The Nation | Vol. 29, No. 22 by nationmag

OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

Declaration of Birth

The MSSS updates the JBNQA registr y and attributes a beneﬁciary number t o your new child . Send the declaration of death to your local membership clerk.

The amount of federal subsidy for local government operations is dependent on the accuracy of the list Population statistics Planning for services such as schools, daycare, family services, etc.

Why It'sAreImportantyoumoving?

Population statistics Planning for services such as schools, daycare, family services, etc.

Inform your membership clerk to change your community of residence

"Application for Simpliﬁed Access t o Birth-Related Government Program s and Services" with the Declaration o f Birth. The hospital sends th e application to the Ministère de la sant é et des services sociaux (MSSS)

&OFDEPARTMENTCOMMERCEINDUSTRY

Inform your membership clerk to change your community of residence

Ways you can help maintain the accuracy of the list

The MSSS updates the JBNQA registr y and attributes a beneﬁciary number t o your new child .

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MEMBERSHIP CLERK

Declaration of Death

New parents are to complete th e "Application for Simpliﬁed Access t o Birth-Related Government Program s and Services" with the Declaration o f Birth. The hospital sends th e application to the Ministère de la sant é et des services sociaux (MSSS)

Declaration of Birth Declaration of Death

&OFDEPARTMENTCOMMERCEINDUSTRY

The MSSS updates the JBNQA registr y and attributes a beneﬁciary number t o your new child Send the declaration of death to your local membership clerk.

Population statistics Planning for services such as schools, daycare, family services, etc.

Why It'sAreImportantyoumoving?

Inform your membership clerk to change your community of residence

Ways you can help maintain the accuracy of the list

&OFDEPARTMENTCOMMERCEINDUSTRY

The amount of federal subsidy for local government operations is dependent on the accuracy of the list Population statistics Planning for services such as schools, daycare, family services, etc.

Send the declaration of death to your local membership clerk.

Why It'sAreImportantyoumoving?

Ways you can help maintain the accuracy of the list

Declaration of Birth Declaration of Death

New parents are to complete th e

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MEMBERSHIP CLERK

The amount of federal subsidy for local government operations is dependent on the accuracy of the list

Declaration of Birth Declaration of Death

The MSSS updates the JBNQA registr y and attributes a beneﬁciary number t o your new child Send the declaration of death to your local membership clerk.

Inform your membership clerk to change your community of residence

The amount of federal subsidy for local government operations is dependent on the accuracy of the list

EDITORIAL The heart of home NEWS Reading, writing and robotics Making Cree a priority FEATURESBRIEFS Beneath the surface Flipping the script Teaching the teachers Roots of revolution REZPUZZLESNOTES Summer’s nearly a wrap T&B To sobriety 262524222016109654 CONT ENTS Early culturaleducationinitiatives16 22 PristineexpeditionSeas Development of Indigenous-led marine conservation areas 10 1 800 361-2965 1 800 661-5850 ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ Nunavik Starts Here RESERVATIONS 1 800 361-2965 ᖃᖓᑦᑕᔫᓂᒃ ᐊᑦᑕᑐᐊᖃᕐᓂᖅ CHARTERS 1 800 661-5850 ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ Nunavik Starts Here culturalMi’qmawcamp20 Community Events

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 X. Kataquapit, S. Orr, P. Quinn, B. Powless, J. Janke 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 CMC A AUDITED Editorial by Will Nicholls The heart of home

t was a last-minute decision to take a needed vacation. My brother Donny called to say he was heading back to Mistissini for the week. Would my son Declan and I want to come? It was a resounding yes from both of us. For months, every time Declan saw a plane in Montreal’s sky he would always say, “Daddy, can we go north? We go north?” I would say that we would go soon but Covid and other problems made this more difficult than it should have been in the past two years. Everyone needs vacations. For many Cree down south, that means going back to Eeyou Istchee, the land we have inhab ited beyond the limits of recorded memo ry. After all, one of our teachings tells how to kill a Declanmammoth.wants that connection just as much as any other Indigenous person belonging to the land. He told me once that he wants to hunt and kill a moose. I explained that, at six-and-a-half years old, he wasn’t ready. He would have to start with time-honoured lessons on how to hunt responsibly. He said, “Maybe a rabbit?”Mybrother and a good friend, being both well-trained in this, began Declan’s hunting lessons by making sure everyone was safe in these activities. It’s the way we were taught as people who draw sus tenance from our lands and who keep a strong connection with it. His trip to Mistissini was also about connecting with family and the communi ty. We are a welcoming and caring people. When you meet us, we start incorporating you and your story into ours. By being there, you become a part of a very large family who will anxiously await another visit and to watch you reach milestones in your life. It’s impossible to overstate the impor tance of Cree children being able to go back to their communities and extended families to make these bonds. It’s vital that they learn their identity, culture, language andDeclanpeople.also wanted to go fishing. My uncle Don loaned us a canoe and for the first time in many moons, I took a canoe on my shoulders and carried it to the water. My steps were not as sure as they were in the past. Without asking, Declan helped to carry stuff to the canoe. It would be his first fishing trip in Eeyou Istchee. Surprisingly, I paddled for two hours. Declan had a new children’s rod to start and a few of his hooked fish almost make it to the boat. There were a few tears of frustration, but it was a start. With practice this will get easier, we told him. He will catch many fish. We were passing on important teachings with each step. Still, we brought home a nice walleye for supper that night. Uncle Don invited us for an amazing supper of his famous wall eye nuggets. Declan loved playing with his cousins Phoenix and Ryder throughout the Declanevening.attended his first Mistissini Cree Nation annual general assembly. He met newly elected Chief Michael Petawabano, who reminded him he was also a cousin of his. He met many oth ers, and some reminded me that my hair was the same colour at his age. The way a community remembers is amazing. Declan also heard Cree spoken through out the proceedings and collected many gifts from the booths. He seemed to shine outsideBringingMontreal.ourchildren home to learn what it means to be a Cree is incredibly important. They may get a different edu cation in the city, but connecting with their culture, history and identity is price less. I hope to be able to say yes many more times when he asks if we can we go north. BOARD L. W. M. Mr. N.

