪᑲᐣ ᔕᐧᐣ ᐁᐃᐣᔓᐟ ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ ᓄᑯᒥᑫ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐸᐣ ᐁᓇᑐᑕᒪᑫᐨ

ᒥᓯᐁᐧᑲᒥᐠ ᐅᒪ ᑲᓇᑕ ᒋᑭᐅᒋ ᐅᓇᓴᑲᓄᐊᐧᐸᐣ ᑫᐱᒥ ᑲᓇᐊᐧᐸᑕᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᓇᓇᑕᐃᐧᑭᑫᒋᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᑭᓂᓯᐣᑕᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᓀᐱᒋᐊᐧᓂᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧᑫᐧᐠ ᐅᒪ ᑲᓇᑕ. “ᓄᑯᑦ ᐊᓄᑭᐃᐧᐣ ᓇᑕᐁᐧᐣᑕᑲᐧᐣ ᒋᑭᑭᒪᑲᐠ ᑲᐧᔭᐠ ᐅᓇᔓᐁᐧᐃᐧᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑭᑕᓂᔑᓂᓂᒥᓇᓂᐠ ᐁᑲ ᑫᑭᐅᐣᒋ ᓇᓂᓴᓂᓯᐊᐧᐨ,” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᐱᒪᐊᒧᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 4. “ᐣᔕᔑᑭᐡᑲᒪᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᑭᓇ ᐃᒪ ᑕᔑᑫᐃᐧᓇᐣ ᑲᑲᐯᔑᐊᐧᐨ ᒋᑎᐸᒋᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᒥᓇ ᒋᓇᓇᑐᓇᒧᐊᐧᐨ ᐊᐣᑎ ᑫᐅᒋ ᐃᐧᒋᐦᐃᐣᑕᐧ, ᐁᑲᐧ ᓄᑯᑦ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᓂᑲᓄᓇᐠ ᑲᑭᓇ ᑲᓀᑎᔭᐣ ᑲᐃᓇᑭᒥᑎᓱᐊᐧᐨ ᒋ ᐃ ᐧ ᒋ ᑲ ᐸ ᐃ ᐧ ᑕ ᑫ ᐊ ᐧ ᐨ , ᒋᒪᓯᓇᐦᐅᑎᓱᐊᐧᐨ ᐯᐸᓄᐠ,

ᒋᑎᐸᒋᒧᔦᐠ.” ᐊ ᓂ ᔑ ᓂ ᓂ ᐃ ᐧ ᓂᑲᓂᑕᒪᑫᐠ ᑭᐃᑭᑐᐊᐧᐠ ᒣᑲᐧᐨ ᐅᐱᒪᐊᒧᐃᐧᐱᓯᑦ 4 ᒋᑭᑭᓇᐊᐧᒋ ᑭᔑᑲᓂᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᒋᑲᓄᑫᐣᑕᐃᐧᑕᐧ ᑲᑭᓂᓯᐣᑕᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᓀᐱᒋᐊᐧᓂᐦᐃᑕᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐃᐧᑫᐧᐠ ᐅᒪ ᑲᓇᑕ. “ ᒋ ᓂ ᑲ ᓀ ᐣ ᑕ ᑯ ᒋ ᑲ ᑌ ᐠ ᑕᓱᑭᔑᑲ ᒋᐳᓂᒋᑲᑌᐠ ᐅ ᑕ ᑲ ᐧ ᑎ ᓯ ᑕ ᑯ ᐃ ᐧ ᓂ ᐊ ᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᒥᓇ ᐅ ᑕ ᑲ ᐧ ᑎ ᓯ ᑕ ᑎ ᐃ ᐧ ᓂ ᐊ ᐧ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐊᐧᐠ” ᑭᐃᑭᑐ ᐊᐟᓫᐃᐅ. “ᓄᑯᑦ ᑲᑭᔑᑲᐠ ᑭᓂᐸᐃᐧᑕᒪᐊᐧᒥᓇᐠ ᐁᐧᓴ ᐊᔕ ᒥᔑᐣ ᐃᑫᐧᐊᐧᐠ ᐅᑕᑲᐧᑎᓯᑕᑯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧᐠ ᑲᐅᐣᒋ ᐊᐧᓂᑐᐊᐧᐨ ᐅᐱᒪᑎᓯᐃᐧᓂᐊᐧ ᐁᑲᐧ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐊᐧᓂᐦᐃᐣᑕᐧ.”

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Wawatay News

OCTOBER 18, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

From the Wawatay archives 16-5th Avenue North P.O. Box 1180 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B7 Serving the First Nations in Northern Ontario since 1974.

Wawatay News is a politically independent weekly newspaper published by Wawatay Native Communications Society.

ᓂᐢᑕᑦ ᑲᑭᒪᑕᓄᑲᑌᐠ 1974 ᐁᐅᒋᐊᓄᑲᑌᑭᐣ ᑭᐧᐁᑎᓄᐠ ᐅᐣᑌᕑᐃᔪ ᑕᐃᑦᔑᑫᐧᐃᓇᐣ. ᑕᓱᓂᔓᐱᒥᑯᓇᑲ ᐅᔑᒋᑲᑌ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᓂᔑᓂᓂᐧᐃ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ ᒥᓇ ᑲᐧᐃᐣ ᐅᓇᔓᐧᐁᐧᐃ ᑲᓇᐧᐊᐸᒋᑫᐧᐃᓂᐠ ᒋᐃᔑ ᐸᐸᒥᓯᒪᑲᐠ ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓂᑫᐧᐃᓇᐣ.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER David Neegan

Commentary Resource development puts Treaties to the test NAN Grand Chief Harvey Yesno GUEST COLUMN

I

n July of 1905 when the Treaty Commissioners began the process of securing signatures to the James Bay Treaty # 9, Chief Missabay and his men at Mishkeegogamang signed the treaty only after giving the request to enter into treaty with His Majesty due consideration, and he had determined that nothing but good was intended.

Resource development across the NAN territory (encompassing James Bay Treaty # 9 and Treaty # 5) will put the treaties to the test; as the future ahead for the families, people and communities of Nishnawbe Aski Nation is to participate in the economy and wealth that is contained within the lands and resources that surrounds us.

First Nations have been discussing the need for resource and economic development within our treaty territory for years. It has always been known by the people of NAN that one day Ontario will be on our doorstep; because the place we call home holds tremendous value and potential.

Today, however, the Province of Ontario is making significant changes in terms of legislation and policy with the passing of The Far North Act, Amendments to the Mining Act and now engaging First Nations on the Renewable Energy on Crown Land Policies.

These mechanisms deal with the land, minerals and energy; all key factors in ensuring that Ontario is being positioned for the growth, and perhaps what experts believe is the economic boom that will come out of the NAN territory.

It is the duty of the Crown - the governments of Canada and Ontario - to ensure that First Nations treaty and Aboriginal rights, as well as the duty to consult – are addressed and included in planning for the North. The current approach encouraged by both governments – for industry to be responsible for undertaking the requirement to address treaty and Aboriginal rights and the duty to consult with First Nations – is not acceptable.

This approach places potential partners – the partners being the First Nations and industry – in an adversarial position to grapple and attempt to negotiate the very same legal requirements the govern-

ment has until this day failed to implement.

Security in an investment or exploration is best undertaken by working with First Nations; and ensuring that all partners who are coming to the table are being treated as partners. The partnerships and agreements developed today will have to stand for the next 20-50 years at a minimum.

What do First Nations want from resource development within our treaty territories?

First Nations want what is fair and equitable. No more, no less.

A fair opportunity to invest, develop partnerships and ownership of business or economic development opportunities to provide employment and returns on investment to our own struggling economies.

In order to ensure the fair and equitable participation of First Nations in resource development, First Nations, industry and government will have to work together.

The Government of Canada must invest in First Nations – as potential partners – to the same level of investments being made into the region’s municipalities and cities. Investments in planning, advice, job skills training, recruitment, and business infrastructure.

Our treaty partners, Canada and Ontario, also have it within their power to level the playing field and ensure that economic growth includes First Nations. A meaningful way for the governments of Canada and Ontario to recognize their treaty obligations is resource revenue sharing. Resource revenue sharing would mean more to First Nations and the dignity of our people than any Impact Benefit Agreement. First Nations would much rather receive a fair and equitable share of the royalties paid to the Crown so we can build homes, schools, and community infrastructure than continue to live in poverty.

The 49 chiefs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation each have a vision of the future for their communities. First Nations are invested in northern Ontario permanently. The desire for our communities to succeed in business and provide a better future for our people is one of the most urgent pressures facing most chiefs today.

The result of true partnership and the test of our treaties – Canada, Ontario, First Nations and industry working together – will be what we call ‘Implementation of the Treaty’; living together here on this land as what was intended for all of us – to share in the benefits, and prosper together.

Wawatay News archives

Deer Lake feast, date unknown.

We are all immigrants Xavier Kataquapit UNDER THE NORTHERN SKY

I

don’t understand why so many people get upset about immigrants coming to this country. Of course you have to remember I have a special view considering my people are the original inhabitants of this land so everybody else who came after us I view as immigrants.

