Allak
I spent most of July in the Arctic, away from the heatwaves. I’ve been waking up to foggy mornings along the Hudson Bay coast and falling asleep to gloaming midnight skies.
Voices
ᐋ ᐄᔮᔨᐧᒫᓂᐧᐃᒡ
Surviving in changing times
My skin feels like it’s going to burn as I weave from shadow to shadow, dodging the sun’s harmful rays and avoiding burning exposed flesh that hasn’t seen the sun since last summer. It was a cold summer start and then a blast from a solar flare touched down on earth, making everyone head to the beach.
Pope for hope?
First Nations have great expectations for the visit of Pope Francis to Canada July 24-29. Many want to see his apology last April to Indigenous leaders repeated with a little more meat on the bone. Back then, the Pope didn’t have the Church take responsibility for the actions of its priests, monks and nuns – actions repeated in every region of the country for more than a century with the knowledge of the Vatican – instead largely laying the blame on individuals.
Knowledge is power
Graduations symbolize a student’s completion of an important level of education. For my people, seeing the youth move up in their education justifies a major ceremony. My parents always looked forward to celebrating these accomplishments. I can remember seeing all our Elders from my parents' generation being so happy to witness the graduation of their youth every year.
Tomorrow, tomorrow
Wow, a landmark decision has seen Canada sign a $20 billion compensation agreement on First Nations child welfare. Now why would they do that? In the past, their response has always seen large amounts of dollars going to lawyers fighting Indigenous claims rather than settling them.
Whispers in the wind
National Indigenous Peoples Day took place June 21 while the month’s National Indigenous History Month in June is also a significant time for Indigenous people in Canada.
Wandering thoughts
The clock clicked a minute passed midnight and, as if flipping a switch, the hot summer days were blown out by a mere five-minute decrease of our daily dose of sunlight. Yep, summer solstice ended and now the days will start getting shorter until they practically disappear in six months’ time. Why is it that when time is measured, there is never enough of it?
A little history
National Indigenous Day is past us and Nation Indigenous Month is ending. We’ve all heard the cries for Indigenous history to be taught in classrooms. One wonders what will be taught and how it will be presented. Candy-coated with a few dark spots would be most likely. How Canada got its name, how the Injuns helped the settlers, a few wars we helped one side or the other, the fur trade, and, of course, an apologetic reference to residential schools.
Democracy in danger
Only 43.5% of eligible voters showed up at polls during the recent provincial election in Ontario, making it the province’s lowest electoral turnout in history. That’s what often happens when parties don’t campaign for innovative social projects.