Throughout the years many have asked me to include something in the Nation they thought should be there. However, in the past 25 years, my father, Ken Nicholls, never has… until now. Dad was a part of the fire department for more years than I can remember. His example led to me becoming part of the Mistissini Fire Department. I learned a lot from him and his co-workers that came in useful over the years. Remember to water your tree and keep it away from source of heat so you’ll have a safer Christmas. And Dad, here is the poem you asked me to put in the Nation. Merry Christmas to you, to all firefighters and to the Cree Nation from all of us.
A Fireman’s Night Before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town,
the fire siren echoed blaring its sound.
The firefighters came running from far and from near,
and raced to the trucks quickly donning their gear.
And I in my bunkers my boots and my hat,
jumped to the engine to see where the fire’s at.
Down at the corner of Borden and Wolfe,
the dispatcher informed us of a house filled with smoke.
Smoke poured from the sides, from up and from down,
yet up on the roof there was none to be found.
So up to the rooftop we raised up a ladder,
and climbed to the top to see what was the matter.
I came to the chimney and what did I see,
but a fellow in red stuck past his knees.
Well we tugged and we pulled until he came out,
then he winked with his eye and said with a shout.
“These darn newfangled chimneys they make them too small,
for a fellow as I, not skinny at all.”
With a twitch of his nose he dashed to his sleigh,
and called to his reindeer, “AWAY now, AWAY.”
As we rolled up our hoses he flew out of sight, saying
“God bless our firefighters” and to all a good night.