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We can gradually restart normal activities while protecting ourselves! Information and advice inside.

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www.nationnews.ca May 22, 2020 the Nation 1

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2 the Nation May 22, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

CONTENTS EDITORIAL

Our elders are at risk

NEWS

Fred Blackned succumbs to Covid-19

A Goose Break like no other

Pandemic claims former chief

Bush refuge

IN BRIEF FEATURES

Goose tales Opinion

Emergency services delivering smiles

The truth is out there

Tales from the blind

Art as survival

Drive-by birthdays

The truth is out there

Cree elder remembered

PUZZLES REZ NOTES

Spring roundup

UTNS

Cree artist comes full circle

Rich people donâ€™t care about us

Community

Remembering Emma Trapper Longchap

Photo by Steven Boudrias

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Editorial Editorial

“My daughter Skylar Mistacheesick from Wemindji made a poster out of the Nation She hung her poster on the wall in our home” - Marilyn Shashaweskum

“My granddaughter Khori Angel Jolly while visiting me at my blind using my goose decoy as a horsie” - Chief Allan Jolly, MoCreebec Eeyoud

Our Elders at risk by Will Nicholls

t seems that Quebec is now the seventh deadliest place in the world for people dying of Covid-19 and related causes – largely because of the concentration of infections in its largest city, Montreal. While Canada has, at press time, over 70,000 cases and 5,000 deaths from Covid-19, Montreal is responsible for 20,000 of those cases and a little over 2,000 deaths. Given the empty streets in Montreal, one must wonder why that is. But then certain facts start to stand out. Of the 2,003 deaths as I write, 97% were among people aged 60 or older. Most of those (82%) were people who lived in seniors’ residences. An exposé by the Montreal Gazette told of one nursing home that tried to cover up the deaths of 31 residents. Some of those may have died because workers there fell sick themselves or abandoned their jobs. Elders who survived say they hadn’t had water, food or diaper changes in days due to a shortage of personnel. That’s a horrible situation to find oneself in. The fears of people who work in these homes – often for poverty-level wages in awful working conditions – aren’t surprising as one in five health

Your home is your oasis! Stay in comfort! Stay safe!

workers in Montreal are infected with Covid-19. Premier François Legault was right to ask for assistance in the seniors’ residences. A request for assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces has helped, but more people are needed. The ongoing crisis shows no sign of slowing in Montreal. And a recent report by Quebec’s Institut national de santé publique raises questions about Legault’s plan to relax social-distancing measures. At worst, it says, opening the city up could cause the death toll in Montreal to hit 100 people a day. As it stands, stores in Montreal will be allowed to open May 25. We think – and hope – that is unlikely. In any case, the figures show that the elderly are particularly at risk. Cree communities have responded well to this outbreak, as the low figures of infection in Eeyou Istchee attest. We are incredibly lucky. It shows that the isolation system for the North is working now, but we must continue to be careful – as the experience in Montreal shows. Let’s take care and ensure our Elders, and everyone else, is protected.

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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 M. Labrecque-Saganash, S. Orr, P. Quinn, N. Diamond, L. Madill DESIGN Matthew Dessner 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 May 22, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

CMCA AUDITED

News

Pandemic claims former chief Wemindji’s Fred Blackned, a pioneer of modern Eeyou Istchee, falls to Covid-19 by Lachlan Madill

he Cree Nation Government announced May 11 that former Wemindji Chief Fred Blackned is the third Cree Elder to pass away after a battle with Covid-19. Grand Chief Abel Bosum observed that Blackned was one of the last remaining signatories of the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA). “He, along with the other signatories to the JBNQA, were the heroic pioneers of our Cree Nation who took the unprecedented risk of opposing the James Bay Hydroelectric Project in the early 1970s and took us into the uncharted territory of negotiating Canada’s first modern treaty,” said Bosum in a statement. The Grand Chief added that Blackned was “armed only with our Cree traditions and practices, with profound respect for the land, and a profound caring for future generations of Crees. They laid the foundation for all the gains that have been made since then in improving the lives of our people, enhancing our governance of our communities and territory, and creating a solid economic foundation for the future.” Blackned had been staying at a long-term care facility in Montreal before he passed away at the Montreal General Hospital, according to Jason Coonishish, the Cree Health Board’s coordinator of prehospital and emergency measures. Two other Elders have also died after being infected with Covid-19.

One is Emma Trapper Longchap, who passed on May 4. The second was also in a long-term care facility in Montreal but was not a client of CHB, so there is no official information available other than that the person was from Eeyou Istchee. “We’re keeping an eye on who we have in the CHSLDs [long-term care housing], but because they belong to Montreal, we don’t get those statistics,” Coonishish explained. “It’s only

There was, however, some good news that came out in the latest statistics in Eeyou Istchee. Since the first case was diagnosed on March 27, the number of Covid-19 cases has remained at 10. Four cases are still active while six people have recovered. At press time there have been 355 tests, of which 332 were negative. 13 others are awaiting results. Nemaska announced May 12 that

“Our collective efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19 in our communities are working.” - Bill Namagoose, CNG Executive Director

through family members that we get the news.” He also expressed his condolences for the families who lost their loved ones. CHB Chairperson Bella Petawabano wrote in her May 12 update that “We join the entire Blackned family, and the community of Wemindji, in mourning the loss of a great and wise Elder.”

there were no more active cases in the area and that those who had been previously diagnosed had now recovered. Petawabano added in her update that the stabilization of the number of cases shows that the efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19 in Cree communities are working. However, she added, “We must continue with our efforts at physical

distancing and other precautionary measures, including at camp.” Coonoshish also reminds people going into the bush to shop locally when buying supplies and avoid larger population centres. He said that hunters and trappers should wear face coverings while traveling to camps by plane or helicopter. He adds that face coverings are also available at the Cree Trappers’ Association. Coonishish said that people should continue to practice the same habits they would at home and that those out on the land should be “limiting camps to immediate family, regularly disinfect your camp and outhouses.” He added, “It’s important to have boiled water available for washing your hands regularly.” Coonishish said that the de-confinement approach will be done carefully. “We plan on keeping it shut down for maybe two weeks after Goose Break.” Petawabano added that a successful return from Goose Break will determine the first steps towards de-confinement in June. “Even though our region currently has a good status regarding active Covid-19 cases, we cannot let our guard down,” Petawabano warned. “We must continue to maintain our sacrifices to protect members of our communities, as well as the capacity of our health-care system.”

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www.creejustice.com If you need more information or have additional questions, contact our office in Val-d”Or.