The Europeans were the first big wave of immigrants to land on the shores of the Americas for all the same old reasons such as the quest for wealth, resources and domination. Considering all of the terrible things that happened to the Native people of the Americas you would think we Aboriginals would be very upset. After all these new immigrants stepped in uninvited and took over our lands, sent in

their missionaries to destroy our culture, traditions and spirituality, moved us from our nomadic hunting and gathering lands to small reserves and more or less did their best to try to eliminate us. Still, somehow we do not hold a huge grudge with these first immigrants and as survivors we are doing our best to deal with their ongoing quest for riches.

So, you can imagine how confused I get when I hear some English, Polish, Russian, Italian, Ukrainian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Swiss, Swedish, German or other European people complain about any new immigrants coming to this land. I just find that really weird. Don’t they know where they came from and why they came here? Don’t they remember they were immigrants either coming to Canada to seek their riches, better their lives or escape terrible conditions in their own countries?

They all seem to be suffering from amnesia when it comes to this question of immigration.

They seem to be a little slow also because they keep falling

for right wing governments fanning the flames of racism and bigotry by bringing the immigration issue to the surface again and again.

I have been to some third world countries so I understand very well why people want to come to our beautiful country to enjoy the opportunity to work and have a better life. This reminds me of why the Europeans came here actually. If we as first world countries did a better job of making things more fair and equitable on this planet then people would have no need to immigrate as life would be as good for them in their own country as it is here in Canada. The problem is that most of our interest in third world countries has to do with trying to grab their resources, topple their governments so that we can put someone in place that will do our bidding and more or less keep people down.

Until we really see that we are all just one big family on this tiny, lucky little planet Earth then we will keep taking advantage of others and they will arrive at our doors in the

same way the Europeans were looking for a new and better place to call home. I really think the average person is good enough and aware to the point where they understand that if we don’t want to flood our country with new immigrants then we have to work very hard to make life better for the less fortunate in this world. We also have to realize that most of us came to this country as immigrants.

I love reading anything I can get my hands on regarding the history of this world.

One of my favourite quotes is that ‘the only thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn anything from history’.

However, one thing is for sure if you study human beings and their historical actions it soon becomes clear that patterns of war, greed and domination prevail. What has to happen for us to realize there are better ways?

It could start with simply not being sucked in by nasty people in power trying to keep us all fighting with each other and believing it is OK to hate others.

It could start there.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER David Neegan davidn@wawatay.on.ca

ART DIRECTOR Roxann Shapwaykeesic, RGD roxys@wawatay.on.ca

TRANSLATOR Vicky Angees vickya@wawatay.on.ca

CONTACT US Sioux Lookout Office Hours: 8:30-5:00 CST Phone: ....................737-2951 Toll Free: .....1-800-243-9059 Fax: ...............(807) 737-3224 .............. (807) 737-2263

Thunder Bay Office Hours: 8:30-4:30 EST Phone: ...................344-3022 Toll Free: ..... 1-888-575-2349 Fax: ...............(807) 344-3182

EDITOR Shawn Bell shawnb@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Rick Garrick rickg@wawatay.on.ca WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER Lenny Carpenter lennyc@wawatay.on.ca

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Matthew Bradley matthewb@wawatay.on.ca SALES MANAGER James Brohm jamesb@wawatay.on.ca CIRCULATION Adelaide Anderson reception@wawatay.on.ca

CONTRIBUTORS Xavier Kataquapit Daniel Tait Mario Wassaykeesic Harvey Yesno James Benson Tom Scura Guest editorials, columnists and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect the views of Wawatay News.

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OCTOBER 18, 2012

Wawatay News

COMMENTARY Mario Wassaykeesic GUEST COLUMNIST

There’s nothing like having a nice big cup of freshly-brewed Red Rose Tea in a good-size kettle, especially on the REZ. If there is one thing we could market on the REZ, we’d probably be able to erect a REZ-style Tim Horton’s that brewed some genuine kettle tea. Red Rose, that is; can’t be anything else other than.

Living in the robustness of the city life, it can be hard to just simmer down. I mean, try halting public from its scheduled route; it’s a little harder than you think. The genuine “hello, how are you” can be

LETTERS

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ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Over for (red rose) tea

regimentally followed by a “I’m well, thanks, and you?” The brief encounter often follows the little laugh, and congratulating Tommy on his first-ever score that invitation was unable to make. It’s like a REZ dog greeting; the look, the tail goes upward, the sniff, then the parting. At least, most of the time.

On occasion, I do sometimes find the time to get myself back to the REZ. My hometown REZ of Poplar Hill, that is (Fact though, I was born on the REZ of New Osnburgh; hence, the Wassaykeesic surname). Flying home, since we are a fly-in REZ, always gives me some time to think about how my plans will unfold; who will I meet? Who will I visit first? Who’s gonna be at the airport to report who’s landed?

There is, rarely, the chance that I would drive back to the

TO THE EDITOR

Thanks for exposure (re: ‘A memorial to the children left behind’, Wawatay News Sept. 27) Dear Editor, Words alone cannot express my appreciation for your support and public exposure given our book Wawahte. KitchiMeegwetch.

Joyce, your book review was excellent, in particular, that it confirmed the decision to republish Wawahte (2nd Edition). I have now addressed, but briefly, “The 60’s Scoop as continued efforts by the government to erode family unity,” and more: • The golden Eagle feather placed between the two of Canada’s f lags as a statement, that Canada too, has a dark chapter of racial history; • The Roman Catholic’s refusal to formally apologize for its role in Canada’s policy of forced assimilation, and more; • The manuscript has been professionally edited and proof read.

REZ also, but only when the winterroad is open; and, of course, should a more rugged and sturdier vehicle makes its trek, battling the rough bumps and slides, and the occasional 18-wheeler. My city vehicle, I’m sorry to report, was not meant for the rough terrain; perhaps one day, I’ll win a huge pot at bingo, big enough to afford my weapon of choice: a nice Tundra, extended car with big, big winter tires.

Always first is my destination to my Aunty’s place. It kinda takes me back to when me and my siblings were youngsters; we’d never refer to Poplar Hill as such, but had our own name for it: Jo-zhee-gunk. Ecstatic to be first to hear the news from my mother, the reporter’s eyes would brighten up and scream in excitement that we were heading to “Jo-zhee-gunk” for a visit!

After a couple of days, in the formal meeting of my family and my parents, I would reminisce back into my childhood, remembering “Jo-zhee-gunk” as a town, not a particular person’s house. Then I would find myself walking down the REZ road, heading over to my Aunty’s place, “Jo-zhee-gunk”, for a quick visit, and of course a spot of Red Rose Tea. In the winter, the treading on the fresh snowy REZ road, I could hear the uniformity and the difference of my left and my right foot. One step is slightly elevated, while the other plays bass. It’s musical; it’s a walk; it’s like a fantasy land when you do walk down the REZ road and are able to listen.

There is no public transit; just a truck, filled with children, radio blaring some Christian music with the abrupt stop to

My goal for Wawahte is to create a narrative for all Canadians to ref lect upon every time they hear a story about or around First Nation(s) people. Chief Robert Joseph, executive director of the Indian Residential School Survivor Society British Columbia said: “For all the people who read this book may they be forever enlightened. By shinning the light on a dark part of our past we have a chance to create a bright new day for Aboriginals and all Canadians I am working for Wawahte to be suggested or required reading before people arrive at First Nation communities to teach school, help church, and social programs.

Again, I thank all of you for what you do. Throughout my life I have resisted the urge to be angry and ashamed, as these are not productive, assertive emotions.

With deep respect – Kindest regards, Robert P. Wells, Author

Questioning power (re:Sandy Lake evicts residents, Wawatay News Oct. 11) Dear Editor, An issue like this brings about a much larger issue in the bigger picture.

Proposed New Access Road: Springpole Lake Area

make a quick announcement on who’s selling what and where they can be reached at. Their truck window opens up, and heat escapes. It’s all inviting and warm. A friend may stop and want to say hello, and ask when I arrived. They may already know; it’s always reported around at the initial arrival; so, it’s small talk, but a friendly one.

One that says hello, and I missed you, or it’s great seeing you here.

Children gawk and wonder who the stranger is, but will know later on.

The truck’s back window is steamed up with the print of a small hand stamped in the back, or the writing of some sort. It’s a friendly stop, and a mission of the family to drive around the REZ and to visit.

I continue walking down the REZ road, and smile at oncoming vehicles, seeing familiar

faces within. They’re a little older (and sometimes a little more rounder, or browner), but then again so am I, I suppose. And, sometimes there are a few faces that are new, and are behind the wheel keeping a steady eye focused on the road.

Sure they see me, but there is a slight interest on the walking dude.

I’m all bundled up on my walk, on a mission, so to speak.

My heavy winter boots (bought in the city for the occasion) continue the marching waltz; my scarf covers my neck, afraid of hickeys, but mostly of a cold.

Coming around a bend, a few band houses and dead vehicles, I can see my destination in eyesight: “Jo-zhee-gunk”.

Mario Wassaykeesic’s ‘Over for tea’ will continue in next week’s Wawatay News.

This action may not violate laws or potential human rights but it may start people asking: who else is at risk for removal and who draws those lines??

