SEVEN Magazine, August 5, 2010, Volume 3, No. 4

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1086 [vid] => 1254 [type] => story [status] => 1 [created] => 1281018019 [changed] => 1281450263 [comment] => 2 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1281450263 [title] => Greetings from the Oshkaatisak Council! [body] =>

Catherine Cheechoo Oshkaatisak Coordinator

We are happy to provide you with a brief update on our activities and events. The Sandy Lake Youth Council successfully hosted their 3rd annual Youth Conference on June 7 & 8, 2010. It was a great conference, and I was in attendance to witness all the fun! Oshkaatisak Development Office hosted a self-esteem workshop for girls, as part of the overall agenda.  Other activities included a keynote presentation from Tom Morris, CEO for Wasaya, and a bannock making workshop! The second day of the Youth conference included a powwow. It was a great honour to see so many dancers young and old participating in the celebrations. It was a special time in Sandy Lake as the community also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the signing of Treaty #5.

June 8-10, 2010 was the Annual NAN Keewaywin Assembly. The NAN Chiefs met to discuss issues and pass resolutions to support the work in their communities, and across the NAN region as a whole. The Oshkaatisak Council was present to listen and observe, and also to share their ideas and concerns as a group. A highlight of the meeting was having the Oshkaatisak Council work with the Sandy Lake Youth Council in hosting a Youth radio show one evening, and assisting with treaty days games on another night. These are the types of activities the Oshkaatisak Council loves to help out with. They are always looking for opportunities to support the Youth in NAN communities in events similar to this. If you would like to have Oshkaatisak Council attend an event please send us an invitation!

The Oshkaatisak Council will be holding their next meeting in September of 2010. We are still seeking applications for new members. If you like to volunteer, or are interested in learning more, this is a great opportunity you may be interested in.  Please contact the Oshkaatisak Development Office for more information.  

That’s all for now, and we wish you a safe and enjoyable summer!

Catherine Cheechoo, Oshkaatisak Coordinator
On behalf of the Nishawbe Aski Nation Oshkaatisak Council & Development Office

[teaser] =>

Catherine Cheechoo Oshkaatisak Coordinator

We are happy to provide you with a brief update on our activities and events. The Sandy Lake Youth Council successfully hosted their 3rd annual Youth Conference on June 7 & 8, 2010. It was a great conference, and I was in attendance to witness all the fun! Oshkaatisak Development Office hosted a self-esteem workshop for girls, as part of the overall agenda.  Other activities included a keynote presentation from Tom Morris, CEO for Wasaya, and a bannock making workshop! The second day of the Youth conference included a powwow. It was a great honour to see so many dancers young and old participating in the celebrations. It was a special time in Sandy Lake as the community also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the signing of Treaty #5.

[log] => [format] => 3 [uid] => 34 [name] => bumblebeeman [picture] => files/pictures/picture-34.jpg [data] => a:11:{s:16:"captcha_solution";b:1;s:13:"captcha_token";s:32:"d3103abc75ffd1c87c1094a5374d231e";s:14:"validationdata";a:4:{s:7:"form_id";s:13:"user_register";s:10:"preprocess";b:1;s:6:"module";s:9:"recaptcha";s:4:"type";s:9:"reCAPTCHA";}s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:17:"mimemail_textonly";i:0;s:9:"mlm_lists";a:1:{i:53;i:0;}s:18:"admin_compact_mode";b:0;s:13:"select_avatar";s:0:"";s:14:"tinymce_status";s:4:"true";} [last_comment_timestamp] => 1281450033 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [files] => Array ( ) [epublish_abstract] => We are happy to provide you with a brief update on our activities and events. The Sandy Lake Youth Council successfully hosted their 3rd annual Youth Conference on June 7 & 8, 2010. )

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1084 [vid] => 1252 [type] => story [status] => 1 [created] => 1281017815 [changed] => 1281450007 [comment] => 2 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1281450007 [title] => The last veil of secrecy in Canada will be revealed [body] =>

Kyra Kaminawaish Contributor

I am in Ottawa participating in the Youth & Elder Gathering on Hope & Reconciliation and had a chance to partake an experience of a lifetime with the National Forgiven Summit.

I had expected something else than what I experienced, but I would not  trade this experience in the world for nothing, not even money! I felt such deep pride in my heart for the first time to be a First Nations person, an Aboriginal of Canada. I felt I could walk among the whites with my head high like I never did before.

I did expect this to be more of a culturally traditional gathering, but it acknowledged all cultures’  right to express in their own way, their honour for their God/Creator. I had to interview residential school survivors and children of the survivors. It was hard not to acknowledge my own spiritual being. I heard many perspectives of the Aboriginal People and I am glad they got us to interview because we are the young people and this will help us shape who we are, for us to be able to embrace fully our First Nations identity.

Not everyone was ready to forgive, but a lot of them did. First Nations people are people of humility, of generosity, as we shared our land, we should forgive the government and churches of Canada’s actions to let ourselves free to move forward as nation.

The youth are getting stronger, smarter, more educated and passionate as ever. I got the chance to speak with other young people who feel the same way I do. I was able to relate to them on the many issues facing us.

I felt empowered to take on the challenges we young people will have to go through. We are truly the generation to turn things around for our future generations. I know a lot of young aboriginal parents and I just ask them, look at your children, you must feel a deeper meaning for life, use that to pick up your strength.

You don’t have to be ready to step up to the plate, just take that first step in your journey. You will eventually get there. I learned something invaluable as well about Christianity. I told people I am not a Christian but I was raised by my grandmother who I sang songs with and prayed with when I was a little girl. I have not stopped praying which is why I am able to continue living in her house.

I noticed that everything I pray for, I ask for forgiveness and then I ended up here. I asked Him to help me find a way to bring our people to a good life. I believe my grandmother also wanted me to give people a message but she did not know how to express it because of residential school. The elders carry such trauma, which is why I say “be easy on the elders” they will come around soon enough. We the youth need to ask them in all of our communities to start the healing process, because we are a healing nation.

