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CONTENTS 10 Hockey takes over Eeyou Istchee 2023 Senior Hockey and Broomball Tournament

EDITORIAL Hospital food

4

Parasite peril

5

Beyond suicide prevention

6

NEWS

BRIEFS FEATURES

Hockey night in Cree

9 10

Songs from the Métis Soul 18

PUZZLES REZ NOTES Warm thoughts in winter

22 23

UTNS Dreaming of a safe Arts

and happy holiday

ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ Li Keur: Riel’s 18 Nunavik ᐅᕙᓂ Here Heart of theᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ North Startsᓄᓇᕕᒃ Nunavik Starts Here

26

Photos by Jonathan Levert/ Image Nomade Production

ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ Nunavik Starts Here Nunavik Starts Here

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Editorial

Hospital food

by Will Nicholls

R

ecently I headed north to assist in my mother’s well-being. My brother Don had to be in meetings down south and wasn’t available. He usually takes care of the family these days, so I was glad to help.

We were worried that the Quebec public sector strike would affect her care.

The caregivers at her CHSLD nursing home are also part of the province-wide job action to obtain better salaries and working conditions in this era of high inflation. We support their cause.

However, we were right to worry about mom’s living conditions.

During the late evening shift, staffing would go down to just two people – to take care of about 30 residents. Many are unable to walk or use the washroom on their own. Some need assistance in changing clothes and protection against accidental leaks. A couple needed to be fed by a caregiver or nurse.

Then I received a 7am call from mom.

She was upset because no one was available to help her get to the washroom. She was told to wait for the morning staff to arrive to get assistance.

I called to speak to a supervisor, to whom I expressed the opinion that it is morally bankrupt to hold helpless Elders hostage because of a strike. The supervisor said my concerns were valid on the health issues and explained there is a shortage of qualified personal and that they are doing the best they can.

Hopefully the strike will end soon with a negotiated settlement that everyone can live with.

I realize that it’s a difficult job and I personally agree they should get a decent

The rice tasted funny, and the fish turned to mush in your mouth. To my tastebuds it felt like the fish was rotten raise. In this regard it is interesting to see CAQ government members voting to give themselves a 30% raise when most of them are quite well off to begin with.

Those two issues could be resolved if people work on it. Another issue will be much harder to fix and that’s the hospital food.

Since the home allowed me to stay in the family room for several days, I ate the food they offered. It was $15 for soup and a meal of fish, rice and waxed beans in the cafeteria – the same food provided to residents.

The waxed beans on the menu should have tipped me off as I had them when I was in a hospital in Montreal a few years ago. As then, the beans were almost transparent and dissolved in your mouth; they obviously had any nutrients boiled out of them. The pea soup wasn’t bad, but the rest of the meal was terrible. The rice tasted funny, and the fish turned to mush in your mouth. To my tastebuds it felt like the fish was rotten.

A cook there told me that there was a recipe book that they were not allowed

to deviate from in any way. From my past experiences I would say that they haven’t changed that recipe collection in many, many years. The people who created it should be forced to live on the same food they force upon hospital patients everywhere.

One good thing is that Cree patients are allowed to receive food made by relatives and friends. I made various meals and even brought in a pizza from Markos, a local pizzeria. All of which was shared gladly. I encourage other people to do the same. In that home I saw some of the skinniest Cree I have ever seen.

It was always my understanding that the sharing of food by a Cree hunter, gatherer or fisher was like paying into our version of a pension plan. When you got older and couldn’t hunt, others would help to ensure that you got some country food.

Let’s hope people continue that tradition and Cree organizations take up the slack.

Take care and have a great holiday.

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 S. Orr, X. Kataquapit, S. Hossain, J. Janke, A. Nambiar DESIGN Matthew Dessner SALES AND ADVERTISING Danielle Valade, Donna Malthouse THANKS TO: Air Creebec CONTACT US: The Nation News, 918-4200 St. Laurent, Montreal, QC., H2W 2R2 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

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the Nation December 29, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

CMCA AUDITED

Editorial News

Parasite peril I

by Sakib Hossain

Climate change behind sharp decline of Nunavut’s caribou herds n the vast expanse of western Nunavut, reports from the Kitikmeot and Kivalliq regions paint a bleak picture of ailing caribou in numbers higher than the norm. The Nunavut territorial government confirms concerns about the health and sustainability of the Arctic caribou.