And more importantly: How much power should chief and council have?

My other question is why is it more important to evict people who write things on Facebook than it is to evict people who sell drugs/alcohol, molest children, beat their spouses and neglect their kids? who are people that actually violate the criminal code and moral principles.

There may not be a human rights violation per say because our First Nation laws can differ from criminal and civil laws, but then the potential for power hungry “politicians” to go out of control is imminent.

It’s sad to see cases like this with the potential to set precidents in the future. It’s especially scary to people like me who are young and opinionated about issues where sometimes the Internet is the only place people will listen.

Just a reminder that in the news right now is a 14 year old girl from Pakistan fighting for her life because of an assassination attempt made on her by the Taliban for speaking her mind and standing up for herself.

SO WHERE DO WE DRAW THE LINE? Read some George Orwell if you want to understand my opinion further. Meegwetch.

Submitted online

Find

Notice of Opportunity to Inspect the Draft Environmental Study Report Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) is in receipt of an application for a proposed new access road in the Springpole Lake area of the MNR Red Lake District. Gold Canyon Resources Inc. is inviting comments on a Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) for its proposal to develop a new access road from the end of the Wenesaga Road to their Springpole Exploration project, located, at the northern extent of Springpole Lake. Gold Canyon is proposing construction of an access road, built to forestry winter operational road standards, which will include a crossing of the Birch River system.

Trout Lake Forest Management Area project area

Study area

west option east option

The Draft ESR was prepared in accordance with the requirements for Category C projects under the Class Environmental Assessment for MNR Resource Stewardship and Facility Development Projects. It describes the process for the selection of a preferred location, the development of a site plan and an evaluation of environmental effects. The preferred location is shown on the following map (east option).

Ear Falls You are invited to direct any inquiries, comments or requests regarding the project to Denise Saunders, Gold Canyon Resources Inc. or to Dave New, MNR by November 16, 2012.

To obtain a copy of the Draft ESR, to discuss the project, or to be placed on the project mailing list, please contact: Denise Saunders Manager of Community Relations and Lands Gold Canyon Resources Inc. Suite 810 - 609 Granville Street P.O. Box 10356, Pacific Centre Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V7Y 1G5 Phone/fax: 807-735-1050 E-mail: denise@goldcanyon.ca

in these communities

David New Red Lake South Area Supervisor Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources P.O. Box 5003 Red Lake, ON P0V 2M0 Phone: 807-727-1383 Fax: 807-727-2861 Email: dave.new@ontario.ca

A copy of the Draft ESR may also be obtained on Gold Canyon’s corporate website at: www.goldcanyon.ca The Ministry of Natural Resources is collecting comments and personal information under the authority of the Environmental Assessment Act to assist in making decisions and determining any further consultation needs. All comments and opinions will be kept on file and may be available in study documentation that is made available for public review. All comments and contact (name and address) information received may be forwarded to the project applicant unless specifically requested otherwise. For more information on the collection and use of the personal information, contact Trevor Park, Planning and Information Management Supervisor, Ministry of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 5003, Red Lake Ontario, P0V 2M0. Phone: 807-727-1344.

Aroland Atikokan Attawapiskat Balmertown Batchewana Bearskin Lake Beaverhouse Big Grassy Big Island Big Trout Lake Brunswick House Calstock Cat Lake Chapleau Cochrane Collins Couchiching Couchiching Deer Lake Dinorwic Dryden Ear Falls Emo Flying Post Fort Albany Fort Frances Fort Hope Fort Severn Geraldton Ginoogaming Grassy Narrows Gull Bay Hornepayne Hudson Iskatewizaagegan

Kapuskasing Kasabonika Kashechewan Keewaywin Kenora Kingfisher Lake Kocheching Lac La Croix Lac Seul, Kejick Bay Lake Nipigon Lansdowne Long Lake Mattagammi Michipicoten Migisi Sahgaigan Missanabie Mobert Moose Factory Moosonee Muskrat Dam Musselwhite Mine Naicatchewenin Naotikamegwanning Nestor Falls Nicikousemenecaning North Spirit Lake Northwest Angle #33 Northwest Angle #37 Ochiichagwe’Babigo’ Ining Ogoki Pic River Osnaburgh Pawitik Pays Plat Peawanuck

Pickle Lake Pikangikum Poplar Hill Rainy River Red Lake Red Rock Rocky Bay Sachigo Lake Sandy Lake Saugeen Sault Ste. Marie Savant Lake Seine River Shoal Lake Sioux Lookout Sioux Narrows Slate Falls Stanjikoming Stratton Summer Beaver Taykwa Tagamou Timmins Thunder Bay Wabaskang Wabigoon Wahgoshing Wapekeka Washaganish Wauzhusk Onigum Wawakapewin Weagamow Lake Webequie Whitedog Whitesand Wunnimun Lake

6

Wawatay News

PROGRAM MANAGER

OCTOBER 18, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Lessons of the past

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CBC documentary looks back at 1968 death of residential school student Charlie Wenjack of Marten Falls The Cecilia Jeffery Indian Residential School in Kenora where Charlie Wenjack ran away from in 1968. The 12-year-old was found dead along a railroad track hundreds of kilometers away.

Shawn Bell Wawatay News

CBC reporter and former Wawatay editor Jody Porter spent much of the month of August researching and preparing a documentary on the death of Charlie Wenjack, who was 12 years old when he died in 1967 while attempting to walk home to Marten Falls from the residential school in Kenora he had been taken to.

The story of Charlie Wenjack’s death and subsequent inquiry has some striking similarities to the recent deaths of young people in Thunder Bay who have died while attending school in the city.

As planning into the inquest of the seven deaths in Thunder Bay continues to get ready for the expected spring 2013 start date, Wawatay News sat down with Porter to discuss how Charlie Wenjack’s death still resonates 46 years later.

Porter’s documentary on the death of Charlie Wenjack, along with letters, photos and other historical documents related to the incident, can be found on www.cbc.ca/thunderbay under the button “Dying for an education.”

Wawatay News (WWT): Why was it important to look back now at something like Charlie’s death that is decades old?

Jody Porter (JP): One of the seeds of this story was planted with me last summer at the hearing to decide whether the Bushie inquest could go through. I was talking to Alvin Fiddler (now NAN Deputy Grand Chief), and he said to me something along the lines of ‘our children have been dying for a long time. Kids were sent to residential school, children would die and it wouldn’t be properly investigated.’ That really struck me, how long the history is.

The other seed that really made this story blossom was when I was sent the MacLean’s article about Charlie Wenjack from 1968.

Talking to people about that story really reinforced to me how many things about it are still fresh. Then I had the opportunity to be in Marten Falls and meet with Charlie’s sister Pearl, and it was Pearl who said ‘had they fixed this after Charlie died we wouldn’t have children dying in Thunder Bay today’.

Also the fact that there was an inquest into Charlie’s death, that there were no First Nations people on the inquest jury. And the fact that the inquest said the education system should be investigated to see whether it was right for First Nations students. All of those things are so relevant today, still.

WWT: You began looking into Charlie’s death by reading the MacLean’s article - how did that story resonate with you?

JP: One of the things that is really sad is that I’ve lived in this region for nearly 15 years, and I knew there was some stuff that happened in Kenora, but I had no idea what activism there has been from the First Nations people there, and how much push back there has been from the non-Aboriginal community there.

That’s one of the things that took the journalist, Ian Adams, to Kenora the first time, before he heard about Charlie’s story, was the upheaval being caused by the racism. That’s in the 1960s, and that’s still there too. One of the things in Ian’s article, about the First Nations woman passed out on the floor of the diner, and people were just stepping over her. You read that and it is such a striking anecdote and it really makes you wonder how far we’ve come in the region since those times.

WWT: The letters from the principal at the residential school to the church official in Ottawa, to me really emphasized what you’re referencing…

JP: I read those letters, and what stands out to me was the back and forth when the principal, Colin Wasacase was saying

how proud he was that he had found ‘Christmas parents’ for the children in Winnipeg. So they would take these children who were stolen from their own families and give them as gifts, as it were, to non-Aboriginal families in Winnipeg, so they could have children around for Christmas. Did it never cross their minds that their own families might want to see them at Christmas, and that the kids might want to be with their own families at Christmas?

Sure, you can say they were well meaning, and people thought they were doing good. But it is just really hard to look at that. The letters were a real eye-opener, hard to read, made me want to shout.

WWT: You obviously have a strong feeling of injustice about this.

Is that something you saw with the author of the MacLean’s’ story, Ian Adams, and is that something he still carries today, 40 years later?

JP: When I first got in touch with Ian, he sent me an e-mail and said he had woken up that day with a memory very clear of being at the site at the train tracks where Charlie’s body was found. He said what really struck him from that was there was a train going by as he was standing there, and he saw the dining car in all its opulence, and the families sitting down to dinner in their rich clothes and laughing and enjoying themselves, and the contrast to that of this lonely, cold place where Charlie died, the two worlds side by side, one whizzing by the other. He carries that image with him, to this day.

The other thing that resonated in Ian’s article was the way he started it: it’s the story of a young boy who died, the handful of people who got involved, and the community that barely noticed.