This is also the reason why there are so many suicides. Young people are confused, as I once was. People looked at the traditional culture way of First Nations people as demonic but that is the churches mistake! God does not work like that: to demean a culture!

God accepts everybody. I am not saying worship in the traditional way, but accept this truth because the young people need that. This is who we are.

Aboriginal people will find their way. First Nations youth are starting to ask questions. We can’t keep a our nation quiet anymore. One day we will regain our land & take our rightful place as First Nations people.

This is the truth. The last veil of secrecy in Canada will be revealed. We cannot step on each other to get there, because that is not how we are going to build a strong united Aboriginal Nation.

The National Forgiven Summit received a clip from the Prime Minister who is glad that we accepted and forgave their actions on Aboriginal people.

The people from the Churches of Canada also kneeled before our leaders asking for forgiveness and Federal Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl received the highest honour our people can give.

Thank you and Meegwetch,
Kyra Kaminawaish

[teaser] =>

Kyra Kaminawaish Contributor

I am in Ottawa participating in the Youth & Elder Gathering on Hope & Reconciliation and had a chance to partake an experience of a lifetime with the National Forgiven Summit.

I had expected something else than what I experienced, but I would not  trade this experience in the world for nothing, not even money! I felt such deep pride in my heart for the first time to be a First Nations person, an Aboriginal of Canada. I felt I could walk among the whites with my head high like I never did before.

I did expect this to be more of a culturally traditional gathering, but it acknowledged all cultures’  right to express in their own way, their honour for their God/Creator. I had to interview residential school survivors and children of the survivors. It was hard not to acknowledge my own spiritual being. I heard many perspectives of the Aboriginal People and I am glad they got us to interview because we are the young people and this will help us shape who we are, for us to be able to embrace fully our First Nations identity.

[log] => [format] => 3 [uid] => 34 [name] => bumblebeeman [picture] => files/pictures/picture-34.jpg [data] => a:11:{s:16:"captcha_solution";b:1;s:13:"captcha_token";s:32:"d3103abc75ffd1c87c1094a5374d231e";s:14:"validationdata";a:4:{s:7:"form_id";s:13:"user_register";s:10:"preprocess";b:1;s:6:"module";s:9:"recaptcha";s:4:"type";s:9:"reCAPTCHA";}s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:17:"mimemail_textonly";i:0;s:9:"mlm_lists";a:1:{i:53;i:0;}s:18:"admin_compact_mode";b:0;s:13:"select_avatar";s:0:"";s:14:"tinymce_status";s:4:"true";} [last_comment_timestamp] => 1281449833 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [files] => Array ( ) [epublish_abstract] => I am in Ottawa participating in the Youth & Elder Gathering on Hope & Reconciliation and had a chance to partake an experience of a lifetime with the National Forgiven Summit. )

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1082 [vid] => 1250 [type] => story [status] => 1 [created] => 1281017664 [changed] => 1281449802 [comment] => 2 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1281449802 [title] => Marco's doing WHAT? [body] =>

Brandon Meekis
Graphic Artist

 

[teaser] =>

Brandon Meekis
Graphic Artist

 

[log] => [format] => 3 [uid] => 34 [name] => bumblebeeman [picture] => files/pictures/picture-34.jpg [data] => a:11:{s:16:"captcha_solution";b:1;s:13:"captcha_token";s:32:"d3103abc75ffd1c87c1094a5374d231e";s:14:"validationdata";a:4:{s:7:"form_id";s:13:"user_register";s:10:"preprocess";b:1;s:6:"module";s:9:"recaptcha";s:4:"type";s:9:"reCAPTCHA";}s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:17:"mimemail_textonly";i:0;s:9:"mlm_lists";a:1:{i:53;i:0;}s:18:"admin_compact_mode";b:0;s:13:"select_avatar";s:0:"";s:14:"tinymce_status";s:4:"true";} [last_comment_timestamp] => 1281449680 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [files] => Array ( ) [epublish_abstract] => Comic by Brandon Meekis )

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1080 [vid] => 1248 [type] => story [status] => 1 [created] => 1281016885 [changed] => 1281449596 [comment] => 2 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1281449596 [title] => Iron Man 2 [body] =>

Lenny Carpenter Contributor

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) suits up again in this sequel to the blockbuster hit from two years ago. Like the first film, Iron Man 2 is high on action, special effects, and the scathing wit and quirky humour of Tony Stark.

In this edition, The film features a great cast, including Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson, Gwenyth Paltrow and Samuel L. Jackson.

Pros
Fantastic cast
Humour and action
Highly entertaining

Cons
Anticlimactic villain fight
Really nothing new

[teaser] =>

Lenny Carpenter Contributor

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) suits up again in this sequel to the blockbuster hit from two years ago. Like the first film, Iron Man 2 is high on action, special effects, and the scathing wit and quirky humour of Tony Stark.

In this edition, The film features a great cast, including Mickey Rourke, Scarlett Johansson, Gwenyth Paltrow and Samuel L. Jackson.

Pros
Fantastic cast
Humour and action
Highly entertaining

Cons
Anticlimactic villain fight
Really nothing new

[log] => [format] => 3 [uid] => 34 [name] => bumblebeeman [picture] => files/pictures/picture-34.jpg [data] => a:11:{s:16:"captcha_solution";b:1;s:13:"captcha_token";s:32:"d3103abc75ffd1c87c1094a5374d231e";s:14:"validationdata";a:4:{s:7:"form_id";s:13:"user_register";s:10:"preprocess";b:1;s:6:"module";s:9:"recaptcha";s:4:"type";s:9:"reCAPTCHA";}s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:17:"mimemail_textonly";i:0;s:9:"mlm_lists";a:1:{i:53;i:0;}s:18:"admin_compact_mode";b:0;s:13:"select_avatar";s:0:"";s:14:"tinymce_status";s:4:"true";} [last_comment_timestamp] => 1281448901 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [files] => Array ( ) [epublish_abstract] => Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) suits up again in this sequel to the blockbuster hit from two years ago. Like the first film, Iron Man 2 is high on action, special effects, and the scathing wit and quirky humour of Tony Stark. )

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1078 [vid] => 1246 [type] => story [status] => 1 [created] => 1281016635 [changed] => 1281448868 [comment] => 2 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1281448868 [title] => Violinist [body] =>

Nicole Waboose was little more than a toddler when she experienced love at first sight.

