ARTICLES BY Ernest Webb

The Ultimate Northern Conquest: Raid des Braves (or, You don’t have to be crazy but it helps)

On February 10 in Radisson, time trials will be held to determine the starting positions of the sixth edition of the Raid des Braves. The opening ceremonies and official start of the seven day race will also be in Radisson. With a length of 2,500 km, it is billed as ... read more ››

Melvin ‘The Mule” Murray: KickBoxer

A lot of kids who grow up, especially mixed bloods, either get beat up a lot or learn how to fight. Melvin Murray learned how to fight. Growing up in Prince George, B.C., was tough for Mel and his brother who are half Cree. “My brother looks more Native, he got ... read more ››

Jeannette Armstrong: Creative Voice

With knowledge passed down through the millenia within her, Jeannette Armstrong has the ability to enchant an audience during her readings of poetry. The knowledge is more than just things she knows, it is how she carries and passes it down. With knowledge comes power and Jeannette carries it well. ... read more ››

Aboriginal publishers meet for first time

An historic event took place at Vancouver B.C. August 17th to the 20th. It was the National Aboriginal Publishers Conference. It was the first gathering of its kind. It was presented by the En’owkin Center and Theytus Books, hosted by Simon Fraser University. Delegates involved in publishing came in from all over ... read more ››

Magic Revealed

I am honoured that she took the time to talk to The Nation. She is controversial. She is a scholar, a professor, an intellectual, a communicator, apoet and a fighter, above all else, she is Hawai’ian. Her beauty, power and magic embodies everything that she is and everything she does. Her ... read more ››

The nation’s guide to Montreal’s sights, sound and tastes

“You know what we like.” Those were the words my uncle said before I ordered the food. The food in question was Chinese. My Grandfather George was in town for a hospital visit – escorting him was my Uncle Simon. I had taken them to Chinatown for some Chinese Food. Exploring ... read more ››

Scalpers to dancers (Or from boos to cheers)

I remember documentaries about black people and their struggles. One thing which sometimes comes up is representation in the media, be it in the news, TV shows etc. One thing which sticks out in my mind is that there always were stereotypes of black people depicted in the various media ... read more ››

How Things Stay The Same

Walk a mile in your neighbours’ moccasins (or in this case hipwaders). Or you don’t know what you have until you lose it. My, how things stay the same as they change. Canada has been declared pirates by the European Union. They were criticized by the Europeans for acts of piracy. ... read more ››

When we were starving

The following is part of a series of interviews done with Job and Mary Bearskin. They were recorded in the spring of ’89. Both have since passed away. I am honoured that they felt they should take some time with me during those sessions. They were very patient with me. ... read more ››

The reports of our demise have been greatly exaggerated

Our offices have been plundered and violated by God knows who and themselves. A wave of shock went through our collective being when we found out “My God!” screamed our News Editor Alex Roslin. “My computer, my life’s work. It’s all gone!” “My editorial!” shouted Ernest, pain gushing from the ... read more ››

No rooms at the inn?

Larry House of Chisasibi has filed with the Quebec Human Rights Commission in Rouyn Noranda. His claim is against the Journey’s End Motel in Val d’Or. He claims discrimination was a factor when he was refused a room at the motel. House recounted that in December of ’94 after arriving into town ... read more ››

All Crees point with their lips

Crees can now merge on in to the superhighway, but there is a problem. We don’t have a car. We have a canoe. We have to turn that concrete highway into a river. That was the theme which returned time and time again during a two-day symposium in Montreal from Nov. ... read more ››

Our walking out

This is our walking out ceremony The Nation has been in existence for one year now. I never knew The Nation would develop into anything like this, much less make it to a year. I knew communication is an integral part of any society, but it really hit home when we were ... read more ››

Kashtin returns with Akua Tuta

CLAUDE MCKENZIE had problems with alcohol. He was at a party back in his home town of Maliotenam 800 km northeast of Montreal. That night, he drove his girlfriend home. On his way, he hit a teenage girl. She went into a coma. Rumours circulated that she might not live. ... read more ››

I want my swimming pool

I want my swimming pool. When I was a young kid. I loved going down to the shore to go swimming. Everyone would be there. As if the hot summer days lasted forever. Playing and swimming in the river were happy times for me. After swimming all afternoon, there’d be a ... read more ››

There’s a lot of work to be done

Robbie Dick Sr. is helping establish cultural programs and a Council of Elders with the help of his wife, Elizabeth. He was Chief of Whapmagoostui between 1976 to 1985, then from ’87 to ’92. He describes those years as “very educational and rewarding.” With his wealth of experience in the political arena ... read more ››

From the basement to the ballroom

There was recently a pow wow at the Sheraton Centre in the main ballroom. It was part of a conference field there. It is significant for me, because I see the progression and acceptance, if you will, of our culture as native people. t is an impressive room with big chandeliers, wall-to-wall ... read more ››

This space for rent

Well, actually it’s free. Here we are, issue # 20. I’ve usually done the editorials for this page. And I’ve run out of things to say… Actually I’m getting lazy. So we here at The Nation are inviting you to contribute. To contribute to The Nation and to your nation. We want ... read more ››

Cree people are very much alive

There is something beautiful that goes on each and every day. Especially in the hunting territories which are left intact. The richness of our heritage is very apparent, be it the land itself or our culture as a people. Contrary to what some people believe, the Cree people are very much ... read more ››

It is a time for definition

Coming back from Seal River, I had to check out The Nation like everyone else. As I opened it, I thumbed through to see what it “looked” like. Reading Romeo’s article (“To Vote or Not to Vote,” last issue, page 10) hit me pretty hard. It hit me in a way ... read more ››

Echoes Of A Proud Nation Pow Wow in Kahnawake

The Drummers Gilbert Cheechoo, lead singer – Earl Danyluk – Earl Danyluk Jr. In the 70s as younger men they went to the pow wows and gatherings and received teachings from the Elders and the people. Those teachings prompted them to start singing in 1974. In 1984, they were known as the ... read more ››

We live in a democracy, or do we?

It’s the eve of the elections for National Chief at the Assembly of First Nations. But I can’t participate. Neither can you. The Chiefs of the various nations vote the National Chief in during a conference. There are about 600 or so nations across Canada. That’s 600 votes out of ... read more ››

Find the Flag

At times people look toward symbols to bind them, sometimes to separate them. In the old days we didn’t need much. We knew who we were, where we came from and what we were all about. Americans have old glory, Canadians have the maple leaf, and Quebec has the fleur de ... read more ››

Freedom of the Press Means We Don’t Get Paid?

Q: How many band councillors does it take to change a light bulb? A: None, the chief likes to keep them in the dark. Heh heh heh, but seriously folks… It’s been six months since The Nation started (it seems like yesterday). Twelve issues later, we’re still rolling along. First, I want ... read more ››

A Memento of a Historic Gathering

Whenever Cree people get together for one reason or another, there is a special feeling. A feeling which everyone from the youngest children to the elders feel. It is very hard to describe. It’s one of those things which you have to be a part of to understand. It is a feeling ... read more ››

I Consider Myself Fortunate

She has seen the transition from the old to the new. She understands what an iiyou skwow is. She saw what her mother went through to raise her family. She knew the hardship. She knows what needs to be done to survive. She now has her family, putting into practice what ... read more ››