By phone: 819-874-2600 By email: justicevaldor@cngov.ca

Eeyou Istchee celebrates a Goose Break like no other by Patrick Quinn

he year’s first Goose Break has long been an essential aspect of culture in Eeyou Istchee as a celebration of spring’s arrival and an opportunity to practice traditional skills fundamental to Cree values. This year it has assumed a new significance as leaders encourage as many people as possible to avoid both infection and long periods of isolation in their communities by enjoying the healing qualities of the land. “Our people know the best place to be is in the bush,” said Jason Coonishish, the Cree Health Board’s coordinator of pre-hospital and emergency measures. “They’re isolated in their homes but being in the bush makes them stronger and healthier. Everybody is aware that being in the bush heals you.” With schools and most businesses closed during the outbreak, a $1.6 million emergency fund was launched earlier this spring to support longer stays at hunting camps for higher numbers of people. It

also helps hunters avoid higher-risk areas near Ottawa and Montreal that have become increasingly popular in recent years. “There is a big difference [this year],” Coonishish told the Nation. “A lot more people are in the bush. All entities are reporting their employees are taking an extra week because the geese are behind. It’s been a cold spring, so the geese are taking their time to come up North.” One result of more people in the bush has been more medical airlifts than usual – at press time, there had already been 11. The CHB has secured two additional helicopters for airlifts this year, including one specifically designated for Covid-19 patients. Although no medivacs so far were related to the virus, conditions created by the pandemic may have played a role. “Everybody is more cautious,” explained Coonishish. “Some elderly people don’t want to go the clinic because of Covid-19. When they’re called by their local clinics some say

they’re good but when they go to the bush a couple days later, they fall ill.” Those requiring help in the bush should first call their local clinic or relay the message via walkie-talkie with exact coordinates of their location. A nurse will evaluate whether a plane or helicopter is needed and call the Cree Trappers’ Association local dispatch if necessary. The medivac will bring them directly to the community where an ambulance will deliver them to the clinic. While being in the bush helps prevent transmission of the virus, there are still risks associated with pre-departure preparations, potential exposure during transportation and limited access to direct medical services. The Cree Nation Government (CNG) has provided various guidelines to help keep people safe and healthy. Screening families before departure is essential. People with fever, sore throats, body aches, or who are coughing and sneezing, should remain isolated at home. The CNG advises buying provisions locally,

Bush refuge

alleviating pressures on stores by purchasing and distributing supplies in bulk. Precautionary measures should continue in the bush. A disinfectant solution can be made using one-part bleach to nine parts water to clean the camp, especially high-touch surfaces and cooking utensils. Carry your own cups and knives and don’t share cigarettes or drinks. Transport Canada’s directive to wear masks on bush planes has already proven effective in one case in which someone tested positive for Covid-19 upon landing in a community but didn’t spread it to other passengers. To keep two metres (or three geese) apart at camps, Coonishish recommends hunting as in the old days – alone in the blind. Families and hunting groups must be especially cautious about visiting or receiving guests from other camps. Although the CHB initially advised against having walking-out ceremonies this year, Coonishish said they could be held at the end of

Goose Break if physical distancing protocols are respected. “It will be safe because we would know if they developed symptoms in the first 10 days at the camp,” he explained. “After that everybody’s safe so you can have your walking-out ceremony. People appreciate having a good feast at the end of Goose Break.” As more children are expected to join their families in the bush this year, the Cree School Board (CSB) has created many activities to continue their learning on their online learning platform. With no school to return to, the pandemic has provided an opportunity to reengage with traditional land-based learning experiences. “At this time, when it seems that the situation is always uncertain, the land remains constant,” CSB chairperson Sarah Pash noted on social media. “Whether we are able to be out on the land at this time or not, it remains part of who we are; our

love for it and connection to it never wavers.” For those who couldn’t get into the bush, the CHB served 60 traditional goose suppers on Mother’s Day for clients and their families in Montreal for medical reasons. Hunters Bobby Patton and Raymond Duff provided the geese and Chef Norma Condo from Miqmak Catering Indigenous Kitchen led the cooking. As frontline workers and other community members continue to provide essential services during these challenging times, leaders want to reassure people that following health directives will lead to brighter days. According to the CNG, a successful return from Goose Break will determine the first steps toward deconfinement in June. “Being with a healthy family and loved ones is more important than the size of the harvest,” stated Grand Chief Abel Bosum. “May this Goose Break be one that shows the unity of our people and the care we have for one another in Eeyou Istchee.”

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DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE & CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

COURT NOTICE Due to the inevitable context with the COVID-19, the services in the courthouse are reduced. We recommend that: • If you have a lawyer, communicate with him/her. • If you don’t have a lawyer, you should communicate with the judicial services at 1-866-699-9729. • If you want to communicate with the court services, call at 1-866-226-9860 ext. 64992

Chisasibi (819) 855-2120

• If you are a Crown witness, call 1-819-964-2497 or 819-444-5345.

Eastmain (819) 977-240

Mistissini (418) 923-266

T H A N K Y O U F O R Y O U R C O L L A B O R AT I O N Chisasibi (819) 855-2120

Nemaska (819) 673-2400

Waswanipi (819) 753-2770

Eastmain (819) 977-2400

Oujé-Bougoumou (418) 745-2260

Wemindji (819) 978-3300

Mistissini (418) 923-2661

Waskaganish (819) 895-2126

Whapmagoostui (819) 929-3796

8 the Nation May 22, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

In Brief Cree murdered in Val-d’Or The body of a 19-year-old Cree man, Nathan Wapachee-Hoque, was discovered in Val-d’Or May 8. Police were called to the scene at around 7 am after construction workers found Wapachee-Hoque’s body in a dumpster behind the Giant Tiger on 3e Avenue. Two suspects were arrested, on May 9 and 10. Jason Gagnon, 33, of Val-d’Or, and 39-year old Jonathan Maranda from Winneway First Nation, each face charges of first-degree murder in the case. Six police officers had to forcefully remove Gagnon from the court during his first appearance before a judge May 11. He is due back in court late May. Maranda, who was initially booked for criminal negligence but had his charge elevated, also appeared before a judge on May 11. He will be back in court June 8.