Samples gathered by hunters and sent for testing at the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative found a parasite that causes severe swelling of the muscular and connective tissues, ravaging the very core of the caribou’s physical well-being.

While tests on caribou samples from the Kivalliq region are not yet conclusive, Nunavut Environment Minister Daniel Qavvik urged the community to collaborate in a recent legislative assembly session.

“We ask hunters to bring in samples when safe to do so and continue reporting any abnormalities in caribou herds,” he implored. “Only through the unified efforts of harvesters, wildlife officers, co-man-

agement partners, and biologists can we earnestly monitor the health trajectory of these caribou herds and strive towards sustainable solutions that ensure their long-term well-being and survival.”

The grim reality facing the once-flourishing species barren-ground caribou is staggering. The Committee on Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada reports that, in just over two decades, their numbers plummeted by more than half – from two million in the 1990s to 800,000 in 2015.

The barren-ground caribou, renowned for its resilience in the unforgiving Arctic terrain, now faces various threats.

Changing weather patterns have led to shifts in vegetation and foraging areas have left these majestic animals vulnerable to food scarcity.

Climate change amplifies the challenges for the caribou, including increased predation, proliferation of parasites, and a surge of disease. Parasites, for instance, thrive in altered environmental conditions

and inflict debilitating inflammation that cause abnormalities in harvested caribou meat. Meanwhile, forest fires scorch the land they rely on for sustenance and shelter. Industrial development further diminishes their habitat and disrupt migratory patterns.

Recent incidents further highlight the gravity of this situation. Reports surfaced in September from hunters in Kugluktuk and Rankin Inlet of several ailing caribou. Samples were collected by territorial staff.

The significance of these caribou transcends statistics. The fabric of Inuit culture is interwoven with the sustenance these animals provide. The Nunavut government website emphasizes that barren-ground caribou are not merely creatures traversing the landscape but symbolic custodians of traditions and sustenance across the North.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR ᒑ ᒥᔻᔨᐦᑎᒫᒄ ᒑ ᐄᐙᔒᐅᒌᔑᑳᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒑ ᒥᔻᔨᐦᑎᒫᒄ ᒑ ᐅᔅᒋᐱᐳᐦᒡ 6

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A Dialogue for Life conference was about ways to promote life

Beyond suicide prevention

by Avanti Nambiar

T

he second Dialogue for Life conference of 2023 emphasized the importance of mental health awareness in Montreal November 13-18. The event addressed ways that Indigenous cultural traditions can support struggling communities. Through encouraging healing and self expression, delegates sought to promote life and reduce suicide rates.

Organized by First Nations and Inuit Suicide Prevention Association of Quebec (FNISPAQ), the event attracted Indigenous peoples from across eastern Canada. Delegates acknowledged that the years of quarantine have exacerbated feelings of disconnection. In the wake of the Covid pandemic, frontline workers are confronting a mental health crisis.

Stephanie Iancy Héroux Brazeau has been attending conferences for years as a volunteer; this year, she came as a powwow dancer. Iancy Héroux Brazeau noted that dance can have a medicinal effect, particularly as a means to release emotions. She found the powwow to be a useful tool to process the suicides that have occurred in her Anishinaabe community of Lac-Simon.

During a workshop, Iancy Héroux Brazeau claimed that culture is key to suicide prevention. “I think it’s key to return

to our roots, to who we are, to be proud of who we are, to return to our ways of life that have been erased,” she said.

The Dialogue for Life activities also included healing ceremonies. Cree mother Vivianne Snowboy led the Cedar Bath ceremony. She said that as a young girl, she learned about the transformative potential of ceremonies from her father.

Snowboy also hosted a workshop about advocating for Indigenous people within the justice system. She stated that the current system worsens the mental health of Indigenous people, and needs to “take a step back.” She promotes “restorative justice” in place of existing punitive conventions.

Marc Lafontaine hosted a workshop about trying to help men open up about their feelings. “My challenge is to get people, men especially, used to expressing themselves,” said Lafontaine, an Innu from Ekuanitshit. “Because ‘men don’t cry.’ But, that’s not true. A man is ‘strong, doesn’t talk’… but he needs to express himself.”

