Human Mic: Mic Check!
Concerned Occupiers: Mic Check!
Human Mic: This is what democracy looks like!
Concerned Occupiers: This is what democracy looks like!

Or is it? You would be hard pressed to find a single soul in Attawapiskat First Nation that would agree with that.

As you may have read or heard in the media, the Attawapiskat First Nation located on the James Bay Coast in Ontario is in dire need – yet again – of proper housing as another cold Canadian winter sets in. However, one can only hope that this year will be different and move that agenda forward. I am writing this blog, not to offer solutions, because I know personally this has been an ongoing problem that persists from longer than I care to remember. I hope this rather to serve as a primer to bring new and old interested persons up to speed on the crisis. I believe I know of what I speak. Back in 1993 was the first time I visited the community while working for Wawatay Native Communication Society in Moose Factory. This was my introduction to working more or less independently as a video journalist and learned the issues. From then on, I had many opportunities to visit Attawapiskat during my three year tenure. Fast forward to last June. Again, I went along as a camera-person for a documentary team that wanted to bring the situation to light. Skeptical, yet curious I took on the task. In short it was nice to see some familiar faces and meet new folk from the community that carry on the struggle for a better future for the youth. Sadly, though, it was like I hadn’t missed a beat and found myself immersed in and exploring the same stories I had heard almost 17 years earlier. The situation brought to mine the Bruce Cockburn song The Trouble With Normal in which he postulates that Corporate interests and Third World will always clash. And if you have any doubts, I can attest that Attawapiskat is truly the Third World in our own back yard. Maybe it’s time to clean up our own back yard? With the proliferation of the Occupy movements here in North America who will speak for such a small population in a democratic country. Obviously, with such a tiny populous in a large country, they alone cannot sway the vote in their favor. However, as of late we have seen how social networks have served to level the playing field to a favorable degree, but yet the critical mass is still way out of reach. However, we do see with the media attention this story is now receiving – and rightfully so – the momentum is teetering and creeping toward the tipping point. Will the momentum be quashed once again by indifference? I for one hope not. Moreover, for whatever reason brought you to learn more and offer your support, I hope this effort generates dialogue for a much ignored problem and the powers that be note the paradigm is shifting. So with that said, I know it’s near impossible for many to physically Occupy Attawapiskat, we can certainly occupy it with support, good thoughts, prayers, donations and every imaginable means. It seem the plight of First Nation is the plight of all Occupy movements. Change is all that is asked.

Suddenly it’s repression, moratorium on rights
What did they think the politics of panic would invite?

And the local Third World’s kept on reservations you don’t see
“It’ll all go back to normal if we put our nation first”
But the trouble with normal, is it always gets worse.

~ The Trouble With Normal – Bruce Cockburn

Now by utilizing the above image, on might think that I am trying to be facetious, however, things can be further from the truth. Actually, the mock-up I did of the popular book for Dummies, I was tempted to replace ” for Dummies” with for Government. However, that would be unfair to one, Charlie Angus. The recent media attention that Attawapiskat is now getting can, in part, be credited to him and those individuals in the Attawapiskat willing to share their plight, thereby putting a face on this plight. Charlie Angus – MPP for Timmins James Bay in recent days has been leading a gallant campaign to both educate the general public and directing the rally cry toward the ears of the Feds, under whom First Nation are under their jurisdiction. His recent article ” Would if They Declared an Emergency and No One Came” appeared in the Huffington Post on-line on the 21st to start the ball rolling. This is as good a primer as can be offered up. Read the full article by clicking

here!

Following is the YouTube video of Charlie Angus’ recent visit to Attawapiskat First Nation. It’s a must watch to get the gravity of the story. In the video you meet a young mother living in a makeshift tent with her children, a young boy with terrible rashes, but most importantly see the deplorable housing situation. So, not only is this a housing issue, it is also a health issue and impending crisis in that regard. As a heads up, in the video, we learn that currently there are five families living in tents; 19 families living in sheds without running water; 35 families living in houses needing serious repair; 128 families living in houses condemned from black mould and failing infrastructure; 118 families living with relatives (often 20 people in a small home); there are 90 people living in a construction trailer. There’s a need for 268 houses just to deal with the immediate backlog of homelessness. Though the video is embedded in the preceding article, you can watch it here. You can cut and paste the url and share. I encourage that you do do that. Watch now!

Assuming you have watched the preceding video, what follows next if a video of Member of Parliament – Charlie Angus makes a plea to call on the Feds to attend to the crisis – three weeks after the community of Attawapiskat asked the Feds to attend to their self-proclaimed emergency.

What follows is a summation of the above video Media Release from the office of Member of Parliament, Charlie Angus asking ” Where is the Action Plan?”

WHERE IS THE ACTION PLAN? Angus says Ottawa and Queen’s Park Missing in Action in Attawapiskat -2011 11 21 – Press Releases

Today in Question Period, Charlie Angus called on both levels of government to help the residents of Attawapiskat. Angus says it’s been 3 weeks since a state of emergency was declared due to poor and lack of housing.

“Not a single official of the federal or provincial government has bothered to visit the community to see first-hand the deplorable conditions. Not even one aid agency has stepped forward.”

Angus says conditions are deteriorating every day. “Temperatures have dropped 20 degrees and are likely to drop even more very soon. Families in makeshift tents and un-insulated sheds with no hydro or water are facing immediate risk.”

Immediate risk is the language that is being used by medical officials in the area. Residents are at risk of infection, disease and fire.

Angus says children are using a bucket as a toilet. “This is unacceptable in a rich country like Canada. This is the same community that houses one of the richest diamond mines in the western world.”

Angus is calling on both levels of government, as well as national aid agencies, to work with Attawapiskat to respond to the crisis.

You can find the press release here.

So has the media been reacting? I know for one that the message is getting through. I’ve yet to see a mainstream story, with the exception of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network who had Mr. Charlie Angus on their newscast on Wednesday the 23rd. Apparently, the missing in action aid agencies that Mr. Angus complained about are set to step up to bat and are set to consult with the community to see what capacity they can serve. I’m speaking of the Red Cross incidentally.

You can find the interview in its entirety here.

So what happens next? My understanding is that Federal representatives of Aboriginal Affairs are scheduled to meet with Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat will meet in Thunder Bay today – today being November 24th, 2011, to announce some sort of strategy.

In conclusion, I hope that sheds some light and brings you up to speed on the crisis looming as the community of Attawapiskat prepares to confront yet another chilling winter. Who will occcupy? What you can do? I am aware that dialouge can be found on the recent facebook group called Attawapiskat- Making a Stand for our Children & our Elders. This can be found at this link. Log into your facebook and join a href=”https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123153503410
” target=”_blank”>here. Incidentally, this time two years ago an Elder named Sophie Spence did a 112km walk to raise awareness of the housing crisis which sadly went practically unnoticed in the media save for APTN and local media.

Also, I’ve noted dialogue is also happening at a new facebook group called Attawapiskat Housing Crisis – Fundraiser/ Awareness. You can ask to join here.

IMPORTANT – WHAT YOU CAN DO

You can write Members of Parliment. Both Provincial and Federal at these addresses to express your discontent and to let them know this situation is not acceptable. I found a recent editable note composed by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario that succinct and gets the message across effectively. Maybe use this as a guideline? I suggest you do so. It reads…

This action alert is to urge the federal and provincial governments to work together to immediately address the critical housing crisis currently taking place in Attawapiskat, Ontario.

As we mark the passing of another National Housing Day, Canada remains the only major industrialized country without a national housing program. The hardship faced by millions of Canadians who are living in adequate or unaffordable housing is disproportionately borne by Aboriginal people, racialized communities, women, people with disabilities, seniors, and other marginalized groups. Now is the time for you as our elected leaders to immediately address the emergency in Attawapiskat and work together to ensure that every Canadian’s right to housing is met.

I don’t have all the addresses but, many are at the Registered Nurses found here.

Also, there is also an online petition site you can add your name to regarding this issue. Apparently, the the person who posted this petition and monitoring it has asked for 5000 signatures. However, it has surpassed the 6000 mark and it set to be sent off to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, John Duncan on this day, November 24th. If you act now, you may still be able to add your name? The petition site is here.

Direct emails and letters can be forwarded to:

Office of the Prime Minister Honourable John Duncan
House of Commons Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca
E-mail: john.duncan@parl.gc.ca

Premier Dalton McGuinty Kathleen Wyne
Legislative Building Minister of Aboriginal Affairs
Queen’s Park 160 Bloor St. East, 4th floor
Toronto, ON M7A 1A1 Toronto, ON M7A 2E6

E-mail: minister.maa@ontario.ca”

THIS JUST IN. Posted November, 24, 2011. This would be of interest to Toronto residents and those in the GTA. Message pasted from Zainab Amadahy:

FYI: The Attawapikat First Nation on the James Bay Coast declared a state of emergency three weeks ago and the provincial and federal government has failed to answer them. ~ JOIN US FOR A PEACEFUL RALLY AT THE ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS AND NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IN TORONTO, 25 St.Clair Avenue East on Friday November 25, 2011 at12:00pm ~

Human Mic: Mic Check!
Concerned Attawapiskat Occupiers: Mic Check!
Human Mic: This is what democracy looks like!
Concerned Attawapiskat Occupiers: This is what democracy looks like!

Watch this space! Just as a closing remark. As is was with occupiers of UC-Davis, who by their physical presence as “Occupiers”, who where subjected to excessive force by one Lte. John Pike by being sprayed with pepper spray, that is not a likely a possibility if collectively the concerned occupy on social networks like fb and spread the message accordingly. So, with that, I think I need to explain that the image depicted below is not to meant to offend, but rather presented to shock and wake you that some are comfortable with maintaining the status quo without qualms. The kids depicted here represent the future of Attawapiskat, whom yet do not have a political mindset, nor should they. These kids, however, – for those who know of the Atttawapiskat story – only want what their parents and Elder want…a better life. It’s been my experience on the occasions that I’ve visited that the youth are self aware and have formed opinions at a far too young age of their situation. Not by choice, but for survival. In fact, I remember vividly walking down the muddy June streets of Attawapiskat on a bleak damp day when I happened across about seven youth – both boys and girls – gathered around a trampoline playfully bouncing on it and singing at the top of their lungs the words to Wavin’ Flag by K’NAAN. It was moving and touched me deeply. Did they know what they were singing? I think they did. If not now, then I hope soon. Thanks for the visit. Spread the word!

Out of the darkness, I came the farthest
Among the hardest survival
Learn from these streets, it can be bleak
Accept no defeat, surrender, retreat

When I get older I will be stronger
They’ll call me freedom just like a wavin’ flag

Wavin’ Flag – K’NAAN

UPDATE! UPDATE! – Friday November 25, 2011 – UPDATE! UPDATE!