False Covid-19 positive in Manawan Public health workers in hazmat suits arrived at Mariana Ottawa’s home in the Atikamekw community of Manawan last month after her twoyear-old son Matna was presumed to have tested positive for Covid-19. “It kind of felt like in the movie E.T.,” Ottawa told APTN following the incident. In mid-April, Ottawa’s son tested negative for Covid-19. However, symptoms related to the virus, including fever and headaches, persisted. So, the family took Matna back to

the hospital for more tests later that month. After the second round of tests, the boy was diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and the family returned to their community. Soon after their return, however, their doctor called to say Matna’s new test had come back positive. Then they received another call saying there had been a medical mix-up – but that didn’t stop health personnel from showing up at Ottawa’s house in protective equipment. Following confirmation of the false positive, Manawan Chief Paul-Émile Ottawa took to local radio to clear the air. The family was not informed how the mistake happened, but they’re happy it’s is behind them. “My son is doing very well – no symptoms,” said Ottawa. “When he does well, I do well.”

Film equity A new two-year Indigenous Cinema Program will launch this fall at the Kiuna Institute – Quebec’s only First Nations Post-Secondary Institution, located in the Abenaki community of Odanak. In partnership with Wapakoni Mobile, the program will work to equip and inspire the next generation of Indigenous filmmakers while intro-

ducing its students to a wide array of industry tools and techniques. According to Odile Joannette, Wapikoni Mobile’s executive director, it’s something that’s desperately needed in an industry starved for authentic voices and equal representation. “Our creators are talented; they will have access to training that is so aligned with our values, our way of seeing life, and our contribution to the world we want for our children, grandchildren and the generations to come,” Joannette told the CBC. “We believe in narrative sovereignty at the basis of our practice. It’s really important that pieces and creations be created by our creators.”

Newmont donates to Covid-19 relief Newmont Mining, one of the companies behind the Élénore Gold mine near Wemindji, has donated $345,000 to help combat Covid-19 in its host communities. “The health and safety of our staff and host communities takes precedence above all else,” said the mine’s general manager, Marc Lauzier. “In light of the challenges our communities are experiencing, as well as the

economic and social impacts being felt throughout the region, we want to do our part to support those most in need.” Of the sum, $150,000 will go to Eeyou Istchee via a $100,000 donation to the Cree Board of Health and Social Services James Bay and $50,000 to the Cree Nation of Wemindji. The rest will be split between Jamesian and Abitibi health organizations.

Body of Mistissini man discovered Ernest Nakogee of Mistissini was found dead on the Route du Nord the morning of May 13. Officers from the Sûreté du Québec detachment at Chibougamau-Chapais were called to km 52 at around 8:30 am. Nakogee’s body was found near his vehicle. While Nakogee had told people he was going hunting, the SQ Major Crimes Division was called in to determine if foul play was involved. The Route du Nord was closed as the SQ conducted their investigation of the scene. At press time, there was no information available as to the cause of death.

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Features

he age-old art of the hunt is now in full swing in James Bay. Cree families have scattered throughout the territory, leaving the streets of their towns nearly empty. Hunters, young and old, male and female, are sitting quietly and patiently in their blinds scanning the southern horizon for the annual return of their national and cultural symbol – the goose. Which also happens to be extremely tasty. The Cree hunting story is another age-old art that still thrives. Our

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fathers and their hunting partners coming home at dusk would sit down to eat. Then, lighting their pipes, they would recount their day. Their stories, mind you, weren’t just for mere entertainment; they were told to instruct, inform and guide one’s guest along the lay of the land of their territory. Then there are those stories that are retold year after year, decade after decade, until their details and names grow faint. So, without further ado…

One day, near the Nottaway River close what was then known as Rupert House, an old man came upon a lone gosling. He took it back to his camp and fed it. After some time, the gosling grew strong enough to fly. The old man raised the bird through the winter, feeding it from what he had gathered along the river’s shores. That spring, the old man took the young goose with him to his hunting blind and left it out among the decoys. A large flock soon appeared and glid-

Tales from the blind

Photos and story by Neil Diamond

Spinning a few yarns of man and goose

ed down to land on the water. The old man watched to see what his goose would do. As the geese called, the young goose flew, frightened by their calls, into his blind. He took his bird out with the decoys again and this time when geese were seen it started to honk. Flocks and flocks of geese flew towards the blinds all spring and the old man shot many. Other times, the bird would merely flap its wings and more geese would come.

The goose lived with the family for another winter and in the autumn the old man left his bird out where they hunted, hoping it would join the southbound flocks. But when the old man came out of his teepee the following morning, he discovered his goose had flown back to him. He tried again, taking it further away before leaving it. There was no sign of the goose the next day. Over the passing spring and autumn nights, as the flocks were heard flying over, the old man in an almost sad voice would

wonder aloud, “I wonder where my pet is. I wonder if it survived this year.”

Some hunters, for various reasons,

begin their training late in life. One Mohawk gentleman married into a Cree family. One spring a friend offered to teach him to hunt geese. As they were getting ready to head out in the morning, geese suddenly appeared over their camp. The hunters rushed out with their shot-

guns and fired. One of the geese fell wounded in the nearby rushes and their dog “Kwekwe” quickly retrieved it. There was a friendly argument as to who had brought it down. Alan, the experienced Cree hunter, showed the new hunter how to kill a wounded goose. He placed his knee on the bird’s back until it stopped flapping. Alan then taught his friend how to tell how fat the goose was by plucking a few feathers off its stomach and giving the skin a light pinch. After

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placing the dead bird in their freezer, the two went out on the ice for the real hunt. Later that day, their friend Bernard returned to the camp to fetch something. When he opened the freezer, the goose honked weakly and flew out, nearly knocking Bernard’s hat off his head. The goose headed for the bush with Bernard trailing. “Alan! The goose is still alive!” Kwekwe saw what was happening and raced after the goose through the bushes and quickly brought it back.

It was late spring, and a hunter was

warming himself in his sunny blind as he waited for a target. There were few geese and ducks flying that late in the season, so he decided on a stroll. The snows had melted away and the water was high in the muskeg. As he walked with eyes alert to any nearby birds, his foot landed in a deep opening in the bog and he splashed into the cold water. He emerged safe, but with all his clothes dripping wet. He wondered if he should risk a cold and the inevitable laughter and hurry home to dry off. It being warm and still early in the day the hunter undressed and spread his coat, shirt and pants over his blind to dry. He sat there half naked in his underwear. It was very uncomfortable sitting in wet briefs, so he also took them off, wrung them out and hung them to dry. He sat there naked, armed and extremely dangerous, hoping another hunter wouldn’t happen by. No geese came to our naked hunter that day. Perhaps they could spot the untanned parts of his body from far off and turned away.

