Rick Garrick — Wawatay News

Shibogama First Nations Council has launched two new projects to address prescription drug abuse in Kasabonika, Kingfisher Lake, Wapekeka, Wawakapewin and Wunnumin Lake.
“Prescription drug abuse affects us as leaders, our communities, our families, our children, our grandchildren,” said Wawakapewin Chief Joshua Frogg during a Dec. 19 press conference in Sioux Lookout, where he added that prescription drug addictions do not have any boundaries. “It also affects pregnant women, who continue abusing prescription drugs and pass it on to the unborn.”

Attawapiskat’s “round two” housing crisis and other housing problems across Nishnawbe Aski Nation get an honourable mention as Wawatay’s news story of the year.
“A lot of people are choosing to go down south,” said Attawapiskat acting chief Christine Kataquapit this past September as the community looked for housing for about 100 community members after their trailer complex was condemned by the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council due to mould contamination.

Photos by Rick Garrick/Wawatay News
Deputy Grand Chief Goyce Kakegamic’s birthday was celebrated during the Sandy Lake Chief and Council Christmas Feast, top left. Grand Chief Harvey Yesno and Sandy Lake Chief Bart Meekis and a number of community members enjoyed their meals during the annual feast on Dec. 10.

Wikwemikong’s Martina Osawamick has sold some porcupine quill boxes from her Zaawmiknaang craft shop for thousands of dollars.
“The quill boxes range from $2,400 (up to) $3,000,” Osawamick said. “We sold one about a year ago and it’s worth like $10,000. It’s very intricate work and it’s very time consuming. It doesn’t take three months — it could take longer to make a big box like that. The one I sold (a year ago) was 16 inches across.”
Osawamick said every part of the quill boxes she sells is natural except for the synthetic thread.

Thunder Bay’s Ken Wabegijig usually tries to alter his designs every year to attract more interest to his traditional crafts.
“I try to be innovative, creative, a little different from everybody else,” Wabegijig said. “I’m always changing a little touch every time, just a little twist on things, whatever, because if someone wants to imitate me, I welcome that. I take that as a compliment, but then I do something a little different the next time.”