A man was rushed to hospital on Sunday morning after being found unconscious in Montreal's Place Simon-Valois. The mayor of the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough called out a "predictable tragedy."

Regional disparities and challenges

By William Crooks

Local Jounalism Initiative

The recent “Revenu Viable en Estrie 2024” report by the Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques (IRIS) offers an in-depth look at financial and social conditions in the Estrie region. While earlier chapters reported on previously highlighted general economic trends, Chapters 4 to 7 delve into the nuances of specific MRCs, uncovering disparities and challenges unique to local contexts. This article explores these chapters, shedding light on issues that resonate with seniors and young families alike.

Distinct demographics and economic profiles

Chapters 4 through 7 focus on the MRCs of Haut-Saint-François, Val-Saint-François, Coaticook, and Memphrémagog. Each MRC presents a distinct socio-economic profile, shaped by its demographics, geography, and economic drivers. For instance:

• Haut-Saint-François has a relatively young population, with 17.7 per cent under 15 years old. However, its economy faces challenges due to high unemployment rates and a reliance on industries like agriculture and manufacturing.
• Val-Saint-François combines higher-than-average employment rates with a significant proportion of families, making it one of the more stable areas economically.
• Coaticook, known for its agricultural strength, has the region’s youngest population, with an average age of 43.1 years and the highest percentage of children under 15 (18.4 per cent).
• Memphrémagog, on the other hand, has an aging population (29.9 per cent aged 65 and older), contributing to unique housing and healthcare pressures.

These demographic contrasts underline the importance of tailoring financial and social policies to address the specific needs of each community.

Housing: Affordability and adequacy concerns

Housing remains a persistent concern across these MRCs, with each area grappling with its own challenges:

• Haut-Saint-François and Val-Saint-François boast high homeownership rates, exceeding 74 per cent. However, many homeowners struggle with inadequate or unaffordable housing. In Val-Saint-François, 8.8 per cent of households spend more than 30 per cent of their income on housing.
• Coaticook has the highest rate of couples with children in Estrie (24.2 per cent), reflecting the area’s family-oriented nature. Despite this, housing stock is limited, and young families face difficulties securing homes that meet their needs.
• Memphrémagog struggles with housing accessibility for seniors, who often need specialized living arrangements or downsized homes closer to services. Its high proportion of older residents exacerbates this demand.

While subsidized rental options exist, they are insufficient to meet the needs of low-income families and seniors in these areas. Expanding affordable housing initiatives could alleviate some of these pressures.

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L’article Bridging gaps in Estrie – Part 2 est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

In a year marked by challenges and successes, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has reported significant achievements in its Quebec operations. Regional General Director Eric Lapierre highlighted in a Dec. 11 interview the agency’s efforts to combat stolen vehicle exports and drug smuggling. Dominique McNeely, Regional Communications Counselor, provided additional insights.

Key victories in tackling organized crime

Lapierre pointed to the interception of over 2,000 stolen vehicles in 2024 as a standout achievement, marking an increase of nearly 500 seizures compared to the previous year. “This was a joint effort with the RCMP, local police forces, and other provincial agencies,” he explained. Most vehicles were stopped at ports during attempts to export them overseas, with officers carefully inspecting containers for hidden contraband.

Drug interdiction was another major focus. Lapierre revealed that CBSA officers seized over 25,000 kilograms of illegal drugs nationwide, including 775 per cent more fentanyl than in 2023. Quebec’s share included a notable 4.9 kilograms of fentanyl, reflecting the growing opioid crisis. “We’ve seen an alarming rise in fentanyl production and trafficking,” he said, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to stemming the flow of dangerous substances.

McNeely added that the sharp rise in fentanyl seizures aligns with increased production within Canada, suggesting a shift in trafficking patterns. “While Quebec’s numbers have grown, the issue remains more severe in Western Canada,” he said.

Roxham Road and refugee claims

Roxham Road crossings had already diminished significantly in 2023 following the implementation of an additional protocol under the Safe Third Country Agreement. McNeely explained that the CBSA’s involvement was primarily in processing asylum seekers, as the RCMP managed the initial interactions at this unofficial entry point. This shift contributed to a stabilization in migration trends across Quebec’s border points.