Siberok,

Nicholls,

the Nation is published every two weeks by Beesum Communications EDITORIAL

Stewart,

4 the Nation August 26, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

Editorial News

www.nationnews.ca August 26, 2022 the Nation 5

Brenna McIntyre, Regional Camp Coordinator for Frontier College, said that after finishing school in June, stu dents “lose a lot of what they learned by September.” She said the problem wors ened during the pandemic, when schools closed for long periods.

She said that literacy was a big part of the camps, including learning to read and write, but that they knew “kids don’t want

“The camps aim to prevent that learn ing loss and have students start the new school year on the same page they left off. We try to make sure they’re having a fun time, socializing, getting outdoors, and helping with social and emotional skills,” McIntyre added.

While they initially planned to hold camps in all nine communities this year, a lack of applicants meant there was no camp in Nemaska. Covid concerns in early July forced teams to place a cap on applicants, so only half of the usual 500 students were able to attend.

Summer literacy camps were held in eight Cree communities this sum mer, enrolling around 240 youth for most of July in a program organized by the Cree School Board and Frontier College.

Since Frontier College began offering the camps in five fly-in communities in Ontario in 2005, the program has expand ed to over 100 Indigenous communities across the country. In 2020, more than 5,300 students aged 5-12 participated in the program nationally.

Cree youth experience unique summer literacy campsby Ben Powless, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Reading, writing and robotics

CSB School Operations Director Kimberly Quinn said the board is aiming to promote education and literacy after an educational review in 2007-2008 showed literacy levels were in decline. “Research says that Grade 3 reading levels are strong predictors of student success in high school,” she noted.

to spend all day sitting at a desk, so it’s the counsellors’ job to make learning fun with interactive activities that get them moving around: scavenger hunts, finding clues, activeTheygames.”alsoget visits from Elders, Cree storytellers, parents and community members, and sometimes take field trips. Parents were pleased their children continued to learn during the summer, and by how interested they were to return to school. Teachers also note that these kids are more engaged at the start of the school year, according to McIntyre. This year, the camps added program ming for secondary students in the after noons and evenings, with opportunities to learn things like making a podcast, digital art skills, robotics, sports, guitar lessons, cooking and McIntyrecrafts.saidthat they hire as many local staff as possible, getting higher levels of community engagement every time, and bring in counsellors from other communities when there aren’t enough localCounsellorsapplicants. attend a two-and-a-half week training course in Val-d’Or where they learn how to run the camps. While McIntyre is based in P.E.I., she attends these sessions so staff can ask questions directly.The local teams are responsible for setting up the programming, often rely ing on community members who have a passion for education and who may want to pursue education or youth work in the future.During the pandemic, the program shifted to “literacy catalysts,” which entailed sending out resource kits con sisting of books, challenges and contests to students, since meeting in person was largely prohibited. This year, the camps were offered in the morning while literacy catalysts were available for afternoons.

o ensure the Cree language prevails across Eeyou Istchee, the Cree School Board and the Office of the Cree Language Commissioner are focussing on ways to preserve and promote the Cree language and culture in and outside school, among students and community members.

6 the Nation August 26, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

CSB Chairperson Sarah Pash said teachers are becom ing concerned about the level of Cree proficiency. “It’s not just the pandemic – this is a problem that’s been building over the past decade,” she said. However, the pandemic impacted children in ways that have yet to be quantified. “We know the last normal school year for children was 2018-2019. So, students who are now in Grade 4 had their last normal school year in kindergarten,” she Forobserved.twoyears, the school board has been preparing a Cree language proficiency research project that will be launched in the next school year. A team of linguists working with Cree language consultants will assess students at all grade“Whatlevels.we’d love to see as parents are children emerging from schools as fluent language speakers, able to work and live in the language, able to use it in authentic ways,” added Pash.“We need to look at how proficient our students are in the Cree language, how well they are speaking, how are they writing, what’s their general knowledge in terms of vocabulary and ability to use the language in different contexts,” she explained. “From there we’ll know where the gaps are and where we need to put resources for programs andAmaterials.”CSBCovid recovery plan will respond to the social, emotional and mental health needs of students coming out of pandemic measures, said Pash. It will look at literacy, stu dent engagement and attendance to “bridge learning gaps,

doing detailed diagnostics on students and putting into place interventions to address those needs.”

Making Cree a priority by Ben Powless, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s a challenge that Cree Language Commissioner Jamie Moses knows very well.In May, Moses took part in a tour of Mistissini, Ouje-Bougoumou and

Waswanipi to meet Cree culture teachers and get feedback on their needs and con cerns, as well as to let people know about his role as language commissioner. He said each community had slightly different needs, from not having their dialect rep resented in materials to different levels of spoken Cree. He said there’s a huge need for teach ers, translators and interpreters, as many of them can’t take on more work helping with events, community statements, or translating documents like annual reports.

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Moses said he heard a demand for land-based programming. “Culture and language coincide; when you do cultural activities, cleaning and plucking goose, you’re doing something more than read ing a textbook,” he added, saying that learning the language for an hour in a classroom is insufficient.

Pash wants to hire Cree language tutors to support students who need the most help, while aiding parents reinforce the use of Cree at home. The CSB is also partnering with McGill University to deliver a full-time Bachelor of Education program; the first cohort of 30 students is already halfway through the four-year program.Land-based education is another focus. A pilot program at the elementary school in Chisasibi is a powerful way to engage students, help them develop their sense of self, learn the language, and cre ate connections with Elders, said Pash.

Perhaps the biggest reflection of this renewed focus on Cree language and culture is the CSB’s newly created Eeyou Iihtuwin Research and Development Department. It will conduct research at the community level with Elders and sup port all other departments in developing cultural initiatives and programming.

