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Why limit the number of people at private get-togethers?

Limiting private gatherings to 10 people makes it easier for those present to stay 2 metres apart and to avoid coming into contact with contaminated droplets.

By protecting ourselves properly, we’re also protecting others.

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CONTENTS EDITORIAL

The demise of a charity

NEWS

Grand Chief meets new Hydro-Quebec boss

Bosum meets new Hydro head

Espresso infections

IN BRIEF

Confirmed cases at Espresso

FEATURES

Fowl fever

Crustacean obsession

An inconvenient trickster 18

Roosting the coop

Big fish at Big Rock

A centuries-old battle

PUZZLES UTNS

Ignoring the rules

Michelle Latimer’s big-ticket projects

Sports

Politics

Photo by Bethanie Blacksmith

Chisasibi crab experiment

Big Rock Fishing Derby

Six Nations’ standoff

www.nationnews.ca September 25, 2020 the the Nation Nation 3 3

Editorial

The demise of a charity by Will Nicholls

Editorial

was saddened when I learned that the WE Charity was closing its Canadian operations. Then I was upset. The WE scandal is based on two premises: that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Moreau had family ties to the charity; and that the WE Charity was awarded a $912 million government contract without proper review. At first, I was on board with the opposition parties and their accusations. Even though the Nation has often covered WE events involving Cree students over the years I was concerned and disappointed in the organization. However, after thoroughly researching the issue I understand better what really happened. It is the usual political feeding frenzy reminiscent of when sharks scent blood in the water. First, this is an organization that started 25 years ago when brothers Craig, a teenager at the time, and Marc Kielburger started Free the Children (re-branded WE Charity in 2016). Its aim was to fundraise for organizations that helped to end forced children labour. It expanded its focus to include education, food, water, health and economic growth in Latin America, Africa and Asia. As well, it has programs to “educate and empower young people” in Canada, the US and Britain. With the WE Charity now closing its doors in Canada, 7,000 schools will be affected.

It is the usual political feeding frenzy reminiscent of when sharks scent blood in the water So, let us deal with the first premise of the political family connections. Margaret Trudeau spoke at 28 events in five years and received $312,000. Her gross was $11,143 per appearance, though the Speakers Bureau took a $2,229 cut, leaving Trudeau with $8,914 per event. She would share personal stories of her life dealing with bipolar disorder, being the young wife of a prime minster and the loss of a son. She talked of nurturing body, mind and spirit for a healthy life. Her regular fees are in the $15,000-20,000 range. They are fees, not an honorarium, as the politicians claimed. Most of this was paid for by ME, not WE. The PM’s brother, Alexandre Trudeau, spoke at eight events and received approximately $40,000. Other political figures are also on the speaking circuit. The Washington Speakers Bureau manages former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney’s engagements to the tune of over $1 million a year. Another former Conservative PM, Stephen Harper, charges $70,000-150,000 per event. In fact, Harper’s wife Laureen even hosted a WE reception at Sussex

Drive. Former Alberta NDP Premier Rachel Notley has been a WE speaker. So basically, politicians of all stripes and their family members can charge for their appearances. The only real problem is that Trudeau didn’t recuse himself from voting to award WE the proposed Canada Student Service Grant program contract. Since this was such a crime, perhaps we should also look at those people attending a $10,000-a-plate fundraiser for politicians. How many of them have gotten unsolicited contracts or have political family members working for them? In any case, this is a warning for politicians and their families not to have anything to do with charitable work. As for awarding the WE Charity the proposed youth-employment program, the organization does have the required expertise. They created programs for the Ontario government and created a services program for youth across the US for the College Board, a coalition of universities and colleges.

In addition, the proposed contract had references to 13 audits and would have involved 83 not-for-profit coalition partners. They were not alone in trying to help Canada’s youth. In WE’s first week they received 35,000 applications from youth under the program. When the political storm became too much, they supplied the feds information on all the work they had done to date and refused re-imbursement. So, what was the outcome that was upsetting? No students received any money during this Covid-19 crisis when summer jobs mean so much but were not available. Over 7,000 Canadian schools are no longer getting services from WE. After selling off the Canadian assets and funding the remaining projects around the world there will be no more of the needed resources for those who so desperately need them. But the scandal-driven politicians have certainly taught us that trying to help people is not something we should work for when it comes to slinging mud at each other.

the Nation is published every two weeks by Beesum Communications EDITORIAL BOARD L. Stewart, W. Nicholls, M. Siberok, Mr. N. Diamond, E. Webb EDITOR IN CHIEF Will Nicholls DIRECTOR OF FINANCES Linda Ludwick EDITORS Lyle Stewart, Martin Siberok PRODUCTION COORDINATOR AND MANAGING EDITOR Dan Isaac CONTRIBUTING WRITERS X. Kataquapit, P. Quinn, B. Powless, A. Simoneau DESIGN Matthew Dessner (Kontroller Media) SALES AND ADVERTISING Danielle Valade, Donna Malthouse, Melissa Juliette THANKS TO: Air Creebec CONTACT US: The Nation, 4529 CLARK, #403, Montreal, QC., H2T 2T3 EDITORIAL & ADS: Tel.: 514-272-3077, Fax: 514-278-9914 HEAD OFFICE: P.O. Box 151, Chisasibi, QC. J0M 1E0 www.nationnews.ca EDITORIAL: will@nationnews.ca news@ nationnews.ca ADS: Danielle Valade: ads@nationnews.ca; Donna Malthouse: donna@beesum.com SUBSCRIPTIONS: $60 plus taxes, US: $90, Abroad: $110, Payable to beesum communications, all rights reserved, publication mail #40015005, issn #1206-2642 The Nation is a member of: The James Bay Cree Communications Society, Circle Of Aboriginal Controlled Publishers, Magazines Canada Quebec Community Newspaper Assn. Canadian Newspapers Assn. Les Hebdos Sélect Du Québec. Funded [in part] by the Government of Canada. | www.nationnews.ca |

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4 the Nation September 25, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