Nicole Waboose at Hilll Crest Park in Thunder Bay.

“The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra had done their performance and they had a ‘petting zoo’ where you were able to hold, touch, and pluck the instruments they were playing,” said Nicole’s father Murray Waboose recalling an event he had attended at Old Fort William Historical Park with his family. “It was at that point that (Nicole who was two and half at the time) made up her mind that she would play the violin. And from there she kept on asking us.”

It didn’t take long for her parents to realize this wasn’t just a passing fancy.

For a year and a half Nicole kept approaching her parents with the same request: “Can you set me up with a violin and some lessons?”

Nicole’s parents figured she was too young to handle lessons and regular practices, so they kept putting her off.

It got to the point where her parents couldn’t just keep saying no, so they contacted Olga Medvedeva, a violin teacher in Thunder Bay, to give her professional opinion to Nicole.

“Her mom called me and said her daughter is interested in playing violin and I thought four is a little too young because it requires a good deal of mental and physical aptitude and all that,” Medvedeva said. “The mom said ‘yes, that’s what we’ve been telling her, but it’s futile.

She doesn’t want to listen. She wants to play violin’.”

To humor little Nicole, Olga agreed to test their daughter to see if she was ready.

“Olga did manage to pull out this tiny violin along with two elastic bands and a sponge to ensure she could hold the violin correctly while she performed the tests as instructed,” Murray said.

Medvedeva checked her hand and body positioning and performed a series of tests to see if she could hold attention and to see if she was ‘musical.’

“She proved to be a very focused individual who was very steady and who paid lots of attention,” Olga said, adding she was unable to take Nicole on as a student because of lack of space following the testing process. “I went home and I thought about how she held the violin and the look on her face when she held it and I knew I had to come up with a slot for this girl, and this is how I opened my Saturdays to students.”

Finally, Nicole’s dream had come true: her parents got her a violin of her own.

“When they first brought it home, I played it and I thought it would play itself,” she said. “I thought I would be awesome right off the bat. I remember saying to my parents ‘this is the worstest sounding violin that I have ever heard’.”

Her parents were kind and responded to her saying it was normal and that she would need to log many hours of practice before her violin would turn out great music.

“I practice anywhere from half an hour to an hour every day in my bedroom at home,” Nicole said, adding she doesn’t have favourite music. She studies classical music with Medvedeva under an internationally recognized music curriculum and is tested annually through the Royal Conservatory of Music.

“Nicole just completed her Grade 3 exam, but she’s very capable as a musician because she has excellent focus so I give her music you would normally be given in higher grades to study: she was able to learn a piece that was four levels higher than she is currently studying.”

Nicole’s love of the violin has translated into many first place finishes. In fact, since she began competing, Nicole has only gotten one second place finish.

“My violin teacher was already giving me concertos when I was around 5, 6 or 7 and people were coming to me to say what an amazing violinist I am,” Nicole said. “That’s when I knew that this is what I was meant to do.”

She also said it’s easy to tell when you are doing what you were meant to do.

“You just know,” she said. “It just feels natural for you. It feels like it’s right and you feel special and you feel happy.”

She also says “You don’t necessarily have to be good at it, just if you feel happy and complete even when you tried your best, then you know it’s for you.”

[teaser] =>

Nicole Waboose was little more than a toddler when she experienced love at first sight.

Nicole Waboose at Hilll Crest Park in Thunder Bay.

“The Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra had done their performance and they had a ‘petting zoo’ where you were able to hold, touch, and pluck the instruments they were playing,” said Nicole’s father Murray Waboose recalling an event he had attended at Old Fort William Historical Park with his family. “It was at that point that (Nicole who was two and half at the time) made up her mind that she would play the violin. And from there she kept on asking us.”

It didn’t take long for her parents to realize this wasn’t just a passing fancy.

For a year and a half Nicole kept approaching her parents with the same request: “Can you set me up with a violin and some lessons?”

Nicole’s parents figured she was too young to handle lessons and regular practices, so they kept putting her off.

It got to the point where her parents couldn’t just keep saying no, so they contacted Olga Medvedeva, a violin teacher in Thunder Bay, to give her professional opinion to Nicole.

[log] => [format] => 3 [uid] => 34 [name] => bumblebeeman [picture] => files/pictures/picture-34.jpg [data] => a:11:{s:16:"captcha_solution";b:1;s:13:"captcha_token";s:32:"d3103abc75ffd1c87c1094a5374d231e";s:14:"validationdata";a:4:{s:7:"form_id";s:13:"user_register";s:10:"preprocess";b:1;s:6:"module";s:9:"recaptcha";s:4:"type";s:9:"reCAPTCHA";}s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:17:"mimemail_textonly";i:0;s:9:"mlm_lists";a:1:{i:53;i:0;}s:18:"admin_compact_mode";b:0;s:13:"select_avatar";s:0:"";s:14:"tinymce_status";s:4:"true";} [last_comment_timestamp] => 1281448647 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [files] => Array ( ) [epublish_abstract] => Nicole Waboose was little more than a toddler when she experienced love at first sight. )

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1076 [vid] => 1244 [type] => story [status] => 1 [created] => 1281015878 [changed] => 1281448620 [comment] => 2 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1281448620 [title] => SUICIDE [body] =>

Our community of Moose Factory, Ontario has been facing what has been called an epidemic of suicides. This has affected many of our families. Especially our youth. The entire community has been affected by such great loss. This was written for anyone who has ever contemplated their life.