Angela Gates, Director of the new department and interim Coordinator of Cree Programs, is dismayed when she doesn’t hear much Cree outside of school hours. “It’s sad to say,” she shared. “It’s the part we all need to work on together as aGatescommunity.”seesthe new department pro viding “language and culture within the whole school board, not just within the classroom. We’re coming into thought processes and creating things in the Cree way.”Her team is tasked with developing materials that can be used by students from elementary to high school. They include a Cree language kit, posters, flash cards and books. They also created les son plans to go along with video inter views of Elders from all nine communities. Her team is to get resources into “more apps and gadgets” that students could use. They also created a website, eastcree.org, with resources for all levels of learners.Butatthe end of the day, Gates said parents need to understand that the language has to be practiced at home, and the children need to be brought out onto the land. She points to Cree heri tage activities that happen almost daily in Chisasibi, including cultural activities, legends and storytelling. “The values that we were taught growing up is something that should be kept, as we pass on to our own children and grandchildren,” she added. “Our lan guage is very important to us, and I wish everyone realized this.”

This is a key time to reach young people, he said, especially those between 15-20, who may sign up for canoe or snowshoe trips and these activities can help them decide what they want to do with their lives. Moses called for commu nities to do better at being consistent with organizing cultural and language events, saying that sometimes lapses in funding meant young people missed out on oppor tunities.

Crees mourn Jane Kitchen

One new program being offered in Mistissini is a diploma in Protection and Development of Wildlife Habitats, which promises to teach students to “learn how to care for the land, wildlife and community well-being.”

One of her fellow GAP members described her as “one of our wisdom keepers who now walks in the spirit world. We will remember how she touched everyone she met in her special and unique ways.”Alongside her husband Abel, who was a key negotia tor and signatory of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, Kitchen was an influential presence during the beginning of the Cree Nation Government. In recent years, Jane worked together with Abel in several Cree organi zations promoting traditional knowledge.Janeand Abel both served on the Council of Chishaayiyuu, a group of Elders who advise the Cree Health Board in cul tural matters. She was also involved in the Nishiiyuu department, which Abel was instrumental in creating. Both Jane and Abel were key advi sors in the creation of the Cree Nation’s first women’s shel ter, Piipiichaau Uchishtuun (Robin’s Nest). A celebration of life evening service was held at the Waswanipi Anglican Church on August 15, followed the next day by the funeral, burial and a feast at the local complex.“Even though she has left us, we will forever remem ber her teachings and keep them in our hearts in the years to come,” said Ottereyes.

Another program opening in Chisasibi in the new year is a diploma in Health, Assistance, and Nursing which aims to teach students how to care for, support and follow up patients with a range of health challenges. The program is full-time over 68 weeks.

Sabtuan offers new programs

Catholic Church abuses continue Just days after Pope Francis left Canada after his “peniten tial pilgrimage,” a prominent cardinal from Quebec is facing allegations of sexual assault. The class action suit targets Cardinal Marc Ouellet for inappropriate behaviour. The suit also claims as least 85 members of the Quebec City Diocese sexually abused more than 100 victims, who were minors at the time. The cardinal in question was considered as a candi date for being the next pope.

In Brief

“Please keep Gookum Jane’s family in your thoughts and prayers as they go through this difficult time.”

The full-time, 53-week pro gram has an emphasis on wildlife protection regulations, navigating the land, survival techniques, monitoring plans and wildlife, and handling wildlife protection equipment.

www.nationnews.ca August 26, 2022 the Nation 9 In Brief

The Cree Nation is mourn ing the loss of Jane Bearskin Kitchen, who passed away August 7. An active supporter of traditional Cree knowledge, she was the lifelong partner of the late Abel Kitchen and continued advocating for her community of Waswanipi fol lowing his death in 2018. She is remembered as a valued member of the Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association (CWEIA) and served many years as an inland representative on the Goukumnouch Advisory Paataksuun (GAP) council. “She was a very kind, soft spoken and wise woman,” stated CWEIA president Charlotte Ottereyes. “She always shared so many valua ble lessons on being an ‘Eeyou Iskwaau’ at many of our meet ings and regional events.”

Sabtuan Adult Education Services (SAES) announced a number of new programs available in different commu nities as adult learners get ready to return to vocational programs in the fall. After the impact from Covid, including smaller class sizes and vocational programs put on hold, Sabtuan External Communications Consultant Shauna Vert said, “We are very happy to be getting back to offering more programs and more capacity this year.”

The last new program announced is Plumbing and Heating, teaching students how to install heating sys tems, maintain plumbing sys tems and fit pipes. The fulltime, 68-week course is being offered in Waskaganish. SAES Director of Adult Education Nian Matoush stat ed, “The pandemic measures were difficult, but I am proud to say that we did not waste that time. Even as our train ing centres and classrooms were closed, we made incred ible progress on improving our services – hiring a full Student Success team, ana lyzing the Adult Learning Needs Assessment, drafting a cultural strategy, and building up our Sabtuan adult learning centres.”Matoush then added, “Now that we can offer more programs once again, we look forward to seeing more of these improved services and processes in action.” Matoush then added, “Now that we can offer more programs once again, we look forward to seeing more of these improved services and processes in action.

Ouellet has also made state ments saying that allegations of sexual misconduct by other cardinals, such as Theodore McCarrick, were a “political plot that lacks any real basis.”

, Local

Over the past 12 years, Pristine Seas has undertaken over 35 expeditions in areas around the world, 26 of which have since been protected. This expedition is in partnership with Oceans North, an Ottawa-based organization dedicated to supporting marine conser vation in partnership with Indigenous and coastal communities. During the journey, which wrapped up August 19, an international team of scientists, divers and filmmakers made recorded discoveries with their underwater cameras and remotely operated vehicles, which will be further analyzed and eventually showcased in two feature-length documentaries. National Geographic plans to send a team back to certain Cree communities next sum mer to film community activities and local research. Coxon noted the two documentaries will show not only the importance of protecting these waters but also showcase the Cree to theWithworld.anongoing geese habitat initiative and other research projects, EMRWB hoped Pristine Seas could help answer a question often asked by Cree people – what’s beneath the water? During the organization’s consultations, coastal communities were curious by Patrick Quinn Journalism

National Geographic Pristine Seas expedition explores James Bay BENEATH THE As part of a global effort to establish new protected areas in the world’s oceans,

National Geographic’s Pristine Seas expedition leveraged extensive Cree involve ment as it recently passed through James Bay. The two-month journey gathered valuable data to support the development of Indigenous-led marine conservation areas along the Learningroute.of the Cree Nation’s intention to create a national marine protected area, National Geographic invited the Eeyou Marine Region Wildlife Board (EMRWB) in January to participate in its larger expedition to explore the coastal and underwater ecosystems of Nunatsiavut (Northern Labrador Sea), Hudson Bay and James Bay.