CMCA AUDITED

News

Bosum meets new Hydro head

Grand Chief ’s first face-to-face with Sophie Brochu since her April appointment delayed by pandemic by Ben Powless

t took four months, but new HydroQuébec President Sophie Brochu finally met with the Cree Nation Government Grand Chief Abel Bosum August 14. For Bosum, the meeting “was an opportunity to finally sit down together, at a safe social distance, and officially meet.” The pair had talked briefly by teleconference in April, when Bosum congratulated her and invited her to meet. “Our first meeting was a very positive one,” Bosum said. “Mme Brochu is known for being fair and respectful of relationships, be it the one we have with Hydro-Québec, or, more importantly, the relationship we have with the territory, was definitely reassuring. Brochu became the first female permanent President of HydroQuébec April 2, a month into pandemic-control efforts. Previously, she worked over 30 years for energy groups such as the Société québécoise d’initiatives pétrolières (SOQUIP) and Énergir (formerly Gaz Métro). Brochu holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Université Laval

and two honourary doctorates, and for any new projects, and that Hydrois very active with the community in Québec’s position is to not pursue any projects that “do not have social Montreal, where she lives. “It’s with a great deal of humility acceptability.” “The Cree and enthusiasm Nation has that I accept made incredible the mandate strides in relaentrusted to me. tion to develAt a time when opment, it is no public service longer possible is more important than ever, for companies This was the first I’m delighted like Hydromeeting for a real to team up with Québec to uniexchange on how we laterally decide the thousands of what happens men and women can strengthen or what is introat Hydroour relationship duced in Eeyou Québec who Istchee,” Bosum are passion- Grand Chief Abel Bosum ate about their continued. work and more Still, existing projects determined than “require ongoever to innovate ing operational in order to help work, includcustomers, support their coming monitoring, munities and contribute to Québec’s refurbishment and optimization not economic recovery,” Brochu said in just for economic reasons but also a statement in April. for safety, environmental and wildlife Grand Chief Bosum confirmed protection or enhancement reasons,” that there are no current negotiations Bosum stated.

He added that the CNG has ongoing agreements, including the Rupert River Water Management Agreement, which obligates Cree participation in Hydro-Québec’s operational decisions. Bosum says this ensures that all work meets past commitments. A spokesperson for Brochu declined the Nation’s interview request but did say that Brochu is “eager to pursue Hydro-Québec’s partnership with the Cree Nation.” “This was the first meeting for a real exchange on how we can strengthen our relationship and ensure that there is greater transparency in our relationship,” Bosum said. “Mme Brochu is a very capable leader whose frankness and commitment to keep the lines of communication open I greatly appreciated. She is also clearly a very innovative person so I have no doubt she will be instrumental in finding new ways for the Cree and Hydro-Québec to work together without sacrificing our values.”

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hree confirmed cases of Covid-19 have been tied to Wiichihiituwin clients and staff in Montreal. According to the Cree Health Board, a Wiichihiituwin patient from Eeyou Istchee staying at the Espresso Hotel tested positive for Covid-19 September 10. A non-clinical staff member of the health service – a Montreal resident – also received a positive test result. A contact of one of the first two individuals likewise tested positive for Covid-19. That person is a resident of Eeyou Istchee. At press time, all individuals were in isolation in Montreal under medical supervision, with both Cree community members in isolation at the Espresso Hotel, which itself went into lockdown. Over 270 people who had been at the Espresso hotel between September 1-9 were called by the contact tracing team. Of the total 143 clients and escorts were still at the hotel, while 83 clients and escorts staying at the hotel had returned home to Eeyou Istchee. 51 employees of Wiichihiituwin were also involved in the trace. “After wide-scale testing within this group, we found no other cases of Covid-19,” read a September 17 statement from the CBH. “No one

6 the Nation September 25, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

else has developed any concerning symptoms during the investigation. We were also able to identify a common, external source of exposure to the virus for all three people who tested positive. All these elements allow us to safely end the investigation of this cluster of cases.” This brings the number of Eeyou Istchee residents who have tested positive for Covid-19 up to 12, at a time when many jurisdictions across Canada are seeing infection rates increase dramatically. However, many of those who were staying at the Espresso took to Facebook to post about their concerns and frustrations as the hotel stopped cleaning rooms and prohibited use of public areas, including public laundry rooms. The Nation spoke to a Waskaganish man, who asked to remain anonymous, staying at the hotel with his partner and child. The family arrived in Montreal in August for a medical appointment for their young son, originally staying at the Chrome Hotel and moving to the Espresso Hotel after those appointments were done. The family was supposed to return September 11, but lockdowns were put in place after a positive case was found the pre-

Espresso infections Covid-19 outbreak among Cree patients, staff at Montreal hotel by Ben Powless

vious day, preventing dozens of hotel guests from returning home. “The hotel has been frustrating,” he said, adding that his partner had a panic attack over the measures. “They locked everything down, even where you wash laundry. They brought us cups of laundry detergent and told us to wash our laundry in the bathtub.” Patients were only allowed outside for smoke breaks or for medical appointments. Even then, security guards record when people come and go. Still, there’s been some good news. The family recently tested negative, again, for Covid-19. Now with the investigation concluded, they, along with all the other patients and escorts, will be returning home starting Saturday September 19. After doing so though, they’ve been told they’ll still need to isolate, either at home or in a hotel set up for that purpose. “We just want to be home,” he concluded. “This was a very challenging and stressful event for everyone, and we thank every person involved in the response, from patients to escorts to staff,” read the September 17 CBH statement. “The personal contributions and sacrifices that each of you

“They brought us cups of laundry detergent and told us to wash our laundry in the bathtub” made, and your tremendous cooperation, were key to preventing any further transmission of the virus.” CBH Vice-Chairperson Christine Petawabano echoed that sentiment in a statement from earlier in the week, saying the board has heard the concerns and is working to address the situation. “Wiichihiituwin will continue to adapt and increase services at Espresso, to make them more comfortable for clients in self-isolation,” she said. This includes hiring new kitchen staff to improve the quality of food services, increased cleaning schedules and protocols for all rooms, and new appliances and equipment in all rooms, including for laundry. Petawabano also stressed the need for self-isolation as one of the most effective measures to prevent spreading the virus to Eeyou Istchee.

“The number of days you spend in isolation are being noted. When you go home, the isolation you have completed at Espresso will be taken into account. The health board asks you to be patient, and to reach out if you need to talk to someone,” Petawabano said. The Wiichihiiwaawin Helpline is available at 1-833-632-4357. A CBH document stressed that a seven-day isolation period in Montreal prior to a seven-day isolation period in the community may prove helpful in diagnosing potential Covid-19 cases before returning to communities while also providing better access to health services in case someone tests positive. If an individual fails to respect the seven-day isolation period in Montreal they will be required to complete the full 14-day isolation period when they return to their community.

The CBH added Quebec City, the Eastern Townships and Outaouais/ Gatineau to areas now considered a risk – in addition to Montreal, Laval and the Lanaudière, Laurentian and Montérégie regions. Everywhere outside of Quebec is also considered at risk, except for the regions of Sudbury, Porcupine and Timiskaming. Eeyou Istchee otherwise continues in phase 4 of the deconfinement plan. Across Canada, Covid-19 cases continued to rise, as new infections approached nearly 1,000 a day, a rate not seen since May. About a third of those new cases were in Quebec. Canada’s total amount of cases approached 140,000 as the global total moved past 29 million. Over 9,200 people have died from Covid-19 in Canada, compared to over 930,000 globally.

www.nationnews.ca September 25, 2020 the Nation 7

If you are an Indigenous woman of Eeyou Istchee and you are seeking safety and support, we are here to help you!