Please don’t Don’t give up.

The pain might feel so heavy like a thick fog and so hard to see past.

The emptiness might be eating you up inside.

You might feel alone but you’re not. You are NOT alone.

Whatever happened, you can and will find happier days.

Or if it has been piling up to the point where you feel too weak to fight, let someone else help you carry the load. REACH out. Tell someone what’s going on. Anyone you think might listen. Call someone. Email someone. Yell if you have to. Even if you have to walk into the hospital. There is help. They won’t put you away thinking you’ve lost it. You will be protected until it passes.

Don’t lose yourself in drugs & alcohol if it has crossed your mind. It won’t help the situation. You’ll feel worse in the morning, and you might even lose your life...not really meaning to. Don’t take that risk because you’re gambling with your whole life and the people in it.

Think of your family. Think of your friends. You might feel like you don’t mean much but you do! It would cause so much pain and grief to lose you because you are LOVED beyond measure.

People never completely heal from that kind of loss. It’s a precious life cut short at the wrong time. It’s just not the way. It just brings on more hurt and havoc.

You have to think of the aftermath of it all.

If you have children or children in your life, let them be your light. Teach them, laugh with them, guide and love them so they might have a chance at happiness in this world.

Surround yourself with GOOD THINGS and GOOD PEOPLE in your life.

If there is something in your life that is a source of stress, change it for the better.

If you don’t like the path your on, step into another direction. You never know the places you’ll go and the people you’ll meet as you make your life. Your future wife or husband, your future children, true friends… its your life just waiting on you.

Picture everything good that you would want in your life and go that way.

You WILL find your way in this life… no matter how lost you might feel right now.

Pray for STRENGTH. Just call out. Because it doesn’t matter who you are. Your prayers are HEARD. You can stand and pray. Kneel to pray.

Pray loudly. Pray silently. Say a short prayer or pray as long and hard as you can. We each have our own way… even if you never thought to try it before. Remember that if you ask from within you will be carried through. You can pray about anything that’s on your heart. And if you keep praying you will find a complete PEACE and its a real and powerful thing.

Hold on to each other and don’t let go.

-Faith Turner 2009

We are a healing nation, so it is very heart breaking to see someone take their own life especially a young First Nations person who lost hope and felt like they no longer can take another step in their journey. The whole Aboriginal community is affected by such catastrophe because they look to the young people knowing we are the future and the elders look to us for strength. What does this do to our nation in healing? A lot of our youth are confused about who we are or who we should be as aboriginal people. We need to understand that it’s OK to worship the creator in our traditional way. I think we need to regain our traditional culture in order to reduce this suicide epedemic. We are a great people because we are able to forgive the churches and government when we shared our land.

-Kyra Kaminawaish
SEVEN Youth Advisory Committee member

A disturbing trend that young people are losing hope and more of them are turning to suicide as a possible end to the ills they face in life is not lost on the leaders of the Mushkegowuk territory.

The leaders convened an emergency meeting over two days in early May with their community members in order to address the issue.

More than 200 people representing all aspects of mushkegowuk communities, including educators, health professionals, mental health workers, frontline workers, parents, grandparents and youth attended the two-day summit to provide their input. At the conclusion of the meeting, leaders emerged and declared a state of emergency on suicide. As part of the declaration, representatives from all sectors in their communities have committed to working with affected First Nation communities to do everything in their power to stem the tide and to heal their communities so this situation will be reversed.

“In my community alone, I’ve lost seven young people over a 3.5 year period and the biggest question I ask myself every day is: What if these young people who have passed on could speak to me? What would they say?” asked Kashechewan Chief Jonathon Solomon after the meeting. 

He said the commitment by the communities now is for action.

“We are doing everything possible in my community to get our young people to talk,” he said. “We are focusing on what we can do as a community to change things.”

Mushkegowuk communities are taking a multi-pronged approach to dealing with suicide.

Community members and leaders are doing this by hosting a variety of suicide-themed discussions in different venues and with different age groups and sectors throughout their communities where the goal is to arrive at a series of achievable results.  They are also hosting a series of activities and camps aimed at empowering the youth by returning them to the Cree way.

“Fortunately, these are things communities can do by themselves with minimal resources,” said Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Stan Louttit, adding there is a massive push to host community meetings, visits at schools to talk about suicide and the hosting of public awareness drives. He also said the people are taking a thorough inventory of resources that exist so they can be accessed and used to assist their campaign. 

“We also know we will need assistance from other parties from time to time to be able to address some of the bigger picture, larger items as we move forward on this issue,” Louttit said, adding that while the communities are busy working directly with the youth, the Mushkegowuk leadership has kicked into high gear with proposal-making, lobbying and designing of action plans and have called upon the provincial and federal governments to assist the Mushkegowuk when required. He also said the two levels of government have responded through different departments at the federal and provincial levels and are working with them on various items.

One of the items involves a proposal requesting resourcing that will establish a commission to host a public inquiry. The inquiry will travel to communities and hear testimonies as part of a goal to get a full picture of the factors contributing to the current trends with suicide and to arrive at a series of recommendations to adequately address the problems identified by the inquiry.

“We don’t want band-aid solutions anymore because they just don’t work,” Solomon said.

The Ontario Ministry of Public Safety is facilitating the proposal-related discussions with the governments and their departments on behalf of Mushkegowuk Council. The other item Mushkegowuk’s leadership is working on with the provincial and federal governments is the issue of burnt out front line workers.

“Their lack of capacity and lack of numbers during an emergency is wearing us thin,” Louttit said, adding Mushkegowuk has called upon technical staff at Weeneebayko General hospital to design a mobile crisis unit concept that will respond when there are rashes of suicide attempts that overwhelm front line workers in communities. The idea behind the mobile crisis unit, Louttit said, is it will be a support to community crisis workers so the burnout issue is resolved.