I have felt that way very much about Thunder Bay, when students have died. You see in southern Ontario when a non-Aboriginal kid goes missing, there is a huge hue and cry and community involvement. And we have yet to see that here. When we have seen First Nations students missing, we have seen First Nations people looking for them and First Nations people engaged in their disappearance. So we do have a [non-Aboriginal] community here in Thunder Bay that hardly notices.

WWT: What lessons from the story of Charlie’s death should the coming inquest into the seven youth deaths in Thunder Bay be taking into account?

JP: I think the key is that you can’t have an inquest that comes to a conclusion that a study needs to be done. Whatever investigation was done (into Charlie’s death), and it was very little, it certainly wasn’t adequate or we wouldn’t be here 46 years later.

I think the other thing that has the possibility to resonate from the past, one of the things that happened at Charlie Wenjack’s inquest, when Charlie had run away one of the first places he went was a cabin where a First Nations family was living. And they were too poor to help him. And the inquest jury was quite keen to lay a lot of blame on that family for not properly looking after this young boy. I think it’s a cautionary note, when we look at the lack of funding for supports for First Nations students among First Nations organizations; you have to watch for a jury that would point a finger at an organization that doesn’t have the resources to help and say that they should be helping.

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Wawatay News

OCTOBER 18, 2012

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Mushkegowuk grand chief battling cancer Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Mushkegowuk Grand Chief Stan Louttit is in a battle with cancer.

The Fort Albany First Nation member who grew up in Attawapiskat is in a Kingston hospital after having surgery this past week.

In an open letter to friends and colleagues, Louttit said the surgery was aimed at removing two tumours from his colon and liver.

“Much to my surprise, the cancer had spread to my stomach lining,” Louttit wrote. “The surgeons promptly closed me up.”

Louttit said the news that the cancer had spread came as a shock to himself and his family after doctors in Moose Factory and Kingston did not expect any

complications from the surgery.

“As for me, I tried to find some positives out of all of this,” Louttit wrote. “Soon, this positive energy, coupled with our Faith proved to be the answer to our insurmountable problem at the time. We still carry this positive outlook today.”

Now, Louttit is awaiting the treatment process, “whatever form that takes.”

Though the revelation of the cancer spread raises serious health concerns, Louttit remains optimistic.

“With the support of family and friends, things are going to be OK,” he wrote. “One day at a time.”

Louttit is currently serving his third term as Mushkegowuk grand chief since first being elected in 2004. He was reelected in 2007 and 2011.

Louttit has been involved in

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

DFC’s Dakota Meekis, left, dishes out a plate of hot food while volunteering at Shelterhouse Thunder Bay on Oct.4.

Helping the less fortunate DFC students volunteer at shelter Rick Garrick Wawatay News

Dennis Franklin Cromarty First Nations High School’s Dakota Meekis wants to help Shelterhouse Thunder Bay clients more often than the school’s current once-a-month volunteer effort.

“I just started thinking about the workers who work here,” said the Grade 12 student from Sandy Lake while helping serve dinner on Oct. 4 in the Shelterhouse kitchen. “I’m thinking that they need more help for doing what they do. I would love help, so I might as well give them help.”

DFC students have been helping serve dinner at Shelterhouse on the first Thursday of every month since the beginning of the 2011/2012 school year.

“I like working here,” Meekis said. “I don’t want to focus on where they come from; they came in to eat, right.”

Meekis is planning to put up posters around DFC to find out who else would be interested in helping out more often at Shelterhouse.

“I would just try to get people who want to do the same thing,” Meekis said. “Right now I’ve asked a few of my friends.”

About eight to nine DFC students have helped serve dinner twice so far this school year at Shelterhouse.

“This is our way of giving back to the community — helping out and giving the students that experience to show them

a different part of life,” said Lyle Fox, prime worker at DFC and one of the DFC helpers on Oct. 4. “A couple of students want to do it more often. They are willing to start up a group and do it maybe once a week or once every two weeks.”

Fox said many DFC students are grateful for what they do have after volunteering to help people in need at Shelterhouse.

“There’s a lot of different people coming in looking for meals,” Fox said. “It’s a different group even from the last time we did this. There’s maybe one or two that I recognize.”

The DFC students usually work in two shifts to serve dinner and clean up.

“It’s a way for DFC to give back to Thunder Bay,” said DFC principal Jonathan Kakegamic.

“We want this school to be part of the community and I’m really proud that we are part of this. We even see a lot of our own people here (at Shelterhouse).”

Thunder Bay Police Services Constable John Walmark said recent DFC alumni have also been helping serve dinner along with the students.

“It’s a great opportunity to develop leadership skills among the students,” Walmark said. “It’s also a time to help mentor them and spend some time with them outside regular (school) hours so they can see that besides being a police officer, they also see (me) as being involved and giving to the community in other ways too.”

First Nations politics for more than 25 years. In 1988, he received the Governor General Medal for Bravery for his assistance during the Winisk Flood.

He also worked at the Moose Factory General Hospital and was chairperson of Mushkegowuk Council from 1992 to 1993. He was twice elected as NAN deputy grand chief, a post he held from 1994-99. He then worked as CEO for Moose Cree First Nation.

As the Mushkegowuk grand chief, Louttit has served to protect the rights and interests of the seven Mushkeogwuk communities.

He was instrumental in bringing awareness of the water crisis in Kashechewan to

the government in 2005. That year, he was presented with the Emile Nakogee Award for Leadership at the NAN Keewaywin Conference. Last year, he helped to raise awareness of the housing crisis in Attawapiskat.

Last June, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Education from Nipissing University for his 25-plus years of devotion in the field of politics, which he received alongside former Canadian prime minister Paul Martin.

A Facebook group was created by former Mushkegowuk deputy grand chief and Kashechewan chief Jonathan Solomon called Support and Prayer for Our Grand Chief Stan Louttit and his family.

Stan Louttit

Wawatay file photo

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October 18, 2012

Wawatay News

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Wawatay News

October 18, 2012

9

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

100 Back Street, Unit 200 Thunder Bay, ON P7J 1L2 Tel: (807) 623-8228 Fax: (807) 623-7730 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT MARCH 31

2012

ASSETS CURRENT Cash and bank (Note 1) Accounts and grants receivable (Note 2) Prepaid expenses Deferred expenditures

$

3,989,852 1,140,329 156,931 13,287,112

Long-term investments (Note 3) Capital assets (Note 4)

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS CURRENT Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 5) Deferred contributions (Note 6)

$

NET ASSETS Investment in capital assets (Note 7) Investment in Nishnawbe-Aski Investments Ltd. Restricted assets (Note 8) Unrestricted net assets

$

$

3,888,304 2,199,000 10,860 1,601 6,346,214

1 330,397

1 346,318

$ 13,617,510

$ 6,692,533

11,949,246 695,724

$

5,274,671 487,017

12,644,970

5,761,688

330,396 1 108,323 533,820

346,319 1 108,323 476,202

972,540

930,845

13,617,510

BDO Dunwoody LLP 37 King Street Dryden, Ontario P8N 3G3

2011

$

6,692,533

Message from the (Former) Grand Chief

Independent Auditors’ Report

Booshoo! Wacheya!

To the Members of Nishnawbe Aski Nation

I am pleased to present the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Summarized Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ending March 31, 2012.

NAN is looking forward to a successful and productive 2012-2013.

Meegwetch!

Management’s Responsibility for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditors’ Responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. An audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide abasis for our audit opinion.

Sincerely NISHNAWBE ASKI NATION

Opinion In our opinion, these financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nishnawbe Aski Nation as at March 31, 2012 and the results of its operations and cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

Stan Beardy (Former) Grand Chief

Grand Chief

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which comprise the statement of financial position as at March 31, 2011, and the statements of changes in net assets, revenue and expenditures, and cash flows for the year then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information. The financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles.

