I cannot believe I am writing this, but today I tuned into WhiteHouse.org to get an update on the unidentified flying objects shot down by fighter jets in the United States and Canada. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, to my great relief, revealed that “There is no indication of aliens or extra-terrestrial activity with these recent takedowns.”
I got up this morning, a little dry and kind of hot, the furnace gradually heating up the house. After knocking over a few things in the kitchen, I discovered the light wasn’t on and the room was lit up by the sun. Wow, the sun is getting up before me I think aloud, tossing a few more things around. Where’s the coffee when you need it most? Finally, I find the last cache of coffee pods and now the aroma of morning opens my eyelids, and my senses slowly start working again.
Promises forgotten, treaties not honoured and fiduciary obligations unfulfilled underly the relationship First Nations have lived with both federal and provincial governments. In most cases it means going to courts for justice, to make our partners live up to their signatures. It’s an uneven battle, as many First Nations have limited funds to pay for lawyers and court costs compared to unlimited government resources.
It’s 40 below as I try to start my car early in the morning. The cold, cold crisp air burns my lungs as I enter my vehicle to sit on a rock-hard frozen seat. The engine churns slowly before it sputters alive and spews out white vapour.
What is the first thing you look at in the morning? What is the last thing you see before you go to sleep at night? Many of us would hesitate in answering and probably not want to admit that the answer is the smartphone
In a scathing report, the US-based group Human Rights Watch is denouncing Canada’s failures to meet its fiduciary responsibility toward First Nations and Inuit peoples.
Critical minerals and materials are a concern for all of us on this planet as many are necessary for meeting both climate change objectives and defense needs. Especially rare-earth elements, like lithium and cobalt, which are used in everything from computers to all our household appliances that make our lives so much easier. Clean energy batteries, electric cars, solar panels and wind turbines cannot exist without them these days.
A housing crisis is in full swing everywhere, especially in our communities where there’s always been housing issues. The birth rate up North is much higher than Quebec’s and housing departments don’t have the resources or the latitude necessary to keep up with our fast-growing communities. On top of that, many of our existing units need renovations or to be rebuilt entirely.
Okay, the holiday season is over and it’s time to get back to work. The number of people anxious about jumping out of bed and heading to the workplace was probably zero – the empty streets of our sleepy communities can attest to that. Unless it just before 9 am and the roads were finally active for about 10 minutes. Then the quiet sets back in and the community falls into the early work morning slumber. Finally, the first break arrives and lineups to get that weak but fresh cup of java at your local coffee-and-doughnut shop brings you out of your stupor and Monday morning blahs.
Over the holidays I went to Ottawa to see my mother and my brother Don. It was a difficult trip, as my father passed away during last year’s holiday. Any time you lose a family member it is difficult, and it lasts for far longer than a single turn around the sun.
