The Nation | Vol. 29, No. 07 by nationmag

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The Mozaïk Portal Parent is a communication tool between the and Waskaganish, Report Cards Now available in parent Mistissini, Wemindji, the school. It is a one-stop that enables parents to The Mozaïkon Portal is a examine all information theirParent child’s Absences communication tool between the school file and progress in school, suchparent as: and Report Cards the school. It is a one-stop that enables parents to examine all information on their child’s school file and To progress in school, such as: Register, contact

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your school at:

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yageur Memorial High To Register, contact your school School at: École Wiinibekuu School & & Annie Whiskeychan Voyageur Memorial High Voyageur Memorial École Wiinibekuu School Memorial School: School & Elementary School: & Voyageur Memorial Elementary School: (418)

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Annie Whiskeychan Memorial School:

(418) 923-3485

(819) 895-8819 (819) 895-8819

Joy Ottereyes Rainbow Memorial School Joy Ottereyes Rainbow & Memorial School Maquatua Eeyou & School:

Wabannutao Eeyou School: Wabannutao Eeyou School:

Maquatua Eeyou School:

(819) 977-0244

(819) 978-0270 (819) 978-0270

For more For information, visit our website at eeyoueducation.ca/youth/parents/mozaik more information, visit our website at eeyoueducation.ca/youth/parents/mozaik All otherAllschools will join in phases byby June other schools willthe joinportal the portal in phases June2022. 2022.

Do you want to access to the MozaÏk Parent Portal when it becomes available to to your your school? Do you want access the MozaÏk Parent Portal when it becomes available school? Stay ahead and update your email at your school. Stay ahead and update your email at your school.

CONTENTS 10 The scene is growing Mikw Chiyâm program continues to make waves

A second Covid Valentine’s Day

Politics

EDITORIAL 4

Checkpoint Charlie

NEWS Covid cases begin to decline

Survivors will decide

7 9

BRIEFS FEATURES Creative success

Love in the time of Covid

NHL trailblazer

Clash of world views

PUZZLES REZ NOTES

24 25

Collateral counts

T&B 26

Au revoir

Sports

NHL’s first female Indigenous scout

ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ Nunavik Starts Here

Lacking resources

ᐃᓂᓕᐅᕐᓃᑦ RESERVATIONS 1 800 361-2965

Photo of Collage by a Mikw Chiyâm paricpant featuring “Mosa – Mohave” by Edward S. Curtis

ᖃᖓᑦᑕᔫᓂᒃ ᐊᑦᑕᑐᐊᖃᕐᓂᖅ CHARTERS 1 800 661-5850

Editorial

Checkpoint Charlie by Will Nicholls

uebec was an optimistic place shortly before the holidays – before Covid-19 infection rates exploded after the Omicron variant made a triumphant appearance during its blockbuster world tour. As I hopped a plane to Chibougamau in late December, the warning signs were more like huge billboards of flashing neon advertising that our recently recovered freedoms were about to disappear once again. Gathering limits shrank, bars were shuttered before Christmas and restaurants were told to lock their doors – forcing them to throw out all the food they had purchased to satisfy the high number of reservations for New Year’s Eve meals. Sundays were made sacred (for Christians) once again by enforcing closures of non-essential businesses. Finally, we briefly returned to childhood with the 10pm-to-5am curfew (which was lifted January 17 after universal opposition). Predictably, this resulted in large crowds rubbing elbows trying to obtain food supplies. For who would know how long groceries would be available as shelves were emptied of many basic items. In Waskaganish, there was a total lockdown with no one allowed to enter or even leave the community. At one point there was a run on the bread supply at local stores. Some residents were worried about toilet paper and other necessities. Many employers were alarmed as more and more workers were unable to return to work. Throughout Quebec, we’ve seen long line-ups at grocery stores. In Chibougamau, I saw more than 25 grocery carts waiting for a cashier to serve

This should never become normal

them in the early afternoon. Returning to Montreal in mid-January, I noticed it was no different at the Provigo in the Park Extension neighbourhood. Going in and out of Mistissini reminded me of the Berlin Wall dividing democratic West Germany from communist East Germany during the Cold War. The Mistissini check stop is nicknamed Checkpoint Charlie, after the heavily guarded Berlin border crossing in that era. You are asked where you are going, where you live, your name and the names of your passengers. You face similar questions coming back and are expected to detail every place you visited. Only with the guards’ approval can you enter the community. It’s a surprise we’re not asked for a passport. In Eeyou Istchee, there are lists of who needs to be isolated and for how long. After my cousin Facebooked “I am

free”, I congratulated him on surviving house arrest. We are all tired of Big Brother telling us what to do. It’s not easy to stay in the bubble but I complied, not visiting friends or family outside my parents’ home. This is very difficult after almost two years. We are all social animals. Returning to Montreal, it was more of the same, though without Checkpoint Charlie. I was able to see my boys but staring at four walls during the curfew felt like being placed in solitary confinement in prison. I can only imagine the mental illness that many people must be suffering. This should never become normal. We should not get used to a government that doesn’t allow us to see friends, monitors our movements and social media, or determines where, how and when we can work. That puts us on the wrong side of Checkpoint Charlie.

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 Randy Mayer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS M. Labrecque-Saganash, S. Orr, P. Quinn, B. Powless DESIGN Matthew Dessner SALES AND ADVERTISING Danielle Valade, Donna Malthouse 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 | facebook.com/NATIONnewsmagazine | Twitter: @creenation_news

4 the Nation January 28, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

CMCA AUDITED

C O V I D - 1 9 U P D AT E

by Ben Powless, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Covid cases begin to decline Hospitals across Quebec continue to be overwhelmed by Omicron outbreak

he number of active Covid cases appear to have crested in Eeyou Istchee. The Cree Health Board reported 368 active cases as of January 17, down from a high of 602 reported January 6. However, new cases are still being reported from the massive outbreak that began December 22. Since then, 1,173 cases had been reported as of press time, with 805 considered recovered. Among those infected in this period, 14 people had been hospitalized. Public health officials continue to urge people who test positive to inform those they had been in contact with. Close contacts should assume they are positive and self-isolate for 10 days and wait 3-5 days to get a test if they feel no symptoms. If they are symptomatic, they should assume they are positive and inform their community’s Public Safety Officer. Beginning January 6, individuals who received Covid screenings at community clinics or the Chisasibi Hospital are informed of their results by text message. Phase One community measures remain in effect, prohibiting all intercommunity travel inside or outside Eeyou Istchee, except for essential reasons. All indoor and outdoor gatherings were prohibited with people not in the same household. Everywhere, except Region 10 (Nord-du-Québec), is considered an area of risk. “Many healthcare staff who work and live in our communities have caught Covid-19. This has put a lot of pressure on local healthcare services. Community measures are helping to reduce some of that pressure,” CHB Vice-Chair Christine Petawabano explained in a radio update. As a result of staffing shortages, some services were no longer available at Community Miyupimaatisiiun Centres; though emergency services, vaccinations and testing remain in place. The OujeBougoumou CMC also announced that