Lapierre also reported no significant surges in asylum seekers at other Quebec border points in 2024, citing stable migration trends. Key entry points such as Lacolle and Saint-Armand remained busy, but manageable, thanks to a robust operational plan developed in collaboration with the RCMP and U.S. Border Patrol. During summer months, the CBSA processed an average of 50 claims per month, which rose to 140 in November, showing seasonal fluctuations without overwhelming trends.

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L’article Border Agency sees rise in stolen vehicle seizures, drug interdictions in Quebec est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

Natalie Choquette, her daughter Florence K, who is also a singer and host of CBC's C'est Formidable, are part of a Christmas show that features three generations of talented women, including Choquette's granddaughter, Alice Cyr.

The Quebec government will provide Ukrainian refugees with at least three more years of public health insurance coverage. The coverage, which was slated to end in March 2025, will now continue until March 2028.

While food banks help put food on the table, organizations helping to run collective kitchen groups in Quebec say that cooking together helps participants build skills, foster social connections and gain support that extends beyond the kitchen.

Deputy Minister of Health Daniel Paré wrote to president and CEO of Santé Québec Geneviève Biron, asking her to review the planned cuts to home-care services. A Montreal patient advocacy group called the news a "guarded win."

The GST holiday announced by the government of Canada last month is now in effect, providing a two-month tax break on certain essentials and retail items for Canadians until Feb. 15. The items include restaurant meals (dine-in, takeout or delivery), prepared foods at grocery stores, snack foods, beer, wine, cider and pre-mixed alcoholic beverages below 7% ABV, diapers, kids’ clothes and shoes, kids’ car seats and toys, books, newspapers, puzzles and real and artificial Christmas trees.

The GST holiday is part of a multi-billion-dollar affordability package, a joint effort by the Liberal government and the NDP, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chyrstia Freeland on Nov. 21.

“Inflation is down. We have been close to a year within the target range that the Bank of Canada set, which is why the Bank of Canada is now dropping interest rates faster than most of our peer countries. This allows us to make sure that we are putting money in people’s pockets in a way that is not going to stimulate inflation, but is going to help them make ends meet and continue our economic growth.

“This is something that we’re able to do because Canada has one of the strongest balance sheets in the world, the lowest deficit in the G7, and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the G7. We have a strong fiscal position and we are putting it to work, with a tax break for all Canadians and with rebates for working Canadians.”

For our latest in news, please visit the News section.

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It took hundreds of volunteers and some generous donors to pack tens of thousands of boxes of food to be distributed to hundreds of food banks across Quebec.

Gracia Kasoki Katahwa, borough mayor of Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, has announced she will be running for the Projet Montréal leadership.

The Canadian short track speed skating team dominated the podium at a World Tour stop on Saturday in Seoul, combining for five medal wins at the Mokdong Ice Rink.

Quebec’s government wants better laws to protect secularism. Is it necessary or is it just politics?

The company managing the Dufferin Terrace slide is investing $400,000 with help from Tourisme Québec to get the most out of the winter season, which now often includes more rainy days.

Faced with a growing homelessness crisis, Quebec and the federal government have officially reached an agreement that will secure an additional $50 million from Ottawa for communities across Quebec.

This is Canada — If you want to live in Donald Trump’s America, you should move there

A new Léger study has found that 13% of Canadians want Canada to take Donald Trump up on his offer to become the 51^st American state. Interestingly, this is the exact same percentage of Canadians who fail to support a ban on assault rifles in Canada. Given the U.S.’s relationship with guns, it’s safe to say there’s at least some overlap there.

Large majorities of Canadians support gun bans and oppose Canada joining the United States. If you don’t like it here or want Canada to become Americanized — leave! Nothing’s stopping you.

Following Trump’s trolling of Canada, PPC leader Maxime Bernier told his supporters that they should move to the U.S. if they don’t want to live here. Even Canada’s far-right political party understands what Maple MAGA doesn’t — that our country shouldn’t surrender to Trump.

For more commentary about Montreal politics and culture, please visit Observations from Montreal.

