Xavier Kataquapit

Cellphones are a big part of our lives these days.

I am always thrilled at the sight of the first snowfall. A few days ago I awoke to my day and was pleasantly surprised to see outside my window that there was a soft fresh blanket of snow covering the pines and forest floor. In my remote cottage near the great James Bay, winter comes early and this first snow provides a reality check that freezing temperatures and icy roads are on the way.

Here in the wilderness, near the lake under a sea of sparkling stars, I have such peace as I watch the flames dance from my campfire.
Peace is something we take for granted but in fact each and every one of us owes many young men and women through the ages our gratitude for doing their best to fight for freedom, democracy and fairness in this world. In most cases they fought wars that did not have to happen and that were staged around deception.

Christmas is just around the corner and already I see the sales push everywhere I go.
I have never really enjoyed this time of the year because more and more I realize that it is mostly about a huge push to market products to we, the consumer. That brings about a lot of stress. Christmas has become more or less a money time of the year.

Most mornings, one of the first things I do is to read the various online media that I prefer.
A lot of it is mainstream and some of it would be considered alternative. I noticed a story the other day in Wawatay News, an Aboriginal newspaper that serves northern Ontario, that featured coverage of a group of walkers from Attawapiskat. They were on a mission to walk to the parliament buildings in Ottawa to lobby the federal and provincial governments to meet with First Nations and address the issues concerning housing, suicide, education and health care.