About 20,000 healthcare workers were absent due to the virus as of January 8, and another 30,000 were on leave due to burnout or other medical conditions

it was in emergency mode until further notice due to a lack of water at the clinic. Some medical appointments in the south have been delayed or postponed, though Wiichiihituwin patients and escorts can still travel for essential care with a few changes. Those changes include no longer offering meal service on charter flights, with water and glucose available to lower the need for mask removal on the plane. Patients returning to Eeyou Istchee will be able to get screened at the Montreal hangar and Val-d’Or airport. Across Quebec, nearly 3,400 people were hospitalized. Health authorities in nine regions of Quebec, including Greater Montreal, were exceeding all extra beds that had been freed up to accommodate the latest wave of the pandemic, fueled by the Omicron variant. In the east of Montreal, health authorities were allowing only patients needing emergency surgeries. Premier François Legault called on government employees to volunteer in hospitals, as staff shortages continued to affect the availability of care. About 20,000 healthcare workers were absent due to the virus as of January 8, and another 30,000 were on leave due

to burnout or other medical conditions. The province announced it was closing some emergency rooms and urgent care departments, including cardiology and trauma centres, while delaying surgeries. Legault announced plans to impose a tax on unvaccinated people, saying that the cost to the government for hundreds of individuals taking up hospital beds had to be offset by fines. Quebec also ended its province-wide curfew January 17 and allowed stores to once again open on Sundays. However, vaccine passports will now be required to outlets of the SAQ and SQDC. Vaccine proof will also be required at large stores like Costco and Walmart, but not at grocery stores or pharmacies. Health Canada approved a new therapeutic drug developed by Pfizer, called Paxlovid, that it determined reduces the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% in non-hospitalized high-risk adults with Covid. The drug comes in pill form and would be prescribed by a doctor, but could be taken at home, unlike other emergency treatments currently available. Canada said it currently has 30,000 doses and expects another 120,000 treatments to arrive by April.

www.nationnews.ca January 28, 2022 the Nation 5

S Taapwaauchaayimiisu (Believe in Yourself) is a resource available for schools under our Youth Enrichment Services. We offer support to students between the ages of 10 and 17 who need a break from the classroom while continuing with their schoolwork. t Our trained team offers one-on-one and group workshops designed to improve behaviours, motivation, and self-esteem, and monitors students to keep up with the lesson plans the teachers send. The expression “Believe in Yourself” is dear to our program as we want to send a strong message of empowerment and self-worth to our youth.

Taapwaauchaayimiisu is currently offered in 4 communities: Waskaganish, Chisasibi, Mistissini and Nemaska. For information on our program, how to refer a student, how you can access services for your child, and more, please contact:

6 the Nation January 28, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

ince plans to investigate residential school sites on Fort George Island were announced last June, Chisasibi leadership has conducted consultations about how to proceed in a respectful manner.

In November, local survivors and their families were informed about ground penetrating radar (GPR), the technology used in last year’s discovery of 215 unidentified graves at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC. “It’s a complex situation in Fort George,” said Chisasibi Deputy Chief Paula Napash, who is leading the consultations. “It’s unique. We had two residential schools but five different locations. The first Anglican residential school in 1933 burnt down so they built it somewhere else. One was relocated to a different area.” Between 1933 and 1981 – before the community was relocated to Chisasibi – three Anglican and two Catholic school sites existed on the island. They hosted students from across James Bay and beyond, prompting locals to recommended consulting other communities before deciding whether or how to investigate. “A lot of our community members went to different residential schools, not just at Fort George,” explained Napash. “They were saying, ’Nobody asked us if we wanted GPR to be done. It’s happening all over again – they’re deciding for us, and we’re not even informed of the decision.’ They didn’t want us to treat them how they were treated.” Working with the Chisasibi Heritage and Cultural Centre, Napash has determined that Fort George students came from the Ontario communities of Fort Albany, Attawapiskat and Moosonee, as well as Eastmain, Great Whale, Old Factory River, Lake John, Nemaska, Paint Hills, Pointe Bleue, Rupert House and Témiscaming. “We had people from along the coast and also people from Ontario and the Saguenay area of Quebec,” said

Editorial News

Survivors will decide Consultations over searching Fort George residential school sites to be expanded by Patrick Quinn,

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Napash. “We’re very fortunate the cultural centre does the research for us on the different locations, dates and pictures. They’re our experts on our history and have a lot of files on the different students who attended residential school.” Napash intends to reach out to various band councils this winter, asking for their consent to hold consultations in their communities. She understands if some don’t wish to be involved but believes it’s important that they be offered the opportunity. “Before we give our definite answer, we need to know what people want,” Napash told the Nation. “We’ve always said we’re not going to decide for our community – it will be the survivors who decide. If it does happen, then at least they’ll have voiced their opinions and it wasn’t decided for them.” Following consultations with Elders November 4 and with the general community November 15, a three-day residential school gathering prompted further discussion about the proposed investigation. While many were retraumatized by last summer’s revelations, there was no clear consensus on the path forward. “When Kamloops happened, even the ones who did a lot of work on themselves were saying it was starting over from square one,” Napash shared. “Most who shared their input said they do want the GPR because they want closure. Some people said leave it alone, no need to bring up the past, we’ve moved on. We

know some are not ready to share and some will never share.” Some who did share their stories explained how uncovering long-repressed truths about residential schools had reopened old wounds. Even still, according to Napash, many expressed the thought that, “It’s finally out there – now people believe me.” With so many having taken these painful secrets to the grave, there is a sense of urgency to have these conversations before it’s too late. “A community member I knew who went to the original residential school in 1933 recently passed at 95 years old,” said Napash. “My grandmother only started sharing stories just before she passed. She went to residential school when she was five to when she quote-unquote graduated so she had quite a lot of stories.” Some testimonies justify further investigation. Survivors recalled being told that siblings who never came home died of illnesses but say they always mistrusted these explanations. Others spoke of suspicious sounds coming from the furnace room. “There are stories of students seeing the nuns and priests with shovels in the basement, holding little crosses and flowers,” Napash said. “It’s not easy. It’s a sensitive subject – we always had [mental health professionals] on standby. Some people had triggers.” Residential school survivors across Canada are increasingly leading their community’s searches for unmarked graves. Despite a strained relationship