On Thursday, Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat met with Federal representative of Aboriginal Affairs in Thunder Bay. It seems mixed messages were bantered around in the media as to a supposed $2 million dollar commitment. Read on…

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence maintained earlier Friday that aboriginal affairs representatives told her, during a meeting Thursday in Thunder Bay, that the government had pledged an additional $2 million on top of $500,000 that had already been committed.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan said Friday that no decision has been made to provide added funding to Attawapiskat to address a housing shortage, but his officials will travel to the northern Ontario reserve to ensure recent aid is being used effectively. “I’m saying we’ll send our people in to make some, help make some, decisions with the chief and council,”

Timmins-James Bay MP Charlie Angus, a member of the NDP, told reporters Friday that the problem is lack of funding for the community and not local governance. “At the root of the problem in Attawapiskat is chronic underfunding, the inability of the community to ever get to first base,” Angus added, “That has been the problem all along and the refusal of the federal government, previously under the Liberals and now under the Conservatives, to get serious about dealing with the massive infrastructure backlog that’s hitting Attawapiskat, that’s hitting other communities.”

For full story, go here.

On another note. The Red Cross is set to send representative to the community to consult with the community as to what capacity they can serve. Will update just as soon as soon as something concrete occurs. Right now the offer is on the table. It looks like a positive step in the right direction though. Also, aid is offered from other parts of the globe, including Haiti! Stay tuned!

And finally, Musician and actor Tom Jackson visited the CBC’s The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos to weigh in on the desperate living conditions in Attawapiskat.

“We have to say to them. If you don’t save the life of my child…then I’m not willing to vote for you.”

Canadian Red Cross to support immediate needs in Attawapiskat

(TORONTO, November 26, 2011) – The Canadian Red Cross is mobilizing to help meet immediate needs in the community of Attawapiskat. The Red Cross continues to work closely with public authorities and the community to identify and address urgent, short-term needs. At the request of the community the Red Cross will also take on a donation management role to support these needs as identified.

“We have been working closely with public officials and Chief Theresa Spence to assess needs, determine the best course of action and how the Red Cross may be able to provide support,” says John Saunders, provincial director of disaster management for the Canadian Red Cross in Ontario.

According to Saunders, some of the needs currently identified include generators, heaters, insulated sleeping mats, blankets and winter clothing.

“Chief Spence has asked that the Red Cross provide support with donation management as the community has been inundated with offers of assistance,” says Saunders. “We are continuing to work closely with Chief Spence to identify what is needed immediately and make arrangements to get supplies into the community as soon as possible.”

Financial donations may be made online at www.redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111 or through your local Canadian Red Cross office. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Attawapiskat” and can also be mailed to the Canadian Red Cross, Ontario Zone, 5700 Cancross Court, Mississauga, ON, L5R 3E9.

Source document can be found here.

*****UPDATE**** NOVEMBER 30, 2011 *****UPDATE*****

So it appears mainstream has latched on to the story of Attawapiskat as did the public this week. Also, with the Red Cross and some media are on the ground, pictures and video are now making their way on to the screens across the country and around the world depicting the deplorable living conditions here in Canada’s own Third World. Moreover, Now that the outcry from the general public is gaining momentum, so has the “spin” in the media by those that are perceived as to being to blame. Here are just a few articles that caught my eye this week. First and foremost to feel the brunt of the outrage has been the Feds. PM Harper is first out of the gate to defend that his party have put 90 million toward the community in 6yrs saying that is $50,000 for every man, woman and child in the community. Read more here.

“Obviously, we are not very happy that the results do not seem to have been achieved for that. We are concerned about that. We have officials looking into it and taking action,” ~ Prime Minister Harper

Also, taking a hit by the general public, is DeBeers, the richest diamond mine corporation in the world, which lies adjacent to Attawapiskat. Most wonder why is there no help from this giant corp who seems to be benefiting most from diamonds extracted from land that is essentially leased from the community. However, this is a
very complex issue that is need of education. Today, Tom Ormsby, Director of External & Corporate Affairs for De Beers came to the corporation’s defense explaining an Impact Benefit Agreement between the community and deBeers. Here is a letter I happened across. It reads as follows:

My name is Tom Ormsby and I’m the Director of External & Corporate Affairs for De Beers Canada. Before relocating to our head office, I was also a part of the senior management team that took the Victor Mine through construction and into operations and I have been involved with the community for a number of years in my role. In fact, I am in the community again this week as we have our second annnual career fair for students and community members tomorrow. Tonight we’re hosting a community social with traditional drummers and dancers and the Chief is among the dancers. For the past week, I’ve had in-person and phone meetings with Charlie Angus concering the current housing crisis in the community. We met again today when he was in the community.Like you – we have concerns about the housing situation in Attawapiskat First Nation, as the largest portion of our workforce comes from the community, which is a fly-in/fly-out community located 90 kilometres from the mine. Our company maintains a presence in the community with a two-person office (where I’m currently working from) and a training facility where we fly our training team in to conduct regular training programs with community members.To help with some background on our activities in the community, the Victor Mine was originally discovered in 1987. Since then, we have been working with the community through the various stages of exploration, advanced exploration, the feasibility study, the environmental assessment, construction starting in 2006 then operations starting in July 2008. At each stage of that development, a variety of agreements were put in place with the community to ensure their participation and local benefits. In November 2005 after three years of negotiation, a comprehensive Impact Benefit Agreement (IBA) was reached between De Beers Canada and Attawapiskat First Nation. That agreement includes specific compensation and protocols to ensure Attawapiskat First Nation is the primary beneficiary of benefits available during the construction, operation and closure of the Victor Mine. Compensation includes items such as training, employment, business opportunities and direct financial compensation. The agreement also outlines our requirements and commitments in non-financial areas such as the environment and local cultural activities and practices. This agreement was voted on and ratified by the community in November 2005 before we began the construction of the Victor Mine. Under the IBA, a series of joint management committees were established to oversee the execution of the agreement.In 2009, a sewage backup in Attawapiskat displaced nearly 100 people. Although we had only been in operation for one year, we flew crews and project managers into the community at our expense to reconfigure previously donated multi-unit trailers into emergency housing for those displaced by the situation. These trailers are the same type still being used today by a number of our own employees at our mine, which is also fly-in/fly-out. Working with the community over a period of a couple of weeks, we were able to complete that project just before the first snow. The value of the trailers combined with the costs to deliver them to the community, redesign and install them totaled more than $3 million – a cost covered by De Beers Canada.In 2009/2010, De Beers Canada funded consultant work on behalf of Attawapiskat First Nation so the community could undertake a comprehensive study into their housing situation. This work included identifying the housing needs and deficiencies as well as the development of a plan for the community to address its housing shortage. Our understanding is that this was later submitted by Attawapiskat First Nation to the federal government.These two major activities were over and above the formal commitments we have in our IBA. De Beers Canada is continuing to work with the community through the IBA to ensure we maximize benefits to the community. Since the start of construction, over $325 million in contracts have been awarded to solely owned or joint venture companies run by the community. Just this year alone, contracts awarded to the community total $51 million. Earlier in this note I referred to the training facility we are operating in the community. In fact, this was the second training facility that we constructed and donated to the community at a combined cost of almost $2 million. The community runs the other facility. Every year for more than five years, we have been purchasing and delivering new books to every child in the community from kindergarten to Grade 12 as part of a program to grow literacy and education levels in the community. We also have in place a scholarship program. In support of the efforts for a new school, we donated project trailers, helped the community review a design proposal and offered our project management expertise. These efforts can help reduce some of the key start-up costs in the construction of a new school. Although the Victor Mine is a small mine by both physical size and production (in fact it is the smallest diamond mine in Canada with the shortest life-of-mine of the four existing diamond mines in Canada), we are proud of the commitment of our team to all of our community partners – including Attawapiskat First Nation – in just three years of operation. I hope this information is helpful to you and provides you some assurance that De Beers Canada is committed to maximizing the benefits for our community partners in Attawapiskat First Nation and across the country in our other areas of operation. Since the earliest stages of our relationship, the community has made it quite clear to us that our role is not to become involved in matters that are under the jurisdiction of the community and other levels of government. When community issues arise outside the IBA or our direct responsibility such as housing, we will continue to work with our partners to play whatever support role our resources and expertise allow.If you would any additional information, please feel free to contact me directly and I would be happy to follow up.All the best,Tom OrmsbyDirector, External & Corporate AffairsDe Beers CanadaSuite 900, 250 Ferrand DriveToronto, On416 645 1710, ext 2151tom.ormsby@debeerscanada.com

So, the gloves are off, fingers are pointing and fur seems to be flying. We will see how thing unfold? Moreover, despite the crux of this media flurry was initiated by the immediate housing crisis, it appears the residents of Attawapiskat are taking advantage of the media attention to bring to light many of the other social ills that plague this small community. The local First Nation Band Office seems to be “occupied” as it were. Stay tuned1

So as the Feds, province and the community meet to attend to immediate needs of the community some others think the best solution is to simply shut the community down. Uhm, yeah that oughta work!

No Canadian politicians will say it, but the only solution for places like Attawapiskat is to stop subsidizing their existence. While inhabitants should not be forced from their homes, they should not be provided with a taxpayer-funded incentive to stay in destitute areas. Instead, the money should be used to resettle inhabitants in less remote places, where a new generation of aboriginals actually has a chance to live the Canadian dream.

Read full article printed in today’s National Post here.

And this just in! The Conservatives have now chosen to put Attawapiskat under “third party management”, which essentially means they are taking the financial reigns from the community. Moreover, they are launching an investigation into looking into recent audits and following the paper trail to see where the money went. All $90 million of it! Stay tuned! Read on. Source via the Globe and Mail found
here.

*** UPDATE *** December 1, 2011 *** UPDATE ***

Further to my last posted update yesterday. Obviously, with the announcement that Attawapiskat has now been place under third party management by the Feds, Chief Thersa Spence is livid and suspects that by this action the Feds are sending the message to other First Nations ” embarass us and look what will happen”. Timmin James Bay MP, Charlie Angus is of the same mind. At to where the $90 million went, asks PM Harper? Well apparently someone is not doing his/her job because the Fed have someone in the community to co-manage the finances of the community. That person should have sent red flags a long time ago, given that person is to report back intermittently. Moreove, it’s been reported that the Feds have visited the community no less than 10 times this year. Apparently, blindly, because no one person apparently never note while there that maybe there was a housing crisis? Anyways, links to more on this…

Where the $90 million went. A comprehensive analysis by someone more informed and competent than I. Harper said Attawapiskat got $90 million, where did it all go!? Read on here!

Federal officials visited Attawapiskat 3 times in October, triggered no red flags on housing View article here!

“Their solution is to blame the community. Why is it when a First Nation community is in distress does this government’s response is in contempt.” ~ Charlie Angus MP Timmins-James Bay

“Unlike the party opposite when it was in government, this government is prepared and determined to ensure results with those funds. That is why the people of Canada placed the Liberal party under third-party management.” ~ PM Harper

Full article for above topic and quote can be found here!

So, the partisan gloves are on. The passion of all players are peaked and the nation and much of the world is watching. Watch this space.

Finally, today, Assembly of First Nation Chief Shawn Atleo is scheduled to meet with PM Harper in the afternoon. Atleo: Time to stop “finger-pointing” on Attawapiskat and “smash the status quo”

Article and video here!