If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it is yours. If it doesn’t, it never was. I guess

The moral of these stories? Be certain your goose is actually dead before you attempt to freeze it. Bring warm and clean underwear when out hunting. And finally, if you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, it never was.

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survival Art as

by Lachlan Madill | Photos provided by Margaret Orr

Marg orr

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Margaret Orr’s journey comes full circle

or Margaret Orr, being on the land is everything.

“I grew up the traditional way of knowing from my mother and my relatives in Chisasibi,” Orr recalled. “Back then, it was Fort George. I learned how to hunt and to fish, how to live on the land and build shelters.” The land also made Orr the artist she is today, with her work based on the land, the water, sky, people and animals. After completing her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at the University of Regina last December, Orr returned back to the land in Eeyou Istchee, and now lives and works in Ouje-Bougoumou. But it has been a long path for the multi-disciplinary artist, whose journey has come full circle. At 28, Orr left Chisasibi with her children to study Fine Arts at Heritage College in Gatineau. “I first left my community as a mother with my three children. I was young, had a lot of energy and embraced whatever came my way – the good stuff and all the obstacles,” she said. Once her program was done, she returned home. Soon after, however, her mother Gracie Snowboy Herodier, passed away. “My mother was an artist,” Orr said of the woman who was one of her biggest influences. “Sometimes I say that she ‘is’ an artist because in her art she is still alive.” Orr said that her mother drew, did bead work and embroidery based on traditional ancestral designs. Her father, John Patrick Orr, was an actor who got her interested in film, another aspect of art that she works in “on the side.” After her mother passed, Orr decided to further her art education and enrolled at the University of Regina. A single mother with three children, she graduated with a BFA in Indian Art in 1998.

She continued her education at the En’owkin Centre in Penticton, BC, studying Aboriginal Creative Writing, and Aboriginal Development and Leadership. Upon returning to Quebec, Orr had a realization. “I noticed I had been teaching ever since I started school,” she said. “I was always helping the teacher and helping other students.” That’s when she decided to pursue a teaching certificate. So she returned to the University of Regina and worked on a teaching certificate in visual arts. She then was able to follow her passion. “I was teaching as a certified teacher but

“It was based on the land, on the cosmos, the elements on the earth, the landscapes, the sky and the stars and what’s going on within us and how we are connected to them” - Margaret Orr

unfortunately I got ill and didn’t have the energy to teach young people anymore.” Still wanting to teach, she went back to Regina to learn how to teach to adults in learning institutions and completed her MFA. “My focus was on the 10,000 caribou that drowned in the Caniapiscau River,” said Orr. That event happened in 1984, when HydroQuébec opened the Caniapiscau spill gates, which led to a fast rise of the water level. At the same time, the George River herd, which numbered in the thousands, was crossing the river more than 400 kilometres downstream

near Limestone Falls. The surging water swept thousands over the falls. Orr’s graduating exhibition, 10,000 Drowned, held in Regina last fall, was based on this disaster. It consisted of six paintings, ceramic vessels and caribou horns, along with her video, which includes a poem she wrote. Her paintings are now part of the Kahwatsiretátie: Teionkwariwaienna Tekariwaiennawahkòntie (“Honouring Kinship” in Mohawk) exhibition of the Contemporary Native Art Biennial 2020 and can be seen on the BACA website. Orr is now working at Aanischaaukamikw, the Cree Cultural Institute, in Ouje-Bougoumou. She recently finished a series of workshops teaching traditional painted designs in OujeBougoumou, Mistissini, Eastmain, Chisasibi and Whapmagoostui. “When I was teaching the traditional designs I pointed out how it was based on the land, on the cosmos, the elements on the earth, the landscapes, the sky and the stars and what’s going on within us and how we are connected to them,” she explained. Understanding these concepts comes naturally to most Indigenous people she added. “It’s our self-identity as First Nations people, that’s who we are.” In her workshops, Orr had participants use waterproof ink instead of the paints based on natural materials. That’s another project she is working on. “I’m researching the painted caribou skin coats and the paint that they used a long time ago,” Orr said, adding that she hopes to find a way to make a traditional caribou coat using the original pigmentation recipe. Orr says her journey through art and education has been a challenge at times. Being away from the land often made her homesick. “I looked at it as I was going on a venture. Cree people are traditionally a nomadic people – we weren’t tied down to one place. We went where we had to get the things that we needed to survive. So, getting an education is a way of survival,” she said.

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We can gradually restart normal activities while protecting ourselves! In the coming weeks, activities will gradually resume in Québec, with the consent and collaboration of public health authorities. The reopenings will occur in phases, depending on the type of activities and the geographic zone. You can check information about the reopening phases on the Government of Québec website: Québec.ca/coronavirus

Abide by the protective health recommendations After you go out in public, monitor yourself for symptoms and abide by the following recommendations.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm running water for at least 20 seconds.

• Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.

Throughout this process it will remain essential to abide by protective health directives, which limit the danger of the virus spreading. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, it is equally crucial to follow the recommendations for home isolation in order to avoid transmitting the disease to others.

• Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette:

• If you must go out, stay at least

2 meters (around 6 feet) away from people who do not live in your household.

• If you are unable to stay at least

2 meters away from others, wear a face covering.

• If you are sick, avoid all contact with

more vulnerable people such as seniors and people whose immune system is weakened or that have a chronic disease.

Cover your mouth and nose with your arm to reduce the spread of germs.

If you use a tissue, dispose of it as soon as possible and wash your hands afterwards.

• Avoid direct contact when you greet

someone, such as shaking hands, and use alternative ways to greet people.

• Avoid all indoor or outdoor gatherings with people who do not live in your home.

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Resources

Face coverings Wearing a face covering is recommended in public settings whenever physical distancing is not possible. For example, this could be when you go shopping for groceries or take public transit. When you wear a face covering in public, you must also follow other safety measures, such as hygiene. If you are sick, stay home. If you must go to a medical clinic or the hospital, wear your face covering until you are given a procedure mask.

Scarf

Face covering made of paper or a tightly woven fabric

Children under 2 years of age and people with respiratory difficulties or who are handicapped or unable to remove their face covering without help, should not wear one. You can learn more about the correct use of a face covering and how to make one by viewing the short videos on the Government of Québec website: Québec.ca/couvre-visage

If you are concerned that you might have COVID-19 or have symptoms like the appearance or worsening of cough, fever, difficulty breathing and/or loss of smell or taste without nasal congestion, call one of the following phone numbers: 418 644-4545, 514 644-4545, 450 644-4545, 819 644-4545 or 1 877 644-4545 (toll free throughout Québec) to be directed to the appropriate resource. If you are a hard-of-hearing person, call 1 800 361-9596 (TTY toll free).