Lafontaine pointed out that traditional land-based activities can be helpful to such men. “They’re more positive, happier, they talk more, make jokes, it changes,” he noted, concluding that a

change in environment can result in an shift of outlook.

Connor Lafortune, a queer Anishinabe man, shared a life-promotion toolkit he’s produced with a group of Indigenous youths. He claimed that in the western world, Indigenous people are often exposed to “deficit language.” Narratives about the community could switch to a “strength base” instead. Lafortune’s toolkit gives advice to community workers on how to help young people value and accept themselves.

Lafortune says that addressing negative self-image is vital to life promotion; a more proactive strategy than just suicide prevention.

“Suicide prevention is really something that is on the ground, it is taking folks out of the water just before they drown. It’s often the only option we have in communities,” he claimed. “However, life promotion really takes a step back, keeps folks grounded and rooted into the earth, and it’s not even letting them seek the water in the first place.”

Another conference will take place in March 2024, with a focus on identities and youth engagement.

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North Bay, Ontario

In Brief Only 71 You don’t notice many greyhaired players in athletic tournaments, but that isn’t the case with Robbie Metabie.

At 71 years old, Metabie has more than his share of grey hair. That didn’t prevent him from competing in a volleyball tournament in Mistissini December 1-3.

Metabie is an ambulance driver who keeps in shape doing sports. He practices volleyball about three times a week.

Asked how he does it at his age, Metabie answered, “You don’t stop having fun when you get old. You get old when you stop having fun.”

In the tournament, Reshawn Matoush, one of Metabie’s grandchildren, played against his grandfather and went on to the finals.

Matoush said he hopes to be playing when he’s as old as Metabie.

Protect your vehicle from theft Stories abound in Eeyou Istchee of Cree vehicle owners having their pride and joy stolen when travelling to the south. Deputy Grand Chief Norman Wapachee can testify, having recently lost his vehicle in Montreal.

Here are several tips from the Eeyou Eenou Police Force on preventing car theft: 1. Never leave your car running with keys in the ignition. Not even for a few minutes.

2. Always close your windows and lock the doors.

3. Always park your car in a well-lit area. If possible, park inside a garage.

4. Keep your keys in a signal blocking pouch or container.

5. Use anti-theft devices like an alarm or tracking system, a steering wheel lock or an ECM part lock.

6. Avoid handing keys to strangers (like a valet or parking agent).

7. Don’t leave valuable items and papers in your car, including registration and proof of insurance.

8. If you get a notification that your vehicle is being tracked or find a tracking device, contact the police.

The Eeyou Eenou Police also emphasizes Section 381 of the Highway Safety Code. It reads: “No person may leave unattended a road vehicle that is in his custody without previously removing the ignition key and locking the doors.”

A fine for this infraction can cost you up to $120. It’s a reminder perhaps more welcome than the higher insurance rate hikes that one would face after making a claim for a stolen car.

In Brief

Waswanipi drug bust Armed with a search warrant on November 29, Eeyou Eenou Police and Sûreté du Québec officers, raided a Waswanipi residence and arrested five people for drug trafficking offenses. The five suspects between the ages of 21-59 were later released with certain conditions and a future court date.

Seized were drug paraphernalia, cash and 1.5 ounces of a white powder suspected to be cocaine.

Police were acting on a tip from the public and thank local residents for helping to make Wawanipi a safer and healthier place to live. www.nationnews.ca December 29, 2023

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Features

10

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HOCKEY

NIGHT in cree Val-d’Or hosts annual hockey and broomball tournament

by Joshua Janke Photos by Jonathan Levert/Image Nomade Production

D

ressing rooms, scoreboards and grandstands were once again filled with Cree sportsmanship and skill as the 2023 Senior Hockey and Broomball Tournament took centre stage at Val-d’Or’s Agnico Eagle Centre in early December. Thanks to Cree Regional Events Entertainment (CREE), over 80 teams from in and around the Eeyou Istchee competed for over $80,000 in cash prizes.

There was something for everyone – from a celebratory opening ceremony, live broadcasting of all tournament games for fans at home, and loud chants for those in the stands, the event was a testament to the way communities connect through sports during the winter months.

Directed by Waskaganish’s Charles J. Hester and Mistissini’s Gordon Brien, CREE’s mission is to promote community health and active living through planning, organizing and implementing sporting events, elite development programs, and active leisure experiences for the Cree Nation.