“James Bay is one of the least studied and understood water bodies in Canada,” said EMRWB director Angela Coxon. “We were absolutely floored by the luck – two expeditions over three years gathering an incredible amount of data for us for free. All this data goes towards the establishment of two massive marine protected areas.”

As Cree entities on both sides of James Bay had already spent years planning for a separate expedition by the research vessel William Kennedy, it was determined that Pristine Seas could fill critical knowledge gaps necessary for conservation efforts. From the Indigenous-owned Polar Prince icebreaker, the team is mapping the little-known sea floor, conducting microplastic sampling and analyzing environmental DNA.

Initiative Reporter 10 the Nation August 26, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

SURFACE

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During a stopover in Chisasibi August 2, the team made a presentation co-orga nized by Edward Bearskin and was treat ed to a community tour. Coxon was shown the ship’s wet lab, underwater equipment and audio-visual lab while a dozen Cree observers and polar bear guards boarded the vessel for its next leg of the journey.

Knopp said the team was honoured to support the Indigenous vision of marine stewardship, with local Indigenous experts on board to guide each leg of the expedition. Their work in these mysterious waters will lead to better understanding local ecosystems and food chains.

about what lifeforms are supported by the James Bay’s waters and whether they present harvesting opportunities.

We found sea slugs, which people haven’t seen before, millions of tunicates ... there was kelp, sculpin, urchins.”

Marine biologist Dante Torio from the Chisasibi Eeyou Resource and Research Institute joined the team during this stop, along with young co-researchers Nicholas Chakapash and Preston Bobbish. Working with the team’s scientists, they surveyed for organisms off the beaches of the North and South Twins Islands and Charlton Island.“We found two species of stickle backs, important because those are food for bigger fish,” said Torio. “We found young geese on one of the islands, telling us they are nesting there to rear their young. We found five or six species of seaweed walking along the shore that we later discovered are independent species. One we found is sold in farmers’ markets in NewFascinatingBrunswick.”findings from the seafloor were regularly presented to the entire team, demonstrating potential food sourc es like crabs and massive quantities of urchins. Torio was inspired by the crew’s mastery of scientific communication, conveying information through colourful images.“The data widens our planning per spective to think about other habitats we could consider in future strategies,” Torio told the Nation. “It’s so inspiring to see young Indigenous people engaging in science. There should be more opportu nities like this for young Cree, not only for science but a place to discover what they want in life.”

“Even in those conditions, there was life,” Knopp told the Nation. “Even though some sites looked like the surface of the moon, about every five metres there would be a bright red starfish or anemone, then a single rock with 10 urchins or a small fish.

“We kept hearing from our Indigenous partners they wanted to know what was happening in the underwater world,” said Jennie Knopp, Oceans North’s science director, who helped lead the expedition alongside Paul Rose. “We’re finding fish species that haven’t been recorded in these areas before. Just seeing the abun dance and diversity of life is incredible.”

Five Indigenous youth from local northern communities accompanied the expedition, as part of the Students on

“Something that warmed my heart in Inukjuak were Elders who were fighting for the protection of polar bears,” Moses told the Nation. “Tony from SOI who was from that town said this is the first time she ever heard the Elders speak English. She said, ‘With our cultural knowledge and your science we can figure something out.’ It made me cry – it was so beautiful.”

- Dante Torio, Chisasibi Eeyou Resource and Research Institute

Waswanipi’s Tyra Moses earned the opportunity to represent the Cree Nation with SOI by successfully apply ing for the initiative. Besides moving experiences witnessing belugas and polar bears, Moses was inspired by her encounters with other Indigenous stu dents and their community members.

The close connections Moses developed with her Indigenous “fam ily” during the trip spurred a new respect for her community members and valuable traditional knowledge. As she transfers to Environmental Studies at Carleton University, she’s hopeful this resurgence in cultural pride has the power to change the world.

“They were so passionate about hearing our voices,” Moses reflected. “I was thinking about the people in my community and thinking about how valuable they are. This is what the world wants, just them being them.”

Ice (SOI) Foundation. Students learned about diverse careers in the sustain able blue economy by job shadow ing the team’s experts while learning about themselves and their place in the “Allworld.of them were blown away by seeing what’s possible,” shared SOI coordinator Jennifer Williams. “They were all sparked by something differ ent – they got to try everything and then got lots of hands-on knowledge. We had students dropping the anchor, operating the crane, flying the drone and filtering the water for DNA.”

“It’s so inspiring to see Indigenousyoung people engaging in science”