For our latest in news, please visit the News section.

The post This is Canada — If you want to live in Donald Trump’s America, you should move there appeared first on Cult MTL.

A car struck a bus shelter in Longueuil, Que., on Friday, injuring several people and pinning two of them under the vehicle until a group of bystanders worked together to lift the car and rescue them.

Caregivers are widely criticizing the scaling back of Quebec's home-care services, which support vulnerable people in accomplishing daily tasks.

With the onset of winter, the provincial and federal governments have announced a joint venture to provide emergency funding to aid the homeless in Quebec. The Canada-Quebec Agreement on Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampments aims to provide “rapid and targeted” support to people living in encampments and other unsheltered situations.

Quebec communities will receive nearly $50-million in federal funding over two years, as part of the $250-million that Ottawa announced in the 2024 budget to address encampments and unsheltered homelessness across the country. Quebec will match that amount, bringing the funding for the endeavour to $100-million.

This investment will be allocated to provide additional shelter spaces during winter, help expand 24-hour services for the homeless in Quebec and “enhance support aimed at promoting housing stability and street outreach efforts to address the needs of individuals at imminent risk of unsheltered homelessness, or transitioning out of homelessness.”

Quebec Social Services Minister Lionel Carmant commented on today’s news.

“The homelessness situation in Quebec remains extremely concerning and requires coordinated action at all levels. This calls for concrete measures and strengthened collaboration with our partners, particularly within the community sector, to continue providing additional shelter spaces and suitable housing to support the most vulnerable individuals. Our government is proud to implement this initiative and reaffirms its commitment to restoring dignity, safety and stability to those who need it most.”

For our latest in news, please visit the News section.

The post Quebec and Canada announce emergency aid for the homeless with onset of winter appeared first on Cult MTL.

At least one Mohawk council in Akwesasne has signed onto a final settlement agreement concerning a land claim that has been in the courts for more than 40 years, which some say could have devastating consequences for the future of land claims for all Mohawk communities. 

The St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) confirmed in a press release on December 11 that they had signed the agreement, calling it a “significant milestone.”

But the agreement has been controversial in the community, with many vocally opposing its contents.

“I want a voice, and I want my voice to be heard,” said Ahkwesahsró:non Trent David. Last Thursday, David was arrested at the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, where a St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (SRMT) meeting was being held. He had secured himself to a bench in the lobby, and was ultimately removed from the premises. He will be attending court for charges of resisting arrest and trespassing later this month. 

“Right now, I’m begging for my voice to be heard, and I’m being ignored by people in government,” David said.

Historian and scholar Gerald Taiaiake Alfred, who is from Kahnawake, said he’s especially concerned about a 2014 memorandum of understanding (MOU), which he said could have implications for Kahnawake.

The MOU contains a clause referring to the potential “extinguishment” of Mohawk land claims. 

“If it passes, it’s still my belief and my opinion that the inclusion of that 2014 MOU with the extinguishment language jeopardizes any future assertion of our rights in American courts,” he said.  

Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) grand chief Cody Diabo said that MCK is currently monitoring the situation. 

“We definitely have to relook at it now. If they settle on something, it should only be about their community and not bringing in anyone else,” Diabo said.  

“If they’re talking about all Mohawk rights, that definitely makes us concerned.” 

Diabo said that the Council are planning to start looking at more legal aspects of the situation. He said that there is not a set timeline or action that the Council intends to take,

“We probably won’t have something before the New Year, but there are definitely some things that concern us,” grand chief Diabo said, while MCK chief Jeffrey Diabo made a Facebook post earlier this month stating that Council will “likely be submitting a position opposing it.”

History of the land claim

The origins of the land claim date back to 1796, when the Treaty with the Seven Nations of Canada was signed, marking a cession of certain lands to the State of New York and the reservation of certain lands for “St. Regis Indians.”

Flash forward to 1982, and the Canadian St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians (now known as the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (MCA)) filed a lawsuit with the district court against the State of New York, arguing that New York illegally purchased the land, and claiming rightful ownership based on the Seven Nations of Canada Treaty.

In 1986, the MCA, the SRMT, and the Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs (MNCC) formed a tri-council, and in 1989 the suit became a joint venture.