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Jordan’s Principle Ofﬁce Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) 418-923-3355 x42186 18tcr.jordans.principle@ssss.gouv.qc.ca creehealth.org/jp

Individual Applications for Eeyou Istchee

The legacy of Jordan River Anderson

Jordan was born in Norway House Cree Nation, Manitoba in 1999, with multiple disabilities and stayed in the hospital from birth. When he was 2 years old, doctors said he could move to a special home for his medical needs. However, the federal and provincial governments could not agree on who should pay for his home-based care. Jordan passed away in the hospital at the age of 5. In 2007, the House of Commons passed Jordan’s Principle in memory of Jordan. Today, Jordan’s Principle is a legal obligation, which means it has no end date—it will support First Nations children for generations to come.

Is your child eligible for Jordan’s Principle?

Current eligibility criteria under Jordan’s Principle are: • 0 to 18 years old • Must have a band number (or parents’ band number, if not yet assigned)

24-hour Jordan’s Principle Helpline

1-855-572-4453 Your child does not have to have a disability to be covered under Jordan’s Principle.

In Brief Barriere Lake re-enforces moose moratorium For the second year in a row, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake are imposing their own moratorium on moose hunting in the La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve. Barriere Lake has for years sounded the alarm over the dwindling moose population in the reserve located on their traditional territory – and called for a complete halt to the sports hunt. Since September 14, the start of this year’s sports hunt, community members are turning hunters away at four checkpoints set up just off Highway 117. “It’s not a position that we look forward to taking but it is something that has to be dealt with,” Barriere Lake band councillor Charles Ratt told the CBC. While Quebec’s Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks has conducted an aerial moose survey, their results showed only a “slightly lower” population density, which it didn’t classify as critical. The Société des établissements de plein air du Québec, which manages the wildlife reserve, did reduce permitting for the sports hunt by 30% and reduced the number of female

moose allowed to be harvested from 200 to 100. However, for Barriere Lake, the limits don’t go far enough. The Algonquin rely heavily on the moose herd in the park as a food source as the closest grocery store is a 90-minute drive. The disappearing moose herd also impacts cultural traditions. “With a low moose count, it’s been very difficult for people to be able to be successful at passing on those teachings and knowledge to the younger generation,” said Ratt. In a September 11 statement, the ministry said it is “sensitive to the concerns… and intends to continue the dialogue with Indigenous communities.”

CBC North to hire Indigenous boss After the current head of CBC North, Janice Stein, announced that she would soon retire September 25. The CBC pledged to replace her with an Indigenous person. “It’s been 37 years [with CBC],” said Stein, who’s held the position since 2011. “I celebrated my 71st birthday a month ago – it’s time.” Once she leaves, the make-up of CBC North will also shift. It will no longer include Saskatchewan and Manitoba as a “super-region”. The

position will also be changed from managing director of CBC North to senior managing director. John Bertrand, senior managing director of the CBC’s prairie and northern region, said that the new position would likely be based in Yellowknife and would be filled shortly after Stein’s departure.

Pauktuutit calls for Inuit women’s shelters While Prime Minster Justin Trudeau’s government pledged over $85 million back in May to build and operate 12 new shelters for Indigenous women, the lack of commitment for Inuit-specific women’s shelters has Pauktuutit, the national non-prof-

it organization representing Inuit women in Canada, worried that their clientele will be left behind. Pauktuutit issued a press release September 14 calling on Trudeau and Minister of Crown-Indigenous Affairs Carolyn Bennett to “include immediate tangible support” for Inuit women. “Indigenous women cannot be lumped into one category,” explained Pauktuutit President Rebecca Kudloo. “While we are always supportive of policies and funding that enhance our Indigenous sisters’ well-being, we Inuit can no longer afford to be left behind, which has all too often been the case.” They want the government to allocate $20 million to construct five shelters and transitional for Inuit women and children, including four in Inuit Nunangat and one in Ottawa. “Pauktuutit’s shelter ask has been longstanding and the need remains urgent,” said Kudloo, noting the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls report called for the same initiative. “Unfortunately, these critical safe spaces are still not in place to this day, nor have we received even a commitment to fund their construction at any point in the foreseeable future. We know maintaining the status quo will continue to cost lives.”

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Features

Raising Chickens in Eeyou Istchee

ffoewl ver by Patri c

Photo by

10 the Nation September 25, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

k Quinn

Bethanie

Blacksmit

The joys of chicken farming in Eeyou Istchee

ome chicken farms are a growing trend for many reasons – food security, environmental sustainability and the joys of collecting fresh eggs every morning. For two Mistissini residents, the catalyst was travel restrictions introduced during the pandemic. “It was a project we had planned a couple of years ago and with Covid came the right time to start it,” said Minnie Coonishish, noting that store-bought food used to be a rarity. “It’s easy to maintain them. My children love it too. Anybody can do it and I hope to see other people doing it.” After Goose Break, her family purchased four chickens and associated supplies from a small farm outside Chibougamau. Around the same time, fellow Mistissini resident Bethanie Blacksmith also purchased seven chickens. “This past year it’s a trending idea everywhere to have backyard chickens,” Blacksmith told the Nation. “We’ve just been loving it and surprisingly my husband and kids are loving it too. I feel there’s a nice change happening within the Cree Nation where we’re leaning more towards agriculture, horticulture and self-sustainability.”

I feel there’s a nice change happening within the Cree Nation where we’re leaning more towards agriculture, horticulture and self-sustainability

Larry Linton was reportedly the first to bring farm animals to Mistissini in the late 1970s. Blacksmith fondly recalls visiting her best friends there. While she always loved the farm life and dreamed of one day owning a horse, chickens are a better fit for her backyard. “We were going to build this fancy coop we found on Pinterest, but then realized it’s going to be a time-saver to turn the small shed into a chicken coop,” explained Blacksmith. “We cleared everything out of there and painted everything white with two nesting boxes and an outdoor run for the chickens.” Coonishish’s husband built a coop in their front yard just outside their bedroom window. They plan to add a second fence after a dog took off with one of their chickens a few weeks ago. Although stray dogs are a concern, most of her feathered friends’ visitors have been more than welcome. “A lot of neighbourhood kids come around and it’s like a zoo for them,” said Coonishish. “For some, it’s the first time they’ve seen a chicken, so they come over and peek in. The first time they laid eggs, my 11-year-old said I’m going to make scrambled eggs. Whenever they see eggs, they pick them up.”