IN� 'v.-�Wfifi "¼ .\7 0 f''d(I\..'-' Cree School Board Commission scolaire crie Learn new skills. Get certified. Go further. Take an upcoming vocational program with Sabtuan Adult Education Services. LOCAL PROGRAMS Chisasibi • Secretarial Studies • Starting a Business • Construction ManagementBusiness • Institutional and Home Care Assistance Eastmain • Carpentry Mistissini • Construction Business Management • Protection and Development of Wildlife Habitats • Automobile Mechanics Waskaganish • Plumbing & Heating • Institutional and Home Care Assistance Whapmagoostui • Accounting REGIONAL PROGRAMS (SRVTC) • Bus Driving • Surveying & Topography • Welding & Fitting • Refrigeration REGIONAL PROGRAS REGIONAL(SRVTC) PROGRAMS (SRVTC) QUESTIONS? CONTACT US! Nemaska • Secretarial Studies Oujé-Bougoumou • Carpentry Apply online eeyoueducation.caat IN� 'v.-�Wfifi "¼ . .\7 0 f''d(I\..'-' Cree School Board Commission scolaire crie Learn new skills. Get certified. Go further. Take an upcoming vocational program with Sabtuan Adult Education Services. LOCAL PROGRAMS Chisasibi • Secretarial Studies • Starting a Business • Construction ManagementBusiness • Institutional and Home Care Assistance Eastmain • Carpentry Mistissini • Construction Business Management • Protection and Development of Wildlife Habitats • Automobile Mechanics Waskaganish • Plumbing & Heating • Institutional and Home Care Assistance Whapmagoostui • Accounting REGIONAL PROGRAMS (SRVTC) • Bus Driving • Surveying & Topography • Welding & Fitting • Refrigeration REGIONAL PROGRAS REGIONAL(SRVTC) PROGRAMS (SRVTC) QUESTIONS? CONTACT US! Nemaska • Secretarial Studies Oujé-Bougoumou • Carpentry Apply online eeyoueducation.caat Phone 1-844-923-3347 Email sabtuanadulted@cscree.qc.ca Facebook facebook.com/SabtuanAdultEd IN� 'v.-�Wfifi "¼ .\7 0 f''d(I\..'-' Cree School Board Commission scolaire crie Learn new skills. Get certified. Go further. Take an upcoming vocational program with Sabtuan Adult Education Services. LOCAL PROGRAMS Chisasibi • Secretarial Studies • Starting a Business • Construction ManagementBusiness • Institutional and Home Care Assistance Eastmain • Carpentry Mistissini • Construction Business Management • Protection and Development of Wildlife Habitats • Automobile Mechanics Waskaganish • Plumbing & Heating • Institutional and Home Care Assistance Whapmagoostui • Accounting REGIONAL PROGRAMS (SRVTC) • Bus Driving • Surveying & Topography • Welding & Fitting • Refrigeration REGIONAL PROGRAS REGIONAL(SRVTC) PROGRAMS (SRVTC) QUESTIONS? CONTACT US! Nemaska • Secretarial Studies Oujé-Bougoumou • Carpentry Apply online eeyoueducation.caat Phone 1-844-923-3347 Email sabtuanadulted@cscree.qc.ca Facebook facebook.com/SabtuanAdultEd IN� 'v.-�Wfifi "¼ . .\7 0 f''d(I\..'-' Cree School Board Commission scolaire crie Learn new skills. Get certified. Go further. Take an upcoming vocational program with Sabtuan Adult Education Services. LOCAL PROGRAMS Chisasibi • Secretarial Studies • Starting a Business • Construction ManagementBusiness • Institutional and Home Care Assistance Eastmain • Carpentry Mistissini • Construction Business Management • Protection and Development of Wildlife Habitats • Automobile Mechanics Waskaganish • Plumbing & Heating • Institutional and Home Care Assistance Whapmagoostui • Accounting REGIONAL PROGRAMS (SRVTC) • Bus Driving • Surveying & Topography • Welding & Fitting • Refrigeration REGIONAL PROGRAS REGIONAL(SRVTC) PROGRAMS (SRVTC) QUESTIONS? CONTACT US! Nemaska • Secretarial Studies Oujé-Bougoumou • Carpentry Apply online eeyoueducation.caat Phone 1-844-923-3347 Email sabtuanadulted@cscree.qc.ca Facebook facebook.com/SabtuanAdultEd

16 the Nation August 26, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

FLIPPING Cree early education expands cultural initiatives by Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Blacksmith’s stories are based on past experiences.“MyFirst Fish was about me and my uncle, but I switched the names,” shared Blacksmith about an experi ence when she was eight years old. “My cousin was bored because we didn’t catch anything most of the fishing trip. At one point we almost went home until I caught the first fish – it was pretty big.”

Delisle encourages participants to brainstorm ways of bringing Elders into the daycare environment or to develop partnerships with cultural centres and schools.“We need to work together more closely,” Delisle asserted. “Because our culture is holistic, we all have a responsibility. In the communities they separate education from childcare. A lot of people think childcare is babysit ting but we’re the foundation of the future.”They try to identify gaps in mate rials, which the CNG Child and Family Services recently addressed through its release of Cree language books. The department said it will shortly change its name due to frequent con fusion with youth protection services.

Pedagogical advisor Melissa Rodgers spearheaded the new lit eracy project, which yielded seven Cree language books primarily writ ten and illustrated by local creators. Four of them were written by Megan Blacksmith, who was 14 at the time and is now completing her final year of high“I’veschool.been wanting to become an author,” Blacksmith told the Nation. “Two years ago, I saw a post about this, so I gave it a try. I showed them to my family members and my co-workers at a daycare. Many kids talk about what they eat during Goose Break, so that was one idea.”

At about the same age, a walk in the bush with her father inspired now 17-year-old author Jiyâmeyihtam Brousseau’s story, Mila’s New Snowshoes. Writing stories since she was very young, Brousseau recently started literature studies at Marianopolis College in Montreal.

“Mila is walking in the bush with these new pink snowshoes and learn ing about the animals and trees,” explained Brousseau. “Near the end she realizes she’s sinking in the snow, missing a snowshoe. While her dad goes to look, she hears the wind and is scared like any young child would be sitting alone in the bush. But her dad tells her the bush is our home and never be afraid of the bush. Be brave.”

eyou Istchee’s daycares are intro ducing new resources to support Cree language and culture among the region’s youngest learners. Along with a recently published series of Cree preschool books, ongoing com munity training programs for educators and managers promote a holistic reas sessment of the system’s foundations. “I developed a program to share how we have to change our way of thinking,” explained cultural consul tant Debbie Delisle. “Not incorporating culture here and there but flipping it to coming from that place of who we are. We look to our culture and language for the answers – it’s all there.”

Delisle reflects upon Indigenous history and Cree Nation vision statements to give context to the current system and to examine how to “reclaim the ways of our ancestors.” Cultural activities can then be planned according to the sixto-eight traditional Cree seasons. “It’s almost like land-based learn ing,” Delisle told the Nation. “Like teaching colours – why are you using markers? Take your gookum’s scarf with all those beautiful colours, go out side and have the children find those in nature. Line up like the geese – it’s like you know it but didn’t think of it.”

the

Brousseau sees that fewer chil dren are learning the Cree language and thinks action must be taken before it’s too late. While she feels her own limited grasp of the language hinders a deeper connection with her culture and community members, she tries to pick it up by spending time with Cree speakers like her grandparents.

Like the other authors, Blacksmith’s stories were written first in English then translated by Evelyn Duff or Jane Helen Saganash, then illustrated by Mohawk artist Kim Delormier or by the Whapmagoostui mother-daughter team of Natasia and Nalakwsi Mukash.