Bandana or a tightly woven fabric

Québec.ca/coronavirus 1 877 644-4545

www.nationnews.ca May 22, 2020 the Nation 17 20-05-07 10:48

drive-by birthdays by Patrick Quinn

Emergency services in Whapmagoostui deliver priceless smiles during pandemic

18 the Nation May 22, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

hile the pandemic lockdown may have brought a stop to gatherings, Whapmagoostui police have found a way to ensure kids still have a birthday treat. Since April 22, the community’s emergency services have been delivering drive-by birthday greetings to children turning 12 or younger. Lieutenant Steven Boudrias came across the idea from one of his colleagues in the Eeyou Eenou Police Force (EEPF), who posted on social media about a police force in the United States that drove to the house of a boy missing friends on his birthday. “I said, wow, we should do that in our community, but we’ll do it a different way – we’ll get the fire department involved, too,” Boudrias recounted. “It’s been working out pretty good. We’ve done 11 in the past two weeks. People love it.” With communities practicing isolation measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, Boudrias said the EEPF has a little more time for this kind of initiative. Parents of children with upcoming birthdays contact the police station to arrange the celebration’s date and time, typically in the quieter hours of late afternoon on any day of the week. Although Whapmagoostui children are now starting to anticipate these drive-by parties and are even getting dressed up for the occasion, the first time that police cruisers and fire trucks approached a house with sirens blaring it caused quite a stir. Boudrias learned about Sammy Salt’s fourth birthday through social media and suggested to her mother that they could try something new to make it special. “Before [Boudrias] called, Sammy said, ‘I’m going to cover my eyes and you guys are going to give me a surprise birthday party with cake and I want everybody to come’,” Amy Salt told the Nation. “As parents, we were sad we couldn’t make that happen, so we were very happy when Lieutenant Boudrias approached us with his idea.” Like many kids across Eeyou Istchee, Sammy hoped to celebrate with her many friends, cousins and grandparents and didn’t understand why she couldn’t have a big birthday party this year. This one turned out to be big in a different way – Sammy was so startled by

www.nationnews.ca May 22, 2020 the Nation 19

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drive by bday

“The kids are jumping up and down. They see the lights and sirens on and know it’s for them”

- Steve Boudrias

the sirens that she jumped into her mother’s arms. With her father capturing the moment on video, Sammy stood on a snowmobile in the driveway while curious neighbours stepped outside to see what was going on. As the emergency services crew wished her happy birthday over the loudspeaker, Sammy realized they were there for her. “Her facial expression was priceless,” said Salt. “They started singing to her and you could see how proud she was. The fire department gave her a fireman’s hat, a colouring activity book with crayons and a placemat, and the police gave her a pink bicycle helmet, which she wouldn’t take off for days.” Similar successes have followed in the weeks since, expanding to both the Cree and Inuit sides of the community to meet the growing demand. Although Boudrias had initially intended to only visit Cree homes, now the Kuujjuarapik police force have joined the

cause so Inuit children can also have a birthday they’ll never forget. “We all get together at the same time and go there,” Boudrias explained. “It doesn’t matter if they’re Cree or Inuit. The collaboration between both police forces is awesome. We get along together very well, the fire department also. We see each other every day – it’s not like a big city down south.” In these days of quarantine, drive-by parties have become an increasingly popular way for people around the world to celebrate all kinds of events. Sometimes too popular – Burlington, Ontario, recently prohibited parades of larger than five vehicles after celebrations grew significantly in “size, duration and frequency.” This hasn’t been a problem in Whapmagoostui, especially since the community has grown quieter during Goose Break. With the police leading the parade, a welcomed by-product of the initiative has been that the younger generation sees them in a more positive light.

“I’ve overheard parents disciplining their children say, ‘I’m going to call the cops’, just to show the power of authority and kids get scared or anxious around the police,” said Salt. “This way, I found that the children see another side of their job. I’m very grateful for what they’ve started, especially at this time. It’s really helpful.” Boudrias said they intend to continue these drive-by celebrations so long as demand exists, though he admitted they’ll have to slow down once activity picks back up in the community. For now, the EEPF and the Whapmagoostui Fire Department invite residents wanting a drive-by party to contact them at 819-929-3316. “Once you bring that smile to a child, it’s priceless and nothing can beat that,” said Boudrias. “The kids are jumping up and down. They see the lights and hear the sirens and know it’s for them. It’s always the same thing we’re after – a child’s smile and happiness.”

www.nationnews.ca May 22, 2020 the Nation 21

In Ungava,

we protect ourselves and others. A message from your MNA, Denis Lamothe. We are available for you. Contact us: 418 748-6046

denis.lamothe.unga@assnat.qc.ca

CONTACTS

FOR MEDICAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES IN EEYOU ISTCHEE OUTSIDE EEYOU ISTCHEE

CALL 911

CHISASIBI

(819) 855-9011

EASTMAIN

(819) 977-0241

MISTISSINI

(418) 923-3376

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(819) 673-2511

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(418) 745-3901

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COVID-19

CREE HUNTER’S GUIDELINES

WE CREE HUNTERS NEED TO CHANGE & ADAPT TO THESE WAYS BECAUSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS The safety and well-being of our families and companions must be acknowledged and provided. You will better enjoy your time on our land if you are sober and clean. DURING YOUR HARVEST

GREETING EACH OTHER

Use verbal greetings (Waatchiya) instead of shaking hands.

Ensure that your waterfowl and other game are properly cleaned and cared for.

Maintain kinship but keep your physical distance from one another.

Harvest only what your family and Elders will use and eat.

Use radio to check on other camps, go to other camps only in emergencies.

Provide proper cold storage and/or use traditional smoking/salting methods for your harvest. BEST PRACTICES AT YOUR CAMPS

HUNTING AT THE BLIND

Learn the old ways of hunting; sit alone in your blind.

Stay in your cabins.

Keep your hunting spots clean and free of garbage. During tea and lunch breaks: Use your own utensils, lunch bags and thermos. Use your own cup. Do not share smokes, juice or pop.

Avoid visits to other camps and to other cabins in your camps. Wash hands with soap and warm water regularly for 20 seconds. Maintain physical distance of 6-feet apart (2 metres). Avoid touching your face, especially mouth, nose and eyes. Cough and sneeze into your sleeve.