Chartered Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants Executive Director

Dryden, Ontario July 17, 2012

Finance Director

STATEMENT OF STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2011

2012

2011

Assets Cash provided by (used in) Operating activities Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenditures for the year Items not involving cash Amortization of capital assets Loss on disposal of capital assets

$

Changes in non-cash working capital balances Accounts and grants receivable Prepaid expenses Deferred expenditures Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Deferred contributions

41,695

$

147,259

101,646 10,133 153,474

108,858 35,594 291,711

(6,694,880) (146,071) 1,601 6,674,573 208,707 43,930 197,404

(369,909) 92,716 (1,601) 774,279 (88,984) 406,501 698,212

Investing activities Purchase of capital assets

(95,856)

(80,902)

Increase (decrease) in cash during the year

101,548

617,310

Cash and bank, beginning of year

3,888,304

Cash and bank, end of year

3,989,852

3,270,994 $

Balance, beginning of year Correction of prior period error (Note13) Balance, beginning of year (as restated) Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenditures for the year Invested in capital assets Balance, end of year

$

INVESTMENT IN NANIL

346,319 346,319

$ 1 1

(111,779) 95,856 $ 330,396

$ 1

RESTRICTED $

$

REVENUE First Nations Institutions and Organizations Government of Canada Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - set contribution Indian and Northern Affairs Canada - fixed contribution Fisheries and Oceans Health Natural Resources Province of Ontario Attorney General Community and Youth Services Fednor Health Native Affairs Natural Resources Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Northern Development and Mines Education Interest Amounts repayable (recoverable) to funders Other Transfers (to) from deferred contributions

Please proof your ad and

Select one of the following:

$

Funds transferred for First Nations operations (Note 9)

UNRESTRICTED

2012

2011

108,323 108,323

$ 229,753 246,449 476,202

$ 684,396 246,449 930,845

$ 723,559 60,027 783,586

108,323

153,474 (95,856) $ 533,820

41,695 $ 972,540

147,259 $ 930,845

Portfolio expenditures Bad debts Bank charges and interest Conferences, workshops and reports Consulting and professional fees Public relations Rent and utilities Salaries and benefits Supplies and resources Travel Capital expenditures Excess of revenue over expenditures before other items Other items Capital allocations Amortization of capital assets Loss on disposal of capital assets Excess (deficiency) of revenue over expenditures for the year

WAWATAY NEWS AD PROOF

Budget

3,888,304

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 INVESTMENT IN ASSETS

STATEMENT OF REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2011

$

49,758

2012 $

47,158

2011 $

154,055

15,354,267

15,354,267

7,762,514

2,704,553 4,156,893 -

2,712,056 87,000 4,163,050 -

2,449,359 87,000 3,979,495 25,000

485,114 6,194,164 410,306 725,002 389,136 (69,303) 2,572,109 (206,635) 32,765,364

485,114 6,195,390 122,400 518,450 725,002 283,592 1,550,455 223,385 50,000 61,824 (130,124) 538,869 (208,635) 32,779,253

268,044 6,077,925 413,606 947,555 417,832 235,000 155,038 50,000 31,157 (195,547) 923,311 88,984 23,870,328

(20,040,269) 12,725,095

(20,059,919) 12,719,334

(10,268,324) 13,602,004

6,922 3,570,759 2,066,237 143,019 316,384 4,711,385 211,674 1,546,246 95,856 12,688,482

6,922 3,548,347 2,066,237 143,020 369,788 4,699,438 160,961 1,571,147 95,856 12,661,716

3,975 6,701 3,604,973 2,655,735 215,045 326,984 4,894,370 208,709 1,393,801 80,902 13,391,195

56,613

57,618

210,809

95,856 (101,646) (10,133)

95,856 (101,646) (10,133)

80,902 (108,858) (35,594)

(15,923)

(15,923)

(63,550)

40,690

$

41,965

$

147,259

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MARCH 31, 2011 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Elected Officials and Senior Management The remuneration for the year of elected officials and senior management totaled $590,012 (2011 - $551,872). Amounts paid to elected officials and senior management for travel amounted to $129,646 (2011 - $98,835). The Grand Chief and Deputies are provided salaries of $108,000 and $103,000 respectively plus 12% pay in lieu of vacation. Travel allowances include mileage reimbursed at $0.55 per kilometre and meals/incidentals at $84.90 per day. Specific salary, benefits and travel reimbursements were:

Grand Chief Stan Beardy

Salary and Benefits

Travel Reimbursements

2012

2011

$ 120,870

$ 12,682

$ 133,552

$ 129,992

Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose

115,260

33,191

148,451

144,267

Deputy Grand Chief Mike Metatawabin

123,360

20,044

143,404

117,392

Deputy Grand Chief Les Loutti

123,360

12,496

135,856

111,877

Executive Director

107,261

$ 590,012

51,233

$ 129,646

158,395

$ 719,658

147,179

$ 650,707

Flow Through Funding Agreements The organization receives funding for distribution to member First Nations and First Nation organizations for specific projects and initiatives. The First Nations and specific organizations report on the expenditure of these funds.

Total First Nation Allocations

2012

2011

$ 20,059,919

$10,268,324

For the complete consolidated financial statements visit www.nan.on.ca

10

Wawatay News

OCTOBER 18, 2012

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Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Brunswick House’s Doris Mitchell chats with a doctor from South Africa, left, during Rendez-Vous 2012.

Bringing medicine back to Brunswick House NOSM grad returns home to practice as a doctor Rick Garrick Wawatay News

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Brunswick House’s Doris Mitchell is bringing positive changes to her home community since establishing her family medicine practice in the area this summer.

“We’ve had great acceptance in the Aboriginal communities,” said the 2010 Northern Ontario School of Medicine graduate who now practices at the Chapleau General Hospital. “Because I’m from there, it makes it a little more easier to open doorways that have never been opened before. It is in its infancy, but it is only going to blossom from there.”

Mitchell has been using the approach she developed as a nurse at an Aboriginal health centre in her role as a doctor.

“But as a physician, your role is different and it’s just trying to work out how different that is,” Mitchell said.

Community members have been telling her how proud they are to have a First Nation doctor serving them.

“I try not to be too assuming,” Mitchell said. “I’m more there with open ears and an open heart to listen to what people need from me.”

Mitchell and two other new doctors at Chapleau General have met with some of the First Nation leaders from the three local First Nation communities,

Brunswick House, Chapleau Cree and Chapleau Ojibwe, since they began practicing at the hospital.

“Not only myself, but the other physicians as well, are interested in going on reserve and developing primary medical care programs on reserve and to establish Aboriginal reference groups that relate back to the community at large.”

Speaking at Rendez-Vous 2012, an Oct. 9-14 gathering in Thunder Bay of health professionals from around the world, Mitchell described how First Nations people were pushed to the side while the rest of Canada flourished.

“We weren’t considered as citizens for many years,” Mitchell said. “In 1880, ceremonies such as potlatches, gatherings and protests were considered illegal. It was illegal for more than three Native people to congregate for any reason.”

Mitchell also described how Canada’s residential school system destroyed the family values and relationships of First Nations people.

“Children were taken away as young as four years of age, they were taught different values and beliefs, their language was taken away, they were stripped of their identity, they suffered physical, mental, emotional and sexual abuse, they no longer learned or prac-

ticed the rites of passage, they entered into puberty in shame and misunderstanding of what that meant to be a female or male,” Mitchell said. “The brothers and sisters were separated by gender and they were also separated by age. There was no parenting model, no community role models.”

Mitchell, whose mother spent 12 years in residential school, asked the Rendez-Vous 2012 participants to imagine how the loss of family, culture, language, education, work and freedom of religion would affect them, multiplied by the 100 years First Nations people were subjected to those losses.

“This was all taken from my people,” Mitchell said. “I want you to think about how that fallout is going to make (a) difference in my people and what that means to how we are today.”

More than 850 delegates from about 45 countries around the world attended Rendez-Vous 2012 to share experiences, opportunities and challenges of community participation in education, service and research.

Rendez-Vous 2012 also featured a cultural social evening with Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic and Metis Nation of Ontario’s Tim Pile as well as a visit to the Waabima’iingan (Grey Wolf) Traditional Teaching Lodge.

Office of the Grand Chief 100 Back Street, Unit 200 Thunder Bay, ON P7J 1L2 Tel: (807) 623-8228 Fax: (807) 623-7730

NAN Special Chiefs Assembly November 13, 14 & 15, 2012 DaVinci Centre Thunder Bay, Ontario RESOLUTIONS Tom Scura Sales Representative Email: toms@wawatay.on.ca Phone: 807-344-3022 Toll Free: 888-575-2349

The Resolutions Co-Chairs for this Special Chiefs Assembly are Luke Hunter and Alanna R. McKenzie. Resolutions to be considered at the Assembly can be forwarded electronically to Alanna R. McKenzie at amckenzie@nan.on.ca DEADLINE: November 2 at 5:00 pm www.nan.on.ca

1

Wawatay News

OCTOBER 18, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

11

First Nation Catholics celebrate canonization of Saint Kateri Tom Scura Special to Wawatay News

Thunder Bay’s First Nations community hosted a three day prayer weekend from Sept. 14 to 16, to prepare for and celebrate Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha’s upcoming canonization.

The First Nations Catholic community in northern Ontario is also preparing for 50 of its members, from various communities in the diocese, to travel to Rome from Oct. 18-26 to witness the canonization of the “Mohawk Mystic.”

“My mother and father prayed for the canonization of Blessed Kateri for a long, long time, and it’s finally coming true,” said Lina Desmoulin of Pic River, who will be travelling to Rome to witness the canonization. “We’re going to have a saint of our own. I don’t think she’ll only be our saint. She’ll be a saint for the whole world.”

The prayer weekend, held at Kitchitwa Kateri Parish in Thunder Bay and at locations on Fort William First Nation, brought together about 50 First Nations members of the church gathered from Thunder Bay’s two Native parishes and from outlying communities such as Gull Bay, Longlac, Pic River and Heron Bay. The prayer weekend featured a traditional Native

“My mother and father prayed for the canonization of Blessed Kateri for a long, long time, and it’s finally coming true.”

– Lina Desmoulin, Pic River

pipe ceremony at Kitchitwa Kateri Parish – the first time such an event was held in the church sanctuary – as well as a pipe ceremony on Mount McKay and a healing service in the Fort William First Nation Arena.

