Xavier Kataquapit

Making a living as an artist is not an easy thing to do but most of the time the rewards are amazing.
As a writer I understand that money is not the big motivation to write. Most writers in this country just get by. However, even if the monetary rewards are not great I find there is a lot of satisfaction in being able to work at something I have a passion for. I believe that is the case for most artists whether they are writers, visual artists, performance artists, dancers or musicians.

Janelle Golinowski, a member of Mattagami First Nation, will be showcasing her talents as a traditional dancer at the Miss North Ontario Regional Canada Pageant 2014.
The 18-year-old explained that she is proud yet humble to have been selected to represent her community for the pageant scheduled to be held May 1 to 3 at the Fraser Auditorium, Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario.

These days my mind is filled with worry.
I have been watching the events unfolding in the news concerning the Ukraine. I find it unbelievable that major super powers are taunting each other on Russia’s doorstep in the Ukraine.
This current major conflict wouldn’t be so bad except for the fact that many of the countries involved have nuclear weapons. The only time I am aware that tensions have been so high among super powers with nuclear arms was during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. It is alarming and upsetting that we are at the precipice of the Third World War again.

I am dazzled by the starry night sky.
I have always taken a great comfort in looking up at the stars. When I look up to the heavens and the greater universe I find a perspective of the world that has kept me grounded and aware of my place in life. I discovered this reality as a child living on the James Bay coast in my home community of Attawapiskat. Now as an adult I continue to look upward and I always feel humbled when I spot a point of light that is 500 light years away and totally out of my reach.

It seems like human kind has always been fascinated by explosions in the sky.
My ancestors up the James Bay coast have always had a deep respect for the power of nature.
My Elders passed down a legend to me about lightning or Oh-mee-nee-s-koh as originating from the west. We Cree on the James Bay coast live on flat tundra and mushkeg. We consider any rise in the land as a mountain.