“Mii you kaa buu dow, Chii kaa yaa bii mii duu win ch, kii yaa, Mii yuu duu daa chaa win ch.” “Let us stand together proudly in mutual respect and understanding.” - Elder Samuel Bearskin’s Statement, June 2008

For more information:

EEYOUISTCHEECOVID19.ORG 1 866 855-2811

Opinion

The truth is out there On the trail of UFOs in Eeyou Istchee by Patrick Quinn | Photos courtesy of the FNHMA

eekers scanning the skies for signs of life received some vindication recently when the Pentagon released three declassified videos of “unexplained aerial phenomena”. While the footage had been circulating online for years, the United States military’s admission seems to confirm the existence of unidentified flying objects – although not necessarily of alien life.

A 2017 front-page story in the New York Times revealed that US Navy fighter pilots had been tracking mysterious aircraft which defied the laws of aerodynamics. Despite lacking obvious flight surfaces or propulsion sources, they moved at hypersonic velocities with extreme manoeuvrability.

The Pentagon’s Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program had been secretly investigating these types of reports, including one jet’s near collision with a UFO in 2014. As the Navy provided new guidance for how to report these incidents last year, this recent release seems partially intended to

encourage other pilots to come forward. “When you see these lights or craft dancing around in front of you, especially if you’re supposed to be this ‘nerves of steel’ pilot, what do you say?” commented Ernest Webb, co-founder of the Nation and a creator of the APTN series Indians and Aliens. “It’s been a long culture of rid-

It isn’t just little green men coming from a far off galaxy but there’s also this spiritual dimension - Ernest Webb

24 the Nation May 22, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

icule for people who come forward. With the New York Times running that story, it’s elevated the conversation to a whole new level.” These testimonies from multiple witnesses aboard the world’s most advanced aircraft provide some of the most compelling evidence of UFOs yet. The pilots heard expressing awe and confusion in these videos report seeing these mysterious objects over the US east coast almost daily for nine months between 2014 and 2015. With a lifelong interest in science fiction, Webb first pitched a documentary about UFOs after hearing friends talk of seeing strange things in the sky nearly 20 years ago. While nothing came of that, APTN was receptive to the producer’s tales of paranormal phenomena up North and Indians and Aliens was born. “There were a lot of profound and extraordinary experiences that some of these people were having,” said Webb. “Of course, that piqued my

interest. It was people I grew up with telling me these stories. I knew it wasn’t bullshit. Something was actually going on.” In the show’s introduction, a narrator asks whether these experiences could be high latitude meteorological phenomena, geomagnetic storms, covert military operations, by-products from powerful hydro stations, or “the visitors”? Webb explores connections between Indigenous communities and supernatural events throughout the series as he talks with witnesses from across Eeyou Istchee and North America. While the modern fascination with UFOs largely stems from multiple sightings in North American skies since the late 1940s, humanity’s search for hidden meanings in the stars dates back millennia. Countless Indigenous legends reference interactions with beings in the sky and ancient petroglyphs in Australia and America reveal creatures resembling aliens. Several Indigenous groups believe their ancestors came from the starry cluster called the Pleiades. Some Cree believe their people arrived here from the stars as spirits before becoming human beings. These origin stories reinforce the idea that these otherworldly beings aren’t always extraterrestrial in nature. “It isn’t just little green men coming from a faroff galaxy but there’s also this spiritual dimension,” asserted Webb. “You get exposed to different phenomena as you go through that spiritual journey. With our animist concept as well, it’s easy to think of that rock as a living being so it’s no great leap to think of these things that may be in other dimensions.” The spiritual and extraterrestrial intertwine in various accounts of alien encounters witnessed during vision quests and other ceremonies involving heightened perception. With greater openness to otherworldly phenomena and a more profound connection to the earth and skies, perhaps it’s no surprise there are apparently more UFO sightings among Indigenous communities (and in the North). “When you’re out in the bush, especially at night with no light pollution, something shiny and bright tends to stick out,” explained Webb. “It also comes from the language. The Cree word for ‘I feel someone’ could take on many different dimensions

– it could be a spirit lurking about. When it’s built into the language, it’s built into the psyche as well.” According to the oral history of Ojibwa people in central Ontario, a “clean and shining bright” stranger visited their community 500 years ago. This “Skyman” stayed with them until something resembling a shining star descended one afternoon and hovered near the ground. Skyman entered it and the star shot back to the sky and faded away. It was described as the most beautiful thing any of them had ever seen. Lisa Jackson’s NFB animated short, The Visit, tells the true story of a Cree family’s encounter with a hovering UFO on Saskatchewan’s Ahtahkakoop Reserve one winter night in 1996. After the father had an intuition to play traditional songs, the flying saucer brightened in response. Webb is accustomed to people approaching him with paranormal stories. Once, while shooting extra footage at an Elders’ camp, his colleague asked the group if anyone had ever seen a UFO. Six Elders later told him they had seen something. “The most compelling one is that somebody got to pilot a UFO,” Webb said about another story he heard second-hand. “I’d love to speak to the person who purportedly had that experience. Must have been a wild ride!” Now that the US government has formally acknowledged the presence of UFOs, perhaps more incidents will be seriously investigated. The revelation could challenge our worldview – how would our lives change if extraterrestrials are really among us? While there are no plans for a third season of Indians and Aliens, Webb hopes to explore more international encounters if it does happen. If the truth is out there, as the X-Files famously stated, then he is on its trail. “I want to believe,” said Webb. “Humanity will always be on that journey to seek the truth. For me, there’s no doubt that something is out there. It’s just a question of what and who.”

For me, there’s no doubt that something is out there. It’s just a question of what and who - Ernest Webb

www.nationnews.ca May 22, 2020 the Nation 25

Cree Elder remembered

Community

Emma Trapper Longchap is the first Cree victim of Covid-19 by Lachlan Madill | Photos provided by Freddie Dixon

he Eeyou Istchee is mourning the first loss of a member to the Covid-19 pandemic. Emma Trapper Longchap, 76, passed away May 4 in a Montreal long-term care home from complications related to the virus. The Mistissini Elder was a loved and respected member of the community and well known throughout Eeyou Istchee. Her grandson Freddie Dixon remembers her as a very spiritual person. “That was her priority,” he remembered. “She was so joyful because she would do her devotions and her prayers every morning. She prayed for her friends, family and for everything that she would do for the day. She was known as a prayer lady.”