The tournament received glowing remarks from Quebec’s Minister of Tourism Caroline Proulx, who announced that $10,000 will be awarded to the tournament through the government’s Financial Assistance for Festivals and Tourism Events program.

The annual tournament is an event that contributes greatly to the “reputation of our destination as a host of sporting events,” Proulx stated. “It’s a competition which brings together athletes from different First

www.nationnews.ca December 29, 2023

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Nations communities and invites thousands of sport enthusiasts to cheer on their favourite team.”

This year’s tournament was bolstered by eight different divisions of competition, all vying for a championship and cash prize of their own.

In total, 136 hockey and broomball games were played to decide who would make it to the final day. All the games were live-streamed on Facebook and Vimeo, allowing fans to watch family members and their favourite players from the comfort of home, giving the tournament a provincial-wide presence that increased to a frenzy during the final games.

By the end, all the livestreamed games had comment sections filled with congratulatory remarks for the skill and sportsmanship shown by the players and participants.

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the Nation December 29, 15, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

136 hockey and broomball games were played to decide who would make it to the final day. www.nationnews.ca December 15, 29, 2023

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Here are the official results with the champions and finalists in each division:

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Men’s Hockey A

Men’s Broomball Competitive Champions: Kitcisakik; Finalist: Barriere Lake Women’s Broomball Competitive

Women’s Hockey A Champions: Moose Factory Scrappers; Finalists: Pikogan Warriors

Champions: Eastmain Angels; Finalists: Wemindji Ice Stars

Champions: Kitigan Zibi; Finalists: Eastmain Snipers

Men’s Hockey B1 Champions: Moose Cree Islanders; Finalists: Waswanipi Deputy Chiefs Men’s Hockey B2 Champions: Opiticiwan; Finalists: Kitigan Zibi

Women’s Broomball Rec Champion: Mistissini Glacier; Finalists: Wemindji Crees Hockey Final Veteran 40+ Champions: Lac Simon Cicip; Finalists: Waswanipi Old Chiefs

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Arts

Songs from the Métis Soul Li Keur marks the progress of Indigenous opera

by Avanti Nambiar

I

t was a historicc moment in Canadian opera when Li Keur: Riel’s Heart of the North was premiered in front of a sold-out audience at Winnepeg’s Centennial Concert Hall in November.

Sung in five languages, this Indigenousled opera celebrates Métis women, culture and famed leader Louis Riel.

Recently named the honorary first premier of Manitoba, Louis Riel is a Métis hero, who fought to preserve the rights and culture of his people, as their lands were increasingly encroached upon by Canadian westward settlers.

He led two resistance movements, before being tried as a traitor to Canada and hangedin 1885.

In 1967, the Métis leader was the subject of Louis Riel, considered Canada’s most famous opera. Created by two non-Indigenous individuals, the opera was remounted in 2017 and incorporated more Indigenous perspectives and talent than the original version. Though it was far from being an “Indigenous-led opera,” one performer labeled its performance as a “stepping stone” in the right direction.

Five years later, Li Keur (“the heart” in Michif, the language of the Métis) stands as a sign of the progress Indigenous opera has made. Injected with a $435,000 sponsorship from BMO, the work was written by Métis poet and storyteller Suzanne Steele, Métis fiddler and composer Alex Kusturok, and composer Neil Weisensel.

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“I see this project as one of re-placing us into the centre of the big stage where we have been shut out for over 150 years,” Steele said. “I call it ‘Métisifying’ the actual art form.”

Li Keur is not a historical recounting of Riel’s life. Instead, it’s a fantastical tale about Métis women, covering various eras and locations. In a sequence set in 19th-century Montana, a Métisse sharpshooter runs into Riel. By highlighting generations of Métis women,

the Nation December 29, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

Steele hopes to entertain and engage an Indigenous audience.

As a companion piece to Li Keur, Steele established a language database with a team of translators to preserve at-risk languages. This includes Southern Michif (also known as Cree-Michif), French-Michif and Anishinaabemowin, which makes up 70% of the opera’s libretto. (English and French are also present in the production.) The database contains line-by-line

Community consultations ᐅᒉᐴᑯᒨ OUJÉ-BOUGOUMOU

January 8-12, 2024

“I see this project as one of re-placing us into the centre of the big stage where we have been shut out for over 150 years”

The Commissioners Bella M. Petawabano and Lorraine Spencer are looking forward to seeing you!

