Nishnawbe Warrior

By Joesph Hugie, Kashechewan First Nation

My spirit flows along the shores of James Bay.
I was raised in a community called Kashechewan First Nation.
I am a warrior, fighting and struggling from alcohol and drugs.
These are the things I go through on my reserve, not enough jobs, activities.
I feel like I’m bored with nowhere to go.
When I am depressed and confused, I start to drink and do my drugs.
When I am high and drunk. I feel happy, just for the moment.
When I am sober, I have nowhere to go, except walk around in a circle, in a dike that was built.
When I am in trouble, I go to jail and do my time, and do it again.
When I am in jail, the only respect I know, is my fist.
When I am in jail, I think, but I don’t act.
When I am in jail, the warriors inside of me is always weak.
When I am in the bush, I am a warrior with a lot of respect.
When I am in the bush, I know who I am and know what to do.
When I am in the bush, I can see and know where I’m going.
When I am in the bush, I feel so happy, and my heart feels so peaceful.
When I am in the bush, I seek for answers, I always find them.
When I am in the bush, I respect the land, my people, the creator and everything around me.
When I am in the bush, I find myself, love and forgiveness to my parents.
This is my path, It may be hard, but living off the land is what make’s me strong and powerful.