Rick Garrick — Wawatay News

Crisis teams have been dispatched to Wunnumin Lake after a house fire claimed the lives of two girls and a young woman on May 8.
“A 21-year-old woman (aunt of the two deceased), six-year-old girl and one-year-old girl have perished in the house fire,” said Wunnumin Chief Rod Winnepetonga. “The community and the leadership are distraught and shocked over the sudden tragedy that took these young lives.”

Crisis teams have been dispatched to Wunnumin Lake after a house fire claimed the lives of two girls and a young woman on May 8.
“A 21-year-old woman (aunt of the two deceased), six-year-old girl and one-year-old girl have perished in the house fire,” said Wunnumin Chief Rod Winnepetonga. “The community and the leadership are distraught and shocked over the sudden tragedy that took these young lives.”

Wabigoon Lake won its second award for drinking water quality in the past six months even though its source water is often muddy.
“To take that water and its colour and win for the best water quality for this community takes a lot of doing,” said Wabigoon Lake Chief Ruben Cantin. “When the dam was built at the turn of the century, it was a clear water lake. But when it was raised nine-and-a-half feet, you could really see the turbidity of the water. When it’s a windy day, you can put your hand in the water and you can’t even see it.”

Whitedog’s recent dog spaying and neutering clinic “was a huge success” with about 104 dogs operated on over five days.
“I see it as a leap forward for the community,” said Waylon Scott, project coordinator for the clinic. “It leads by example for other First Nations to take that route rather than doing dog shoots. From what I’m hearing, Shoal Lake #39 is also going to be trying that route.”
The clinic was conducted from May 3-7 by the Grey Bruce Aboriginal Qimmiq Team of seven veterinarians and three veterinarian technicians.

While laptop computers and even a pickup truck were the big awards at the Dennis Franklin Cromarty First Nations High School graduation, many graduates are still focused on their future education goals.
“I’m planning to take on Culinary (Management at Confederation College),” said Wapekeka’s John Anderson. “I heard there’s a lot of travelling with that and I want to go places.”
Anderson has already worked as a prep-cook at a Thunder Bay restaurant for eight months.