I want to keep the stories that I heard from her because I cannot find them anywhere - Freddie Dixon

She spent a great deal of time in the bush, Dixon added. “She stayed all over Cree territory, going from trapline to trapline, especially when my grandfather was here.” He said that his grandmother was busy all day but still always got up around four in the morning. One morning ritual for Trapper was to work on moose hides. “That was one of the teachings she passed on to her kids. Almost all her daughters know how to do moose hide now. My mom is using the

skills that she learned from her mom,” said Dixon. He said that his grandmother was very close with her family and especially with her grandchildren. “She had kind words for everyone, and always had the right words.” Dixon said that some of his fondest memories were her stories and teachings about the language and culture. “She would always explain what happened before, the history,” he emphasized. “It was really important to show an example of how to do things. What I gained from her; I am starting to use it now.” His grandmother inspired him to attend McGill University to study Cree. Now he wants to compose a booklet about her and her stories. “I want to keep the stories that I heard from her because I cannot find them anywhere. But they are in my heart and I want to write them down so the next generation can have them. It’s my turn to pass on the knowledge. That’s where I get my strength every day since her passing.” Two days before she died, Dixon and other family members were able to speak with Trapper to say their goodbyes. “All of our special memories of her are in our hearts and in her teachings, her knowledge and her joy.”

“All of our special memories of her are in our hearts and in her teachings, her knowledge and her joy” - Freddie Dixon

www.nationnews.ca May 22, 2020 the Nation 27

May 2020 - Issue 2

Puzzles

Crossword

SUDOKU 4 5 6 3 2

Medium

8 1

8 9 7 3 5 2 1 4 6

7 4 6 9 4 5 6

3 7

Previous solution - Easy

– 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 6

8 1 2 5 8 9

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

3 4 2 1

No. 968

4 3

4 2 1 9 6 8 7 5 3

5 3 7 2 9 3 5 1 6 8 6 9 4 8 5 1 2 8 5 4 check back 7 4 9 3 1 next issue 4 7 6 1 3 8 6 3 9 2 9 1 2 7 6 2 8 5 4 7

1 7 2 6 8 5 4 3 9

6 4 3 7 2 9 5 8 1

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. 968

Medium

Previous solution - Tough

6 8 4

3 1 7 5 9 4 3

1 3 2 4

4 5

3 1 2

9 8

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

Tough

ACROSS 1 Trapper's device 6 "You ___?" 10 Shot in the dark 14 Time punctuation 15 "A Death in the Family" author James 16 Hefty horn 17 Highly capable 18 Prom attendee 19 Turing portrayed in "The Imitation Game" 20 Checkout slip 22 Really dislike 24 Purse part 26 Potsie's pal 27 Bothersome bug 30 Take to court 32 Give some slack 34 Convention voter 38 Go up against 39 Zoo structures 41 Roswell sightings 42 Lantern filler 44 Garage job 46 Ice Age mammal 48 Like some humor 49 Architect's output 51 Ratched or Pilbow 53 Campfire sound 55 Back off, in battle 59 Big name in IRAs 60 Soldier's stance, No. 968 with "at" 62 Circle spokes 63 Part of A.M. 64 Gets one's goat 65 "All kidding ___ ...."

9 6 8 7 1 2 4 3

8 2 5 3 7 8 1 3 4 5 3 4 2 6 9 2 1 check back 5 6 4 next issue 7 5 6 8 2 7 9 5 4 1 6 8 7 3 2 7 6

7 2 1 4 3 9 8 6 9 5

4 5 6 3 2

8 1

28 the Nation May 22, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

24 27

25 30

41 44

43 46 49

52 55

66 Garden invader 67 Farm workers? 68 One of the Monkees

10 Upholsterer's 40 Aardvark's tidbit tool 43 Went under 11 Garden bulb 45 Release a 12 Embarrass fastening band 13 Cause of ruin 47 Coercion DOWN 21 Darth's daughter 49 Lying face1 Leave a mark on 23 Fill, and then down 2 Junction point some 50 Starbucks 3 "The Black 25 Walter who offering Stallion" boy starred in "Mrs. 52 Expunge 4 Boxing ring Miniver" 53 Stick in one's borders 27 ___ jacket ____ 5 Give the right 28 Brain section 54 Have coming (to) 29 Part of BYOB 56 Do magazine Previous solution - Easy Medium 6 Drum sounds 31 "___ whiz!" work 8 4 5 3 7 2 9 1 6 7 Sensitive sub33 Endured 57 Campaign 9 2 3 5 1 6 8 7 4 ject, to some 35 Not too many worker 7 1 6 9 4 8 5 2 3 8 Requirement 36 Sightseeing trip 58 Bleacher feature 3 9 1 2 8 5 4 6 7 9 What Ike Godsey 37 TV sports 61 Workout seg5 6 7 4 9 3 1 8 2 ran award 2 8 4 7 6 1 3 ment 5 9

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 need to be filled in with numbers that PREVIOUS 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.

8 1 2 5 8 9

4 6 9 4 5 6

3 7

4 3

7N O 6D

1 7 8 to 6 3Crossword: 9 2 4 5 Solution

S C A R

A L E E C

F L A K

L O B E

C R A W

P R O N E

Y O U R

n idle mind can be a dangerous thing. And with the world in its current state, minds are likely idling all over. That being the case, we here at the Nation thought it might be apropos to give our readers a little something to help with the idling. From here on out, each Nation will feature a puzzle page with the answers coming to you in the following issue. Have at it!

by Margie E. Burke

L A T T E

4 E 5 9 R 1 A 2 N 7 G 6 3 S 8 T A R 6 N 3 2 A 8 G 5 E 4 E 7 9 T 1 U B O P T T E E N A To complete Sudoku, fill the L A E I by P entering T D numbers E S P 1 to I 9S board such S T that R each A P row, Rcolumn A L and P H 3x3 LboxI contains T I Gevery A Tnumber E uniquely. S E Ncheck D back E L E G A T T C A Gissue E S U F O For manynext strategies, hints and O Svisit E www.sudokuwiki.org N E T U N E U tips, M A S T O D O N W R IfAyou check N like S Str8ts N U R SoutEour books, Apps C K LiPhone/iPad E R E T and R E A much more E A onS our E store. R A D I H I R E S A S I D E A N T S P E T E D

B A N E

E S P Y T I E R

Rez Notes

Spring roundup by Sonny Orr

’m watching the sun set and feeling a lot warmer than yesterday. Boom, just like that, spring is back, and the sun’s nice glow feels good after yet another blizzard. I’m still waiting for snowmobile parts and hoping that reviving my old machine (it’s more than 20 years old) just to haul us to our blind will do the trick until the snow melts away. The timing for this year’s goose season seems to have split in two. It’s been an early start for the lucky hunters inland as they enjoy the annual migration from the Quebec north shore route. The James Bay coast geese are just lining up in Abitibi, where they amass in the fields before heading north and they will probably be still underway as you read this. This year is a special year for the animals as they tend to flourish where they aren’t constantly under pressure from human intrusion. If I were a goose, I would probably be wondering where all the humans are? Where’s the dose of corn when you need it? Is it the same up North? Nope, we are still out hunting just like every spring. No one dares question the rationale of a hunter when the first goose gets killed and the frenzied searches in dusty basements for those hip-waders and camouflage everything. Depending what your conditions are, the garments may be all white, for those hardy hunters who hide out on the ice. Meanwhile, people’s fridges are still bulging due to the constant fear of food shortages. But the stores seem to be holding out quite well and the lineups are moving quicker.