RE: Latest developoment as of my time of posting today. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Duncan is now pointing the finger at Angus accusing him of not informing him of the deplorable and looming housing crisis. He claims he only became aware of the crisis October 28th in a recent CBC interview, immediately contradicting himself telling CBC they’ve been attending to Attawapiskat by having had his representative visit at least 10 times since April this year. Media now chastising him for this BIG faux pas. In the House of Commons today, when asked, he staying the course and reading directly off a prepared script. In other news. Nothing regarding the meeting with PM Harper and National Chief Atleo. Stay tuned. This is sure to be a long drawn out “knock ‘em down, drag ‘em out, no holds-barred fight”. Things are really heating up. Stay tuned! Err wait….Just found!

The interviews with both Duncan [left] and Angus [right] who coincidentally meet on a stairwell in the House of Commons as CBC reporter, Julie Van Deusen, corrals them both in a scrum. In between interviews, Angus takes a verbal jab at Duncan with words something to the affect that Angus is putting Duncan on notice of the Attawapiskat crisis and to not be caught flat-footed. Video can be found here.

*** UPDATE **** December 2, 2001 *** UPDATE ***

Chief of Attawapiskat speaks via a Press Release for public consumption to the position of the First Nation being placed under third-party management to effectively “decapitate” the communtiy – figuratively speaking -as Charlie Angus has expressed. Some quotes highlights are as follows:

“The taxpayers of Ontario and Canada should be made aware that the majority of the $94M received to support the Attawapiskat First Nation over that past six years from Aboriginal Affairs does not remain or circulate in our community. The majority of these funds go to support the greater economy of Northern Ontario and Canada for goods, materials, services, contractors, legal advice and auditing services to mention a few, which in turn support urban northern communities such as Timmins, Sudbury, Sault Ste Marie, Thunder Bay, North Bay, Toronto, Kenora and Winnipeg to name a few. The majority of these firms are non Aboriginal tax-payers.”

“On our traditional lands, that we once shared in the past with the visitors to our land, our lands, have proven to be bountiful in natural resources, and have been a benefit to all of Ontario, and Canada, but we were left behind. In our territory, we have a world class diamond mine, the pride of the Canadian, and Ontario governments, as well as De Beers Canada. They have every right to be proud of that mine, but…While they reap the riches, my people shiver in cold shacks, and are becoming increasing ill, while precious diamonds from my land grace the fingers, and necklaces of Hollywood celebrities, and the mace of the Ontario Legislature.”

For the full Press Release, visit here.

What follows is a clip from yesterday’s scrum outside the House of Commons. Many of the pressing issues in regards to the Feds response to the housing crisis are posed and answered here by a passionate and charged Charlie Angus.

“What they’re going to do in Attawapiskat. They’re going to move people into this hockey arena. You know what this hockey areana is? It’s not like a hockey arena that Tony Clement builds. This is a shed with ice. Their solution is that they’re going to take families and put them in a shed with ice. There is no showers there. There is no adeqate heating and then they’re going to walk away on them because there is no plan. You haven’t heard a single word from them that they are going to have a long-term housing solution.” Link directly to quote by clicking here.

On Prime Minister’s focus on the alleged missing $90 million.

“I think Mr. Harper did a very calculated move. He basically blew the dog whistle for certain basic Canadians. He said, “Bad Indians. Taxpayers dollars.” He didn’t have to say anything more. The day that they misrepresented the money. That they exagerrated the way it was being spent. That they didn’t tell Canadians that there is online audits. What that says to his base is “Damn right! Be hard on them.” But what I’m hearing from the rest of Canadians is ” This is a humanitarian tragedy of epic proportions. Why is that the government is at this point blaming the victim lying on the ground? Saying, you know what? We are going to punish you even further. If there are questions about finances? Sure! But nobody ever stops in the Red River in the middle of a flood and says “Hey! How come we’re throwing this money at your communities that keep flooding? No they don’t say that. All Canadians rally. All Canadians help out. But, when it’s one of our communities in the North, when it’s First Nation kids it’s like ” Hey! What did you do with our taxpayers dollars? That speaks volumes I think for the subtle, less than subtle message that’s given out here. It’s the politics of division.” Link directly to quote by clicking here.

Watch full scrum below. Running time is 5m59s

More later folks. Thanks for the visit!

Clarence Michon is a broadcast journalist and filmmaker who has worked primarily on issues pertaining to Canada’s First Nation affairs. He has worked extensively along the Eastern James Bay coast including the community of Attawapiskat on many occasions. Link directly to quote by clicking here.

*** UPDATE *** DECEMBER 8, 2011 *** UPDATE***

WOW! Busy week, both personally and with this story. Anyways, I’ve been following and there’s is just so much happening it’s hard to keep up. In any event, here are the highlights of the week that caught my attention.

This week many Chiefs under the umbrella of the Assembly of First Nations met in Ottawa for National meeting. Big on the agenda was the Attawapiskat situation. The chiefs voted unanimously in favour of a motion that calls for, among other things, first nations to stand behind Attawapiskat and its leadership and for the membership of the Assembly of First Nations to ask the United Nations to monitor Canada’s actions. Moreover, a small assembly of Chiefs marched to Parliment Hill demanding a meeting with the Feds and threating action for future blocks directed at existing pipelines benefitting from resources on First Nation’s land. The term “resource sharing” seemed to be the rallying chant for the day. Once at the Parliment’s Centre Block, , they met with Charlie Angus, but their peaceful demonstration was circumvented when the RCMP arrived to whisk them from the steps to the Parliment. Cheif Theresa Spence forewarned that “This is only the beginning, only the beginning, this is a warning to the government that we are going to be more aggressive, that we are going to do it together,” It appears, come Spring Chiefs west of Ontario promise to circumvent Article and video can be found here.

“Canada saw for the first time last week what we see every day … This is a national disgrace. We have reason to feel angry and betrayed…The way forward is based on respectful treaty implementation and an equitable share of resources from [first-nations] land, not imposed punitive unilateral action.” ~ Shaun Atleo,National Chief – The Assembly of First Nations

Jacques Marion, the man selected by the government to step in and take over the handling of the roughly $17-million that flows annually from Ottawa to the reserve, was told to go home when he turned up in Attawapiskat on Monday. Apparently, he continues to work remotely representing the consulting firm BMO and charges $1500 a day.

MP Timmims James Bay responded “What they’ve done is taken $300,000 out of this band’s limited budget for political cover to pay for the mistakes of an incompetent minister…They have to shut down programs to pay for this guy.” ~ Charlie Angus – MP Timmins James Bay

Read on here.

“We need to stop building crap. It’s as simple as that.” ‘The smartest thing we can do is to teach the First Nations how to do it.’

Words spoken by Canada’s most famous — and outspoken — home renovator, Mike Holmes. He went on to elaborate that the solution to the First Nations housing crisis is remarkably simple. Full article here.

15 modular homes on the way! Window dressing? Band Aid solution. Justification for 3rd Party Management? Read on here.

Incidentally, it is expected Mike Holmes will make an appearance at the AFN National Cheifs meeting. However, no details available to the specifics of that meeting are as of yet.

Also, the Red Cross has announced that December 8th will be their last day of involvment of the crisis, citing they have done what within their capacity to do in the short-term by seeing those most in need requirements have been met. They also promise to monitor the situation and are readily available should further need of assistance arise. Full article New Release
here.

That’s it for the moment. G’day and thanks for the visit. Stay tuned. And just as a sign-off I included the following video depicting RAMBO as Indian] NDN Rambo in a scene from the ending of First Blood. Not to belittle the seriousness of Attawapiskat’s plight, but to sort of parody the ridiculousness of the inaction of the government.

*** UPDATE *** Decemeber 14, 2011 *** UPDATE ***

Seemingly, things have slowed down. However the media has certainly maintained the coverage thanks to the many good grassroots who have been feeding this to the media. With the third party in place and purchasing modular homes and Chief Theresa Spence being unrelenting in her comments toward that avenue and comments directed at Aboriginal Affairs Minister, Duncan, this game is not over. More about the short-term modular home “solution” from a reaction by Chief Spence here.

Also, I recently read article in the UK, Finland, Australia etc..press. It’s an international affair and this is going to play out on an international media “scrum”. From every “wing” left and right of center, people seem to know the answer. However, seemingly, little is being done in terms of the long term. Christmas is upon us. Politics will take a break, yet the crisis goes on. In any event, this meeting Thursday? Who knows the outcome? All’s I know is that the Government of Canada does not bring coal to the table, as opposed to a a more positive solution. I know quit fixes or “gift” is going to make this go away for Duncan, who more by the day seems Duncan is set to be the “fall guy”? Just my observations. In closing, it’s been learned DeBeers sewage affluent was a contributor to the sewage fail of a couple years back. Moreover, the Chief is threatening to sue reports the Aboriginal Television Network.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan will meet face-to-face with Chief Theresa Spence this Thursday, in an attempt to clarify Ottawa’s role in resolving the housing crisis in Attawapiskat.

The meeting will take place in Thunder Bay, Ont., instead of in Ottawa or on the northern Ontario reserve.

Duncan and Spence previously met with one another last week, but the Attawapiskat chief left unsatisfied when the minister refused to budge on imposing third-party management on her reserve.

The minister later drew fire from Spence when he claimed that band leaders were ready to work with the government appointee who is tasked with handling the day-to-day finances of the reserve.

Spence said she never agreed to third-party management in Attawapiskat and later called for Duncan’s resignation. She has also threatened to sue Ottawa over the third-party management issue.

More here.

Time is of the essence here. Stay tuned.

Here are the smiling happy folks involved. As part of the training we were schooled in the fundamentals of filmmaking by veteran filmmakers whom acted as mentors. The last two days culminated with the participants breaking up in to teams of 4-5 with a Mentor. In all, three teams were created. Incidentally, this photo-op presented itself, when during one of our sessions, smoke started billowing out the adjoining kitchen. Hence the firetruck!

The training btw, took place in Thunder Bay at the Finn Hall located on Bay Street above the world-famous Hoito Restaurant. Quite enjoyed this venue as it presented me the opportunity to tinkle the ivories on an old upright piano on stage during breaks. Moreover, plenty of good eats were catered to us by the good folks at the Hoito. Yum!

Aforementioned, the last days were reserved for shooting and editing a short film of 5-7 minutes length – all within about a 30 hr period! Groups were formed and we had to come up with a pitch. My group consisted of all the talented folks named at the end of the following video. Luckily, we had an enthusiastic and ambitious group, one of which was Phoebe who offered up her story relating to prescription pill addiction. With little discussion, we settled on telling her story. With some scrambling, we all settled into positions we were comfortable with. Our mentor was Kelly Saxberg, who was gracious in driving, toting stuff and advising us upon request. For folks who barely knew each other at the beginning of the week, we gelled as a group! As it is with most productions, magic and synchronicity became an ally despite the challenging circumstance presented. A big kudos to Phoebe for her allowing us to tell her story as part of this exercise. An important message for all. Perhaps, someone seeing this will realize there is hope and a way out from the grip of addiction. Hope this video serves as an inspirational story, and again, thanks to Phoebe for sharing.