“We also are in discussions with the various levels of government because even our office is really stretched thin dealing with these kinds of health issues,” Louttit said. “We really do need a health director for the organization to assist us. We want to make things happen. We want to do things, but at the same time, we expect that families will pick up the slack and do what they need to do as parents, grandparents and to be able to deal with issues in the home. It would be wrong to expect people to come and help them all the time.”

Special Message to the Youth from Grand Chief Louttit

“We invited a young lady that to our summit who is about 37 years old. She is dying of cancer. She has gone for chemotherapy in Kingston for her cancer treatment and we asked her speak about life, and she said ‘You know what? Here I am. I am fighting for my life. I want to see my parents. I want to see my kids. I want to see my community. I want to see my kids grow big. I want to see my relatives realize their dreams and do things in the future. I want to see Moose Factory get healthy and I don’t want to die. I want to be part of that.’
Just talking about what she said makes me emotional. And the message she had is: ‘Why are you doing this? Life is so precious. There is so much hope out there in our little community and in our region and we can be part of that solution and taking your life is not the answer.

You are running away from the problem and when I see people needlessly dying by taking their lives, I get mad, I get angry and ask why are they doing that?’

There is hope, said Louttit.  We have to open our eyes and minds and look out there and see what’s going on in our community and say I want to be a part of that solution. And we as leaders need to support our young people and say we hear you, and so I ask: How can we support you and help you?

[teaser] =>

Our community of Moose Factory, Ontario has been facing what has been called an epidemic of suicides. This has affected many of our families. Especially our youth. The entire community has been affected by such great loss. This was written for anyone who has ever contemplated their life.

Please don’t Don’t give up.

The pain might feel so heavy like a thick fog and so hard to see past.

The emptiness might be eating you up inside.

You might feel alone but you’re not. You are NOT alone.

Whatever happened, you can and will find happier days.

Or if it has been piling up to the point where you feel too weak to fight, let someone else help you carry the load. REACH out. Tell someone what’s going on. Anyone you think might listen. Call someone. Email someone. Yell if you have to. Even if you have to walk into the hospital. There is help. They won’t put you away thinking you’ve lost it. You will be protected until it passes.

Don’t lose yourself in drugs & alcohol if it has crossed your mind. It won’t help the situation. You’ll feel worse in the morning, and you might even lose your life...not really meaning to. Don’t take that risk because you’re gambling with your whole life and the people in it.

Think of your family. Think of your friends. You might feel like you don’t mean much but you do! It would cause so much pain and grief to lose you because you are LOVED beyond measure.

People never completely heal from that kind of loss. It’s a precious life cut short at the wrong time. It’s just not the way. It just brings on more hurt and havoc.

You have to think of the aftermath of it all.

[log] => [format] => 3 [uid] => 34 [name] => bumblebeeman [picture] => files/pictures/picture-34.jpg [data] => a:11:{s:16:"captcha_solution";b:1;s:13:"captcha_token";s:32:"d3103abc75ffd1c87c1094a5374d231e";s:14:"validationdata";a:4:{s:7:"form_id";s:13:"user_register";s:10:"preprocess";b:1;s:6:"module";s:9:"recaptcha";s:4:"type";s:9:"reCAPTCHA";}s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:17:"mimemail_textonly";i:0;s:9:"mlm_lists";a:1:{i:53;i:0;}s:18:"admin_compact_mode";b:0;s:13:"select_avatar";s:0:"";s:14:"tinymce_status";s:4:"true";} [last_comment_timestamp] => 1281447895 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [files] => Array ( ) [epublish_abstract] => Our community of Moose Factory, Ontario has been facing what has been called an epidemic of suicides. This has affected many of our families. Especially our youth. )

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1074 [vid] => 1242 [type] => story [status] => 1 [created] => 1281015651 [changed] => 1281447865 [comment] => 2 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1281447865 [title] => Raven Wheesk [body] =>

by Marty Loon, student intern

Twelve-year-old Raven Wheesk’s iron self-discipline has made him a three-time world champion martial artist and he’s now looking to clock new achievements as a representative of Team Canada internationally in his chosen sport.

“I want to continue with my martial arts and make a difference to influence people to make a change to do things for the better,” said the Attawapiskat band member.

When he was five years old, Wheesk began avidly studying Japanese-style Karate. He then started Korean Tae Kwon Do when he was eight. Raven also competes in extreme karate where his focus is on his karate kicks and flips. He is also an expert on weapons handling forms such as bo-staff, kamas and the katanas.

Raven receives his instruction at Bae’s Martial Arts in Winnipeg. While it’s a little unusual that he travels to Winnipeg every second month to train with his master, Raven needed to. As he advanced into a higher level of competition he needed more experienced and specialized training. Raven pays very good attention to each new instruction he receives each time he goes out for his training and then he perfects what he has learned at home.

He says both his mother and father are always there to help him and support him with his martial arts. In fact, the couple has gone so far as to renovate a portion of their basement to a private dojo so their son can train to his heart’s content.

Raven has established a training routine that works for him. At the break of dawn every day he begins his morning with 20-minute stretches and then he heads off to Algonquin School in Thunder Bay where he is an academically successful Grade 8 student. As well, in the evenings and on weekends, he spends between one and one-and-a-half hours going through a sequence of drills in order to maintain his focus, strength, balance, power, sharpness, skill and technique in the four disciplines of martial arts he is involved in.

“I think his best quality is his focus,” his mom said of his abilities. “He is able to keep everything else separate, especially when it’s time to compete.”

Raven’s attention to detail has netted him a junior black belt in Japanese style Karate, which he received at the age of nine and a first Dan black belt in Korean Tae kwon Do, which he received at the age of 10.

Of course, Raven confesses that he wasn’t a super star when he first got involved in the sports.

“I wasn’t all that great until I had gotten older and had stuck it out for all the training,” he said, adding he’s gone on to compete provincially, nationally and internationally in his chosen sports.  

Because of his dedication, Raven is now a three-time world champion, a title he first achieved at the age of 10. He has also won multiple Canadian championships with eight gold medals under his belt in various categories of martial arts.