Kateri Tekakwitha was born in 1656 at Ossernenon, an Iroquois village in what is now New York State. She became a devout Catholic at a time when most of her people saw Christianity as a strange religion. Because of this, she was often treated badly. She was known for her great prayer life, her extraordinary sanctity and the extreme mortifications she willingly endured. She died at the age of 24. Her last words were “Jesus I love you.”

“I knew she was a saint 30 years ago. I’ll be going to Montreal to visit her gravesite. That’s my pilgrimage,” said John Gagnon, originally of Aroland First Nation and now living in Thunder Bay. “We come from a strong race and a strong people.

We’ll be so much stronger

alls First Natio F e t n Sla

48 Lakeview Road Slate Falls, ON P0V 3C0 Tel: 807-737-5700 Tel/Fax: 1-888-431-5617

Notice to Slate Falls Nation Members Slate Falls Nation Chief and Council Election 2012 Nomination Meeting Date: Friday October 26, 2012 Location: Bimaychikamah School Gym Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Public Candidate Forum Date: Friday October 23, 2012 Location: Bimaychikamah School Gym Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Election Day Date: Friday November 30, 2012 Location: Slate Falls Band Office Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm If you are a member of Slate Falls First Nation, you are entitled to a vote providing you are 18 years of age as of November 30, 2012. If you have any questions regarding the election please call Brenda Roundhead at 807 737-5700

with Saint Kateri,” said Irene Moses of Pic River/Heron Bay. To close the prayer weekend, a mass was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Thunder Bay. The mass featured a procession led by First

Nations members in full Aboriginal regalia, as well as an Aboriginal drum group.

The Jesuits of the Thunder Bay diocese will host a traditional Native prayer day at their retreat centre on the shores of Lake Superior near Thunder Bay on the day of the canonization, Oct. 21.

They will officially set aside one of their cabins as place for ongoing traditional Native prayer and spirituality. It will be called AnenkiWadj Aneogamik (Thunder Mountain Prayer Place).

Tom Scura/ Special to Wawatay News

Dominic Gawitaiash of Thunder Bay stands beside a statue of Kateri Tekakwitha, the Mohawk woman who will be the first Aboriginal saint.

12

Wawatay News

OCTOBER 18, 2012

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Registered Nurses Required (Full-time/Part-time/Relief)

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Shibogama Health Authority is an independent, progressive group of First Nation communities that have a vision and desire to make a difference in their health care.

We are seeking Registered Nurses to be a part of a team of health care professionals willing to pave a new way for the holistic well-being of these remote, Northwestern 2QWDULR FRPPXQLWLHV .LQJÂżVKHU /DNH :DSHNHND DQG :XQQXPLQ /DNH 7KH FRPPXQLWLHV KDYH WUDQVIHUUHG WR D community-based health care delivery system.

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We are welcoming individuals with a sincere respect for the Native culture and the ability to work independently and collaboratively with a team of health professionals and community members.

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SIOUX LOOKOUT FIRST NATIONS HEALTH AUTHORITY

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Manager of Education Initiatives Nishnawbe Aski Nation is seeking a highly motivated and skilled individual to join our team as the Manager of Education Initiatives. The Manager of Education Initiatives oversees the coordination of education projects designed to improve the scope and quality of education programs and services available to NAN First Nation students attending both Council Operated and Provincially Funded schools. This position is critical to the successful funding, implementation and reporting of educational initiatives and for maintaining eďŹ&#x20AC;ective liaison with participating First Nations, Tribal Councils, Education Organizations, Provincial Government representatives, and Federal Government representatives with respect to these initiatives.

The successful candidate will possess 5+ yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience or equivalent related work experience in the ďŹ eld of First Nations Education, a Bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree or Equivalent Experience in an education or training related position, and the knowledge of First Nation education issues, challenges and delivery models. The successful candidate will possess the ability to work eďŹ&#x20AC;ectively with others, demonstrated presentation skills, proven eďŹ&#x20AC;ectiveness in project management as well as strong communication skills with proďŹ ciency in developing written communications and the development and delivery of oral presentations. This position is an integral part of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Education Secretariat, and requires an individual who possess the ability to be both a strong leader and team player. This position will require travel, often in small aircrafts. The ability to speak read and understand Ojibwe, Oji-Cree or Cree are a strong asset.

The deadline for applications is 4:00pm EST, October 25, 2012. To download the complete job description, lease visit www.nan.on.ca or contact Rod Geddes, Human Resources Assistant, at (807) 625-4948, or Ian Beardy, A/Human Resources Director, at (807) 625-4941 for more information.

TRANSITION FACILITATOR Internal/External Posting Full Time Position (2) Location: Sioux Lookout, ON These positions are responsible for providing support and assistance to young adults with developmental disabilities and to increase/strengthen their involvement with community.

QUALIFICATIONS â&#x20AC;˘ Minimum Grade 12 or equivalent; â&#x20AC;˘ Diploma in Developmental Services or demonstrated equivalency through experience an asset; â&#x20AC;˘ Understanding of community development principles, person-centered planning, life skills development; â&#x20AC;˘ Experience in conflict resolution; â&#x20AC;˘ Excellent interpersonal skills; â&#x20AC;˘ An understanding of community services that support clients with special needs; â&#x20AC;˘ Valid Driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s License, use of vehicle and appropriate insurance coverage.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY â&#x20AC;˘ Knowledge of the people, culture and health priorities of the First Nations communities in the Sioux Lookout Zone; â&#x20AC;˘ Ability to work independently and in a team environment; â&#x20AC;˘ Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Professional Pro Plus 2007; â&#x20AC;˘ Ability to communicate in one of the First Nation dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone a must; â&#x20AC;˘ Ability to work with confidential client and organization information in a responsible manner; â&#x20AC;˘ Ability and willing to work flexible work hours as required; â&#x20AC;˘ Ability and willing to travel extensively to First Nations Communities; â&#x20AC;˘ Must be willing to relocate and live in Sioux Lookout.

Please send cover letter, resume, three most recent employment references and an up-to-date Criminal Reference Check & Vulnerable Personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sector Check: Human Resources Department Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority 61 Queen Street, P.O. Box 1300 Sioux Lookout, ON P8T 1B8 Phone: (807) 737-1802 Fax: (807) 737-2969 Email: Human.Resources@slfnha.com Closing Date: November 2, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.

No resumes received after that time will be accepted The Health Authority wishes to thank all applicants in advance.

However, only those granted an interview will be contacted.

For additional information regarding the Health Authority, please visit our Web-site at www.slfnha.com

Submitted Photos

Emma and Julia Mogus loading boxes of books onto a truck and sending them out to NAN communities across n orthern Ontario.

Sisters complete mission of sending books up north Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

Two teenaged sisters from southern Ontario have completed their mission of sending books up to remote NAN communities.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so happy and we feel so passionate to give books and to help improve the lives of our brothers and sisters in the north, and we want to help make that difference in our own backyard.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Julia Mogus of Oakville, Ontario

Emma and Julia Mogus of Oakville, Ont., have collected more than 5,500 books in donations and some purchased from their own pockets. The books began to be sent up in late September to 24 remote communities in northern Ontario. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was really great,â&#x20AC;? Julia said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just expected to get 500-1,000 books but Hopedale Mall was generous to give us a room to put all the books in.â&#x20AC;?

Emma and Julia began collecting books last year after learning about the poor literacy rates among First Nations youth in northern Ontario. On their own, they collected more than 400 new or gently used books using funds they raised through allowances and odd jobs.

In June, they began a campaign called Books With No Bounds with the aim of col-

lecting more books and raising funds to ship them up north.

Local businesses stepped up and offered drop off points for the books.

The local community donated about 5,000 books while Local 607 LIUNA, a Thunder Bay-based labour union, shipped the books packaged in 55 boxes to Thunder Bay and donated $600 to help pay for the air freight. From there, Wasaya Airways LP provided a 90 per cent discount and flew the books to the communities.

The sisters raised the remainder of the shipping costs through donations and selling freezies and candy kabobs.

Each community received about three boxes, or roughly 300 books.

The Mogus sisters are overwhelmed by the support they received. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so happy and we feel so passionate to give books and to help improve the lives of our brothers and sisters in the north,â&#x20AC;? Julia said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And we want to help make that difference in our own backyard.â&#x20AC;?

Emma said the goal has always been to help the children in the north. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We think the children deserve the same opportunities we do,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If they want to be a prime minister, they should be able to be prime minister.â&#x20AC;?

And while they are glad to have achieved their goal, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only the beginning for Books With No Bounds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The next step is to keep collecting books over the winter,â&#x20AC;?

Emma said, adding that they no longer have storage space but will store the books in their basement.

Wawatay News

Rick Garrick

Wawatay News

A special Aboriginal fine art and crafts show was recently held in Thunder Bay to coincide with Rendez-Vous 2012, a gathering of more than 850 health professionals from around the world.

“We promoted it at the conference and also at the Victoria Inn, where they had the gala (dinner and dance),” said John Ferris, founder of the Aboriginal Artworks Group of Northern Ontario. “We were there (at the Valhalla) for two days.”

Although not as many health professionals showed up as Ferris and the artists

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and crafters were looking for, there were still some sales made.

“We promoted it at the conference and also at the Victoria Inn, where they had the gala (dinner and dance).

We were there (at the Valhalla) for two days.”