I suppose I can go on in a long drawn out blog, but I think we are most are well aware that this prescription pill problem is a steadily increasing situation of concern, not only on many northern reserves, but in all communities and is having detrimental affects. If you were not aware of this, as I was until recently until I attended a small gathering at our local Friendship Centre as a journalist. It was there I heard many personal stories from visiting addicts and agencies alike involved in contending with this sweeping epidemic. I know locally, and in my community, places like our Friendship Centre and First Nation umbrella organizations like Mattawa and Nishnawbe Aski Nation and the like are making positive steps in contending with this problem. So as it is with the social ills heaped upon us, it will not happen overnight, but awareness and strides to coping and healing are being attended to. For many Methadone Clinics offer solutions. You can learn more here!
of the situation in the Thunder Bay Region. As many who still grapple with their addictions and attached stigma, I don’t think ostracizing individuals is not assisting in the fight to combat the problem, but rather supporting those seeking help should be commended on their bravery. In closing, thanks for the visit perhaps its best I quote Phoebe in saying in the video ” There’s a light that you have to sort of hold on to. To say that PAIN is sort of worth dealing with and there’s a lot of people in a lot of PAIN.”

Take care all and good health to you and yours.

Clarence

P.S.S. One shocking thing I learned was the absorbent prices of prescribed opiate based pills, especially Oxycotin. An 80mg would run you $80 in Thunder Bay, $180 for the same pill in Geraldton – just 3 hours NE on Highway 11 and anywhere between $280-$380 is the going rate for fly-in reserves North of Geraldton. Apparently 80mg can keep you high most of the day. In any event, how is this affordable is beyond me? It really is a perplexing mystery.

P.S.S. Just as a sidebar, I was glad to lend one of my original tunes to the video. The song is called “Who Stole The Fire From Your Eyes”, a song I wrote in Moose Factory in 1994. I had never forseen it ever being utilized in this context, however, while digitizing the video for editing in Final Cut Pro, as an experiment Kelly, her husband Ron and I were listening to the tune and we thought out that perhaps “it just might work?” After consulting the rest of the team, we settled on it. You can find the full demo of the mp3 here!

P.S.S.S. DocsNorth Team: Phoebe Sutherland, Clarence Michon, Kelly Saxberg, Brendan Petersen, Rowena Moonias and Alethea Arnaquq-Baril

It’s evident, a great day on the lake was had by all! Special thanks to our Captain, and my cousin, Harold who made it all possible and made my parents anniversary that much more memorable. Also, along for the ride were my siblings Ernest, Brian, Bernadette and Vivian, along with her son Lennox. Also, in attendance were my cousin Dorothy and her husband Gilbert.

Depicted above is a painting by my very talented brother Brian, who painted this on the occasion of my folks 50th anniversary. It won him much recognition as a renowned portrait painter in a Canada-wide portrait contest. To learn more about his work, you can visit his blog here!

Incidentally, three generation – well now four – given my nephew was along for the ride, have enjoyed the magnificent scenery and the flora and fauna that surround this large freshwater lake. This is the lake the original inhabitants – the Ojibway – once called Animbiigoong, meaning ” waters that extends [over the horizon].” Though some sources claim the name may also be translated as ‘deep, clear water”. In my estimation, both apply. In any event, my grandfather fished the lake back in the day when commercial fishing was thriving. Though thought of as a reserve, Rock Bay was actually a good mixture of both Aboriginal and persons of European decent that partook in the economy of the lake during its heyday as a fishing village. Many of the Europeans, btw were of Nordic extraction.

And finally, credit for the music can be attributed to Mike Hardy, a former Rocky Bay/ MacDiarmid resident, who grew up with my Dad. I recently was given an old cassette that I turned into a CD and when I was looking for music for this short film, I thought this to be appropriate. My father, who is a great guitar picker himself would have also been appropriate, but I’m saving that for a later production. Incidentally, it is said, that in order to be accepted into the community, you pretty well had to have some musical talent. A guitar, fiddle, accordion and even a good knowledge of the spoons were your passport into the community. Cause after a long week of fishing on the lake the weekend provided ample opportunity for kitchen parties were musical jams abounded – along with sipping on Grandad’s Hooch! That’s all for now! Hope you enjoyed your visit!

SOME FACTS

- Often referred to as Canada’s sixth Great Lake, Lake Nipigon has a total area (including islands within the lake) of 4,848 km2 (1,872 sq mi)

- The lake is noted for its towering cliffs and unusual green-black sand beaches composed of the fine particles of a dark green mineral known as pyroxene.

- The French Jesuit first visited the area as early as 1667.

- The main line of the Canadian National Railway runs to the north of the lake at Armstrong. Another branch, now defunct – The Kinghorn/ CNR runs through Macdiarmid/ Rocky Bay.

- The first nations CBC TV series Spirit Bay was filmed on the lake at Macdiarmid/ Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishnabek First Nation Reserve in the mid-1980s.

*This Just In* This Just In* This Just In*

Joggers Blog – Stardate August 22, 2011

Well until today, I have been an aspiring 1/2 Marathon Runner. Today, I can proclaim that I am indeed a 1/2 Marathon Runner. It’s a distance of 21km or 13 miles. However, I write this not totally out of joy. Read on if you will? This morning – I don’t know why – but I got up earlier than usual. Somewhere shortly before 6 a.m. I felt unusually spry and invigorated, ready to take on the day! All was well and good. So good in fact that I felt what I need to do was to go out and complete a task I’ve been wanting to do after a year of training. That, of course, was to do my first ever 1/2 marathon. I was looking to head out at about 8:30ish. After a few javas and enjoying my National Public Radio broadcasts I switched over to CBC Radio One. No sooner than I had tune in, the new broke that Jack Layton had died after a courageous battle with the disease. Not ashamed to say, but I did shed a tear. I know how it touches families, including my own. With condolences sent, and having read the many heartfelt bestowed in his honor during the course of the morning, my feeling ebbed and flowed between grief and anger. My thoughts also turned to my 2nd cousin who I believe just completed yet another round of chemo – much too young to have to do so. So, without rambling on for too long, I went about doing chores and my thoughts turned back to my intent to jog first thing today. And that’s what I did! ” I remember a tweet I read today saying “cancer sucks” and it truly does! With those thoughts, I took that anger and went out and completed my first ever 1/2 marathon. My thoughts and prayers to those families who have to contend with losses and the struggles this terrible disease presents. God bless!

Clarence

P.S. You can read on if you’re so inclined to learn this is one of the reasons I turned back to jogging. Thanks for the visit.

Well it’s been a year since I first got back into running. It’s been too many years. So many, I can’t even say it has been in “recent memory”. I think, perhaps, it has been since shortly after high school. WOW,that’s eons! In any event, I was reflecting today upon this past year since re-boosting my running career. Pun aside, I have made some great strides in my running ambitions. In fact, for those who read posts on Twitter or facebook, I periodically do post status updates pertaining to these “strides”. With on mere weeks, my newest ambition and goal is fast approaching. You see – come September 18th – I’ll be running my first ever official half-marathon in Thunder Bay Ontario. “Why only half Clarence?” you ask. Hey, I said I was ambitious, not crazy! However, having stated that, perhaps by next year I’ll in fact have turned crazy to that. Time will tell. So, just how far along have I got this year? Read on and learn. As they say…

MY FIRST STEP

In any event, it was about this time last year I was reflecting on my health to which I felt was good overall, in terms of mind and spirit. However, the “body” part of that popular trio seemed to have inflicted some anxiety on my psyche. Alarms went off, as it were. As per my general health, I believe all to be fine internally. In fact, I’m pretty sure I do have the cleanest lungs possible, because I never have smoked. Other organs, quite good too methinks. Well, maybe aside from my liver which may need some further speculation, but that would be a whole ‘nother blog! Anyways, the long and short of it, is that I had assessed that I could stand to lose a few pounds. I was 208. Not the heaviest I had ever been, but getting up there. More alarm bells sounded! It was almost immediately I started to diet. That meant a few lifestyle adjustments. In short order, I was able to lose 10lbs. How? Well first off, I simply by cut out my 2L-a-day pop addiction. Following that, I felt I still needed to make myself accountable to someone to keep me on the straight and narrow. So, in turn, I marched myself to the local Friendship Centre which conveniently had a Program that was tailored for people with health concerns like mine and other matters. As a part of the program, I did a weigh-in and calculated my BMI [Body Mass Index} To no surprise, I was overwieght and nipping at the heels of obesity! 26 BMI btw, wit 30 being obese. Yikes! So, I signed up. Thereby, now committing me to continue on my quest for a healthier me. If you dare to, a good BMI Calculator can be found here!

MY FIRST JOG

As a part of my new healthy regiment, I had to employ other things beside what I have always done. So, I looked at what I could also do beside the physical activities I was already doing. I have always, and continue to walk and cycle on a regular basis. Snowshoe avidly in winter and come curling and skating. Well the only thing then was jogging. "Could I still do this?" I asked myself. "Well let's see Clarence let's see." I answered to myself. Then I began to plot a file like a prisoner planning his escape. With that, I went set off upon my first jog. Not even knowing how far I could go I donned some jogging gear and headed toward the golf course, not but 2.5 km down the road. I have to tell you, I was having second thoughts about this whole new idea after the first kilometre by the "Old Arena Rd.". Yet, I fought that first bit of angst and carried on. Surprisingly, thing got worse! Silly me thinking it would get easier. Moreover, I was now approaching the small grade hill leading to the golf coarse. That grade killed me, but what kept me going was the haunting voice of my former gym teacher, Mr. Amm calling out to me. "Keep them arms up Clarence. The arms, keep them UP!" As I did then, I mustered the strength to get my arms up and pump them more vigorously. What seemed and eternity, I reached the crest of the hill. Looking around, seeing no traffic, I raised my arms in the air like Stallon after have completed his run up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum the top of the stairs in ROCKY whilst "Gonna Fly Now" seemily floated in on the prevailing South wind. It was "fight" of sort, thus, I felt I deserved a good rest after that initial grueling 2km jog. So, I did.

Now it was time for my return. This time, however, down hill. Unexpectedly though I encountered yet another ghost from the past. It was Stanley Pete. Stanley was a neighborhood kid, a few years older than I, that grew up in our “hood”. Stanley was a lanky red-head teen dude, who was known and admired for his avid running abilities. I recall how he had run that hill and beyond daily. No one really knew how far he went. But, as kids, we raised him to hero status and would guess. “Probably to the Park” someone would postulate, only to be out-guessed. “No way! All the way to the Forestry Base I bet” someone else would pipe up. Only to be out done by another ” You Dinks! He goes to Longlac everyday!” “Oh yeah.” we all agreed in unison. With those thoughts fresh in my thoughts I conjured a mirage of Stanley running up the hill toward me now in the approaching darkness. His image nearer now, then the apparition soon passed on by. “Hey Stanley.” I nodded as I turned my head to see him fade into the shadows. To this day, on each subsequent run, I do on most days still see Stanley or hear Mr. Amm. On those days, I need it most, I see and hear both. In addition to the wise words that call out from the past, I also employ the use of my mp3 player. of the many tunes I have there, I found my current pace in perfect syncopation whenever Don Henley’s ” Boys of Summer” Comes on. One of my favorite influences as a songwriter too. So, doubly inspiring. So, for your listening pleasure…

JOGGING TODAY

As I mentioned previously, I’ve been jogging close to a year. As you recall, my my first grueling 5k run with a longish pit stop half way. Today,however, my longest run is at 83 minutes non-stop at a distance of 16k. Moreover, there is 30lbs less of me. My goal, for this year, will be concluded as I set out to complete my first ever half-marathon. A distance of 21km. I’m hoping for a projected time of around 100 minutes. Not too unrealistic I’m thinking.