Raven recently added a further four gold medals at the Nationals in Ottawa this past May to his medal collection. This has allowed Raven to represent Team Canada in Hardstyle, Korean, Extreme and Musical Weapons at the Worlds this upcoming fall.

“He needs to work on his endurance,” confessed Lisa, Raven’s mother.

In looking at his list of accomplishments, you would never know Raven suffers from severe asthma as well as multiple food and environmental allergies including that of every type of nut, shellfish as well as coconut. He is also allergic to dogs and cats. His asthma and allergies affect every part of his life: as a competitor, son, student, traveler and so on.

Given the extent of his allergies, navigating the life of a highly competitive athlete who must travel constantly can get quite tricky.  

“Everywhere I go there are always different foods being served and I always have to be careful and extra cautious in different countries where they have different rules (about food labeling, preparation, serving and animal transport),” he said. “Having these conditions is pretty hard and sometimes it gets you down, or it can get very annoying.”

One thing’s for sure though: Raven enjoys an old home cooked meal provided by his mother.

He says he’s fortunate in some ways because his martial arts training has been beneficial in that he is able to focus his abilities in order to perform and complete tasks that are before him and which allow him to overcome his conditions.

In fact, after his first major successes in karate when he was eight, his accomplishments drew the attention of the Canadian Lung Association where he was then recruited to become a spokesman of theirs.

“Everywhere I go there are always new things to see and to meet new people,” he said.  

Wheesk is, at the moment, training to make a name for himself at the upcoming 2010 World Karate and Kickboxing Council (WKC) Championships as a Team Canada representative in his four events to be held in Portugal this October.  

“It fills me with pride knowing that I’m representing Canada,” he said, adding he feels more excited than nervous when performing in front of an audience.

[teaser] =>

by Marty Loon, student intern

Twelve-year-old Raven Wheesk’s iron self-discipline has made him a three-time world champion martial artist and he’s now looking to clock new achievements as a representative of Team Canada internationally in his chosen sport.

“I want to continue with my martial arts and make a difference to influence people to make a change to do things for the better,” said the Attawapiskat band member.

When he was five years old, Wheesk began avidly studying Japanese-style Karate. He then started Korean Tae Kwon Do when he was eight. Raven also competes in extreme karate where his focus is on his karate kicks and flips. He is also an expert on weapons handling forms such as bo-staff, kamas and the katanas.

Raven receives his instruction at Bae’s Martial Arts in Winnipeg. While it’s a little unusual that he travels to Winnipeg every second month to train with his master, Raven needed to. As he advanced into a higher level of competition he needed more experienced and specialized training. Raven pays very good attention to each new instruction he receives each time he goes out for his training and then he perfects what he has learned at home.

[log] => [format] => 3 [uid] => 34 [name] => bumblebeeman [picture] => files/pictures/picture-34.jpg [data] => a:11:{s:16:"captcha_solution";b:1;s:13:"captcha_token";s:32:"d3103abc75ffd1c87c1094a5374d231e";s:14:"validationdata";a:4:{s:7:"form_id";s:13:"user_register";s:10:"preprocess";b:1;s:6:"module";s:9:"recaptcha";s:4:"type";s:9:"reCAPTCHA";}s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:17:"mimemail_textonly";i:0;s:9:"mlm_lists";a:1:{i:53;i:0;}s:18:"admin_compact_mode";b:0;s:13:"select_avatar";s:0:"";s:14:"tinymce_status";s:4:"true";} [last_comment_timestamp] => 1281447666 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [files] => Array ( ) [epublish_abstract] => Twelve-year-old Raven Wheesk’s iron self-discipline has made him a three-time world champion martial artist and he’s now looking to clock new achievements as a representative of Team Canada internationally in his chosen sport. )

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1071 [vid] => 1239 [type] => story [status] => 1 [created] => 1281014912 [changed] => 1281447629 [comment] => 2 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1281447629 [title] => Fashion Show [body] =>

photos by Joyce Hunter
From left to right: Aliyah Spence, Constance Lake First Nation, Kaija Collins, Fort William First Nation, Kiaya Drake, Gull Bay First Nation, Lisa Esquega, Gull Bay First Nation, Kristen Dewey, Lac Seul First Nation, Danelle McGuinnis, Rainy River First Nation, Devyn Shebagegit, Constance Lake First Nation.

Eight women and two girls hit the stage in Thunder Bay in July and August to show the public what happens when you mix fashion with First Nation culture.

“We took 10 different styles of dresses, re-designed them with an Aborignal twist, put them on a group of young ladies and put those ladies on the stage,” said Serene Spence, one of the five designers who worked on the 10 looks for Beedaubin Resources. “The pieces were re-cut to give them an edgy, contemporary look and they were also adorned with a variety of appliqués, smiliar to what you see on shawls at powwows, and we added First Nation accessories like shells, beading and feathers to round out the looks.”

Serene Spence

The results were really quite stunning.

“The dress I was asked to wear in this show is beautiful,” said Gull Bay First Nation model Kiaya Drake immediately after the first of the three shows the models were slated to show the dresses. “I hope I get to wear it in all the shows we are scheduled to be in.”

Beedaubin Resources, Spence said, had an ulterior motive for hosting the fashion show. 

“One of the topics we focus on at Beedaubin is working with at-risk youth to enhance their lives in a variety of ways,” she said.

“Some of the girls in this particular project are high-risk youth, and we wanted to give them self-esteem and confidence. We also know this particular group of young ladies have an interest in modeling, and we arranged for a photo shoot so that they can have fashion photos that they can put towards their portfolios.”

Spence also said the fashion show is part of the “Remember Me” project Beedaubin Resources has been working on.

“Remember Me highlights the issue of the many missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada and it’s goal is to bring safety and awareness to all other Aboriginal women,” she said, adding the project was made possible by the Ontario Arts Council and the Ministry of the Attorney General.