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“We’ve been wanting to build a camp close enough to the community but far enough away not to bother anybody”

More recently, she began supporting the next generation by incubating eggs obtained from a hatchery near Gatineau. “We bought 22 and incubated them,” explained Blacksmith. “We have eight Rhode Island Whites and two Easter Eggers that hatched last week. They are the cutest, fluffiest things. My children’s friends come over to look at them and hold them. They’re full of questions and it’s really fun.” Most people raise chickens for a steady supply of eggs. Coonishish expects each chicken will produce an egg a day for the next three years, although the change of season normally decreas-

12 the Nation September 25, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

es output. Blacksmith stopped giving away eggs in the week before leaving for their moose camp and had nine cartons amassed already. Relatively little time and money is required after the initial investment – Coonishish said it cost under $200 for her chickens, wood shavings, food and water dispensers, and heated lamps. Although chickens generate significant body heat, both owners are still planning for winter arrangements. Chickens are versatile eaters, consuming kitchen scraps and whatever insects they can find besides their specialized feed. While it’s

been a constant learning experience, both women are so pleased with how it’s going that they’re already planning to expand operations. “We’ve been wanting to build a camp close enough to the community but far enough away not to bother anybody,” shared Blacksmith. “Definitely expand on the coop and maybe have up to 40 chickens. I want to try getting some goats and making some goat milk. You can make tons of stuff out of goat milk – soap, milk, cheese. That would be fun.”

www.nationnews.ca September 25, 2020 the Nation 13

citizen scientists

Crustacean n o i s s e Obs A

Chisasibi crab experiment inspires citizen scientist initiative by Patrick Quinn Photos by Roger Orr

14 the Nation

recent discovery by two Chisasibi fishers has inspired the Eeyou Marine Region Wildlife Board to launch a “Citizen Scientist” initiative. The EMRWB is now calling on Crees to share their knowledge of the animal species of James Bay. “Once we saw how much interest Roger Orr and Bertie Wapachee’s crab experiment was getting, we felt that it was an excellent opportunity to let people know that this is exactly the kind of information we need to collect,” explained EMRWB Wildlife Management Director Angela Coxon. What began as a simple trip on the bay with a crab trap brought by Wapachee has turned into an increasing obsession for the pair, aided by information from social media contacts following their quest. They tried various combinations of trap designs, bait offerings and locations over several weeks before hitting the jackpot with nearly 30 crabs in mid-August.

Seals started jumping into the water – it was an awesome sight. Sure enough, that’s where we hit the jackpot - Roger Orr

“I always wondered what was out there, what the bay offered besides the fish we caught by the coastline,” Orr told the Nation. “It was such an awesome feeling, to actually succeed in something that we had no history of in our culture – to pinpoint it without even having the technology or documentation, just by using intuition alone.” Inspired by shows like Deadliest Catch and Coldwater Cowboys, Orr whipped up some traps from scraps lying behind his business, Retro Daze Café. Something was devouring the chicken wings and Klik canned meat Orr had tucked into his old socks as bait, but they couldn’t be certain it was crabs until they designed a trap the crabs couldn’t escape from. “We couldn’t prove anything until we started pulling out crabs,” Orr observed. “Weather played a big role in how long those traps would be there – if it was too windy, it was impossible to go out. We caught the first one in the second week of setting traps and praying to the crab gods.” Realizing that crabs were unlikely to live in James Bay without a significant population, the fishermen persisted and found a 150-foot hole using sonar farther in the bay. They moved all their traps to this area after noticing a congregation of seals on nearby rocks. “I figured they’re feeding on something not far from that hole,”

Orr said. “Seals started jumping into the water – it was an awesome sight. Sure enough, that’s where we hit the jackpot.” While crabs had been reported decades ago in Wemindji, this latest discovery was exciting news for the region’s marine biologists, not to mention Orr’s hundreds of social media followers. A rise in connectivity, accessible technology and thirst for data make such projects and other “citizen science” increasingly possible. “We’re looking at expanding our mandate depending on what species are being discovered by citizen scientists,” said EMRWB chairperson Gordon Blackned. “Roger and Bertie were just going to the islands by Chisasibi, but further out in the bay there may exist other animals. Perhaps even lobsters.” While Cree have traditionally found abundant harvests close to shore, community consultations to define the board’s research priorities in 2017 revealed an interest in expanding this seafood diet. Are there opportunities to harvest shrimp and crab or perhaps farm clams, mussels or seaweed? Blackned notes that the variety of James Bay sea life has never been fully explored by marine biologists. “Realistically,” asked Coxon, “do I think there will ever be a harvest of crab or shrimp in the EMR? Probably

not, because those species prefer extremely cold, deep water for optimal growth, offered by Hudson Bay and the Arctic and Atlantic oceans. We need the experts and land users to help us answer the questions.” A proposed two-year research expedition of James Bay that would start next summer in a Department of Fisheries and Oceans vessel could provide more scientific data. If approved, information sessions will be held this winter in each community with opportunities to participate in sampling. Regular meetings with the EMRWB’s Nunavik counterpart also help to improve knowledge of the region’s wildlife patterns. Climate change and other factors have resulted in polar bears and beluga whales venturing further south in recent years, migration changes that the citizen scientist initiative also hopes to illuminate. “It’s quite interesting learning from the Inuit what species they’re interested in,” Blackned told the Nation. “There’s a much wider variety of harvest – the beluga, polar bear, seal, walrus. They mentioned there is a commercial harvest for shrimp in their area.” Other research collaborations are examining the decline of eelgrass, an important food source for migratory geese. Changes to water conditions caused by climate and hydroelectric

projects are harder to measure. But observations from land users play a valuable role in monitoring eelgrass health and identifying potential invasive species that may contribute to habitat loss. “Reporting all wildlife observations can help identify critical habitats, rare and invasive species, as well as any changes in population abundance, distribution and migration important to Cree cultural practices,” explained Coxon. “Citizen science and traditional knowledge go hand in hand,” she continued. “There are no better people to report their observations than the people who have their hands on the pulse of the land.” EMRWB’s primary focus is to document all species in the marine region, particularly those that are new to the area or expanding their range. While they will unveil a new website this winter with an online app and electronic reporting forms, observations can in the meantime be emailed to wildlife@eeyoumarineregion.ca or reported to your local CTA-EMR officer. Following the successful crab experiment, Orr is hungry to pursue more explorations in the mysterious depths. He is particularly interested in lumpfish, mussels and sea urchins – all considered delicacies and believed to be plentiful in James Bay. Several urchins were found attached to the crab traps. “I would just like to thank everyone who followed this journey with us to figure out these sasquatches of the deep,” said Orr. “I’ll probably go out one more time because I overcooked the last batch. They don’t take long to cook at all, two minutes maybe. They tasted really good.”