Learn more here about Also, result times posted FYI.

This is to take place on September 18th in Thunder Bay, as mentioned, which coincidentally coincides with The Terry Fox Run. As you may be aware, Thunder Bay was where Terry sadly had to conclude his Marathon of Hope. In addition to this being a personal ambition, I am also looking to run to have my proceeds of sponsors directed to Dilico Anishinabek Family Care. Moreover, in recognition of the event being associated with the Terry Fox Run, I’ll also be running for those families, including my own family members who have passed – in addition – to those who continue to courageously take on their struggle with Cancer. So come September 18th, I know I won’t be running alone. Physically, yes, I there will be the many participants. More importantly though my thoughts will be those families with Dilico concerns and my own family members. And when I’m feeling “tired and torn” I’m sure both Stanley and Mr. Amm will make their presence known. “Keep them arms up Clarence! Keep them arms up!” In closing, just a tune I wrote as a tribute to whom the day will belong to. That being Terry Fox! The song is “Courage Highway”

FYI, you can learn more about my writing of “Courage Highway” ,if you are so inclined, here!

In closing, what’s next? Aside from more running I looking to get some corporate sponsorship to get me there. Once that is in place, then it’s to get individual sponsors for the run on per/km pledge. Well that’s it for now. Thanks for the visit. Wish me luck!

Clarence

This is a genealogy story. The story starts back in the day, just after my completion of film school. Well, actually prior to that because the name “Iserhoff” was bantered around our household whenever my Mother was asked of our heritage on her side of the family. However, you see in the early days when my siblings and I were still kids, little of the our Iserhoff/ Russian connection was known, because my Mom was orphaned at a very young age. Thereafter, she was raised at Macintosh Residential School near Kenora, Ontario where she lost the connection to her Iserhoff family connection. So, this is an abbreviated story of my genealogical sleuthing for, “In Search of Samuel Iserhoff”, with a few of the pieces of the puzzle missing. That being said, it could very well serve as a basis as a documentary as I continue to piece together and find the missing pieces. To date it’s been very compelling and for a good part the final answers may be found in this picture. A picture that I found in the archives that identifies the man furthest right as Samuel Iserhoff.

Aside from the aforementioned rumblings in my youth of my Mother’s Russian heritage, my course was further solidified in the years that followed my completion of Film School. A journey that had more windings, twists and tributaries than both the Albany and Moose River where much of this story takes place.

Film School to Moose Factory – The Search Begins

I finished film school in Vancouver in 1991 and thus began my career in the Canadian Film and Television industry. Luckily, I was employed directly out of Film School and went on to work with National Film Board of Canada as they commenced to document the proceeding on the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. The proceedings took me throughout Canada and into many of the small reserves that dot this great expanse that we call home. In short, it was a great experience that would served to inform me of the history and plight of various Aboriginal communities. In short, when all was said and done, the experience served to shape me as to the kind of documentary filmmaker I wanted to be. Why is this important? I think it’s important to mention, because this infused me to better know my own history and that set me upon my journey to sleuth out my own heritage. As the old adage goes ” You can’t know your future, unless you know your history.” or words to that effect. With that, little did I suspect that fate would intervene and immerse me into a portion of Canadian history that is little known and certainly was never taught in the history books I learned from. Please accompany me as I explore.

Off To The Great White North

Well, after my gig with the NFB, I returned to Toronto. To be honest, I felt I really didn’t want to be there after having already lived there for seven years while working and attending Ryerson. In fact, I was still reeling from the stories I heard on the road with RCAP and was itching to do something pertinent to history of the Canadian Aboriginal experience! In part, that was satisfied by having opportunity to work with some documentary filmmakers who were of the same mind, but I wanted more. It was about this time, the jobs ran out and my saving were also dwindling fast. Moreover, the Christmas season was upon me and I was in desperate need of work…and fast! That’s when the call came through. A former colleague from NFC, informed me he was leaving his employment in Moose Factory and asked if I was interested in stepping up to bat. My initial thought was thinking if I could handle that isolation. My second thought was I needed the money. The latter ruled over. Like I said, I needed cash. My only consolation, is thinking this could be an opportunity to explore my heritage. Also, it may be important to note, that I knew of an Iserhoff that worked there back in the day as catechist for the Anglican church. Canon Samuel Iserhoff. The name I so often heard of as a kid. ” I’ll try it for a few months until they find someone permanent. Sign me up!” And with that I was off to Moose Factory. Canada’s No.1 Reserve by the way. A Hudson Bay Company post on near the shores where the Moose River flows into James Bay.

Arrival at Moose Factory and First Glimpse of Samuel Iserhoff

So off I went. With my stuff now in storage in Toronto, I ventured off to Moose Factory. I had my flights booked from Toronto via Timmins to Moosonee/ Moose Factory. It was early December and to be honest, I knew absolutely nothing about my destination with the exception that some of my history lie there. So off I flew. After about 4 hours of flying I arrived to greet a brisk Moosonee morning when I stepped off the AirCreebec Dash-8 onto the tarmac. From here I was on my own. I mean I had the address to my new employers, but that was about it.

So, I thought would I do what any urbanized Indian would do. I would simply collect up my belongings and go outside to “arrivals” and flag down a Cab. Yep, that’s what I’d do and all my problems would be solved! WRONG! Well, as it turns out, I stepped outside of the airport and looked about for a Cab. Not a single one to be found. Nothing! Nobody, just a Raven perched on a nearby tree cawing at me, and seemingly taunting me. With that, I went back inside and inquired to the ticket agent who informed be I needed to call for one. It wasn’t until about 20 minutes later that my ride arrived. There I was now. Off to the races! Once on my way, I engaged in pleasant talk with my driver about my big city life and how this was all new to me. He must have been totally enthralled, because he didn’t say much until we began to seen a hint of the Moosonee suburbs. I wasn’t until then that he asked were I was going. I told him the employer’s name and address. Things suddenly went silent and then he turned his head to me in the back seat – cause that’s where Urban Indians sit eh – and told me he couldn’t complete the trip. As you can imagine I was taken aback a little. My first thought was whether I had insulted him in some way. ” I got money.” I proclaimed. ” That’s not the problem Chum. It’s Freeze Up!” he replied. “Freeze up?’ I inquired “What’s that?” He went on to explain “Freeze up” referred to few weeks the Moose River takes to form ice in the river around Moose Factory. Thereafter, he explained it would safe to drive over to Moose Factory with vehicle via a winter road.
” So, what you’re implying is Moose Factory is an island?” I jested “Yep! you got it!” he teased. Dumbfounded, I asserted “Well I really need to get to work for my new job. Can you tell me how I might go about that?” His answered ” You know where I picked you up?’ “Uhuh.’ I acknowledged “Well you get on a helicopter right near there!” Excited by the prospect of my first ever helicopter, I instructed him to take me there ASAP! Upon arrival at the landing pad, he dropped me at a small makeshift shack that served as the ticket office for the company that provided the helicopter excursions. I paid the man and stepped inside the shed where a handful of people were waiting. One Elder First Nation gentleman must have detected I was and outsider by the what must have been evident by my confusion “Over there!” he pursed his lips, pointing to a guy behind a counter “Get your ticket.” With ticket in hand, it wasn’t too long thereafter that the helicopter arrived. It was a six-seater Ranger I was informed. Knowing it was my first ‘copter ride, ’cause I was sure to announce it, the locals let me take the copilot’s seat. Happily I climbed in as the rest of the patrons strapped themselves in the backseat. I can assure you, there is nothing as exciting as your first helicopter ride as being a “co-pilot” no matter what your age. Though the ride only lasted about five minutes, I can see we were headed directly to Moose Factory. However, something curiously went wrong. The community got bigger as we approached it, and then got smaller again as we flew passed it.

However, it wasn’t too long until we scooted on past a church nearby where we hovered above and landed where a small collection of cars that had gathered near the shores of the Moose River. Four cars to be exact. “Wait!” I thought and made a quick calculation whilst thinking to myself. “K, the pilot isn’t getting off. There’s four people in the back. Uhm…that means…” Before I had a chance to further contemplate, we landed. Within moments the four in the un-strapped, gathered their belongings and went to their respective vehicles. The helicopter pilot motioned for me to un-strap and be careful stepping down into the mud. With the door near slapping my ass on the way out, I felt my feet slosh in the mud as I made my way to higher ground. The helicopter lifted off. The cars departed and there I was! Abandoned, clueless and alone. “Whaa just happened here?” I stood sloshing about in runners, sorely under-dressed in what amounted to little more than a mere windbreaker. I peered about looking out onto the Moose River. Cold bleak nothingness was all I saw! I turned toward the road the cars departed. There I could see above the tree-tops was a steeple of a church. I gathered up my belongings and amble on down the road toward that church. A church, I was later to learn, would hold many clues as to who the real Samuel Iserhoff was!

To be continued…

In Part II we meet Samuel Iserhoff, but like I mentioned at the outset of this story, it has many twists and turns

Another Clue! – Excerpt from the book Land of the Moosoneek

Things start to get real peculiar in Part II. Thanks for the visit. Hope you enjoyed the journey so far….

CM

Erin Arbichon - Cover of “Joey” by Concrete Blonde jamming it out with her Dad and friends. Great pipes! Hope she sticks with it. Probably the youngest of this selection. From in and around Edmonton I believe?

Nashina Esquega – jamming out a blues tune at Thunder Bay’s Bluesfest. I know a little about her from what golfing buddy Carol – the Bass player – explained to me. However, she’s taken a hiatus from the band to go back to school last I heard.

Candance Twance a.k.a Sea Ballast, another gal from the Thunder Bay Region. Was recently a contestant in NCI Radio’s Country Jam in Winnipeg, and did well from what I heard. Some more vids of that to be found on YT.

Marmie a.k.a. MoviesTilDawn, cover’s Ashton Shepard “Look It Up” The talent I know I least about, but she posts often. She has a great tone to here voice. Apparently, now doing originals. From Saskatchewan I think. Keep an ear out!

Kathia Rock. I just learned of her. An Innu gal from Northern Quebec? In any event, this particular song has a traditional feel with contemporary production values. Liking it and look forward to hearing more.

Well like I said, it’s just a brief blog to write as I await to watch the Sundance Film Fest live streaming to begin. Which is now. Please let me know of more up and coming talent – both men and women if you are so inclined. That being said, this certainly was not meant to be a complete list, but rather a snapshot of the growing breadth and styles that exist within Canada’s Aboriginal Music Community. Hope you enjoyed your visit!