“The statement we are making through this series of fashion shows is that the women we have with us are special, should be celebrated and kept safe and that it is all our responsibilities as community members to do this.”

The clothes were shown at Ojibway Keeshigun at Fort William Historical Park in mid-July as well as at an artisan’s market at Fort  William First Nation in late July and mid-August.

[teaser] =>

photos by Joyce Hunter
From left to right: Aliyah Spence, Constance Lake First Nation, Kaija Collins, Fort William First Nation, Kiaya Drake, Gull Bay First Nation, Lisa Esquega, Gull Bay First Nation, Kristen Dewey, Lac Seul First Nation, Danelle McGuinnis, Rainy River First Nation, Devyn Shebagegit, Constance Lake First Nation.

Eight women and two girls hit the stage in Thunder Bay in July and August to show the public what happens when you mix fashion with First Nation culture.

[log] => [format] => 3 [uid] => 34 [name] => bumblebeeman [picture] => files/pictures/picture-34.jpg [data] => a:11:{s:16:"captcha_solution";b:1;s:13:"captcha_token";s:32:"d3103abc75ffd1c87c1094a5374d231e";s:14:"validationdata";a:4:{s:7:"form_id";s:13:"user_register";s:10:"preprocess";b:1;s:6:"module";s:9:"recaptcha";s:4:"type";s:9:"reCAPTCHA";}s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:17:"mimemail_textonly";i:0;s:9:"mlm_lists";a:1:{i:53;i:0;}s:18:"admin_compact_mode";b:0;s:13:"select_avatar";s:0:"";s:14:"tinymce_status";s:4:"true";} [last_comment_timestamp] => 1281446940 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [files] => Array ( ) [epublish_abstract] => Eight women and two girls hit the stage in Thunder Bay in July and August to show the public what happens when you mix fashion with First Nation culture. )

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1069 [vid] => 1237 [type] => story [status] => 1 [created] => 1281014716 [changed] => 1281446766 [comment] => 2 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1281446766 [title] => Praise for SEVEN [body] => Boozhoo,
I came across your SEVEN Youth Media Network magazine at Eagles Cry Life Centre on Simpson Street in Thunder Bay. What a great publication! I live and work in my community of Grand Portage, MN. You are reaching many people and it is very powerful because often in media we do not find positive and encouraging reflections of Natives, or we find no representation at all. I offer encouragement to your staff and want to empower you using your voices!  
Miigwech,

April (Clearwater-Day) McCormick
Grand Portage Tribal SHIP Coordinator (Statewide Heath Improvement Program)
Grand Portage Health Service

Note from SEVEN:
Please join us in welcoming Sandy Lake’s Chris Kakegamic and Weagamow’s Kyra Kaminawaish to the SEVEN Youth Advisory Committee. The SEVEN Youth Advisory Committee meet with SEVEN staff on a regular basis to decide what types of stories will be covered and also work and volunteer in their respective communities to engage and empower youth with the goal of a creating a positive environment. Wacheeyeh to our latest recruits! We look forward to the good work we’ll accomplish together in the months to come!

Chris Kakegumick  is a Band Constable who works in security around the reserve and at the local airport. He also assists Nishnawbe Aski Police Service when needed. When he’s not working, Chris can be found helping around members of the community, as well as his family and friends when needed. He is outgoing, open minded and joined SEVEN’s youth advisory committee because he relates very strongly to the people who share their stories in SEVEN and because he too would like to help spread their message of hope, resilience and growth to inspire many more youth to continue moving forward.
Kyra Kaminawaish, a member of Weagamow Lake First Nation, is a very busy young woman, whose goal it is to inspire her peers to find their voice, take a stand and lead the way to a stronger, brighter future for our First Nations peoples. She does this through her work with and as a member of:
Order of Canada Mentorship Program
Board Director, Youth Canada Association
Land Use Planning
SEVEN Youth Media Network Youth Advisory Committee
Ojijakos Oshkaadasic Odakiimwa (Weagamow Young People & their land)
Laura Secord job shadowing CEO
North American Indigenous Games athlete
National Forgiven Summit Volunteer
Executive Board Youth Representative of the New Democratic Party of Canada
Youth & Elder Gathering Project on Hope & Reconciliation
[teaser] => Boozhoo,
I came across your SEVEN Youth Media Network magazine at Eagles Cry Life Centre on Simpson Street in Thunder Bay. What a great publication! I live and work in my community of Grand Portage, MN. You are reaching many people and it is very powerful because often in media we do not find positive and encouraging reflections of Natives, or we find no representation at all. I offer encouragement to your staff and want to empower you using your voices!  
Miigwech,

April (Clearwater-Day) McCormick
Grand Portage Tribal SHIP Coordinator (Statewide Heath Improvement Program)
Grand Portage Health Service

Note from SEVEN:
Please join us in welcoming Sandy Lake’s Chris Kakegamic and Weagamow’s Kyra Kaminawaish to the SEVEN Youth Advisory Committee. The SEVEN Youth Advisory Committee meet with SEVEN staff on a regular basis to decide what types of stories will be covered and also work and volunteer in their respective communities to engage and empower youth with the goal of a creating a positive environment. Wacheeyeh to our latest recruits! We look forward to the good work we’ll accomplish together in the months to come!
[log] => [format] => 3 [uid] => 34 [name] => bumblebeeman [picture] => files/pictures/picture-34.jpg [data] => a:11:{s:16:"captcha_solution";b:1;s:13:"captcha_token";s:32:"d3103abc75ffd1c87c1094a5374d231e";s:14:"validationdata";a:4:{s:7:"form_id";s:13:"user_register";s:10:"preprocess";b:1;s:6:"module";s:9:"recaptcha";s:4:"type";s:9:"reCAPTCHA";}s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:17:"mimemail_textonly";i:0;s:9:"mlm_lists";a:1:{i:53;i:0;}s:18:"admin_compact_mode";b:0;s:13:"select_avatar";s:0:"";s:14:"tinymce_status";s:4:"true";} [last_comment_timestamp] => 1281446733 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [files] => Array ( ) [epublish_abstract] => Letters and kudos for SEVEN Youth Media. )

stdClass Object ( [nid] => 1067 [vid] => 1235 [type] => story [status] => 1 [created] => 1281013738 [changed] => 1281446601 [comment] => 2 [promote] => 1 [sticky] => 0 [revision_timestamp] => 1281446601 [title] => In loving memory of Shannon Koostachin [body] =>

