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 harvesting 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.
It 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?
My people have a long history of dealing with new dangerous and deadly diseases that we had no protection against. During the First World War, I lost my great-grandfather to the 1918 influenza pandemic when he left his homeland on James Bay to volunteer for the war overseas. He never returned and he now lies in a burial plot just outside the city of London.
I arise from my bed, the acid reflux taking its toll on my weary abdomen as the continuous burping turns into a torrential spewing session. I recover, weakened by this second assault to my body, and slowly recover my senses. It must be that gastro that’s going around, I say to myself. And sure enough, gastro is the main suspect as many others are complaining about this new-yet-old medical problem on social media.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