Thanks,

Clarence

P.S. Yes I will write one for the males too. Watch this space!

Clarence

P.S. As a further anecdote, I am reminded of the time I first spent a winter in Moose Factory, Ontario in 1993. MF, as the locals call it, is a small community/ First Nation of a bout 2200 people..at the time anyways. I had just moved there at the beginning of December and spent my first holiday there alone. Not knowing anyone, I ended up working all New Year’s Eve. I got wound up so much in my work, I had forgotten it was and New Year’s Eve and went along editing a TV program I had been working on. So, as it turns out, suddenly the quiet studio in which I was working seemed to be under attack. Hearing a barrage of shot gun blast I dove under the editing console. It seems it want on for about five minutes and didn’t know what to think, so , I got brave enough to crawl through the office to peer out the window. Ever so slowly, I raised the blind and looked out. Who do I see. Past Marvin Cheechoo, Dad of famed hockey player Jonathan. He was standing on his porch merrily reloading his shotgun. It was then it dawned on me, this whole “ringing in the New Year” business on First Nations. I knew then all was okay in the world. Peace on Earth!

This is a true story ghost story that happened to me when I first moved to Winnipeg in August of 1999. I had just moved into my first Winnipeg apartment located on Assiniboine Avenue at Edmonton Street, near what I now know to be McFayden Playground. I had just relocated from Ottawa to work on getting the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network up and running for its initial broadcast to begin broadcasting for September 1st of that year. So, with the move and the upstart of the network, things were getting a bit hectic. Luckily though, I had the assistance of my then girlfriend to help me get set up prior to her going off to California for a stint of work. Well, with an apartment secured, I found myself with no furniture, because I had opted to put all my belongings in storage in Ottawa until I was a bit more settled. As it happened then, I was moving into a virtually empty apartment save for a few essentials I had brought with me. This situation was not new to me though, as I had moved numerous times prior to this around both Canada and the States for work. Having had been becoming accustomed to this, I was able to draw upon my survival and resource instincts. My plan was to, as did so many times, was to seek out furniture at various garage sales. So it was, that my ghost story adventure was set to begin.

It was a beautiful sunny Saturday morning. I got up early and set upon my mission for the day. It was about 6:30 am and my first thought was to go open the patio doors of my fourth floor apartment to let in the fresh willowy air that was wafting up from the nearby Assiniboine River. The birds were chirping happily and everything was as normal as normal could be. Just another day. By this time, Jackie, who I now jokingly refer to as my practice wife, had gotten up and was stirring about in the kitchen getting a breakfast ready for the both of us as we set to go about our business for the day. Poached eggs on toast, with orange juice and coffee was the order of the day as I recall. Noting she had taking up on the cooking duties on this fine morning, I suggested to her that I go out to find a newspaper box to get the paper such that we could peruse it while having our early morning meal. I hurried out the door, a little excited too, in anticipation of finding new goods. Something to this day still excites me about garage sales. Perhaps its a latent and ancient foraging instinct that is awakened? In any event, I successfully retrieved both the Winnipeg Sun and Winnipeg Free Press. Both were exceptionally thick on this Saturday morning, holding promise of many garage sales I suspected. I walked back into the apartment and breakfast was set out there in on a plastic milk crate that served as a table in the middle of my yet empty apartment. Happily I dug into breakfast. Whilst mopping up the broken yoke of my poached eggs with my toast, I scattered the sections of the newspapers and sought out the classified sections which contained the sales section. Having found them, I flipped through the sales section until – there it was – in large bold fonts “Garage Sales”. Then, still in an excited state that resembled euphoria, I delegated the work for us to select which locations held the most promise. I took the Sun, Jackie took the Free Press. In the space of about an hour, we sorted through and discussed which ones we most wanted to “hit”. Jackie, being the more organized of us two, took detailed notes in regards to locations and times that would best strategically make the best use of our time. The course was set, or so we thought. It was then that Jackie, noted another advertisement calling out to her attention. “How about this Clare?” she asked. “ What’s that?” I replied. “An Estate Sale” she announced, as she brought the paper closer to me for me to look. “Yeah, I heard of them. That’s when family members sell the belongings of a recently deceased family member isn’t it?” I asked. “ Never been to one though” I added. “Neither have I” Jackie replied, adding “ I think we oughta go.” She didn’t need my approval, with her neon yellow highlighter pen in hand she was already marking up the paper and noted to me. “It’s at 10:30 and that’s just up near Wolseley and Arlington. We can squeeze that in before we go to Osbourne Village area.” she declared. “ Yeah, I guess” I shrugged in agreement. So we set out for a what would be a fun-filled morning of adventure in our new city.

Not being too familiar with Winnipeg, we were certain to have our map of the city readily available. I had been there only a couple of months before Jackie’s arrival to the city and I was only familiar with a few landmarks along Portage from downtown to Home Street off Portage, where I initially took up residence at a friend’s place. One landmark for sure I had noted, as any good Canadian would, was the location of my nearest Tim Hortons coffee shop. With that, we headed to the nearest drive-thru and we each got our large “Double Double” along with a half-dozen of our favorite doughy treats. Crullers! Yum! Contented, we set out to each successive garage sale on our agenda. Every imaginable nick nack, decorative stuff, books, cassettes and furniture was to be had. Being both music lovers and book people we picked up more than our share. Being somewhat of a history buff, I was keen on finding a few books about the history of the province of Manitoba and the city itself. One of which, I found curious to me was “Ghost Stories of Manitoba”. Apparently, the city of Winnipeg, it seemed, was especially haunted. Interesting, I noted, as we went on about our mission. Inside of a couple of hours, we happily haggled and dropped a small fortune in a bid to have the “empty apartment” become full and decorative. The decorative part I can attribute to Jackie, because I would have overlooked a lot of nifty candle holders and art paintings in favor of someones homemade wine bottle candle holder, nostalgic Charlie’s Angels posters and Scoobie Doo lunchbuckets. Gotta hand it to her, we secured a lot of things I hadn’t surmised that I “needed”. By this time it was getting on about 10:30 and we were on schedule to get to the Estate Sale on time that was purported to start at exactly the advertised time. “NO Earlybirds” the Estate Sales advert taker outers had made clear, indicated by the bold capitalized letters. However, we gave ourselves a few minutes to be parked in close proximity of the address. Having arrived, we noted many other veteran “garage salers” were parked along the boulevard nearby. Many with there windows rolled up in their air-conditioned car, sipping on their Timmie’s or Starbuck’s concoction. Others, were standing outside their cars, conversing with other “garage salers” discussing their finds of the morning. As for Jackie and I, we spent the time rummaging through our findings. We dug up a Billy Falcon CD we had found. The one with Power Windows on it. We threw it in the player and reclined our seats to enjoy a brief and much earned interlude prior to going to our first ever Estate Sale.

Louis drives a beat up ’69 Dart.
Swears it’s the statue of Mary that keeps the car from falling apart.
With Gracie right beside him sittin’ closer than a smile.
She’s got her head on his shoulder.
He loves to drive and hold her.

He got no power windows. Got no power brakes.
He ain’t got no power nothin’ but he got what it takes.
He’s got Gracie’s arm around him and a smile on his face.
He’s got the power of love.

I guess more than a few minutes and tunes had went by, because as we opened our eyes it was obvious people were beginning to stir and readying themselves to join in the much-anticipated parade toward the “house”. The house was very old and Victorian looking with a large Elm tree in front of it. Something about the house gave off a spooky aura. In retrospect, in my mind, the house was typical of most haunted houses that are seen depicted in scary movies. Suddenly, the race was on! Despite, everyone being of the same mind-set, and looking for that most excellent find, there exists a strictly adhered to unwritten code that garage saler uphold. No pushing! With the doors now open, garage saler after garage saler filed into the Estate Sale. Each greeting the host, which is also a custom. The greeter, pointed out where everything was located. Seems the entire house and all its contents were up for negotiation. It was now mine and Jackie’s turn. We indicated to the host our priority was a table and chairs. She pointed us in the direction of the dining room. Upon arrival, we could already see others looking over the table there. We were a bit disappointed. Not because of the others being there, but because the table there was much too big. It seemed solid oak and very prestigious looking. Yes, much too solid and hefty for the apartment, and my pocketbook to be sure! With that, we wonder around a bit more. Like I mentioned before, the house did seem to have that lived in aura about the place. There was even a suggestion of a ghost lingering there too perhaps? I’m no ghost whisperer, but I do think I possess a ghost radar, and the radar was registering. As we shuffled about, we were suddenly alerted by others in the place that the patio area outside was up for grabs too! Excited again of the prospects, we went outside to look around. Immediately upon our arrival, Jackie gravitated toward a pair of large Wicker chairs. “Clare!” she yelped out excitedly “ Perfect for the patio!” I looked them over, and approved in a manner congruent to her excitement. I nodded approvingly all the while whilst inspecting them. I hummed and hahed out loud, all the while thinking to myself. “ Great, more wicker. I’m already wickered out up to my ying yang. Wicker baskets, wicker shelves, wicker wicker wicker…” Now in a my most well rehearsed excited and animated manner I replied “ This is great! I wonder what they want?” I paused a brief dramatic pause and announced. ” I don’t care. I am most definitely getting these!” Jackie gleamed in proud manner of her find and gave me a big hug. We then went on to haggle with the lady and managed to get the chairs for 30 bucks. Pretty good price methinks.

Garage Sale Aftermath

We were now back at the apartment with all our various finds of the morning. We were pretty proud of ourselves, realizing all that we had accomplished. The apartment was going to look great. We even scored a nice window treatment. Wasn’t even on my radar, but we got one! In my estimation, I had thought the Kmart blinds were fine, but now I would have window treatments. Yeah! In any event, after parking at the apartment, Jackie suggested she go up and finish the morning dishes. With that, she set off up to the apartment with what she could carry. Various nick nacks, books and shoes seemed to be priority items. With that, I was left to make a few journeys up and down the freight elevator and back and forth to the car and apartment. Finally, with everything now in the apartment, I made myself some tea and decided to relax and look over and inspect our finds. With tea in hand and some left over Crullers, I settled into one of them big comfy wicker chairs I had secured at the Estate Sale. I thought to chose to leave them in the living room area for the time being before I set them out on the patio. Jackie continued to wash the dishes in the sink just a short distance away with her back toward me. All the while, she was talking of some of the folks we had met at garage sales and made an observation how everyone in Winnipeg did indeed seem “Friendly” as it promotes on the Manitoba car licence plate. I had to agree. “ There’s a lot of history in this province too!” I pronounced. “ I think I’ll like it here Clare.” she proclaimed as she continued to wash the dishes. Then our conversation fell silent for a spell. By this time, I had sunk deeply into my newly acquired wicker chair. As mentioned before, being the history buff I am, I chose to select a history book and started to engage myself in reading about the rise and fall of the great early political Metis leader Lois Riel. Hell I thought, “I’m in Manitoba and I best learn of the history of this province. My new home.” I had just opened the book and was glancing through the chapters. I was flipping through and stopped to read something that I found intriguing about Louis. It was then I got “that feeling”. You know the one, where someone is reading over your shoulder. I thought, well its only Jackie, so I didn’t bother to turn and look. Right then, however, I heard a voice that asked of me“ Where did you get that?” “Yikes!” I exclaimed in my thoughts. To me, that was NOT Jackie’s voice. To me, it seemed to sound more like a young girl. Maybe twelve or so? The voice, I might add, felt only a couple of inches from my ear, so it was most definitely distinct as could be. Also, being that close, there should have been a breath felt I thought. However, nothing! So it was at this point, I thought to glance over my shoulder. No one was there. No young girl. No Jackie. So I now glanced to where Jackie was standing at the sink in the kitchen. At precisely the same moment I looked toward Jackie, and Jackie looked toward me. In unison we asked of each other. “ You heard that too!”