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An approach adapted to the different regions to limit transmission of the virus It is now more important than ever that we follow health measures to limit the spread of the virus. It is essential that each of us remains vigilant and adopts good habits. Since the virus is not spreading everywhere at the same rate, a new tool has been implemented to show how the situation is evolving in each Quebec region. This four-level alert system will make it easier for you to keep track of the governmentâ€™s interventions. We must contain the spread of the virus throughout Quebec. This is how we can retain some level of normalcy over the next few months. Each region can make a big difference in limiting the spread of the virus. Letâ€™s continue to protect each other.

Progressive regional alert and intervention system The Progessive regional alert and intervention system specifies which additional measures each health region must take to slow the transmission of the virus. These depend on the alert level reached and are intended to limit the health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19, protect those who are most at risk and avoid overburdening the healthcare system. The alert levels are established based on the recommendations of public health authorities who regularly review the situation, taking into account the epidemiological situation, transmission control and the capacity of the healthcare system.

Donâ€™t forget that everyone must adopt behaviours that limit transmission of the virus. We do it to ensure that our children can keep going to school, to protect our seniors, to ensure the safety of our healthcare workers and to revive our economy. Follow the basic measures at all times:

Keep your distance Wear a face covering Cough into your elbow Wash your hands Adapt your greetings

FOUR ALERT AND INTERVENTION LEVELS LEVEL 4

Maximum Alert

LEVEL 3

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 1

Vigilance Level 1 requires constant attention amid the COVID-19 pandemic. It corresponds to a low level of transmission in the community. It requires that the basic measures established be followed in all settings (physical distancing, respiratory etiquette, hand washing, etc.). Special measures may also apply to certain activities or settings.

Early Warning This level is imposed when the level of transmission starts to increase. The basic measures are reinforced and further actions are taken to promote and encourage compliance. For example, there might be more inspections and crowd control in some settings to facilitate physical distancing.

Alert Level 3 introduces additional measures that target specific areas of activity and settings where the risk of transmission is deemed higher. These areas are subject to selective restrictions, prohibitions and closures.

Level 4 selectively applies more restrictive measures up to and including ceasing non-essential activities for which the risk cannot be sufficiently controlled, while avoiding the generalized confinement that was experienced during the first wave of the pandemic as much as possible.

To find out the alert level in your region, consult the Map of COVID-19 alert levels by region at QuĂŠbec.ca/alertlevels

QuĂŠbec.ca/coronavirus 1 877 644-4545

an inconvenient trickster

by Patrick Quinn

18 the Nation September 25, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

Filmmaker Michelle Latimer’s two TIFF premieres provide a showcase for Indigenous talent

ith two projects premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this September, Métis-Algonquin filmmaker Michelle Latimer hopes to empower Indigenous communities through the same medium that has so often been a source of misrepresentation. While the documentary Inconvenient Indian and CBC television series Trickster are adaptations of popular books by Thomas King and Eden Robinson respectively, both are infused with Latimer’s compelling visual aesthetics and activist tendencies. The latter were clearly demonstrated in her Indigenous resistance docu-series Rise, which placed her amidst the Standing Rock pipeline protests. Following that hectic experience, working on Inconvenient Indian enabled Latimer to embrace her more meditative side. Then, when returning home to Thunder Bay to scatter her grandmother’s ashes, she devoured Robinson’s Son of a Trickster and couldn’t shake the characters from her head. “What really stood out to me is that it’s so contemporary,” Latimer told the Nation. “Thomas King talks about how unless we look like the leathers-and-feathers ‘Dead Indian’, we’re not seen. I thought Eden’s characters defied that stereotype completely. They were modern, irreverent, struggling, but magical as well. Her characters leapt off the page with energy.” Over dinner with Sienna Films co-owner Jennifer Kawaja, Latimer lamented that Indigenous filmmakers

generally can’t afford the rights of successful novels. That conversation led to a 50-50 partnership offer to pursue the rights to Robinson’s book. Latimer’s impassioned pitch letter resonated with the acclaimed author, who was impressed by her approach to community consultation and harnessing Indigenous talent on both sides of the camera. “I’m so tired of people telling me there’s not enough Indigenous people to fill certain roles,” explained Latimer. “I would love to get to a place where there are so many talented Indigenous people for every department on a film set that they don’t know who to hire because there are too many of us to pick from. That would be my dream.” Trickster is provocative and thrilling magic realism, recalling surreal dramas like Stranger Things and Twin Peaks with a uniquely Indigenous spin. Latimer and co-creator Tony Elliot fill the series with pulsing energy and dark humour, subtly introducing supernatural elements that suggest traditional folklore woven with repercussions of intergenerational trauma. “We’re not talking about residential school, but you understand the context in a way that’s almost like subtext,” expressed Latimer. “I find that interesting, not hammering the issue over the head but creating a world with all those complexities. Therefore, it elicits a different kind of empathy because it humanizes the issues.” Trickster stars Joel Oulette as Jared, a charismatic and responsible 17-year-old in northern BC who sup-

Joel Oulette (Jared) and Anna Lambe (Sarah) in Trickster; Stills courtesy of CBC

www.nationnews.ca September 25, 2020 the Nation 19

ports his hard partying and schizophrenic mother by cooking MDMA on the side of his fast-food job. When a mysterious stranger claims to be his real father, things get even weirder. “I really see Trickster as a healing journey,” Latimer asserted. “Jared is trying to fly under the radar, but he’s overcome with these visions. It’s only when he accepts who he is and where he comes from that he can step into his true power. That is a metaphor for what lots of Indigenous kids go through.” Latimer credits her creative team with helping to chart the six-episode story arc and, based on Robinson’s second book of the trilogy, is already writing the sophomore season. She appreciates the confidence both Robinson and King have shown in her artistic vision, encouraging her to use the source material as a launching point for exploring ideas. Inconvenient Indian transcends the documentary genre through immersive cinematography and sound design. “The beauty of documentary is it’s always a bit of a journey and a discovery,” said Latimer. “I wanted to privilege the image over the voice for people to have a visual experience rather than a narrative one. I wanted it to feel like a piece of poetry or music in that way. It just sinks in and is an experience that takes you over when you’re listening or watching it.” A Tribe Called Red’s “We are the Halluci Nation” accompanies the film’s hallucinatory beginnings, including a visceral re-enactment of Custer’s Last Stand and rave-y exploration of cultural appropriation at the

West Hollywood Halloween Parade. As King provides thoughtful voice-over, he rides through the city in a taxi driven by a trickster-like coyote. After establishing how the white settler lens has contributed to cultural genocide, Latimer turns the camera to some of today’s most exciting Indigenous creators – visual artists Kent Monkman and Christi Belcourt and filmmakers Alethia Arnaquq-Baril and Nyla Innuksuk. “This is only a small sampling of the amazing work that is being done across Turtle Island,” Latimer said. “I’ve been following these artists’ work for a long time and been really inspired by them, so it was such an honour to tell a small part of their story. They’re really the ‘inconvenient Indians’ – they’re the ones disrupting, and I love it.” The film shares King’s subversive humour and provocative spirit, inviting viewers to consider their own complicity in perpetuating harmful stereotypes while demonstrating how contemporary communities are reclaiming traditional cultural practices. “Thomas King asks the audience to think about where stories come from and how representations are sometimes dangerous, whereas Trickster is really an example of representation,” argued Latimer. “When you fill the roles in front of and behind the camera with Indigenous people this is what a new kind of storytelling can look like. I hope it makes people realize what we are capable of when we have some space and opportunity to really create.”