- Suzanne Steele, Métis poet and storyteller

ᒫᒦᓄᐱᑎᐦᑖᐤ maamiinupitihtaau

translations of the libretto, along with the translators’ audio recordings of the languages.

Theatre, and especially opera, has been experiencing a growing Indigenous presence in recent years. This is reflected, not only in the writers, directors and performers, but also in the style of the stories themselves. In the wake of the Canada Council for the Arts’ $30-million in New Chapter grants, Indigenous artists gained the ability to curate and create their own projects.

Unlike traditional opera, Indigenous opera places a particular emphasis on relationship building. Nicole Stonyk, a PhD student in Indigenous Studies and classical music at the University of Manitoba, claims that there’s an emphasis on “the kinship ties that you’re building within the process.” Canadian opera houses experience unique challenges with presenting Indigenous works. This might involve making more affordable tickets. Or, creating an approachable atmosphere, rather than an intimidating one.

One striking attribute about Indigenous opera since 2017 is a sudden shift away from trauma stories. While traumatic stories may be historically accurate, and important, they place an educational weight upon the shoulders of the artists. Plus, they aren’t necessarily sought by audiences. Today, it’s possible to explore narratives on topics other than tragedy: there are the time-traveling stories of Namwayut and Canoe, the comedic tales of Indians on Vacation, and the spectacle of Li Keur.

The Commission is a unique opportunity for Eeyou Istchee to come together, share ideas and make a positive difference on: Youth Protection Law and Youth Criminal Justice matters; Delivery of services; Collaboration with local and regional partners; Foster care for children, Group Homes and Youth Healing Services; and Cree ways of healing for children, youth and families.

Let’s connect, bring insightful discussions and work together to create a brighter future for us all.

Our future is determined by how we protect, provide, care for and nurture our children.

PLEASE JOIN US!

For more information, visit:

creeyouthprotectioncommission.ca or contact us at:

18TCR.CreeYPCommission@ssss.gouv.qc.ca A project proudly led by:

In collaboration with:

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Indigenous Youth Empowerment Gathering

April 16 + 17, 2024 | again. High school students from across Turtle Island can join us virtually or in person for 2 days of energized, engaging, and

Canada’s top employers! Ask us about our travel fund today.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. ᒥᓯᐙ ᒑ ᒥᔻᔨᐦᑎᒫᒄ ᒑ ᒥᑯᔖᒌᔑᑳᒡ ᑭᔮ ᒑ ᐅᔅᒋᐱᐳᐦᒡ᙮

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In light of Bill C-18, the Online News Act and the recent Canada-wide news block on FACEBOOK & META PLATFORMS

the Nation You may have noticed Bill C-18 has affected our ability to get the most important news from Eeyou Istchee to you on Facebook & Meta Platforms.

While you might not see us on social media, you can always count on us being online at www.nationnews.ca or every two weeks in your community, as we have been since 1993.

We want to thank our dedicated readers for continuing to read the print version of the Nation, and counting on us to keep you informed. www.nationnews.ca December 29, 2023

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Puzzles

Crossword

by Margie E. Burke

9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 Souvlaki meat 14 15 16 5 Cornfield cries 19 17 18 9 Stationed 14 Malarial fever 21 22 20 15 Mishmash 16 Eat away 23 24 25 17 Rack and pinion, 26 27 28 29 30 31 e.g.

19 Theater platform 32 33 34 35 20 "No questions 36 37 38 39 40 ___" 21 Fonda played 43 44 45 41 42 one in "Ulee's 48 49 46 47 Gold" 23 Diameter halves 50 51 25 Seating section 55 56 57 58 26 Rolling in dough 52 53 54 28 Defenseless 60 61 59 32 Type 33 Blue jeans' 63 64 62 material 66 67 65 35 Sheik's bevy 36 Trim to fit, Copyright 2023 by The Puzzle Syndicate maybe 38 Hole-boring tool 64 Pot starter 10 Kind of highway 37 Ignore a "Keep 40 Tennis score 65 Have a hunch 11 Bath cake Out" sign 41 Romance, e.g.