THE END

P.S. I still get chills every time I tell or writer of this story. Just did again! There is no explanation to this day. We tried to rationalize then, but to no avail. The walls were thick brick and sound proof. We were four stories above the sidewalk. We were the only two there. Or, were we? Could it have been a ghost that followed us from the Estate Sale? Could it have been a ghost with some association with Louis Riel? Thinking about that day, I can’t say precisely which house we got the book from. Could the ghost had followed us from there, riding along in the back all the while? Or, maybe, the ghost was always at the apartment or wandered the area, and perhaps, still wonders the area to this day? Incidentally, the apartment is a stones throw to the Louis Riel statue behind the Manitoba Legislature building. In any event, the book in question, is packed away in a box in my basement. I have never read it nor dug it out since that day. Perhaps today, I’m thinking, I will dig it out and scan it for your viewing. However, maybe upon viewing, you too will be visited by that young girl? Watch this space….

P.S.S. FYI. The Practice wife and I separated and moved on. I now live back in Ontario. However, thanks for the memories Jackie. Thanks for the memories Manitoba.

Signed

Wickerless and Candle deprived in Northwestern Ontario

Okay, here goes! This is got to be one of the funniest fan stories you’ve probably ever heard and it happened to me! This happened when the great Canadian songwriter, Tom Cochrane, was touring with his former band mates as the newly assembled Red Rider in 2000. I had just moved to Winnipeg. Of course being a big fan, I very much wanted to go. Problem was, having just moved to the city for a new job, I had bills that I had incurred by the relocation and really needed to watch my cash situation. However, as distractions go, it just so happened the rock radio station, Power 97, was doing a promotion for listeners to attend the concert. As it is with most contests, all you needed to do was listen for some prompt,call in, answer a question and Presto! Free tickets. So listen I did, but was never successful in getting through to the Deejay.. Well this went on for a week. It was pretty straight forward. You just answered some trivia about Tom and Red Rider correctly and you got yourself a pair of tickets to attend the concert at the Burton Cummings Theatre, Being the Tom Cochrane fan that I am, I do believe I knew every answers that week. At times I even found myself yelling at the radio at some of those supposed “fans” who called in and didn’t know the answers. Sheesh! So needless to say, I continued to listen intently all week with no luck in getting through. As the week progressed, my hope waned and I fell into a slight depression. No not really, but I thought that sounded dramatic.

Anyways, soon it was the evening of the concert and only a couple of chances to win free tickets remained before the show began. On the evening of the concert,  Power 97 had parked their mobile truck in front on the Burton Cummings Theatre and they were doing an exclusive live broadcast from there. Well at this time I had resigned myself to the fact that I was not going to be attending the show. I was a little distraught and thought a drive might help. But, being a glutton for punishment, I thought I might just take a drive by the theater and look at all the lucky folks there attending this fantastic reunion show with Tom Cochrane and the original Red Rider. Of course, while driving on the way over to the theatre, I thought I would horn in on the happenings at the theatre via the car radio. I was driving in somewhat of a daze listening to the banter of the deejay and soon found myself just moments away from the Burton Cummings theatre. For those familiar with Winnipeg, I was rounding Hargrave at Ellice by the MLCC liquor store. It was at that point, the deejay announced the last chance to win 4 tickets..not one..not a pair, but 4 tickets to the show! Great, I thought! Look at poor little ole me, I’ve got no cell phone on hand to call through. Sigh…”Now how in the hell am I supposed to call in?” I taunted to myself. But, at that moment, much to my delight the deejay announced the 4 tickets would be given to…get this…to the first person to show up at the mobile in front of the Burton Cummings Theatre with a cock ring. Hallelujuh! Cochrane. Cock Ring. They sound sort of alike don’t they? Then the deejay went on to intro Red Rider’s “What Do You Got To Do Get Off Tonight?” as a segue of sorts. My those deejays are clever!

Now my conundrum was, first, what the hell is a cock ring? Second, where do you get one? Well…wouldn’t you know it…that deejay musta been reading my mind, because right then he instructed listeners to get themselves to a sex shop, if they didn’t already have a cock ring on hand… and get one. Told you those deejays are clever! They have all the answers. And wouldn’t you know it! Right there… at the corner before the theatre was a sex shop called Discreet Boutique. ” Western Canada’s Largest Showroom Since 1991″ a large sign by the door read.

With no thought at all, and little regard for others on the road, I immediately did an illegal U-turn and swung my car into the Liquor Store parking lot. Slammed that sucker into park! Jumped out of the car and ran as fast as my legs could carry me to the sex shop. I’d say it was probably a 50 yard dash. I did in a time that coulda easily got me qualified for the Olympics I swear. Having arrived at the sex shop, winded and breathing heavy, I burst into the sex shop and lurched towards the lady at the counter and blurted out disparately! “I NEED A cock ring! Taken aback by my desperate plea, the clerk answered, “Pardon me sir?” Slower now, I repeated with equal enthusiasm and marking each word, “I…NEED…A…COCK…RING!” “OH, yeah, we have those.” She replied nonchalantly. With that, the nice sex shop lady directed me to the cock rings. In an passive and accommodating manner, that would make a Walmart greeter blush, she obliged me in wonderfully accommodating way by pointing me to the back of the store. You know? She sorta reminded me of Flo, the waitress, you know from that TV show Alice back in the day.

Seemingly, I was home free when suddenly at that moment a young gal walked in. Yes, you guessed it. She too was asking for a cock ring. “Yikes!” I whispered to myself, and hurriedly picked up my pace to a near run. As I made my way to the back of the store, I peered over my shoulder frequently. I could see now that the clerk was also directing this young lady to the cock rings. The pursuit was on. Now, I thought to myself, “Self! This is a good time to run!” and run I did. Of course, upon arriving at the “toy” section, I suddenly realized my dilemma. As I surveyed the countless gadgets displayed there, many of which I never new existed. In my awe, I think I lost a few valuable moments as the girl in pursuit was getting closer. Anxiety kicked in, The adrenalin was coursing through my veins. Heart palpitations ensued. With little idea of what I was precisely looking for, my eyes darted up and down, to the left to the right. Suddenly, much to my delight, there it was! The cock ring! “This must be my lucky day!” I thought. There it was jumping right out at me big bold gold lettering. – IMPACT 48 pt font – I think? “cock ring” it read on the package. At that moment, it seemed time stood still. A cone of silence enveloped me. I was in my own little world. Moreover, I do believe I heard angles softly singing. Like the Golden Feece, The Holy Grail, if you will, there it was! A golden cock ring! I don’t know if it was the way the florescent light hit the cock ring, but it seemed to emanate a mystic glow. In my heightened state of being, I was tuned into the moment. It seemed all receptors were open. This was further acknowledged, because at that moment I heard a majestic voice echo in my head “I’ve been waiting for you Clarence. Where have you been?” Whoa, I know now today, if that was not the voice of GOD, then it certainly sounded a lot like James Earl Jones. Relieved of my find, I let out a big sigh and bowed my head as to pay my respects to the cock ring that had presented itself. Enthralled in my amazement of that cock ring that jumped out at me, I notice now, there was a plethora of other cock rings. Every size and every color imaginable. All of them, just hanging there in that ethereal glow. In my wonderment, caught up in the moment, I thought to myself. “I don’t think I’ll ever behold a site so wonderful ever again!” Rows and rows of cock rings assembled there for my eyes to behold. Suddenly, I snapped out of it. I took a glance , only to see that young lady was  now right there to my left. I tried to ignore her and not make eye contact. it seemed she knew exactly what she was after. Hmm, I thought, “ She’s done this before. Not fair!” So, I clumsily reached out toward the wall to grab the first cock ring within my grasp. But, then it seems my hand was hardwired to my brain and seemingly my brain was instructing my hand to pick size over price. “Shit, that cost me a few more seconds. I didn’t have that sorta time.” I reminded myself. So, I literally ripped that golden ring from its fastenings off the wall in one fell swoop,  took an abrupt turn. I walked briskly towards the cashier. I was a man on a mission. A lunatic fringe if you will?

I could now hear the ominous beginning of that song as I walked the aisle. At that moment, I also recall shooting a piercing glance at the young lady as I passed on by her in the opposite direction toward the front of the store. At that moment, everything seemed to happen in slow motion as our eyes meet for the first time. I do believe I detected a slight sneer on her part.  Huh! I thought to myself, “Those tickets are mine! Mine all mine I tell you!” As thing resumed in real time, I hastily walked to the counter. Upon arrival, I dug deep into my pocket a produced all the loonies and change I had on hand and threw it down on the counter. The sex shop lady, who was chewing her gum enthusiastically, sauntered her way to till and rang in the cock ring. You could imagine my nervousness as I glance back, only to see the young girl was making her way up the aisle behind me with her very own cock ring. “That’ll be 10.19 sir.” the sex shop lady said “10.19? Shit!” I blurted out, as I continued to sort out my change on the counter.