with law enforcement, Six Nations of the Grand River leveraged resources from the Ontario Provincial Police to employ light detection and ranging technology (LIDAR) in addition to GPR under the guidance of cultural monitors. Napash has had preliminary talks with experts in GPR and other technologies, including the specialist who conducted the Kamloops search and another who works with a local Cree company. As radar devices generally require clearing brush and trees to scan for disturbed soil, a potential search could be complicated. “It’s challenging because we relocated from Fort George and the area is covered with alder trees and debris,” Napash explained. “It’s not a flat surface. There are different locations. Now, next to the [former schools], we have our annual Maamowedow gathering, and people have started building cabins around the area.” While Cree leadership continues to seek records from the Catholic Church, survivor testimony can be invaluable in helping identify precise areas to search. Further consultations are planned in Eeyou Istchee and in other impacted communities. “I think we’re going in the right direction and at the right pace,” said Napash. “We’re taking our time and not rushing it. Some people might think we’re not moving fast enough but everybody needs to be aware and consulted and know we’re giving them time to think about it and discuss it.”

www.nationnews.ca January 28, 2022 the Nation 7

AVIS PUBLIC Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs

PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON FORESTRY WORK Affected management units: 026-61, 026-62, 026-63, 026-64, 02665, 026-66, 085-51, 085-62, 086-52, 086-63, 086-64, 086-65, 08666, 087-51, 087-62, 087-63 and 087-64 From January 24 to February 17, 2022, the ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP) invites the general public to express its opinions about the logging and forestry activities set out in the 2018-2023 integrated operational forest management plans (PAFIO) for the Nord-du-Québec region. A variety of work will take place in the forest in the coming years. The integrated forest management plans clearly identify the sectors in which logging, land preparation, reforestation, brush cutting and other work may take place. Roads and infrastructure will also have to be built or improved to access the proposed work sectors.

ᐆ ᐁᐃᐦᑕᑯᐦᒡ ᐁᐃᔑ ᐱᒥᐸᔨᐦᑖᔮᐦᒡ ᑖᐧᐯᐅᒉᔨᒥᓲ ᑳ ᐃᔑᓂᐦᑳᑌᒡ ᐁᑯᓐ ᐆ ᐁᐃᐦᑕᑯᐦᒡ ᒉ ᒌ ᐃᔑ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᑖᑲᓅᐦᐧᑳᐤ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒉᐅᑲᒥᒄᐦ ᐊᓐᑦ ᐅᔅᒋᓃᒎᒡ ᐁᐃᔑ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑲᓅᐧᑖᐤ ᐁᐃᔑ ᐱᒥᐸᔨᐦᑖᑲᓅᐦᒡ᙮ ᐃᐦᑕᑯᓂᔫ ᒉ ᒌ ᐃᔑ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑲᓅᐧᑖᐤ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒧᐧᐋᑲᓂᒡ 10 ᐁᐃᑎᑐᐳᓀᓯᐧᑖᐤ ᐲᐦᐄᒻ 17 ᐁᑳ ᐧᐄ ᐃᐦᑖᐧᑖᐤ ᐊᓂᑌ ᐁᐱᒋᓵᔨᒡ ᐁᒋᔅᑯᑎᒧᐧᐋᑲᓅᐧᑖᐤ ᔮᐸᒡ ᒉ ᒋ ᐃᐦᑑᑕᐧᑳᐤ ᐅᒪᓯᓇᐦᐄᑲᓄᐧᐋᐤᐦ ᐁᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᓱᐧᑖᐤ᙮ ᐊᓐᒌ ᒉ ᐧᐄᒋ ᐊᐸᑎᓰᒫᐧᑖᐤ ᑫᑌᐦᐹᓐ ᐧᐄᒋ ᐊᐸᑎᓰᒣᐅᒡ ᐊᓂᔫ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒧᐧᐋᑲᓐᐦ ᓀᔥᑦ ᒫᒨ ᓀᐅᒡ ᒉ ᒌ ᐊᔨᒨᑎᒧᐧᐋᑲᓄᔨᒡ ᒉᐧᑳᔫ ᒉ ᒌ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐄᑯᔨᒡ ᒉ ᒌ ᒥᔫᐸᔨᔨᒡ ᑖᓐ ᐁᐃᑌᔨᐦᑖᑯᓯᔨᒡ, ᒉ ᒌ ᐊᔅᒉᔨᐦᑕᒥᐦᐄᑯᔨᒡ, ᓀᔥᑦ ᒉ ᒌ ᒥᔫᑲᓄᐧᐋᐸᒥᓱᔨᒡ ᓀᔥᑦ ᓂᓈᑲᒋᐦᐁᐅᒡ ᐊᓂᔫ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒧᐧᐋᑲᓐᐦ ᒉ ᒌ ᐃᐦᑑᑕᒥᔨᒡ ᐊᓂᔫ ᑳ ᐃᔑ ᒥᔮᑲᓄᔨᒡ ᒉ ᒌ ᐃᔑ ᐊᐸᑎᓰᐦᑲᐦᑕᒥᔨᒡ ᑖᓐ ᑳᐃᔑ ᐧᐃᔅᑖᔨᒡ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒉᓲᐦ᙮ ᐆ ᐁᐃᔑ ᒌᓱᐧᐋᓅᐦᒡ “ᑖᐧᐯᐅᒉᔨᒥᓲ” ᒥᔅᑕᐦᐄ ᓂᑎᑌᔨᐦᑕᒥᐦᐄᑯᓈᓐ ᐆ ᐁᐃᔑ ᐱᒥᐸᔨᐦᑖᔮᐦᒡ ᐧᐁᔥ ᓂᐧᐄ ᒋᔅᒉᔨᐦᑕᒥᐦᐋᓈᓐᒡ ᑯᔅᒋᓃᒌᒥᓅᒡ ᑖᓐ ᒉ ᒌᔑ ᒥᔅᑯᓰᐧᑖᐤ ᓀᔥᑦ ᒉ ᒌ ᒥᔫᑲᓄᐧᐋᐸᒥᓱᐧᑖᐤ᙮