“I’ve been following these artists’ work for a long time and been really inspired by them, so it was such an honour to tell a small part of their story

“They’re really the ‘inconvenient Indians’ – they’re the ones disrupting, and I love it.” - Métis-Algonquin filmmaker Michelle Latimer

20 the Nation September 25, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

www.nationnews.ca September 25, 2020 the Nation 21

PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS RESPECTING THE ELECTION FOR CBHSSJB CHAIRPERSON Notice is hereby given that the election for the office of the Chairperson of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) will be held on Monday, October 19, 2020. The CBHSSJB Chairperson is the Cree representative on the CBHSSJB Board of Directors elected by and from among the members of the Cree Nation Government for a term of four years. The present notice is in accordance with CBHSSJB “Consolidated By law No 9: By-law respecting the Procedure for the Election of the Cree Representative of the Members of the Cree Nation Government and Chairperson of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay. Qualifications to Vote • The qualifications to vote in the election of the CBHSSJB Chair person are as follows: • To be a member of the Cree Nation Government (enrolled or en titled to be enrolled as a Cree beneficiary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement); • To be of the age of majority on the date of the election (18 years of age on October 19, 2020); and • Not to be affected by any legal incapacity. Qualifications to be a Candidate The qualifications to vote also apply to candidates for the office of the Chairperson. In addition, no one who is an employee or practices a profession with the CBHSSJB may be elected as the Chairperson unless that person resigns or ceases to practice upon election. Any person who acts as a Returning Officer or Local Returning Officer for the election cannot be a candidate.

Nomination Procedures Only persons who meet the candidate qualifications and who are nominated by ten (10) eligible voters on the applicable nomination form may be candidates for Chairperson. The nomination period for candidates will start on Friday, September 4, 2020 and will CLOSE on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Completed nomination forms must be submitted to the Returning Officer in person, by mail, by fax or by email by this deadline. Any nomination received after this deadline will NOT be accepted. The original of any nomination form sent by electronic means must be filed with the Returning Officer by September 24, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. A nominated candidate must confirm in writing to the Returning Officer that he/she accepts the nomination by Monday, September 28, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., failing which his/her name will be removed from the list of candidates. The nomination form may be obtained from the Returning Officer or a Local Returning Officer appointed by him. The nomination form may also be downloaded here or from the website of the CBHSSJB at: www.creehealth.org. Polls This election poll will be held in person, as set out below. Howeve in order to ensure that the election poll is carried out However, safely in view of the on-going public health emergency, the Returning Officer may authorize certain voters to participate in the poll by telephone where he deems it appropriate, such as for eligible voters located in “COVID-19 Areas of Risk” determined by the Cree authorities.

ADVANCE POLL: Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

MAIN ELECTION POLL: Monday, October 19, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Please check future Public Notices for the locations of the polling station(s) in each community and other locations, and for information regarding authorization to participate in the poll by telephone where deemed appropriate by the Returning Officer. For further information or to request or submit a nomination form, please contact Returning Officer John Henry Wapachee at: jhwapachee@nemaska.ca; [mailing address: 6 Bear Trail, PO Box 131, Nemaska, QC J0Y 3B0]; or call 514-601-4607. For information, please also contact Robin Pachanos, Deputy Returning Officer at robinpachanos@gmail.com. NOTICE GIVEN ON THIS 28th DAY OF AUGUST, 2020 BY ORDER OF THE RETURNING OFFICER.

John Henry Wapachee, Returning Ofﬁcer, CBHSSJB Chairperson Election 2020 22 the Nation September 25, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

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Sports

Big fish at Big Rock

Mistissini fishing derby reels in younger participants by André Simoneau | Photos provided by Shawn Coonishish

amilies and friends from all over Eeyou Istchee gathered in Mistissini September 5-6 for the seventh edition of the Big Rock Fishing Derby, organized by the community Sports and Recreation Department. Team Iywaashtin took the $20,000 first place prize in the walleye category with the help of a seven-pound fish on the first day of the event. The $5,000 first prize in the pike category went to Samuel “Hammer” Mianscum. The 10 winners in the walleye category were determined by the cumulative weight and length of four fish, two on each day of the event, plus bonus points, while the three winners in the pike category were determined by the single biggest fish of the derby. The winning four-member Team Iywaashtin was made up of three generations of the Coonishish family from Nemaska: Andrew Coonishish, his two sons Shawn and Claude, and granddaughter Jaymie-Lynn. “She was the first one who brought it up,” said Shawn, Jamie-Lynn’s father. “A couple of weeks prior to the event, she saw that they allowed 16-year-olds, and she wanted to get involved and come fish with us. That’s how it all began.” While most derbies in the area are open only to participants 18 years and older, the Big Rock derby extended its criteria this year to allow 16- and 17-year-olds, so long as they were accompanied by adults. For Jaymie-Lynn, who began fishing at age 10, it was her first time fishing on Lake Mistassini. “Being in the same team as my father, uncle and grandfather was awesome,” she said. “They are very fun to fish with.

“I didn’t expect to be in first place,” she added. “I was pretty shocked.” Jaymie-Lynn says she hopes other derbies will open their admission criteria to younger participants as well. “It’s like a family tradition,” said Shawn. “We went out quite often with my father. That’s where me and my brother picked it up, and my daughter too. It’s a good thing for her, because at 16, normally you just want to stay on the phone. It’s good that the younger generation is getting involved. “I see it as a family event, for friends and people to get together,” he added. “With everything that’s going on with Covid-19, it’s a good way to release some stress. We had a really good time.” Jaymie-Lynn says she recalls one particularly memorable moment during the competition, when the team caught their biggest fish. “There was so much excitement,” she said. “My uncle was the one trying to get it in the net. He tried twice, and I never heard my dad swear at someone like he did at my uncle when he missed the fish on the first try.” Shawn agrees it was a crucial moment that ultimately helped them win the tournament. “There was a bit of shouting going on,” he said with a laugh. “But [my brother] got it on the second attempt.” Registration fees were $600 for a team of up to four participants, and those fees, along with sponsorships, contributed to the more than $50,000 in prizes distributed to the winners and runners-up in the walleye and pike categories. “The turnout was really good,” said Michel Shecapio, who helped coordinate the event. “We were expecting