66 Overdue 12 Leg up 39 Half of R & R 43 Exodus leader 67 Spotted 13 Forest forager 42 Diplomatic 45 Harmless cyst 18 Stated further agreement 46 Give rise to DOWN 22 Family member 44 Back of a boat 48 High as a kite 1 Tibetan priest 24 Notion 47 June honoree 50 Celestial body 2 Mellows 26 Belgian city on 49 Met productions 51 Arthur Murray 3 Exposing the Meuse 51 Silvery fish moves scandal 27 Like days gone 52 Milk dispensers?

52 Enjoy the mo4 Use the guilloby 53 Advil target ment! (Latin) tine on 28 Partner of vim 54 Tack room item 56 Back in style 5 Arroz ___ pollo 29 NYC dwelling 55 Singer Fitzgerald 59 Atlantic, for one 6 Form of defense 30 River embank57 Learning style 60 Chip-making site 7 "Early to bed..." ment 58 Doomsayer's 62 Trick-taking quote ending 31 Fix text sign game 8 Now and then 34 Data-sorting 61 Sailor's 63 Wartime partner 9 Beg method affirmative 1

PREVIOUS SOLUTION:

Solution to Crossword: M A L E V O D K A B O A T I K O N A U R A L A N N A D I S C O N T E N T S T O P S T O C K A D E I N S I D E R E S T S L E P E R A C D C O U T S E T P H I L O S O P H E R G M O R E G A L I A S E V E R A L E R E G R E G O R Y P E C K M A I D E N P E A S N E P A L O F T E N D R E S S A G E E N A B L E D U R A N D U R A N O A R S D R A I N S A N D R I S E S L E D S U L L Y E Y E S

3 3 2 1 9 5 1 3 7 6 5 7 2 9 6 5 9 3

No. 679

Previous solution - Easy

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

2

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

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SUDOKU

Medium

© 2023 Syndicated Puzzles

STR8TS

No. 679

3

7 6 9 3 4 5 8

2 4 5 7 6 9 8

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

3 4

9 8 7 6

4

5

6

7

Very Hard

Previous solution - Tough

8 7 6 5 2 1 3 4 9

9 4 4

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

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.

the Nation December 29, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

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© 2023 Syndicated Puzzles

H

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.

2

9 4 2 3 8 7 5 6 1

5 1 3 9 6 4 8 2 7

1 3 7 8 5 2 4 9 6

2 8 9 1 4 6 7 5 3

6 5 4 7 9 3 2 1 8

7 6 1 2 3 5 9 8 4

3 9 5 4 1 8 6 7 2

4 2 8 6 7 9 1 3 5

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely.

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T&B

Warm thoughts in winter

Rez Notes

by Sonny Orr

T

he holidays “slid” by rapidly. Those toboggan rides with the grandchildren took some getting used to, as I am pretty sure that climbing back up the hill wasn’t in my contract. After a few runs – the going down part taking a few seconds versus the endless return trip – it made me appreciate the strength it takes to do this all day.

Some kids are meant for outdoor activities and sliding downhill at excessive speed. It made me worry about possible medical trips for broken bones. But it was all good, as the wipeouts happened in snow four feet deep. Besides, it’s a lot of fun.

Sometimes I think back to the days when dogs were tough and could pull more than their weight on sleds made with sealskin lashings and frozen fish for runners. Those memories have been replaced by dogs that fit in your pocket and sleds made from non-recyclable plastics that, once broken, will live on for thousands of years in the dumps of our beautiful backyard called Eeyou Istchee.

At least the old sleds were organic and could return to the land virtually overnight.

Christmas has changed too, since it became a global event in countries where Christianity is still practiced, a time of cheer and retrospectives to round off a good, middling or bad year. The nice thing about it is that it will return next year, so

I hypothesized that long ago that baby Jesus was just so cute and cuddly that three wise dudes bent down and kissed his chubby little cheeks, thus starting a New World tradition. the cycle continues. Isn’t there supposed to be a year off every century or so, like a leap Christmas?

Later in the evenings, the annual gathering for community games, feasts and other fun things – all designed to either brighten up lives or generate a lot of holiday spirit – have taken some toll on the people’s ample urges for holiday fun. For me, it’s the quiet moments for reflection during the power-down sessions as the kids sleep and nice music is played to calm the soul.

For a while, I had Red Rider’s classic rock Christmas tune spinning around in the back of my mind. Sometimes, just hanging some missing lights on the tree or climbing up to the roof for last-minute decorations cranked up the adrenaline when the ladder would slip with you on it.