ᐊᓂᑌ ᐧᐁᐦᒡ ᐱᒥᐸᔨᐦᑖᑲᓅᐦᒡ ᐆ ᑖᐧᐯᐅᒉᔨᒥᓲ ᐊᓂᑌ 4 ᐃᔨᔫ ᐃᐦᑖᐧᐃᓐᐦ ᐃᐦᑕᑯᓐ: ᐧᐊᔅᑲᑲᓂᔥ, ᒋᓵᓰᐲ, ᒥᔅᑎᓯᓃ ᓀᔥᑦ ᓀᒪᔅᑳ᙮ ᐁᑎᑑ ᐧᐄ ᒋᔅᒉᔨᐦᑎᒣᐧᑫ ᐆ ᑳ ᐃᔑ ᐱᒥᐸᔨᐦᑖᑲᓅᐦᒡ, ᑖᓐ ᒉ ᒌ ᐃᐦᑏᓐ ᐁᐧᐄ ᐲᐦᑌᐸᔨᐦᐄᑦ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒧᐧᐋᑲᓐ ᐊᓐᑦ, ᑖᓐ ᒉ ᒌ ᐃᐦᑏᓐ ᒉ ᒌ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑲᓅᑦ ᒋᔅᑕᐧᐋᔒᒻ, ᓀᔥᑦ ᑲᔦ ᐁᑎᑑ ᐧᐄ ᓇᓇᑑ ᒋᔅᒉᔨᐦᑕᒥᓀ ᒉᐧᑳᓐ, ᐅᑌ ᒋ ᑳ ᒌᔑ ᐯᒋ ᑖᐦᑲᐱᐦᒉᓂᒉᓐ:

(418) 923 2661 ᒦᓐ ᐁᒪᑯᓂᑲᓅᐦᒡ ᐊᒋᐦᑖᓱᓐ 1172 ᐁᒋᓯᐸᔨᐦᒡ ᐁᐃᔑ ᐲᐦᑌᓯᓇᐦᐄᒉᔨᓐ: YES@cngov.ca ᑖᐦᑳᐱᐦᒉᓂᑲᓐ ᐁᐃᑎᓯᓈᑌᒡ:

The MFFP’s team of professionals would like to hear any concerns that forest users may have in connection with the planned forestry activities. If you are interested, you can access the operational plan and submit comments online via the MFFP’s website at mffp.gouv.qc.ca/consultationplans-damenagement-forestier-integre/. You may also make an appointment with an MFFP representative at any time, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by e-mail at nord-du-quebec.foret@mffp.gouv.qc.ca. The representative will be able to answer your questions and address any concerns you may have.

Unité de gestion de Chibougamau 624, 3e Rue Chibougamau (Québec) G8P 1P1 Telephone: 418-748-2647 Fax: 418-748-3359

Unité de gestion de Lebel-sur-Quévillon 1121, boulevard Industriel, C. P. 159 Lebel-sur-Quévillon (Québec) J0Y 1X0 Telephone: 819 755-4838 Fax: 819 755-3541

Unité de gestion de Mont-Plamondon 645, 1re Rue Est La Sarre (Québec) J9Z 3P3 Telephone: 819 339-7623 Fax: 819 339-7696

Unité de gestion de l’Harricana-Nord 1122, route 111 Est Amos (Québec) J9T 1N1 Telephone: 819 444-5238 Fax: 819 444-5837

IMPORTANT: If you would like to receive information on the MFFP’s future public consultations in the Nord-du-Québec region, please contact christine.morin@mffp.gouv.qc.ca and enter Demande d’inscription sur la liste de diffusion in the e-mail subject line.

In Brief Sandy Lake fire prompts calls for emergency services A house fire at the Sandy Lake First Nation that took the lives of three children January 14 has led to demands for better emergency infrastructure in northern communities. Cassandra Meekis was with her six children when the blaze erupted in the chimney of the family’s wood stove around 11:30 pm. Firefighters rescued three of them, but the others – aged 4, 6 and 9 – perished in the fire. “Our volunteers did all they could do with what they had,” stated Sandy Lake Chief Delores Kakegamic. “We should have the same level of support as anyone else in Canada. Lives are at stake.” The house was engulfed in flames when emergency response crews arrived. They suffered smoke inhalation in temperatures below -30 C working with limited equipment. “None of the fire hydrants were working and we only had one water truck running back and forth as fast as it could,” Kakegamic said. “The water kept freezing. The fire hydrants never work around here.” Sandy Lake, located about 600 kilometres northwest of Thunder Bay, is accessible only by air or winter road. Last summer, Nishnawbe Aski Nation urged governments to improve fire safety in Indigenous communities with poor housing conditions and a critical lack of prevention services. Permafrost makes it difficult to maintain underground water lines. Limited emergen-

cy response training adds to the safety challenges. According to a 2021 report by Ontario’s chief coroner, First Nations children under 10 have the highest fire-related mortality rate in the province – 86 times greater than non-First Nation children. The highest number of fire fatalities were in communities with no yearround road access.

Holiday generosity in Mistissini Abraham Jolly will have warmer winter walks after being gifted with brand new seal-skin mittens by Mary Sandy Shecapio shortly after Christmas. The senior advisor at the Cree School Board’s Office of the Director General in Mistissini began the New Year with a resolution to walk 6,000 steps per day. “I guess she noticed the yellow work gloves I was wearing and figured I needed to wear something warmer,” Jolly shared on social media. Invited to stop by for tea after his walk, Jolly was presented with mitts and a small pair of

moccasins to be hung on his car mirror. “I was totally overwhelmed by the generosity shown by our neighbours,” Jolly exclaimed. “Thank God for good-hearted people like her here in Mistissini!”

Critics decry delays in children’s care approvals Bureaucratic disagreements between provincial and federal governments continue to delay health treatments for First Nations children, according to a CBC News report. In 2017, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal ordered Ottawa to follow Jordan’s Principle, which would see either the federal or provincial government approve and fund treatments immediately for First Nations children, then negotiate who should cover the cost. The principle is named for Jordan River Anderson of Norway House Cree First Nation, who died at the age of five during a disagreement between Manitoba and Ottawa

“I was totally overwhelmed by the generosity shown by our neighbours” - Abraham Jolly

In Brief

over who was supposed to pay for his treatment. The tribunal ruling requires requests to be processed within 48 hours. But service providers say six to 12 months can pass before approvals, and payments can be delayed for over a year. Some, facing bankruptcy as a result, have suspended service to First Nations children. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu told CBC she would ensure providers were paid “in a timely fashion.”