“Teaching other kids Cree is giving them a place to know themselves and their culture,” Brousseau stated. “I translated this story in Cree with my script

Delisle is the former executive director of Kahnawake’s Step by Step Child and Family Centre, which is guid ed by a connection to nature and what in the Mohawk language is called “the words that come before all else.” It is, she says, an effort to decolonize early childhoodDuringeducation.presentations,

Gookum’s Gift was Corie Druggett’s fourth story translated into Cree after teaching in the communities for over 20 years. It’s about slippers given to her son by an Elder, who was like a grandmother to him. Druggett said the story was inspired by the generosity she’s been shown in Eeyou Istchee. “The openness of the Elders to pass on information and teach us visitors working in the communities who want to share with our students is amazing,” saidBeforeDruggett.Druggett began working in elementary schools, she taught early childhood education at a college where a lack of literacy materials in the local dialects hindered field work. Although her book is tai lored for younger audiences, she’s excited to show it to her Grade 5 students once the new school year begins. “For them to see books in Cree syllabics is a moti vator,” said Druggett. “I’d like to see books for older students. If we’re having a challenge finding pre-school books, I’m sure other age categories are facing the same. There are so many talented students out there – seeing this could be some thing that inspires them to write them selves.”

grandmother. It got [us] closer. I learned about the language while writing it.”

Megan Blacksmith, Author

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The organization held a cultural camp for educators in the Cape Breton highlands August 2-6 called Minua’tuek Ta’n I’tlo’ltimkip, or Bringing Back the Mi’qmaw Way. About 50 people attend ed, said MK senior advisor John Jerome Paul.“We’re giving teachers an opportu nity to talk to knowledge holders and have them present ideas of what they’re doing and how could they use that in the classroom,” Paul told the Nation.

Partnerships with the province and several agencies helped cover the sig nificant cost of bringing in amenities like a huge tent, wigwams, portable showers and an on-site nursing station.

It comes at a critical time. Children under age four learning Mi’qmaw fell from 44% in 1999 to 20% in 2013, accord ing to provincial statistics. Mi’qmaw Kina’matnewey (MK), a collective voice for Mi’qmaw education, is working with the province to develop language resources under this initiative.

Mi’qmaq First Nations in Nova Scotia gained control over their educa tion systems in 1998, resulting in tripled graduation rates and other improved outcomes. Paul was MK’s director of program services during that transition al time, developing innovative agree ments with St. Francis Xavier University to create teacher-training programs.

“It was very rewarding hearing pos itive feedback from participants,” said co-organizer Miranda Bernard. “The main thing was educating the edu cators. They didn’t have to be First Nations. We allocated 10 seats to pro vincial schools so they could bring that Indigenous knowledge back into the classroom.”

20 the Nation August 26, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

The camp began with an opening prayer, dancers and a smudging cer emony before sweat lodges, a talking stick workshop and a session of the traditional Mi’qmaw game Waltes. Each by Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

camp helped Mi’qmaw teachers recon nect with their culture.

Community theTeachingteachers Mi’qmaw cultural camp indigenizes Nova Scotia’s education system

“A teacher might not have the greatest knowledge of the language so can get scared dealing with knowl edge keepers who know a lot,” Paul explained. “We had to demystify work ing in our language. A lot of people don’t know the language very well, don’t know the customs. There’s a mystery and they don’t want to touch it.”

As Nova Scotia advances legisla tion recognizing Mi’qmaw as its first language, the province has committed to developing a multi-year Mi’qmaw revitalization strategy.

Recognizing a dwindling number of native-language speakers, Paul realized education self-governance was neces sary for cultural and linguistic survival. He also saw Mi’qmaw teacher training as essential for students to see them selves in the curriculum. This recent

day began with a sunrise ceremony and ended with Elders sharing legends around a campfire.

Other workshops taught how to pre pare hides and make canoes, moose calls, rattles and medicine pouches. Highlights included long medicine walks and discussions about hunting and powwow protocols.

“A teacher might not have the greatest knowledge of the language so can get scared dealing with knowledge keepers who know a lot” - John Jerome Paul.

“John planned a lot of land-based learning,” explained Bernard. “We had a moose-call competition, presenta

“One of the highlights was sitting around the campfire inside one of the wigwams and listening to the storytell ers,” Paul suggested. “It was powerful.”

www.nationnews.ca August 26, 2022 the Nation 21

“With kindergarten, we got rid of all the desks and brought in play-based learning, which is a developmentally appropriate learning model,” said Paul. “Play-based learning is working with the interests of the individual. You incor porate Indigenous knowledge into every class, not just that one class of Cree a week.”With the lesson plans available in its online student information system, teachers have a blueprint for integrat ing traditional knowledge into each day’s activities. MK also uses a spe cialized Facebook page for teachers to share best practices and network with eachNowother.retired, Paul was the first from his community with a university degree and soon after had dozens of projects on the go at his training education cen tre. Reflecting on his lengthy career as a Mi’qmaw education advocate, he recalled various programs that created second chances for students who fell through the system’s cracks.

tions on oysters and fish. We also had women’s sweats, I think it was the Mohawk style, and another knowledge keeper used the Lakota style sweat for the men. Traditional meals were includ ed – eel, moose, salmon, traditional Mi’qmawBernard,bread.”MK’s early education con sultant, is gradually Indigenizing their school system’s curriculum, which started by creating 200 lesson plans for kindergarten. Last year, similar resourc es were developed for primary and Grade 1 and this year she has plans to proceed with Grades 2 and 3.

“One of my favourite projects was we had a bunch of unwed mothers who had quit school in Grade 10, one of them was my daughter,” Paul recalled. “We set up a program and graduated most of those 15 girls. From that group, my daughter became a registered nurse and two of them are now principals. Creating strengths within individuals and working with their strengths.”

The event was filled with storytell ing, laughter and idea sharing as people from all walks of life enjoyed a tradition al menu of bear meat pastry rolls, deer meatballs, fried blueberry bannock and LabradorMistissini’stea.