I think the most frustrating part is going to the post office, where you line up for some time only to find your mailbox empty – not even any junk mail. But it’s all in good cheer. Other communities are feeling the pinch as the need to socialize gets stronger as the temperature rises. I hope that this summer will be a good one. The relief of spacing your spot on a sunny beach is appealing to introverts, so I guess it balances out in the end. I’m hoping that fishing season is about the same, saving the planet one catch-and-release at a time. I tend not to throw back fish as each one is tasty. I guess we got that one down pat, just don’t forget to share some of the food with the Elders and widows. As for my job, I haven’t been able to deal with the usual number of people each day. I can imagine that millions of other people out there are doing the same. I have a few friends who are taking it all in stride, but there are some noticeable changes, like the scraggly beards and beady eyes from watching too much television. Eventually, the nice weather will change the channel and the sun’s healing rays will help restore our sanity. Speaking of the sun, a rather large hole in the ozone that was sitting just above us has sealed for the first time, making skin cancer less likely for the hunters in the blinds. Be safe, stay healthy and watch for rotten ice this spring! Happy Goose Break everyone!

I hope that this summer will be a good one. The relief of spacing your spot on a sunny beach is appealing to introverts, so I guess it balances out in the end

GUNSMITH ON LOCATION IN MATAGAMI

www.nationnews.ca May 22, 2020 the Nation 29

Tea Bannock Rich people don’t care about us by Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash

he self-isolation measures of the Covid-19 pandemic are forcing us to live in the present. Everything is canceled, we don’t really know when life is going to be normal again, or if there’s ever going to be a “normal” again. As one person wrote, “We live in an infinite present. No future plans, no anticipation of travel or shows or events or celebrations. It’s an endless today, never tomorrow.” Many weeks into this pandemic, we know that Covid-19 is particularly dangerous for Elders and immunocompromised people. But we are also reminded that social determinants of health play a huge role in the spread of viruses. Low-income neighbourhoods, where houses are overcrowded, where most people don’t have decent working conditions, and where there are socioeconomic barriers to good health care, are disproportionally impacted by the virus. “It’s an endless today, never tomorrow.” The uncertainty we are facing is nowhere near the uncertainty the impoverished are facing. Being able to self-isolate safely at home

Covid-19 is not only a health crisis, it’s also a social crisis is a privilege. That includes me. I’m grateful to have a stable income and a roof over my head in these trying times. Isolation is hard for everyone, we are social beings after all, but I acknowledge that many people have it worse than I do. Political and economic leaders in the Western world have been willing to protect the neoliberal edifice at the expense of the lives of the most vulnerable populations, which rely on community efforts to meet their basic needs. For them, keeping the economy going is more important than protecting the rest of us. Take Amazon owner Jeff Bezos for example. The mail-order tycoon’s fortune has grown by $24 billion since the pandemic began, even as he puts his warehouse workers at risk and refuses them adequate paid sick

leave. It has gotten to the point where a group of state attorneys general in the US are demanding that Amazon disclose the number of workers who have been infected with or died from Covid-19. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, the co-founder and CEO of Tesla, has been tweeting nonsense and fake news about Covid-19 in order to justify reopening his Tesla factory in California. I hate that all we give those workers are cute Facebook posts about how they are heroes. They are not heroes; they are wage slaves and they are bound to their employers because they cannot afford to choose safety over income. They put their lives at risk working a minimum-wage job without pandemic bonuses to put food on the table and pay the rent. In times like these, it

should be a choice and it’s going to take more than cute Facebook posts to give those workers some dignity. Covid-19 is not only a health crisis, it’s also a social crisis. The system hates the poor and as a society, we have been brainwashed into complaining about people on welfare. Yet everyone was happy when the federal government started sending out Canada Emergency Response Benefit cheques. Now, everyone realizes the importance of having a good social safety net. Pandemics are not new. Humanity has seen many before and will see others. “It’s an endless today, never tomorrow.” For now, but we should at least start asking ourselves what we should change so the same thing does not happen next time.

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 May 22, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

Your Northern Airline of Choice creebec

Air Creebec is operating by respecting and exceeding the rules with extensive cleaning and disinfecting of the aircraft, social distancing on board and at all service counters. We encourage everyone to respect the rules and to stay safe.

For the latest Air Creebec updates, please visit aircreebec.ca/covid19

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COVID-19

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AS A RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC “During the pandemic, we were unable to go outside, and our conflicts just grew bigger and bigger and more and more frequent.”

IF YOU ARE NOT SAFE CALL THE ROBIN’S NEST CRISIS LINE:

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WE OFFER A safe and secure environment 24/7 Emergency and crisis management Culturally safe healing Links to other services in the Eeyou Istchee region

IF YOU NEED TO TALK Call the 24/7 WIICHIHIIWAAUWIN HELPLINE. Counsellors, traditional healers and therapists are available to help you manage this stressful time. 1 833 632-HELP (4357)

IF YOU NEED TO ESCAPE Contact your local police or shelter. Tell them that you intend to leave an abusive situation and need help. Request a police escort or ask a friend, neighbour or family member to accompany you when you leave. Leave quickly and safely. If injured, go to the local clinic and report what happened to you. Ask them to document your visit. Have a backup plan. Be cautious with your phone to avoid the abuser using redial features. Seek legal advice. Record evidence of abuse such as photos and/or a journal of all violent incidents, noting dates, events, threats, and any witnesses. Keep copies of your identiﬁcation and photocopies of pictures stored in a safe place.

PROTECTING YOUR CHILDREN When you leave, take your child(ren) if you can. If you need to get them later, call the YOUTH PROTECTION HOTLINE for help:

1 800 409-6884