I am sad to announce the passing of an extraordinary youth activist and youth leader who came out of our territory in 2008 after having made a stand at 13 that she was looking for a better school and better educational standards for her community. Shannen Koostachin, 15, of Attawapiskat FN was tragically killed late on Monday, May 31 after a minivan she was travelling in as a passenger collided head on with a transport truck on Highway 11 in northeastern Ontario near New Liskeard where she was going to school. Shannen’s bid for a new school and better educational standards for her community won her the respect of many organizations provincially and nationally. She was even nominated by a child’s rights organization for the Child’s Nobel Peace Prize for the advocacy work she did. While her fight for a new school was ultimately won, Shannen had yet to see better educational standards that she wanted for First Nations youth implemented at the time of her death. She also never had the privilege of knowing what it’s like to walk down the hallway of an ordinary school in her First Nation. Rather, she attended school in a portable which froze up during the winter and which didn’t have conveniences like a gymnasium, library or labs for sciences or computers.  

In December 2009, INAC finally did agree to build a new school in Attawapiskat. All the hardship that Shannen and the community members put in had finally paid off. Shannen’s dream will one day be realized: they’re still working on details for the construction of the school right now.

Mom, without you, there would be no me. Your love, your attention, your guidance, have made me who I am. Without you, I would be lost, wandering aimlessly, ...without direction or purpose. You showed me the way to serve, to accomplish, to persevere. Without you, there would be an empty space I could never fill, no matter how I tried. Instead, because of you, I have joy, contentment, satisfaction and peace. Thank you, mom. I have always loved you and I always will. Kisahkahehtin Mistahey Mum. I miss you alot - ShanShann ♥

Shannen has taught a lesson to us all, and that is to never give up.  Shannen never thought of herself as a leader, but to all of us she was. 

Shannen was inspired by her older sister Serena to take on the government to win her community a school.

Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus, who fought alongside Shannen for the new school, attended her funeral service and even delivered a eulogy for Shannen, which was very moving and touching.  He said, “Shannen had the gift to keep driving forward regardless of the adversity. She believed so strongly in the need to improve the conditions for her younger brothers and sisters that she wasn’t afraid to speak up, to stand up and to fight. This is why we are so in debt to her.“

I admired the love Shannen had not only for her community but also for her parents.  Shannen had posted a note on her mother’s facebook page addressing it not only for her mother but for her father as well.  The words are incredibly written and you can feel what she was really saying, this respectively, would be Shannen’s last facebook note to her parents (at left).

I believe that Shannen was put on this earth for a reason, to fight for Attawapiskat. I am very honoured to have had Shannen Koostachin as my relative, and I couldn’t be any more proud to be an Attawapiskat First Nation member. Shannen was the voice of our community and her legacy will never be forgotten.

Thank you Shannen, for fighting for us. Rest in peace, fly high!
Alison KAYE
Seven Youth Advisory Committee Member

Donate online to the Shannen Koostachin Memorial Fund. The fund will help education projects for James Bay youth.
http://www.fncfcs.com/home.html

To donate follow the “donate now” link on the left side and put “Shannen Koostachin Memorial Fund” in the notes box.

Join the “Rest in Paradise Shannen “Shanshan” Koostachin” group and also the “Become a fan if you think the new school should be named after Shannen” group on Facebook.

[teaser] =>

I am sad to announce the passing of an extraordinary youth activist and youth leader who came out of our territory in 2008 after having made a stand at 13 that she was looking for a better school and better educational standards for her community. Shannen Koostachin, 15, of Attawapiskat FN was tragically killed late on Monday, May 31 after a minivan she was travelling in as a passenger collided head on with a transport truck on Highway 11 in northeastern Ontario near New Liskeard where she was going to school. Shannen’s bid for a new school and better educational standards for her community won her the respect of many organizations provincially and nationally. She was even nominated by a child’s rights organization for the Child’s Nobel Peace Prize for the advocacy work she did. While her fight for a new school was ultimately won, Shannen had yet to see better educational standards that she wanted for First Nations youth implemented at the time of her death. She also never had the privilege of knowing what it’s like to walk down the hallway of an ordinary school in her First Nation. Rather, she attended school in a portable which froze up during the winter and which didn’t have conveniences like a gymnasium, library or labs for sciences or computers.  

[log] => [format] => 3 [uid] => 34 [name] => bumblebeeman [picture] => files/pictures/picture-34.jpg [data] => a:11:{s:16:"captcha_solution";b:1;s:13:"captcha_token";s:32:"d3103abc75ffd1c87c1094a5374d231e";s:14:"validationdata";a:4:{s:7:"form_id";s:13:"user_register";s:10:"preprocess";b:1;s:6:"module";s:9:"recaptcha";s:4:"type";s:9:"reCAPTCHA";}s:7:"contact";i:0;s:14:"picture_delete";i:0;s:14:"picture_upload";s:0:"";s:17:"mimemail_textonly";i:0;s:9:"mlm_lists";a:1:{i:53;i:0;}s:18:"admin_compact_mode";b:0;s:13:"select_avatar";s:0:"";s:14:"tinymce_status";s:4:"true";} [last_comment_timestamp] => 1281446213 [last_comment_name] => [comment_count] => 0 [taxonomy] => Array ( ) [files] => Array ( ) [epublish_abstract] => I am sad to announce the passing of an extraordinary youth activist and youth leader who came out of our territory in 2008 after having made a stand at 13 that she was looking for a better school and better educational standards for her community. )