The CMEB Aims to • Assist the Crees in accessing mineral exploration opportunities. • Facilitate the development of mineral exploration enterprises with Cree entrepreneurship. • Help encourage the Crees and Cree enterprises to beneﬁt from Quebec’s regular funding programs as well as other provincial assistance allocated to mineral exploration activities. • Act as the main intermediary between offers and demands of services made to Cree enterprises in matters relating to mineral exploration. THE CREE MINERAL EXPLORATION BOARD 21 Hilltop, P.O. Box 150 Wemindji, QC J0M 1L0 T: 819-978-0264 x327

cmeb.org

www.nationnews.ca January 28, 2022 the Nation 9

Features

Creative success

Photos and illustrations provided by the CSB

Mikw Chiyâm nurtures a growing Cree arts scene by Patrick Quinn,

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

rue to its name, the Mikw Chiyâm program has been “moving forward without hesitation” since it was launched in 2015. Seven years later, it’s now a popular part of the Cree School Board curriculum from Secondary 1 through Secondary 5. From seven participants in Mistissini during its first year, the unique arts residency program currently includes 253 students in all nine Cree secondary schools. While the CSB worked with non-profit organization inPath to bring Mikw Chiyâm to life, an arts consultant was recently hired to help organize a greater local role in its operation. “The program was brought into nurture student retention and provide motivation,” said program director Julia Therrien. “We’ve definitely seen a positive impact in

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“It’s opened incredible doors – an opportunity to go further with this in life, whether that’s personally or professionally” - Jossée Bernier

attendance and grades. The kids in the first year were really helpful in informing us what they wanted to see.” Mikw Chiyâm invites professional artists from different disciplines into classes that are led by local teachers. The four artist residencies featured in the past have been reduced to three since the Covid pandemic, with one before winter break and two between January and Goose Break. Students end the school year with an independent project in their chosen medium. Students generally apply for Mikw Chiyâm as an arts elective, but pandemic challenges prompted some schools to directly place students rather than resort to waiting lists – sometimes resulting in huge classes. And, despite interruptions to in-person learning, Mikw Chiyâm continues to expand. In particular, the Emerging Artist and Youth Artist Assistant programs are creating ongoing opportunities. “A lot of youth say it’s created a safe space where they can express themselves in the community,” Therrien told the Nation. “Our post-Mikw-Chiyâm programs were developed to continue that space outside of the classroom. We’re now seeing Youth Artist Assistants applying to the Emerging Artists the following year and eventually making it full circle to being an artist in residence, which is very neat.” Most youth assistants are recent graduates who return to Mikw Chiyâm classrooms to support students while continuing their arts training and developing their portfolios. During the second year of her program, Jossée Bernier completed residencies and performed at festivals with Mikw Chiyâm that she says completely changed her life direction. After an online residency in Eastmain, the multidisciplinary artist taught screenprinting, painting and poetry in her home community of Ouje-Bougoumou. “The Emerging Artist program has been a monumental tool to support employability and develop entrepreneur skills,” said Bernier. “I’ve definitely been able to dream bigger and connect with other artists in the industry. It’s opened incredible doors – an opportunity to go further with this in life, whether that’s personally or professionally.” Bernier enjoyed seeing students develop their creative passions after being inspired by Indigenous artists who have established successful careers doing what they love. Her passions of art and mental health were established after the program helped her solve own teenage emotions of wanting to avoid school. Now she sees other Mikw Chiyâm students blossom as they overcome their reticence and insecurities while forming meaningful relationships. “Art is what brings us there, but what we do in the classroom keeps us together,” shared Bernier. “It’s been really special because sometimes the school environment

www.nationnews.ca January 28, 2022

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isn’t always conducive to creativity. By the end of the residency, the students who are most reluctant to get involved usually end up being the most involved.” Among the program’s goals is empowering individual and collective voices by challenging social barriers and fears. Artists like Peatr Thomas provide a guiding theme for projects – for instance, community-based collaborative murals. He believes that street-art practices like spray painting stencils can be a less intimidating gateway to expression, as they were for him. “I’m trying to pass on skills that have helped me in life,” Thomas told the Nation. “Art itself can be real confidence building. Learning how to express yourself is not something I was taught in school. School taught me that failing is bad, but when it comes to any art form or really anything in life, failure is the best teacher.” Working in classrooms throughout Eeyou Istchee, music producer Christian Monias (aka CJAY GRiZ) saw how transformative it can be for teens to develop connections with professional artists working in their desired fields. One of the first Cree Nation artists in residence four years ago, he says many students opened up to him, especially in his home community of Chisasibi. “There’s a deeper understanding because we’re from the same place,” Monias explained. “I like to open up opportunities for them, whether it’s music-making or other types of art. There are a lot of resources these days. I’m trying to keep them motivated and going.” While Monias can relate to Northern artists feeling discouraged by a relative lack of performance possibilities, especially during the pandemic, he believes Mikw Chiyâm provides a platform for artists to feel like artists. He credits the inPath and CSB team for keeping these creative fires burning. Monias collaborates with rising stars like Angel Baribeau and Franklin Moar, who both got their start in Mikw Chiyâm’s first year and are now facilitators. He continues to mentor former students like Daniel, who he met during a residency in Nemaska and who is now in the Emerging Artist program. “The program is creating its own people to run it,” said Monias. “Before, I couldn’t think of many artists I wanted to collaborate with, but now I can. There’s a healthy scene now that’s growing.”

14 the Nation January 28, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

“There’s a deeper understanding because we’re from the same place... I like to open up opportunities for them, whether it’s music-making or other types of art. There are a lot of resources these days. I’m trying to keep them motivated and going” - Christian Monias, music producer

CREE JUSTICE FUNDS 2021-2022

CALL FOR PROPOSALS FUNDING PRIORITIES

CRIME PREVENTION FUNDS

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT FUNDS

To prevent and combat crime in Eeyou Istchee by addressing the underlying causes

To empower and engage youth by promoting positive lifestyle choices that reflect our cultural values

Prevention of Violence

Alcohol/Drugs Abuse and Addiction

Prevention of Crime

Addressing Trauma and Mental Health

TO APPLY CONTACT: Desiree Ottereyes, Justice Funds Administrator 16 the Nation of Justice and Correctional Services Department

P: 819-978-3300 F: 819-978-3301

info@creejusticefunds.ca www.creejusticefunds.ca

Time to make an appointment for your COVID-19 booster dose. Follow the vaccination sequence and book your appointment when it’s your turn.

Québec.ca/COVIDvaccine Stay protected longer thanks to the booster dose.

Get the booster dose and follow all health guidelines to protect yourself from COVID-19 and its variants.

www.nationnews.ca December 31, 2021

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A ♡ For a Bit of Fun

f you’re looking for something more exciting, there’s a few options to connect with your inner child and your partner at the same time. With good weather, consider spending a day outside. Make a snow fort and build up a snowball arsenal for an epic snowball fight. Or if you’ve got some kids or nieces and nephews you can borrow some Nerf guns or you can even make your own indoor fort with pillows, sofa cushions and blankets. If that’s not an option, you could order a new board game or puzzle and plan for a long night in. Feel like showing off your singing voice? Websites like Singa.com let you turn your living room into a live karaoke bar. With thousands of songs, you’re sure to find some old favourites to croon out on your laptop or love smartphone.