about 70 teams, and we ended up with 64.” Organizers made some adjustments to the rules of the derby in order to adapt to Covid-19 security measures, such as allowing only one member of each team at weighing stations, and the introduction of a bonus point system to encourage people to bring in their fish earlier in the day. “In previous years, at the last hour, the weighing station is crowded,” Shecapio said. “When we use the point system, it’s to avoid the crowding at the last hour. So there weren’t that many people weighing their fish after six. Some people were already done fishing at noon.” Shecapio says the bonus point system also helps conservation efforts, by encouraging participants to not keep fish in their live wells all day. Other conservation rules in effect during the competition included requirements to release any fish under 18 inches, and for fish to be confirmed as still alive after being released in order to be counted to a team’s point total. Asked what the family secret is for catching the biggest fish, Shawn Coonishish emphasizes keeping things simple. “You can use all kinds of lures, there’s so many out there,” he said. “You just have to be at the right spot at the right time.”

“With everything that’s going on with Covid-19, it’s a good way to release some stress” - Shawn Coonishish

www.nationnews.ca September 25, 2020 the Nation 25

Politics

A centuries-old battle Six Nations community in new struggle to prevent development on disputed land by Ben Powless

ix Nations community members have occupied land near their reserve that’s slated to become a housing development since July 19.

Since then, dozens of supporters have been arrested as community members have turned it into a camp that has symbolize to represent generations of frustration over territorial dispossession. Protesters claim the land – dubbed “1492 Land Back Lane” by occupiers – belongs to the community. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs September 12 to demand an end to police violence and criminalization of community members and supporters. Part of that disputed land is where Foxgate Developments is planning to build 218 homes on 25 acres of land in Caledonia, next to the Six Nations community about an hour southwest of Toronto. “The main demand of this protest is for the OPP [Ontario Provincial Police] to stop arresting land defenders who are supporting the camp at 1492 Land Back Lane,” said one supporter, Subhanya Sivajothy, in a press release. “Community members are engaged in a traditional decision-making process, but the threat of violent police enforcement prevents them from solving this as a community.”

“The main demand of this protest is for the OPP [Ontario Provincial Police] to stop arresting land defenders who are supporting the camp at 1492 Land Back Lane - Subhanya Sivajothy

The dispute goes back to 1784, when British colonial authorities granted a large tract of land known as the Haldimand Tract to the Six Nations as compensation for allying with Britain during the American War of Independence. Since then, the Canadian government is alleged to have sold the land illegally to private parties starting in 1853. In an August 20 social-media post, camp spokesperson Skyler Williams said that individuals at the camp “are here because we are committed to upholding our sacred responsibility to the land and future

26 the Nation September 25, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

generations. Every day our community makes progress in our discussions and our healing from the generations of oppression we have experienced.” The camp also received the support of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs, a group that is distinct from the elected chief and council of the community. “The Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council is opposed to this development and as the holder of collective rights for the Haudenosaunee people has not granted any type of consent which would allow this development to pro-

ceed,” a statement from the chiefs read. Court documents have since revealed that the chief and council of Six Nations had originally agreed to the land development in return for 42 acres of land and $325,000. Since then, however, the elected chief, Mark Hill, released a video posted to the community’s website expressing a desire for unity while rejecting violence. “I encourage everyone in Ontario and across Canada to listen to the concerns of the land defenders and learn why the land in dispute holds so much cultural and emotional sig-

“I don’t care who you are, you start attacking our police, I’ll come out swinging – simple as that” - Ontario Premier Doug Ford

nificance for many people in our community,” Hill stated. “The issues underpinning this crisis go much deeper and much further than this plot of land. It’s the result of a colonial history that has silenced and oppressed generations of our peoples.” In response to the occupation, the company behind the development obtained a court injunction July 30 that led to nine arrests August 5. Since then, further injunctions have been issued and extended by courts, declaring it illegal for anyone to block or impede access to the disputed site. More recently, journalist Karl Dockstader and a research analyst with the Yellowhead Institute, Courtney Skye, were also arrested. The Canadian Association of Journalists condemned the arrest of Dockstader. Haldimand County Mayor Ken Hewitt has been outspoken against the land camp, calling for the federal government to ignore calls for talks from protestors while the area is occupied. Nonetheless, federal Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller and Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett both have indicated that they’re open to discussions. “We look forward to meeting with the community at the earliest opportunity,” a spokesperson for Minister Bennett said in a written statement to the Nation.

“We believe the best way to resolve outstanding issues is through a respectful and collaborative dialogue, which is vital to building stronger relationships and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous partners for the benefit of their communities and all Canadians.” Ontario Premier Doug Ford initially adopted a strict law-and-order approach. “I don’t care who you are, you start attacking our police, I’ll come out swinging – simple as that,” Ford said August 6. He later tempered his remarks to say he believes in communicating and sitting down with the parties involved. A spokesperson for Ontario’s Ministry of Indigenous Affairs told the Nation that Ontario is willing to participate in a federal-led dialogue involving Six Nations and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy Chiefs Council. “Ontario values dialogue with the leaders of Six Nations as we work together to address priorities and opportunities,” said the spokesperson. A similar dispute occurred in 2006, when another housing development, the Douglas Creek Estates, was stopped by members of the Six Nations community. Known as Kahnonhstaton (The Protected Place), the land was eventually purchased by the Ontario government and is being held to this day until the parties involved can come to a resolution.

www.nationnews.ca September 25, 2020 the Nation 27

October 2020 - Issue 1

Puzzles

Crossword

ere’s another edition of the Nation’s puzzle page. Try your hand at Sudoku or Str8ts or our Crossword, or better yet, solve all three and send us a photo! As always, the answers from last issue are here for you to check your work. Happy hunting.

SUDOKU 4 5 3 7 8 2

Previous solution - Medium

3 2 7 9 5 8 1 6 4

3 1 7 4

6 7 5

8 1 8

5 9

2 1

– ngle number can r column. But... are divided by black artments. These with numbers that t’. A straight is a set gaps but can be in ,5]. Clues in black umber as an option umn, and are not part nce at the solution to The solutions will be published here in the next issue. are formed.

