Elder Q&A: Bob Kabatay

Age: 74
Member of Seine River First Nation
Where were you born?
“In Seine River, someplace close to here, on the trapline.”
How many children and grandchildren?
“Four sons, one daughter – maybe 100 grandchildren,. I don’t know, a lot.”
What jobs have you had?
“Cutting pulp, guiding, working in the sawmill, river drive, commercial fisherman and trapper.”
What is the biggest change in the community?
“I see a lot of alcohol and drugs now. There is more housing and at the time there was only log cabins. I used to see a lot of sweatlodge ceremonies, there was only one carrier at the time and now there are a lot of carriers.”
What is the best advice you ever received?
“My grandfather talked to me about the way of life, how to treat life and lots of do’s and don’ts.”
What is your advice for the younger generation?
“Stay away from alcohol and drugs. Get a job and provide for yourself and your family.”
Aanti ka-ishinitawikiyin?
“Pesho omanake Seine River, niwani-ikewininank.”
Aniin minik entashiwach kinichanisak shikwa kiyoshisak?
“Niiwiwak niikwisisak, peshiko nintanis – niikotwachiwak kanapach nooshisak, Kaawin niikikentasin, patenoowak.”
Aniin kapi-inanookiyin?
“Ninki-shki-ka-aakwe, nikipimaa-oshiwe, tashkipoochikewinink ninki-anooki, ninkipima-otas, ninkipakita-owa shikwa ninkiwani-ike.”
Wakonen mawach ka-aanchisek o-oma kitashikewinink?
“Patenatinoon minikwewin shikwa mashkikinsan noonkom. Patenatinoon waka-ikanan shikwa mitikowaka-ikanan eta ki-ayawan weshkach. Ninkiwapantanan ekipatenatinkin maatotiswanan, kipeshiko kakipimiwitoch shikwa noonkom patenoowak kapimiwitowach.”
Aniin ka-ishi-ayakwamimikoyin?
“Nimishoomis ninkiwawintamak ke-ishipimaatisiyan, ke-ishikanachitoyan pimaatisiwin shikwa kipatenatinoon kekoonan chitotansiwan shikwa kepiminisha-amaan.”
Aniin ke-ishi-ayankwamisiwach ka-oshki-pimaatisiwach?
“Kekoo pimentaken minikwewin shikwa mashkikinsan. Anookin chipami-itisoyin shikwa kanawenimikook kinichanisiwak.”