♡ A Unique Gift

dds are that, like most people, you have a phone camera that’s jam-packed with photos of you, your partner, kids or pets. And while it’s nice to have these readily able to share online, there’s still something special about having access to photos in physical form. So, this Valentine’s, consider ordering a custom-made photobook to surprise your significant other and have something you can treasure and even pass down. Websites like Blacks.ca and Costco (with membership) allow you to upload your photos online and choose the layout – though orders can take a few weeks to arrive.

♡ Spa Night

or those looking to take things to the next level, try an extravagant spa night. It’s the perfect excuse to indulge and soak away the winter blues. Plan ahead and buy some bath bombs, aromatherapy oils, candles and massage oils, or make do with whatever you have around the house. Try a nice, hot soak with relaxing music under the dim glow of candlelight. Let your favourite scents transcend you and finish off with a soothing massage.

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nother year has passed under Covid restrictions, and Valentine’s Day is upon us again. Yet it doesn’t have to be a dreary affair. The Nation has prepared a few ideas for you and your significant other – or even some pals, for those who aren’t paired up – to do this February 14. Whether you’re feeling like getting cozy and cuddly, or doing something more active...

lov

in the time

H e re a re a f e w ideas for making the most of this Va l e n t i n e ’s D a y by Ben Powless,

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

e of Covid

♡ Make a Delicious Meal Together

hat more romantic way to spend the night than cooking up a delicious meal and enjoying it together? You could have a professional chef guide you through the steps to up your culinary game. Websites like Cozymeal.com and SurLaTable.com allow you to do just that, booking a live session starting at $29-$39US. Make sure to check that you’ll be able to get the required ingredients, then connect with the chefs live as they take you through the process to create a delicious new meal. And the best part comes after, as you get to taste your new creation. Make sure to sign up ahead of time, as classes can fill up.

♡ For Long-Distance

Couples (or Friends)

f you’re not able to be in the same place as your loved one, stuck in isolation, or single and just wanting to get together with some friends that night, consider having a virtual hangout. Web applications like Scener.com allow you to share your video and voice chat with up to 10 people as you watch your favourite content from sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ or even YouTube. So, plan some drinks, pop some popcorn, and you can spend as much intimate time together as possible.

♡ For a Cozy Night In

f you’re looking to do something low-key, consider going for a relaxing evening of Netflix and chilling. Make some comfort food, get your favourite drink, pop some popcorn, turn down the lights, and cue up your movie marathon, putting together a list of either your favourite films, or paying a little extra to rent premium movies from sites like Amazon, Google Play or Apple. Even better, you can spend a little extra with Cineplex.com and rent movies that are still out in theatres. Don’t forget to turn your phone off.

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Sports

Photo provided by Brigette Lacquette

NHL trailblazer Brigette Lacquette becomes NHL’s first female Indigenous scout by Patrick Quinn,

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

rigette Lacquette continues to blaze new trails at hockey’s highest levels, both on and off the ice. In 2018 she was the first Indigenous woman to play for the Canadian Olympic team. Now Lacquette is a scout in the National Hockey League Lacquette was offered the job by the Chicago Blackhawks last May when she was waiting to hear from Team Canada’s Olympic selection camp. After determining the message was indeed real, she spoke with assistant general manager Ryan Stewart, who asked if she had considered life following her playing career. “I’m still able to play hockey and work at this job,” Lacquette told the Nation. “That’s one of the main things that attracted me to it. He was like we’re not going to get in the way of your training but we would also like to use your brain on some players. It’s kind of a win-win.” After Lacquette wasn’t invited to try out for the 2022 Olympic team, accepting this historic opportunity was a substantial silver lining. The 29-year-old continues to play with Calgary in the Professional Women’s Hockey Players’ Association (PWHPA) as she scouts young prospects in the Western Hockey League who have already been drafted into the NHL. “My bread and butter was my vision on the ice, passing the puck, seeing lanes and just my poise,” explained Lacquette. “I feel like that has translated well into scouting. I’m seeing the kid with the puck and I see his options, then

it’s easy to tell what his skill level and hockey sense is like. You can analyze their skating and things like that.” Good positioning and anticipating the play served Lacquette well on the blueline as a defender representing Canada at three world championships and the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, where she picked up a silver medal. Before recruiting her, Chicago had researched her collegiate playing career at the University of Minnesota Duluth. “Everybody I reached out to – from former coaches at college to teammates – raved about her hockey sense and her integrity as a person,” Stewart told the CBC. “She has an excellent hockey mind, period. There’s a long line of people lining up to be scouts, but we’re very selective as to who could be a scout for us.” Lacquette is the fourth female NHL scout to be hired during the past few years, in a domain long held exclusively by white men. Before accepting the position, she reached out to Blake Bolden, who had previously broken barriers with the Los Angeles Kings as the first Black female scout. “I was trying to see what she thought about her job before I accepted the position,” said Lacquette. “I asked

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how she managed things, what she does. When I accepted, I just ran with it and now I’m learning every day. It’s a lot of fun – I feel like I’m improving every time I write a report.” Lacquette was naturally nervous when she started in October, wondering what exactly she was looking for as she drove to a game in Lethbridge. However, she has quickly adapted the tools of the trade, including video technology that helps her keep track of 10 players at a time. “I can go back and watch three games in an hour, focusing on just one player’s shifts,” Lacquette explained. “So if I miss anything, I can sit at my desk and watch extra videos. Right now the trade deadline is coming up and my boss is starting to contact me a lot, talking about the players I watch.” Before the World Junior Championship in Alberta was shut down because of Omicron concerns in December, Lacquette had been scouting just hours after playing a PWHPA game. As she observes the subtle improvements of certain prospects, balancing these two sides of her life has been a smooth transition so far. “I’ve been amazed at her reports and she knows the detail that helps translate a player to a pro level and then

“Breaking down these doors of racism and making Team Canada were the goals I set for myself”

obviously bigger than that to the NHL level,” said Stewart. “She’s grasped that kind of range real quickly here.” Given ongoing controversies about sports teams appropriating Indigenous names and logos, not everyone has supported Lacquette joining the Blackhawks. After Washington’s NFL team finally dropped its offensive “Redskins” moniker in 2020, Chicago announced it will keep its name but ban headdresses at games and build a wing at an Indigenous museum in Illinois. “I respect what the Blackhawks are trying to do,” responded Lacquette. “They are making efforts to promote Indigenous ancestry through the history. I’m not trying to get roped into anything. I’m here working my dream job, a job that doesn’t come around often, especially to people like myself or my family. I’m focusing on all the positives in my life.” Serving on NHL committees for female hockey and player inclusion, Lacquette has become accustomed to additional scrutiny. Growing up in the tiny Manitoba community

of Mallard, Lacquette looked up to Jordin Tootoo, but had few female role models. “Breaking down these doors of racism and making Team Canada were the goals I set for myself,” said Lacquette. “I didn’t realize I was the first until they said something at the Olympics. From that point on, I embraced the role of sharing my story and realized how important it’s been to show kids it’s okay to move away from your small community.” Lacquette’s openness about her struggles with anxiety, racism and bullying have inspired youth to seek guidance about overcoming their own obstacles. When speaking at schools, she encourages kids to “work their butt off”, doing everything they can to achieve their passions. “Yes, I played in the Olympics but I grew up just like you,” Lacquette shares. “I never had anyone telling me this is what you can achieve. Sometimes growing up in Mallard, I’d go out and shoot pucks when I was frustrated. There were so many times I wanted to quit but I pushed through it.”