Reporter Events

“My whole life, I have been on the move. Even as a child – I went to 11 different schools, across the Americas. Montreal is a place where I keep com ing back to, it is a bit of a resting place for me.” Roots revolutionof First Peoples Festival blooms again in downtown Montreal by Joshua Janke Local Journalism Initiative

treams of culture from across the Americas united at Montreal’s First Peoples Festival August 9-18 to embrace defiance, joy and hope in a celebration of Indigenous art and sovereignty.“Weare living in a historical moment,” commented founder André Dudemaine during a rousing speech at the opening ceremony. “All of us being here tonight is tangible proof of solidarity and of progress. We are stronger when we are holding each other up.”

“We enjoyed preparing all this food together and now everyone’s happy,” she said, noting that no spices were added to the bear meat because “the flavour speaks for itself.”

Bedabin Coon, who vol unteered to help serve food that eve ning, said community involvement is vital to the success of these cultural events.“Isaw what happened with the Pride Festival [parade] getting cancelled and I thought, ‘I can’t let that happen here, I can’t let them down’. I decided to vol unteer…I wanted to make sure nothing goesWorkingwrong.”with Coon was Véronique, an Anishinaabe woman from Rigaud, who said that volunteering for the open ing ceremony was a way to express her pride in traditional Indigenous foods and culture.

The evening flowed with conversa tion as organizers, filmmakers, artists and invitees populated the room with ever-changing circles of conversation andInlaughter.onecircle, Mi’gmaq singer-song writer Mack MacKenzie noted how the pandemic – and the social isolation it created – added importance to this year’s festival.

Best known as the frontman of alt-country band Three O’Clock Train, MacKenzie stated that his past two years in Montreal marked the longest time he has stayed in one place.

“The pandemic knocked a lot of us [artists] off track, so it feels good to finally be back,” said MacKenzie.

22 the Nation August 26, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

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In the fast-paced indus try of art and music, times of rest are as important as action, just as sold-out per formances are made possible by the friendships and conversations that happen long before the curtains open. MacKenzie described how reuniting with a family member led him to a tra ditional Indigenous musical instrument he needed for his show.“It’s a funny story, but a good lesson,” said MacKenzie. “I was search ing for a deer-hoof rattle manufacturer for the longest time but had no luck finding one. Finally, I reconnected with my cousin, Don Patrick Martin, and told him of my need… only to find out that he made the instrument I was searching for!”

munities and between Indigenous and non-Indig enous individuals. Like the architectural company EVOQ that has given four years of pro bono assistance to Dudemaine’s team at the Place des Festivals loca tion. EVOQ’s Alain Fournier, who has worked alongside First Nation and Inuit com munities in building projects for over 40 years, says that his Indigenous work part ners showed him that it is a “revolutionary” time for Indigenous sovereignty in Canada.“It’sevident that this new generation of Indigenous artists and activists simply won’t stand down, they won’t take no for an answer,” he declared. “It’s an exciting time and I am grateful to help out.”This festival is about more than good memories and musical vibrations, par ticipants agreed. It is about being assertive in expressing Indigenous resilience and resistance. And it’s fertile soil for planting Indigenous history, stories and hope in a land of “Whensolidarity.weconnect with our roots, we do not do it to look back at the past with nostalgia, we connect to build ourselves stronger, to grow up, and to look towards the future and ring the bell,” asserted Dudemaine. “This festival is a story about a friendship…something that started out small and then grew a lot.”

MacKenzie said it showed him that “everything we need is around us, we just need to connect amongsuchchanges.”thatversationstheseingfulfriend’smynomicpartnerMouy.anlongearlywhomanager,timeMacKenzieAccompanyingmore.”washislong-friendand“unpaid”MarcDeMouy,heteamedupwithin1980s.“Mackhasbeenaroundatime,heisabattlerandevenbetterguy,”saidDe“Beinghismanagingandprovidingecoandsocialsupportiswayofhelpingagoodmissioninamean-way.”DeMouysaidthatit’s“connections,conandcompassionsleadtothebiggestThefestivalisbuiltoncollaboration,bothnationsandcom

24 the Nation August 26, 2022 www.nationnews.ca ACROSS1 Join hands? 5 Belittle 10 Run-down car 14 Word after happy or rush 15 Major private,ande.g. 16 Word in a threat 17 Dictatorial 19 Check 20 Throat soother 21 Buzz Lightyear, for one 23 Alleviate 25 Sudden gush 26 Woven wall art 30 Keyless, in music 33 Skip a syllable 34 Map lines 36 Kind of party 37 Quite a while 38 66, famously 39 Bony fish 40 Fit to be tied 62 Forbidden thing 10 Regarding this 32 Pass by, as time 41 Pack carrier 63 Winter toy point 35 Small matter? 42 Pratt or Pine 64 "American Girl" 11 Word to Watson 38 Second-place 43 Ticket type rocker 12 "Heat of the finisher 45 One on the 65 Poetic cave Moment" band 39 Kitchen activity payroll 13 Teller's partner 41 Trunk, to a Brit 47 Skimpy swim- DOWN 18 Action film staple 42 Chowder bits wear 1 Talk online 22 Lions and tigers 44 Like topiary 49 Shower item 2 Sullen look 24 Mistake 46 Sharp 50 Apollo and 3 Pilot starter 26 Marlins and 48 Diving bird others 4 Sale earnings Mariners 50 Bugle call 53 Tariff target 5 Make a collar 27 Pool problem 51 Burglar's booty 57 Seniors' org. 6 Barnyard bleat 28 Secondary 52 Kilt wearer 58 Think twice 7 Aardvark fare residence 54 Bouquet about 8 Passes over 29 "Welcome" pre- 55 Gambling town 60 Untainted 9 Mischievous lude 56 Pony's gait 61 WWII predator adventure 31 Lookout point 59 Granola morsel Crossword by Margie E. Burke Copyright 2022 by The Puzzle Syndicate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 Here’s another edition of the Nation’s puzzle page. Try your hand at Sudoku or Str8ts or our Crossword, or bet ter 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. Puzzles PREVIOUS SOLUTION:Solution to Crossword: A C D C S C A B A R G O T M A R E P A R A L E I G H I R O N I N S A T I A B L E S E N T E N C E R E D E E M S T E A M E N G I N E V I T R I O L R A N T I P H O N E C O L E S L A W D Y E E L K D I M E G O O R N A M E N T O B S E S S L E S S C O R O N A L P L A T E R R E M I T A L O H A S N I C K N A M E D E V A S T A T E D D U P E A N E L E D O L L E D E N M O N T S A N S I R E L Y 678 15 65 67456 16 1934 7© 2022 Syndicated Puzzles1594 417 3291 7189 5252 839 9142© 2022 Syndicated Puzzles163825749 574639182 289471536 352946871 496187325 817253964 945368217 728514693 631792458 STR8TS No. 607 Medium 7632 784536 7895432 8976543 6283745 4537698 3421879 354298 4387 28 617 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 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 see how ‘straights’ are formed. Previous solution - Easy SUDOKU To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number Foruniquely.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.The solutions will be published here in the next issue.You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com No. 607 Very Hard Previous solution - Tough