Again, thanks to deep snow, no emergency medical trip was required.

Ho ho ho, for a merry old soul like me, as I wipe clean my white whiskers after downing some cold chocolat chaud. I hang out under the mistletoe for a chance surprise and some good old chuckling.

I wonder where that tradition came from? I hypothesized that long ago that baby Jesus was just so cute and cuddly that three wise dudes bent down and kissed his chubby little cheeks, thus starting a New World tradition. Somehow, another old dude got involved and hung mistletoe everywhere just to get lucky with the ladies, at least once a year. For added luck, he bribed the kids to sleep early with little gifts early the next morning.

I forget how eggnog got involved but that’s usually the case with me every year. So traditionally, we have changed a little but added a lot more traditions, like the day-to-day countdown for Christmas and the second-by-second countdown for New Year’s. Combined with shopping sprees, online events and the ability to talk to Santa on your smartphone and enjoy the rest of the world as it plays out in real time with the specials emailed to your inbox.

Naw… give me a crackling fireplace and a mug of chocolat chaud, please.

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Under the Northern Sky

Dreaming of a safe and happy holiday

by Xavier Kataquapit

H

oliday season is here, and you can see much excitement during this festive time. Different religions and cultures celebrate this period, and some don’t at all. I grew up in the remote community of Attawapiskat and through colonization and the invasion by Christian missionaries my people for many years ended up becoming swept up in either the Catholic or Protestant religions depending on who was doing the invading. We all became part of this religion and managed also to incorporate some of our own original traditions and culture. However, most of our traditions and cultural practices were banned and considered evil by these new religions.

We all enjoyed Christmas and the various celebrations that went on during these festive days. This included Christmas trees, gift giving, midnight mass at the local church and home visits with family and friends. Along with this time and as part of the colonization process, we became introduced to alcohol and that ended up producing an epidemic of alcoholism and tragedy for my people.

Too many of us recall difficult times during the Christmas season. Yes, there was some fun and joy in celebrating the holiday but once the drinking started many became helpless and all kinds of terrible tragedies occurred. There were all sorts of accidents, violence, crazy situations where people sometimes died, were injured or became incapacitated and ill over time.

The alcohol was impossible to contend with and then in the 1970s and 1980s drug abuse became more prominent. Many of our Indigenous communities became dysfunctional and unsafe as alcohol and drugs took over the lives of people. This became a generational process with the young picking up these addictions in their teen years and even as children.

Thankfully, today we have made a lot of progress in dealing with the terrible results of colonization and my people are returning to our traditions and culture. We are helping each other in terms of dealing

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If you think you have a problem with alcohol or drugs, then please for the sake of yourself and your family and friends reach out for help

with alcohol and drug addictions through treatment programs, traditional healing and education on how addictions work.

These days we have to deal with new and deadly addictions involving opioids.

Alarmingly, more than 40,000 people have died of opioids in Canada since 2016 when records first started to be kept. The worst part of this is that prescription drugs produced by big pharmaceuticals and their promotional relationship with the medical community helped make these dangerous opioids available to thousands of people.

A great documentary series called Pain Killer on Netflix provides insight on how this epidemic was manufactured.

We are still dealing with this crisis as it now involves fentanyl, a powerful and potent opioid and too many people continue to die or be hospitalized by these devastating drugs. This opioid crisis has dealt a great blow to the public’s trust in big pharmaceuticals who are often more concerned with making billions of dollars and less for the care of patients. Medical professionals were also caught up in the vast marketing schemes. Due to some

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good reporting by journalists, awareness campaigns by activists and the strength of our healthcare professionals we are now in a more informed and enlightened state when it comes to opioids.

My hope is that you and your family and friends have a wonderful, safe and happy holiday season and that you are watching out for those around you. If you think you have a problem with alcohol or drugs, then please for the sake of yourself and your family and friends reach out for help. You can contact people in your community who are working in drug and alcohol treatment and prevention as well as local health professionals with addiction knowledge and, of course, the traditional people who are dedicated to healing our people. This is the time of the year to celebrate the holiday season in any way you desire but make an effort to put smiles on the faces of your children, family and friends and give them a safe and comfortable environment to enjoy. They don’t need or deserve the terror of a drug- or alcohol-fuelled Christmas holiday.

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