– John Ferris, Founder of the Aboriginal Artworks Group of Northern Ontario

“I was kind of disappointed,” Ferris said. “There

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were people who did come from the conference. They had tours in the city as well.”

Ferris is now planning an Aboriginal fine art and crafts show for tourist season in Toronto next summer.

“Possibly at the Harbourfront (Centre) or at the Royal Ontario Museum,” Ferris said.

Ferris said the upcoming Annual Aboriginal Fine Art and Crafts Christmas Gift Show will be held from Dec. 4-8 at the Victoriaville Centre in Thunder Bay, noting last year’s event “went very well.”

“This year we are going to have more advertising,” Ferris said. “And there will also be an on-the-spot radio station at the mall.”

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Vehicle(s) may be shown with optional equipment. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offers. Offers may be cancelled at any time without notice. See your Ford Dealer for complete details or call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-565-3673. © 2012 Sirius Canada Inc. “SiriusXM”, the SiriusXM logo, channel names and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc. and are used under licence. †† Offer only valid from September 1, 2012 to October 31, 2012 (the “Offer Period”) to resident Canadians with a Costco membership on or before August 31, 2012. Use this $1,000CDN Costco member offer towards the purchase or lease of a new 2012/2013 Ford/Lincoln vehicle (excluding Fiesta, Focus, Raptor, GT500, Mustang Boss 302, Transit Connect EV & Medium Truck) (each an “Eligible Vehicle”). The Eligible Vehicle must be delivered and/or factory-ordered from your participating Ford/Lincoln dealer within the Offer Period. Offer is only valid at participating dealers, is subject to vehicle availability, and may be cancelled or changed at any time without notice. Only one (1) offer may be applied towards the purchase or lease of one (1) Eligible Vehicle, up to a maximum of two (2) separate Eligible Vehicle sales per Costco Membership Number.

Offer is transferable to persons domiciled with an eligible Costco member. This offer can be used in conjunction with most retail consumer offers made available by Ford Motor Company of Canada at either the time of factory order (if ordered within the Offer Period) or delivery, but not both. Offer is not combinable with any CPA/GPC or Daily Rental incentives, the Commercial Upfit Program or the Commercial Fleet Incentive Program (CFIP). Applicable taxes calculated before $1,000CDN offer is deducted. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offer, see dealer for details or call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-565-3673. * Lease a new [2013] [F-150 STX Super Cab 4x2] and get [3.99%] APR for [36] months on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest APR payment. Example: [$23,501] (Cash Purchase Price) with [$2,778] down payment or equivalent trade-in, monthly payment is [$358] total lease obligation is [$15,666] optional buyout is [$12,812] cost of leasing is [$2,163] or [3.99%] APR. Offer includes $5,750 in manufacturer rebates. Vehicle shown is an F-150 Super Crew Lariat 4x4 for $41,529 with manufacturer rebate of $10,000. Taxes payable on full amount of lease financing price after any manufacturer rebate is deducted. Additional payments required for security deposit, NSF fees (where applicable), excess wear and tear, and late fees. Some conditions and mileage restrictions apply. A charge of 16 cents per km over mileage restrictions applies. Offers include freight, air tax, PPSA, Stewardship Ontario Environmental Fee but exclude administration and registration fees of up to $799, fuel fill charge of up to $120 and all applicable taxes. Taxes payable on full amount of lease financing price after any price adjustment is deducted. ††† Until November 30, 2012, receive $2,000/$9,000/$10,000/$10,000/$10,000/$10,000/$8,250/$9,250/$9,250/ $9,250/$9,250 in Manufacturer Rebates with the purchase or lease of a new 2012 F-150 Regular Cab XL 4x2 (Value Leader) All Engines/F-150 Regular Cab (Excl XL 4x2) 5.0L/F-150 Super Cab 4x4 5.0L/F-150 Super Cab 4x2 5.0L/F-150 Super Crew 4x4 5.0L/F-150 Super Crew 4x2 5.0L/F-150 Regular Cab (Excl XL 4x2) non-5.0L/F-150 Super Cab 4x4 non-5.0L /F-150 Super Cab 4x2 non-5.0L/F-150 Super Crew 4x4 non-5.0L/F-150 Super Crew 4x2 non-5.0L – all Raptor, GT500, BOSS302 and Medium truck models excluded. This offer can be used in conjunction with most retail consumer offers made available by Ford of Canada at either the time of factory order or delivery, but not both. Manufacturer Rebates are not combinable with any fleet consumer incentives. ^^ Estimated fuel consumption ratings for the [2012/2013] [F-150 4x2 3.7L-V6 6 Speed SST/F-150 4x2 3.7L-V6 6 Speed SST]. Fuel consumption ratings based on Transport Canada-approved test methods. Actual fuel consumption will vary based on road conditions, vehicle loading and driving habits. *** Max. horsepower of 411 and max. torque of 434 on F-150 6.2L V8 engine. Class is Full–Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs GVWR, non-hybrid vs. 2011/2012 comparable competitor engines. ‡‡ When properly equipped. Max. towing of 11,300 lbs with 3.5L EcoBoost and 6.2L 2 valve 4X2 V8 engines. Max. payload of 3,120 lbs with 5.0L Ti-VCT V8 engines.

Class is Full-Size Pickups under 8,500 lbs GVWR, non-hybrid. © 2012 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

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Aboriginal artists, crafters hold special sale

Perry Perrault (left), displays his painting, while, Jean Marshall (above), shows off her birch bark baskets and other crafts.

Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

Available in most new Ford vehicles with 6-month pre-paid subscription

10/11/12 9:32 AM

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Wawatay News

OCTOBER 18, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Healing with words Red Lake group hosts Turtle Island Writing Festival Bryan Phelan Special to Wawatay News

Susan Scott, a freelance writer from Calgary, tells the story behind the title of her book All Our Sisters: Stories of Homeless Women in Canada.

While starting research on the book in Winnipeg, one of the first people Scott met was a young woman, abused

“They said ‘Stories can change the world’ and ‘We can make a difference for other women by telling our stories so that people understand.”

– Susan Scott, Freelancer Writer from Calgary, and Author of All Our Sisters: Stories of Homeless Women in Canada

as a child, who had worked as a prostitute to afford a drug habit.

“I got it,” the woman told Scott excitedly, after being asked to help come up with the book title. “Every Female Relative You Could Possibly Imagine.” They agreed to a shorter version, All My Sisters.

The woman took pride in her contribution. “The next day was the only day I saw her happy,” Scott recalled during her opening address at the Turtle Island Writing Festival in Red Lake, hosted Sept. 27-29 by the Fool’s Gold Writers group.

All My Sisters tells the stories of 39 homeless women, from Vancouver to Ottawa.

“For some women, all they had left was their story,” said Scott, who offered them opportunities “to be able to

tell me anything and not be judged.”

Some of the women appeared at the Red Lake Heritage Centre, in photos on the projection screen, as Scott talked.

“She was the second woman in Canada convicted of being a pimp,” Scott said of one photo subject, a tattoo on her upper arm and graffiti on the wall behind her.

“She’s not proud of that.” As Scott got to know her, she found “underneath that tough exterior, she was just a child wanting to be loved. No one had asked her story before.”

It has become a success story. “Last I heard, she was running a sawmill,” Scott said.

“I began to feel a responsibility to speak for and about them when they couldn’t,” she said of the women she profiled.

“Also, they knew they were helping me. They said ‘Stories can change the world’ … and ‘We can make a difference for other women by telling our stories so that people understand.’ It’s very painful to tell those stories when you’ve been so badly abused by the system, by other people, so they were incredibly brave.”

The next evening, about 50 people gathered at the Heritage Centre to hear a panel discussion based on the theme “healing with words.”

Joining Scott on the panel were Kathy Tetlock, a local author, poet and blogger; arts educator Lila Cano; and Winona LaDuke from the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota, an internationally acclaimed author and activist devoted to protecting the lands and life ways of Native communities.

Tetlock wrote and selfpublished a book, The Cedar Canoe: What happened to

Photo by Bryan Phelan/Special to Wawatay News

At the Turtle Island Writers Festival in Red Lake, from left, Susan Scott, Kaaren Dannenmann of the host Fool’s Gold Writers, and Winona LaDuke. Copies of LaDuke’s latest book, The Militarization of Indian Country, were available Ryan?, after her son Ryan was found dead from an apparent overdose.

“I’ve been writing since I was 12, since my sister gave me my first diary,” Tetlock said. “It’s always been my way of healing. Whether someone else reads it or not, it helps get that confusion out of your head.

“After losing my son, when my hands stopped shaking and I could write, I started writing,” she said of her book.

“I had to tell the story for others but also for myself.”

Cano spoke of how a film project transformed a group of Dryden High School stu-

dents, most of them from First Nations. Supported by mentoring from Thunderstone Pictures filmmakers and Cano, they wrote an original screenplay based on the legend Eagle versus Sparrow, which teaches humility. The students also participated in all aspects of producing it as a film, from operating cameras and lighting to acting and costume-making. The film has been a hit, earning honourable mention for Best Canadian Short at the imagineNative Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto and screening at other events in Canada and the U.S.