www.nationnews.ca August 26, 2022 the Nation 25 by Sonny Summer’sOrr nearly a wrap Rez Notes

I can see alternative sources of heating are needed to maintain your cabin or tent heat level, but it’s summer and a little early to worry about that now. Just wait until it’s minus-40. As for harvesting, fish is on the daily menu. Fish is – or was – one of our main sources of protein and a lean one, too. Don’t stop anyone heading out the door with a fishing rod or a fishnet, it’s all about the protein, not the sport. Fishing is not like golf, where at the end of the day only your score counts. With fishing, it’s the catch that counts. So sorry to see summer ending, as it was a very rainy July. But it shows in the greenery outdoors, so I guess rain is good. As for forest fires, it seems we’ve been spared this year and evacuations were few. Back in the day, flames were always lapping at our doorsteps or on the fringes of the community. I remember driving to Chisasibi only to be ordered to evacuate as soon as I arrived after a 10-hour drive. Or Nemaska, our Nation’s capital, where memories of aircraft leap ing into the air as flames roared nearby with evacuees. While it may have been less dramatic environmentally this year, I hope this keeps up!

T T T

Finally, the skies clear and an early Indian summer sets in. I use the term because that’s what it’s commonly referred to, but I would suggest harvest ing season is nearing. Hungry geese are impacting the berry crop on the offshore islands, but it’s been an early season for berries and a bountiful one at that. No use letting all that good fruit go to waste unless you like very juicy berries that are a bit sour – the kind to make wine with. Festivals are in full swing. The many outdoor gatherings remind us of the good old days but that’s because we now dare to shed our inhibitions and expose our faces. That’s good, as most faces I am used to are on social media and seeing them in real life is making me feel a lit tle extroverted. But that’s just my usual cautious nature (or paranoia) that keeps me away from large crowds. I learned my lesson and I’m glad to say I survived anotherWorkingpandemic.atthe office is quieter with many still enjoying what’s left of summer, and the need to get the kids groomed and back in shape for scholastic endeavours is the order of the day. Hopefully everyone adjusts to the return to work, school and ordinary life. I am happy to engage in little chit-chats about nothing important again. The coffee breaks feel like real breaks and the need to consume strong java and maintain a high level of work is also invigorating.Picnicking is in full swing as many gather wood to keep those fires burn ing. Dry wood is in high demand. Small squabbles about stolen wood piles can be heard here and there. Yes, wood is great exercise, as it takes a lot of effort to gath er, transport, cut and split it for cooking in and outdoors. Wood is now becoming a commodity for energy. Where are the wood-pellet stoves when you need them?

That’s good, as most faces I am used to are on social media and seeing them in real life is making me feel a little extroverted

Against all odds, I celebrated four years of sobriety at the end of July. I am still in awe of my healing journey, because I initially went down that road with very little guidance and support. After learning to love the person I have become, I needed to learn how to love the broken little girl I used to be until the age of 23. This year of recovery was dedicated to her. There’s a lot of shame and guilt asso ciated with substance use. I think a lot of that shame stems from the war on drugs that started in the 1970s and the policies and narratives that came out of it. The only thing the war on drugs achieved is further criminalization of Black, Indigenous and other people of Unfortunately,colour.our communities internalized that shame. I remember non-Natives telling me I was an alcoholic because my people have the “alcoholism gene”, which is fallacious. Statements like these are only spread to dehumanize marginalized communities like ours. For years, however, I was doomed because of such lies. I was trying to prove I was not the “stereotype” instead of addressing this internalized shame of mine. The war on drugs conditioned me and so many others to believe we were less worthy of anything good because of addictions.Ididsketchy stuff in active addic tion, stuff that I don’t dare to think about because of the wave of anxiety that it would cause me. I hurt people, went against my moral compass and made my mother cry more times than I would like to admit. I tried to bury those memories deep within myself under the cover of recovery, but I couldn’t run away from them forever. This year, I felt solid enough to process them.Ifound profound love and empathy in this part of my healing journey. I have become very protective of the girl I used to be. Sometimes, people hold my past against me to break my self-esteem, but I’m no longer ashamed of the person I was.The girl I used to be coped with pov erty and neglect with drugs and alco hol because she didn’t know any better. But the socio-economic context I found myself in is the result of centuries of colo nization and state violence. The girl I used to be was still full of potential, knowledge and talents; all she needed was a sense of safety and people rooting for her. The girl I used to be gave me the gift of empathy and the experience needed to advocate for a better Addictionsworld.don’t define you and the girl I used to be still deserved safety, love andThisdignity.radical love and acceptance I show to my past self, I now show to my fellow community members and relatives. No statistic will ever make me ashamed of being a Waswanipi ishkwesh, because I choose to see my life through the scope of resilience. The girl I used to be gave me the gift of empathy and the experience needed to advocate for a better world

26 the Nation August 26, 2022 www.nationnews.ca Tea & BannockT&B

Wehavebeenpresent since1939.Allmembers ofthelargeDeshaies' familyarebyyourside todayandwillalsobe forthebetterdaysto Wehavebeenpresent since1939.Allmembers ofthelargeDeshaies' familyarebyyourside todayandwillalsobe forthebetterdaysto come. by Xavier Kataquapit

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