7 4 1

8 9

4 2

2 9

5 4 6 1 7 3 2 9 8

9 8 1 2 6 4 5 7 3

4 6 2 5 9 7 3 8 1

1 9 8 3 2 6 7 4 5

7 3 5 8 4 1 9 2 6

6 7 3 4 1 9 8 5 2

8 5 9 6 3 2 4 1 7

2 1 4 7 8 5 6 3 9

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

STR8TS

SUDOKU

No. 261

Easy

6 7 6 1

Previous solution - Medium

2 3 3 5 4 1 2 3 2 3 9 6 9 8 7 8 6 5 4 1 4 1 6 2 8 7

2 2 3

7 1 3 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 Give and take? 14 15 16 5 Drilling grp. 17 18 19 9 Express gratitude to 20 21 22 23 14 Hit the road 24 25 15 Tennis whiz 16 Spine-tingling 26 27 28 29 30 31 17 Mythical ship 18 Ration 32 33 34 35 36 19 Wrinkled plum 37 38 39 40 20 Cranky complainer 42 43 44 41 22 Don Juan, e.g. 46 47 24 Eagle's nest, alt. 45 25 Chilling, say 48 49 50 51 52 26 _____ of limita53 54 55 56 57 tions 28 "On the double!" 58 59 60 61 32 Treated badly 62 63 64 35 Cry loudly 36 Pool member 65 66 67 37 Kerr of "The King and I" Copyright 2020 by The Puzzle Syndicate 39 "Eat Pray Love" star 62 Up to 8 One who's 32 Combines 41 Forest forager 63 Top spot owed 33 Car alarm? 42 Personal take, 64 Who follower 9 Plains dwelling 34 Lyft rival for short 65 Short-tempered 10 The lady's 38 Rowdy youth 44 Even though 66 Can't do without 11 Lily variety 40 Sanction 45 Agile 67 Cousin of a gull 12 One of three in 43 Chemical bond46 Glass raiser 1492 ing number 48 Cotillion honoree 13 Razor-sharp 47 Kind of oil 49 Type of pitch DOWN 21 One of the 48 Snake's 53 Shakespeare 1 Old West Fondas underside specialties transport 23 Arctic vessel 50 Shove off 57 Candle feature 2 Fret 27 Made into a 51 "Door's open!" 58 Pertaining to the 3 Prophesy movie, say 52 Hard-nosed ear 4 Kind of note 28 18-34, for 53 Lacking slack Previous solution Medium No. 261 Tough example 59 Chew (on) 5 Ewe's mate 54 Ancient letter 3 5 9 4 1 7 55 6 Star 8 2 anagram 61 She played 6 Spotted wildcat 29 Withered 2 4 8 6 9 3 7 5 1 Sabrina in the 7 Bacterial infec30 "Nay" sayer 56 Horse's walk 7 6 1 2 8 5 3 9 4 '70s tion 31 Annoyance 60 Tie the knot

6 2 1 5 2 9 4 8

8 9 7 9 8 9 8 7 5 4 8 1 6 4 5 7 4 2 3 4 5 3 3 2 6 7 5 3 7 8 4 5 3 2

3 1

7 4

6 7 5

8 1 8

5 9

2 1

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These PREVIOUS need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set SOLUTION: of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to The solutions will be published here in the next issue. see how ‘straights’ are formed.

6 6

You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com

28 the Nation September 25, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

9 5 8 1 6 4

7 4 1

8 9

4 2

2 9

9 8 5 4 2 3 6 7

Tough

8 9 7 6 4 5

No. 261

Medium

by Margie E. Burke

1 7 3 2 9 8

2 6 4 5 7 3

5 9 7 3 8 1

3 2 6 7 4 5

8 4 1 9 2 6

4 1 9 8 5 2

6 3 2 4 1 7

7 8 5 6 3 9

info@beesum.com www.beesum.com 514-272-3077 www.nationnews.ca September 25, 2020 the Nation 29

T B UTNS

Under the Northern Sky

www.underthenorthernsky.com

Ignoring the rules like playing Russian roulette by Xavier Kataquapit

ovid-19 has changed all of us. We have not lived a normal life for the last six months. We have all been trying our best to follow the rules set up by the medical experts and governments, but it has not been easy. Most of us have not been visiting family and friends, we are keeping our movements to a minimum, shopping more carefully in stores while wearing masks, maintaining a two-metre distance from others and washing our hands like crazy. For some time, our efforts have proven successful but still many thousands have passed away in Canada and many more thousands have been sick with this virus. Now with the fall starting and children back at school, the experts are warning us that there may be a huge rise in numbers of cases and deaths. This is an airborne virus that can infect others through microscopic droplets that people release when just talking indoors. So, if an asymptomatic person is not wearing a mask in an indoor space with others, then there is a good chance that the contagion will spread to many people.

Due to the fact we are not doing sufficient testing, epidemiologists and virologist suggest multiplying the number of cases by 10 or perhaps even 20. This provides us with a more realistic idea of just how many people are infected and although most are centred in highly populated areas, infections are now starting to creep into our northern Native communities. The James Bay western coast region recently reported its first positive case of Covid-19 â€“ in Moose Factory. The coastal First Nations to the north, including my home community of Attawapiskat, all locked down their communities to prevent the spread of any potential infection. Our northern communities must stay extra vigilant as any new infectious disease has the possibility of creating many more problems than the rest of the country due to the nature and situation of these remote regions. Overcrowded housing, less-than-adequate healthcare, insufficient healthcare resources and rampant poverty is fertile ground for a new infectious disease to cause a widespread health crisis.

Even in the face of these dangers, there are many right-wing groups on social media saying that Covid-19 is a hoax, that the government is staging this pandemic and that wearing masks somehow impedes our rights and freedoms. If you want to protect those you love and care about, do not fall for this propaganda or spread this disinformation because it will cost lives in the end. Many business interests are focusing on the economy. That concern is pushing people to get back to normal with few restrictions. It is understandable that the people who work in these industries want you to think that you can get back to normal quickly, but the reality is not supporting that view. If we donâ€™t follow the rules to protect ourselves, we will be getting sick, making other people sick, and people we know will die. Over the next few months, we will see a huge increase in numbers across the board and that is evident by what is happening in other parts of the world. Now that we are approaching the cold season and we will be head-

ing indoors more often, I encourage everyone to be more vigilant in wearing masks, practicing safe distancing and washing hands. I encourage my family and friends in the North and in every remote First Nation to minimize or curtail travel outside their community. Everyone should do their best to not visit family and friends indoors while not wearing a mask. The virus spreads through tiny droplets that can hang around the air inside a room for hours so if someone is visiting without a mask there is always the chance you could end up with Covid19 if they have the virus. We need to get through the next few months and in that time, we will know just how bad things are going to progress or if, in fact, we have better treatments and possibly a vaccine. There are thousands of unsuspecting people walking around with this virus and you are playing Russian roulette if you think you can ignore the rules and the efforts everyone has made for months. Just stay the course and look towards a brighter spring.

We have been present since 1939. All members of the large Deshaies' family are by your side today and will also be for the better days to come.

30 the Nation September 25, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

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