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“When we started working with the kids they all came in with hoodies on, they wouldn’t talk to each other, wouldn’t even look at each other,” Cano recalled. “At the gala screening … (they) were standing up in front of 350 people and saying ‘We did this, you can do this.’ The beautiful thing about it was … the pride in their faces and the relationships of healing with each other, with their community, with the nonAboriginal culture. It was pretty powerful.”

LaDuke talked about healing from colonialism in her community.

“For us, the recovery of our drums and the recovery of our Midewiwin Society and recovery of our ceremonies … it coincided with a lot of things like the recovery of our food, and it makes us better people.” Harvesting traditional foods of wild rice and berries, deer, and northern varieties of corn and squash contributes to better health and a sustainable local economy, she said.

“That’s what I’m working on in my community. I write about it … and tell a lot of stories about people who are doing this.”

Before the writers festival started, Scott visited the Red Lake District High S chool for presentations about All My Sisters, homeless women, and the need for personal and political action to address the issue. Toward the end of one presentation, a student shared her experience of being homeless in Red Lake, and of being a single mother surviving on $432 a month in social assistance.

“I was profoundly moved,” said Scott. “She’s aiming for a career … she seems very focused. She also thinks, as I do, that it’s important to break down the barriers and to talk openly about her situation.”

At the Heritage Centre, Scott showed a photo of another woman. “Sometimes there is a happy ending,” she said. For a long time the woman in the photo had lived under a bush in a park, but she found the help, housing and medication she needed.

She does volunteer work now, says Scott, and has a purpose in life.

“Everyone has a story,” she told Scott.

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Wawatay News

OCTOBER 18, 2012

15

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

photo by Rick Garrick/Wawatay News

A group of health professionals from around the world attended the Waabi-ma’iingan (Grey Wolf ) Traditional Teaching Lodge on the fourth day of the Rendez-Vous 2012 health gathering in Thunder Bay.

Lodge hosts international visitors Rick Garrick Wawatay News

INSPECTION Inspection of Approved 2012–2013 Annual Work Schedule Whiskey Jack Forest The Kenora District of the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has reviewed and approved the April 1, 2012– March 31, 2013 Annual Work Schedule (AWS) for the Whiskey Jack Forest.

Availability The AWS will be available for public inspection at the Kenora District Office of the MNR and the MNR public website at ontario.ca/forestplans beginning October 17, 2012 and throughout the one-year duration. Ontario Government Information Centres in Kenora at 220 Main Street South, in Dryden at 479 Government Road and in Red Lake at 227 Howey Street provide access to the Internet.

Scheduled Forest Management Operations The AWS describes forest management activities such as road construction, maintenance and decommissioning, forestry aggregate pits, harvest, site preparation, tree planting and tending that are scheduled to occur during the year.

Tree Planting and Fuelwood The MNR is responsible for tree planting on the Whiskey Jack Forest. Please contact Kurt Pochailo at the MNR Kenora District Office regarding tree planting job opportunities. For information on the locations and licence requirements for obtaining fuelwood for personal use, and for commercial fuelwood opportunities, please contact Kurt Pochailo at the MNR Kenora District Office.

More Information For more information on the AWS or to arrange an appointment with MNR staff to discuss the AWS or to request an AWS operations summary map, please contact:

An Australian delegate at the Rendez-Vous 2012 health gathering in Thunder Bay found Canada’s residential school issue to be similar to his country’s stolen generations issue.

“I’ve recently been to some cultural awareness programs back home and the same issues have come through,” said Peter Keppel. “It’s good that it’s being talked about and recognized.”

Keppel was one of a busload of delegates from around the world who visited the Waabima’iingan (Grey Wolf) Traditional Teaching Lodge near Pass Lake, east of Thunder Bay, on Oct. 12.

“It was good to learn about the traditional ways and the way they are preserved and carried out from one generation to the next,” said Thomas Chacko, a delegate from India. “In my country, there are not much of Aboriginal people — they are there in the hills. They are totally cut off. But those who are coming in contact with the general population are adopting the newer ways and losing their old ways.”

Chacko said the general population in India is still holding on to their traditions.

“I’ve noticed how we all have different cultures but the same challenges and experiences,” said Leah Yerby, a delegate from Alabama, USA. “I appreciate this expression of faith today (in the teaching lodge).”

Lake Helen’s Cindy Crowe said it was important to share First Nations culture with the visiting delegates.

“It is important to our culture to share our culture,” Crowe

said. “It’s important to share what we have learned with other cultures and it’s important to share that with our own families and friends and community. If we don’t share it, it’s not going to be here. We have to share it.”

Crowe said people are “genuinely” interested in learning more about First Nations traditions and culture.

“They realize that this is only a snapshot of the culture,” Crowe said. “However, they are grateful to receive it.”

Crowe said the teaching lodge is governed by two spirits — Waabi-ma’iingan and Ozhaawashko-giizhig (Clear Blue Sky) — with the purpose of promoting unity, love, kindness, sharing and caring.

The teaching lodge was developed about seven years ago after the late Elder Albert Mandamin interpreted visions and a dream Crowe had received.

Kelly Ann Babey, from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, appreciated the opportunity to learn more about First Nations culture during the visit.

“I learned more about the 200 and some types of sage,” Babey said. “I didn’t know there were that many. Wow.” More than 850 delegates from about 45 countries around the world attended RendezVous 2012 to share experiences, opportunities and challenges of community participation in education, service and research.

Rendez-Vous 2012 also featured a cultural social evening with Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic and Metis Nation of Ontario’s Tim Pile.

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Wawatay News

OCTOBER 18, 2012

ᐧᐊᐧᐊᑌ ᐊᒋᒧᐧᐃᓇᐣ

Willoughby making her mark Lenny Carpenter Wawatay News

submitted photo by Allen McEachern

Jade Willoughby of Whitesand First Nation has recently been named an ‘up-and-comer’ in the modelling industry, as she continues to leave an impression on an industry not used to First Nations models.

As a six-year-old, Jade Willoughby was captivated by a fashion show airing on Fashion Television, where models donning various clothing strut down the catwalk with confidence.

“I decided then and there that I wanted to do that,” the Whitesand First Nation member said.

Sixteen years later, after overcoming numerous challenges, Willoughby is beginning to make her mark in the modeling industry.

Last month, Willoughby was labeled as an “up-and-comer” by the editor of Model By Models, an online publication that features models in various stages of their careers.

Indigenous fashion writer Lisa Charleyboy declared that Willoughby is “taking the fashion world by storm.”

Willoughby is certainly keeping busy, having recently taken part in two fashion shows in Montreal and Ottawa, along with two editorial photo shoots, one taking place in Miami, Florida.

But it has been a long, challenging road for the 22-yearold.

As child, she was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome (or Minimal Change Disease), a condition where her immune system would attack the filter to her kidneys, resulting in massive water retention and swelling her entire body.

The condition went into remission during her late-teens, but by then Willoughby felt she was behind in the development of a modeling career. She

said most models develop their careers as teens or even as children and by the time they are 18, they are debuted as “new faces” to agencies rather than “being in development.”

“I didn’t get to take that route because of my illness so I’ve had to work extra hard to be at the same level as the other models who have been doing this when they were younger,” Willoughby said.

Willoughby’s health issues were not conducive to developing the physical body type required to be a model.

“It’s not necessarily skinny, but you have to be physically fit,” she said. “I struggled with that because I moved away from home. I was cooking good ol’ Kraft Dinner, I was eating bad food.”

But Willoughby landed her first booking when she was 19, where she did two editorial shoots for a swimsuit magazine.

“I was at that point where I was super shy,” she said.

“There’s a room full of eight people and they’re picking and poking at me and making sure everything’s right.”

Willoughby moved to Toronto to pursue her career and signed with a modeling agency. But as one of the only First Nations models in the industry, finding bookings became a challenge. She said the agency defines her as having a “specialized beauty.” She was passed up for a big booking because of her look.

“Clients are used to blond hair, blue eyes,” she said. “You have your African-American look, Asian look, maybe East Indian mixes. And I show up and they’re not really sure how to respond.

“So definitely being a working First Nations model in markets in Canada and the U.S. is difficult at times.”

Willoughby said the modeling industry does not recognize First Nations as a demographic and at times, do not even know that Native people exist.

“I’ve met people where the only thing they know about Native people is from White Fang, the movie and the book,” she said.

But Willoughby hopes to change perceptions and bring that First Nations presence to her bookings. Fashion shows, which she described as an “adrenaline rush,” are where she feels that can be best accomplished by appearing in person to potential clients.

“I’m stomping down the runway, like ‘Here I am, look at me, we’re here, we’re strong and this is what we can deliver,’” she said.

Charleyboy feels Willoughby is shifting perceptions.

“It’s great to see girls out there like Jade,” she wrote, “who are representing strong Native women, and creating diversity in the fashion industry.

Willoughby is proud of where she has come so far.

“I’ve broken down and called my parents and said I don’t want to do this anymore. It is tiring, and hard being away from my family,” she said. “But I have to do this on my own.”

Her goal is to continue her career and blaze trails for those who follow.

“My ultimate goal is to continue down the road to make it easier for other models who are First Nations who have an interest in this industry so they can have a visible pathway.”

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