Wouldn’t you know it, my concentration was broken suddenly by an audible ”tsk” sound coming from behind me. I turned, only to see the young gal rolling her eyes towards the ceiling. Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I counted out the change on the counter. 9.78 in change. Thinking quickly I explained to the nice sex shop lady that I would run out to my car and get some more change out of the ashtray to make up the difference. She obliged and let me exit with my newly acquired cock ring – I’m thinking – much to the dismay of the lady in pursuit. I must have a trust worthy face or something I thought to myself. Then I also thought, maybe cock rings are marked up so much she really didn’t care if I returned. Probably the latter. Anyways, with cock ring in hand, I Cosmo Krammered out the door and onto the sidewalk! So now, with cock ring handily secured, I thought for a moment I could go to the car, but that thought quickly dissolved because then the lady in pursuit would beat me to the Power 97 mobile at the theatre. So, it was straight to the Burton Cummings Theatre for this sex shop cowboy! With that, I was off like a bat out of hell! I quickly dashed about fifty yards and soon found myself rounding the corner in front of the theatre. There before me awaited an anxious crowd. They were lined up 10 deep on the sidewalk right up to Ellice anticipating the doors to open. So, trying to act all casual and such, I shuffled through the crowd towards the mobile where Power 97 was doing their live broadcast. All the while, I was glancing over my shoulder every other moment on the lookout for you know who. Upon reaching the mobile, I could see through the door the deejays were sitting at the mixing console doing the things deejays do. I could see their lips moving and knew precisely what they were saying because they had mega watt speakers bellowing their address from the top of the van. Then the magic words I wanted to hear were announced “We’re still waiting for that cock ring folks! First person to show up with a cock ring wins these much coveted tickets” That was my prompt. I made my way to the door and started banging on the door disparately trying to get their attention. I guess they couldn’t hear me on account of the speakers being so loud. Luckily though, a young couple had noticed me hammering on the door. It seem they were at a much better vantage point to get the attention of the deejays via visual signals. With that, they started waving their arms in a frantic motion at the deejays. I guess the deejays seen them and they then started pointing towards me. At the realization of what was transpiring, I guess the rest of the crowd suddenly thought it was incumbent upon them to assist me. By now everyone had pretty well noted me frantically waving my cock ring. That all it took to get the deejay’s attention. One of the deejays peered out the window and looked at me. “Alas!” I thought, “ I have arrived.” I seemed to recall hearing bugles blaring triumphantly. Or perhaps, it may have been feedback from the speakers? In any event, I continued to wave my cock ring high above the crowd, People were cheering loudly now. I could now see the deejay approaching the door. The door flung open. Suddenly, the cheering got louder to decibel levels equaling jet engines. The deejay, with tickets in hand looked at me quizzically. I hesitated a beat and muttered like Oliver in Dicken’s Oliver Twist ” I..I…I’ve got your cock ring…Sir?’ I announced. The deejay, towering over me from the steps, looked at me and glanced around at the now silence crowd. With that, he took the cock ring from my hand, inspected it a moment, and nodded approvingly at me and the crowd. The crowd erupted once again.

I thought my heart might burst as the deejay handed me the tickets.  I took the ticket and quickly inspected them. With that, I held them up like a royal flush in my hand, and I turned to the crowd and fisted the air with my other hand as the crowd prolonged their cheer. Yes! This is what Tom Cochrane must have been thinking about when he wrote “Victory Day”. Well not really, but I thought that sounded emphatic.

She says life isn’t big, not it’s kind of small
Made of small moments, they’re all strung together
If you don’t look out, you might miss them all
Then it’s just passed you on by like the weather

Having accomplished my mission, I took my cache of tickets and I walked to the young couple that assisted me in my time of need. I wanted to thank them. It turns out, the couple only had one ticket between them. So being the nice guy that I am, I told them I was new in town and my lady was out of town, so all I really needed, or even wanted, was one. So I gave them two of mine in exchange for their sole ticket. That left me with three. By this time, I had become quite popular and a bidding war ensued amongst the crowd for my remaining tickets. For a moment I was enticed to wield my new found power over these now seemingly mere mortals. But, my conscience soon gave way to my ethics and I could not bring myself to take advantage of the situation. I’m sure I could have easily gotten 100 bucks. Oh well. My first thought, thereafter, when I came to my senses, was to look for that young lady from the sex shop to be sure she would get in the concert. Despite her demeanor at the sex shop, I thought it only fair that she get some sorta consolation prize. So, I scanned the crowd, but unfortunately, she was nowhere to be found. However, I did catch a glance out of the corner of my eye, of two young ladies, who looked a bit timid, but were obviously big fans. One was nervously chewing her nails knowing she and her friend were about to be left out in the cold. The crowd now began to shuffle in. Detecting the despair on their faces, my heart went out to them, cause I thought to myself, only ten minutes ago, I was feeling that same despair. I walked over and handed them my two remaining tickets “Have fun, enjoy the show” I said, and walked away. No words were ever exchanged after that, but I think I got a message telepathically acknowledging their gratitude. I think all Tom Cochrane fans share that gift. Somehow that moment reminded me of Tom’s song the Untouchable One. One of my favorites.

Then it occurred to me, that I had to get back to the car and move it out of the Liquor Store parking lot before it got towed. Moreover, I needed to complete that transaction with the sex story lady. So, I walked on over to the sex shop with a pile of change I grabbed out of the ashtray from the car. So, after parking my car safely, I walked back the sex shop. As I entered, I was still beaming with pride from my my big coup and boldly announced “See, I told ya I’d be back.” . “Oh the guy with the cock ring.’ she acknowledged. A couple standing near the counter looked toward us, obviously not knowing what to think. “ Yeah, that musta been the shortest possession of a cock ring ever.” I quipped. “ Oh really?” she asked. “ Yeah really.” I replied “ Got what I wanted out of it. “ With that I turned to the door to leave, however before I did, I glanced at the inquisitive couple and winked and walked out the door. Can’t imagine what they thought? Furthermore, I can’t imagine what the sex store lady thought I had just accomplished, because I had only been missing in action for  fifteen minutes with that cock ring. Now it was back to the concert for me. Upon arrival I proceeded into the lobby and straight to the concession stand for a much needed cola. Who do I meet there? Yes, none other than the guy and his lady I had traded the tickets with. He graciously, bought me my drink as we chatted. It seems he was new to town too and his girlfriend, I was to learn, found that night she would be able to attend because of cancellation in her previous plans. Thereafter, we all took our drinks and went to go to our seats. I don’t know why I assumed I would be sitting in their proximity, but I followed them anyways as we yapped about our love for Red Ryder and Tom Cochrane music. However, our conversation interrupted abruptly as the usher stopped us. The usher had let couple through, but pointed me to another entrance after inspecting my ticket. With that, the couple graciously waved as we parted ways. The young man gave me a thumbs up. Now you would think that would be enough. However, as many of my stories go there is always a “kicker”. The kicker? It turns out that that lone ticket the young fellow had given me was for a seat 6 rows back from front row center. Go figure?. If the young guy knew, he didn’t say.

All I can ponder was that more than a little magic was happening that evening. In the end, five people got to see Tom Cochrane and Red Rider that evening for the price of one ticket. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the show. There they were. Tom, Kenny Greer and Jeff Jones pumping out that unique aural stamp that only Red Rider can deliver. Sorry, I can’t recall who was on drums, but what at beat! So what is the morale of the story? I really don’t know? Howzabout. “ A cock ring in hand is worth five tickets in the thicket?” Vive la liberte! Lets hear it for cock rings! They’ll set you free! Well no, not really, but certainly music has that affect. Thanks Red Rider for the music! And thank you Tom!

And with that, I’ll conclude this story with a little ditty that first turned me on to Red Rider and the brilliant songwriting by Tom Cochrane himself. Thanks for the visit. Hope you enjoyed it!

Thanks!
Clarence

P.S. If you want to learn more about Tom Cochrane and Red Rider’s music, be sure to visit his site here!

P.S.S. If you’re interested in what the Discreet Boutique has to offer – oh and you must be 18 or older – you can visit here!

Well my second offering of tunes for my new CD entitled “Hardrock Acoustics” is now out there and starting to get legs of its own. Hardrock, by the way, denotes the name of the company that built the headframe depicted on the cover and not the style of music. Happy to say I’m getting good feedback, so I’ll take that as endorsement to press on and start work toward my third offering. Incidentally, I have four tunes I left off this offering and have a good part written for the remaining six tunes for Hardrock Acoustics III. So, I don’t suspect it will be too long before I have a third release. Also, looking this year to get in the studio to get back in full production mode for songs offered songs found on this and previous release. Will keep you posted.

DANCES WITH DUCKS

Just a little snippet of some insight into writing ” When I Found You, I Found Me” – one of tunes available on Hardrock Acoustics. I had been struggling to finish this song. Although I had a good part of it written, I still needed an additional verse and was thinking about adding a bridge. It was a nice sunny day and I was sitting at the computer trying to write. It just wasn’t happening, and given it was such a beautiful day, I felt some distraction to get out of the house and get to the beach. I guess it wasn’t too long, but soon found myself thinking about head out to the beach – and so I did. However, it also occurred to me that I might strap on my guitar and take along the song and have a go at it there. I was thinking a change of scenery might enable me better to take on the task at hand. With that I headed out to the “office” a.k.a. the park. The park is about a fifteen minute bike ride away, so I ventured out there on my trusty 18 speed Schwinn. Immediately upon arrival, I noted a couple nice picnic tables that would be appropriate to serve as an executive desk. With that, I placed my work essentials on the desk and went to work. Though I had no pesky office cubicle neighbors, I did have to contend with a family of ducks. Quack!

Well after all was assembled and I adjusted to my surroundings I felt with the refreshing breeze blowing off the lake and a host of birds chirping, I was ready to tackle writing. Funny thing though, it seems everyone is a critic these days. It seems moments after laying the paperwork for the song, I bird perched above my desk thought it be nice to send me a subtle message. Yep! A damn bird crapped on my sheet music. My immediate response was to shake my fist toward the treetop and quip. “Bird! you don’t know shit from shinola” After having said that, I realized that bird would have to be like 70 years old to get that reference. In any event, I carried on now with a vengeance to complete the song.

Happy to report the family of ducks nearby were no disturbed by my presence. The male of the species on occasion ventured right up to me seeking treats. Sadly, though I had none to offer, but have since gone back to return with treats. The mother of the species had seven ducklings in tow, but was neither distressed by my presence, however, she did keep her brood a distance from the shore. They happily swam around until about a half hour after me being there and decided to take up a mid-afternoon nap under a nearby cedar by the shore.

Well with all this inspiring scenery that Northwestern Ontario has to offer, I was able to successfully complete the remaining verse and bridge to my satisfaction. I was there for about an hour writing and rewriting. Only at one point the beach was visited by a group of youth who docked nearby and were playing on the playground equipment about 50 yards away. Their visit was short and their joyous laughter was shield somewhat by a band shell between me and them. However, the brief interlude was welcome as I took a break and waded in the water, all the while strumming my guitar with my flip flops on. It seemed to be shaping up as another tough day at the “office”. Sigh!

All in all, the afternoon went well. Just as a further note, I haven’t written too much outside of the home, but this could set a precedence – welcome precedence at that. I think sometimes of writing in a professional studio, but then I get to thinking about that environment being “stale”. To me, food atmosphere is a good infuse to writing as it is with eating at…say a good restaurant. Which brings to mind a joke I heard recently. Q: Did you hear about the new restaurant on the moon?
A: The food is great, but no atmosphere!

Here is the result of my afternoon of writing and dancing with ducks. Hope you enjoy it. BTW, if you see me wandering around somewhere, I generally have the CD on hand if that interests you. Quite proud of the work I completed this year. Thanks to those also who have extended their kind comments. As for that bird who pooped on my song sheet, well we’ll see what becomes of this tune. Anyways…listen

here! BTW. Press “Play” button upper right, once there.

Thanks for the visit!

Clarence

P.S. Looking to do some live performance stuff for YouTube soon. Will post when available. BTW, you may want listen to this tune also available on Hardrock Acoustics. So Goodnight, a partially non-fiction account of my youth.

And just for fun. I did up a little comic of my former characters featured in my strip “Duck Attitude” If you are not familiar with the strip or want to learn more go here.