Claim what’s yours.

Join the more than 130,000 others who attended a Federal Indian Day School and have applied for compensation.

July 13, 2022 is the last day you are able to submit a claim. It’s free and confidential. For information or legal support visit: indiandayschools.com or call 1-844-539-3815 Hope for Wellness Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

www.nationnews.ca January 28, 2022

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22 the Nation January 28, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

Politics

Clash of world views Indigenous post-secondary institutions still lack stable resources by Ben Powless,

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

ndigenous post-secondary institutions need stable funding, support and accreditation, according to academic research and interviews with leaders at the First Nations University of Canada (FNUC) located in Saskatchewan. It’s a long-standing problem. According to a comparative study by Dr. Andrea Jenkins submitted in 2008 as her master’s thesis at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, institutions in Canada and the United States were sorely lacking in funding, with Canadian institutions faring even worse than their US counterparts. Jenkins observed that institutions like the First Nations Technical Institute in Ontario faced diminished support as the-then Harper government repeatedly slashed or entirely cut funding sources to the institution. “Indigenous post-secondary institutions in both countries are severely underfunded in comparison with their mainstream peer institutions, creating multiple layers of hurdles to stability and growth,” wrote Jenkins, who subsequently received a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Chicago in 2016, only a year before she passed away. “This undermines the work of these institutions, destabilizes the lives of Indigenous peoples, and continues to push aside the potential contributions of educated Indigenous peoples not only to their communities, but also to society more broadly.” In an interview, Dr. Bob Kayseas, VP Academic for FNUC, said the problem continues: “There is no framework that exists for the majority of institutions regarding funding.” Rebecca Morris-Hurl, Institutional Resource Planner for FNUC, says that the FNUC operated for its first 10 years without any federal funding – while charging the highest tuition rates in Canada. The university started receiving federal monies in 1986, but funding has remained stagnant since 2017, despite rising costs. “We’ve been here 45 years and we still don’t have any kind of real sustainable funding model; we’re still on a proposal-driven model with the federal government,” Kayseas lamented. “I believe that the government hasn’t really supported the growth of the post-secondary educational industry broader than supporting cultural programs across the country.” In 2019, the federal government agreed to a proposal by the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) that would begin a regional process to develop models

to support post-secondary education. The 2019 budget committed $7.5 million over three years to support discussions. At the time, the AFN was encouraged, stating: “First Nations can now begin the important and essential work of designing their own approaches to [post-secondary education].” Morris-Hurl said that the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations was working with the AFN and communities across the province to develop a funding model to address the needs of First Nations students and institutions. However, even with a funding model in place, Morris-Hurl says legislation is needed so that another government cannot simply revoke the policies. “I’ve been here under Harper and Trudeau and the experience has been very different,” she noted. Accreditation is another issue that Indigenous post-secondary educations across Canada and the US struggle with. The FNUC is likely the only Indigenous post-secondary institution with a federated agreement with the University of Regina that allows it to confer degrees, Kayseas said. But the university is pursuing academic autonomy that would allow for broader accreditation. One of the difficulties comes down to a clash of worldviews, according to Kayseas – most universities are based on a western worldview that differs strongly from an Indigenous perspective. “It’s different from a western perspective,” he said. “When we go into a sweat, we understand that we’re praying to grandmothers and grandfathers, but when you try to incorporate that into a course, it’s a challenge to western knowledge.” Kayseas says that institutions like FNUC create opportunities for a positive student experience where students have exposure to Indigenous professors, Elders and a broader Indigenous community outside of campus. This includes support for personal issues such as intergenerational trauma. But he feels that governments don’t recognize the value or need for these kinds of institutions. He also sees Indigenous post-secondary institutions as fulfilling a vital role in the efforts toward decolonization and reconciliation, pointing to the hundreds of non-Indigenous students who also attend courses at the university. “That’s been part of our role ever since we started 45 years ago,” Kayseas said. “Education is a path to reconciliation.” www.nationnews.ca January 28, 2022

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Puzzles Crossword 1 2 3 4 ACROSS 1 Scrabble piece 13 5 2006 film, 16 "Happy ____" 9 Help for the poor 19 20 13 Bard of ___ 22 14 Columbus ship 15 Commuter line 25 16 School mil. org. 17 Hard coal 31 32 33 19 Heavy guns 38 21 Shakespearean 37 title character 42 41 22 Bygone time 45 46 23 Food critic's asset 49 25 Gulf of Naples 54 55 56 isle 27 Nuremberg 60 native 63 31 Gone wrong? 34 Hang around 66 36 Give it ___ (try) 37 "B.C." character 39 Ticked off 41 State of rage 66 Bed board 42 Countless 67 Fine-tune, as 44 Bud holder muscles 45 Indicate 68 Ultimatum word 47 2018 film, "A Quiet ____" DOWN 49 Black currant 1 Gold medalist liqueur Lipinski 51 Bridge feature 2 Tusk material 54 Black ink item 3 State-run game 57 Act as host 4 Completely 60 Incumbent's goal surround 62 Details, slangily 5 Contract details 63 Edible tuber 6 Get on board 64 Make amends 7 Type of alcohol (for) 8 "Art" anagram 65 Land or stream 9 Quiver carrier starter 10 Animal shelter

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.

PREVIOUS SOLUTION:

Previous solution - Medium

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

6 9 7 4

5 1 3

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

18 21 23

11 12 14 18 20 24 26 28 29 30 31 32 33 35

Tiny insect A whole bunch Good buddy Toward the rudder Rustic locale Meeting itinerary Runway sights Early Yucatan dweller Matures Junction point Battery contents "Silver" or "soft" ending Dutch ___ Bile duct obstruction

38 Undergo change 40 Paycheck padder 43 Two cents worth 46 Spotted cat 48 Vacation rental 50 Brief brawl 52 Erie or Suez 53 Old LP players 54 Some are fine 55 Notary's tool 56 Hospital supplies 58 OH to MA direction 59 ___ the wiser 61 Felix, for one

SUDOKU Tough

5 14

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

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

No. 296

Easy

2 1

6 5 9 8 1 3 2 4 7

1 5 6 3 8 9 2

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

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 complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set 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.

24 the Nation January 28, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

Previous solution - Very Hard

STR8TS No. 296

by Margie E. Burke

7 8 4 2 9 5 6 3 1

3 1 2 7 6 4 9 5 8

2 7 5 3 8 9 1 6 4

4 3 6 5 7 1 8 9 2

1 9 8 4 2 6 3 7 5

9 2 7 6 5 8 4 1 3

8 6 3 1 4 7 5 2 9

5 4 1 9 3 2 7 8 6

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.

Rez Notes

Collateral counts by Sonny Orr

s the weather crisped up, the blowing snow tried to etch a frostbite sculpture into my face. I was happy to wear a mask as it helps prevent my skin from glowing neon red. As chapped cheeks get chiselled by wind gusting at highway speeds, I was thankful to reach my porch... only to discover it was buried under all that white fluffy stuff. Arrgghh! Winter can be something to contend with, but winter is normal life. Just like the good old days, when scarves froze solid after absorbing too much moist breath. Still, the winter blues can take one’s mind away from existing problems that aren’t normal, namely the stupid pandemic that just won’t go away. As I watch the snowblower clear a 10-foot drift from the only road out of town, I see a full moon looming and the orange sun setting, making for a beautiful evening. We can gaze upon the frozen beauty of the North, the sparse overgrowth of stunted black pines providing a perfect contrast to the dramatic light, painting a scene worthy of any jigsaw puzzle. Speaking of jigsaw puzzles, we are stumped by the 1000-piece instructions telling us how to get about, what are safe zones or grey zones. Where is the piece that will fit and finally allow us to see the big picture. First the defiance and disbelief then the shock of having to do something that you really don’t want to do. Then having to do it again and again year after year. Finally, the realization that this is a very

It seems that the only safe way is to communicate through the filter of technology antisocial virus. It seems that the only safe way is to communicate through the filter of technology. Then there are the line-ups. It’s the training for the food handouts we will get because the system is broken. Broken because we can’t stop transmitting this disease. At this rate, a tax on the unvaccinated won’t help much if it can’t be applied immediately. So, I checked out how other countries have managed to minimize the spread as much as possible. Some countries seem to maintain the same lifestyle they have always had, except for the masks. Masks are everywhere and the latest videos on Facebook show nearly everyone wearing them, even on television shows. However, I didn’t notice too many fans in large sports venues south of the border wearing masks. No one was using batons to enforce Covid restrictions there. At least in hockey games there is less bloodletting than there used to be. The game seems to lack the usual lustre and bluster of full body contact fans used to enjoy.

The Omicron variant is far more promiscuous than earlier prototypes. Perhaps this is because it had more time to mate and mutate on the other side of the world before reaching our households. But how could this have happened, we ask ourselves. Perhaps we don’t ask ourselves the right questions or come up with the right answers. Am I having close contact with others? If the answer is zero, then you are doing good. Keep that up. If not, please don’t think that this is a numbers game. It’s not a game. It’s real life biting us hard in the butt and telling us to wake up and change our behaviour. That is a dare, now take it. As for me, my daring young days are splattered like a Jackson Pollock painting with near misses. But there’s no more shenanigans for this dude. Stay safe and keep your collateral count as low as possible. I think that’s something the Terminator would say, but he’s not real.

LET’S DRIVE!!! LEARN HOW TO DRIVE WITH US

| S TA R T T R A I N I N G I M M E D I AT E LY

Don’t be a backseat driver anymore! Experience the freedom of the road and we’ll make it happen in no time at all. Contact Voyageur Driving School at 418-770-3699 or check out our Facebook page. Still on foot? Then just come and see us at 203 Mistissini Blvd. The course is available for everyone in Mistissini. SO DON’T DELAY! Come and sign up to expand your horizons

www.nationnews.ca January 28, 2022

the Nation 25

Tea Bannock Au revoir! by Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash

he New Year is off to a bad start in many aspects. Covid-19 security measures intensified during the holidays, and everyone was back into lockdown throughout the province. Well, it wasn’t really a lockdown because the malls were still open. Go figure! I am mixed. My mom’s family is Québécois. Therefore, I follow what’s going on in Quebec regarding its history and culture, because I can relate to some of it. Very few things make me proud of the Québec side of my ancestry besides the fact that my grandfather Paul-Yves Labrecque would cross the Réservoir Gouin at the age of 13 with his sled dogs to deliver the mail. Nonetheless, the stellar artists that Québec has created over the years make me proud of the other side of my heritage. From Richard Desjardins to Connaisseur Ticaso, Québec’s cultural scene never ceases to amaze me, especially because the province has seen many waves of immigration that have all contributed to the lyrical genius of its artists and poets. In January 2022, we lost Don Harvey Fils-Aimé (aka Don Karnage) and Karim Ouellet, both of whom I knew personally. They brought so much to their community and the scene, so their passing was gut-wrenching, especially for Black communities. Don Karnage was at the peak of his musical career in the late 1990s and early 2000s with his hip-hop albums Viceversa and Bouge. He was an artist who also made significant contributions to Montréal-Nord as a teacher and a mentor.

The province doesn’t usually honour artists of colour in its toponymy, which is unfortunate because many of them are contributing factors to Québec’s international popularity

His Culture X organization provided free singing, writing and musical lessons to the youth of the impoverished neighbourhood. He gave so much love and energy to young people, because he firmly believed that the involvement of a community in the development of its children was crucial. Karim Ouellet was known across the world for his music. In 2014, he won a Juno Award for best francophone album and most radio stations in the province played his songs on a regular basis. He was also a prominent figure in Quebec City where he gained popularity with his former collective Movèzerbe. Karim had a strong influence on the music scene while remaining accessible and generous with his time. He was currently working on a much-anticipated fourth album. We have the duty of honouring their legacies and the imprint they’ve left on Québec. The province doesn’t usually

honour artists of colour in its toponymy, which is unfortunate because many of them are contributing factors to Québec’s international popularity. I would love to walk in urban centres and see streets, parks and buildings named after them. Music is what helped me make peace with my mixed heritage, and I’m sure it’s the case for many mixed kids out there. The idea that Québec culture is all white and francophone is fallacious; I hope the government acknowledges it by honouring the stories of people like Don and Karim. Je t’écris ceci au bord du gouffre On dit qu’on en sort plus fort quand on souffre Quand on a mis du sel sur nos blessures Témoin me soit le ciel Quelle aventure (quelle aventure) – Karim Ouellet

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.

26 the Nation January 28, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

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