It wasn’t until 2004 that the draft settlement agreement was put up for a referendum, with the majority of Longhouse members refusing to participate in the vote for traditional reasons. Of the 1,149 people that voted, 65% voted “yes” to the agreement.

“In 2004, I was 12 years old,” said David, who this week released a petition demanding a new referendum. 

“How is it even possible that they’re using a vote from 20 years ago?”

In March of 2005, the US Supreme Court ruled in the City of Sherrill vs. the Oneida Nation, which stated that if substantial time had passed, a nation could not reassert sovereignty over traditional lands, complicating further claims to land by Akwesasne.

In 2005, a representative of Ganiekeh, sent a letter to then-president George W. Bush, stating that certain treaties including the Seven Nations of Canada treaty are deemed illegal because they were signed by Mohawks who “claimed to have represented the Mohawk Nation and who truthfully had extinguished their citizenry by enforcing and adhering to the laws of a foreign government.”

The letter states that the United States is therefore “in possession of stolen property.”

2014 MOU

In 2014, a MOU was made between the County of St. Lawrence, the SRMT, and the State of New York. Within it is a clause that states that the New York Power Authority (NYPA) enters the MOU endorsing a negotiated settlement that requires “an Act of Congress to forever extinguish all Mohawk land claims prior to the Settlement Agreement.”

The MOU was signed by SRMT tribal chiefs, the president of the NYPA, the governor of New York, and the chairman of the St. Lawrence County Legislature – though the clause regarding the extinguishment of land claims was not agreed to by the SRMT, instead included as something that the NYPA and State of New York endorse.

More legal procedure ensued, and eventually, in June 2023, the New York State legislature pre-authorized New York governor Kathy Hochul to sign a settlement agreement with “terms considerably consistent to” the 2014 MOU.

In the proposed final settlement agreement, which has been viewed by The Eastern Door, it is stated that the 2014 MOU is “made fully a part of this agreement.”

Alfred said he’s deeply concerned about what that could mean going forward.

“It’s very clear, page one of the final text of the agreement says that all memorandums of understanding included are fully incorporated and ratified by virtue of signing the agreement,” Alfred said. “There’s no way to argue that the 2014 MOU isn’t relevant, when the settlement agreement says that it is fully incorporated, and I believe that the clause is going to have an impact on the Nation’s ability to pursue recognition of our inherent rights.”

Some discussions have suggested that the MOU will not necessarily be incorporated into the law that’s eventually passed by Congress – the SRMT, the MCA, and the MNCC did not technically agree to the extinguishment of land claim rights.

Alfred said that signing the agreement is too big a risk to take.

“You have to ask yourself, as a Mohawk, do you trust Donald Trump’s Congress to not extinguish our rights when they, a) have the power to do so in American law, and b) it’s an option presented to them in this final settlement agreement,” he said. 

Promises in the agreement

The settlement agreement includes free tuition at State University of New York (SUNY) universities for Ahkwesahsró:non, hunting and fishing rights, and a provision for low-cost power.

There is also a provision for a $2 million payment per year for 35 years, totalling $70 million, which will be paid by the NYPA to SRMT, MCA, and MNCC.

David said these benefits are, at first glance, tempting.

“For a long time, I was for this settlement, I actually only changed my stance on it last year,” said David, who had attended SRMT information sessions about the land claim. “From their info, I loved the land claim. I thought, we can’t get any better.”

He took action to learn more about the claim.

“I started going to Longhouses and talking with individuals, and SRMT is not saying the fine print and what will happen in the long run,” he said. “They’re really just banking on the complacency of the people to not even look into this.”

Council positions

The SRMT declined The Eastern Door’s request for an interview about its decision to sign on to the final settlement agreement on December 11.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne also declined The Eastern Door’s request for an interview, stating that MCA chiefs are “engaging with community members within their jurisdiction to gather their insight on the New York State Land Claim Settlement Agreement.”

On Thursday afternoon, the MNCC shared a press release stating that they would no longer recognize Howard Thompson, a Wolf Clan Roiá:ner (chief) in part due to his engagement with New York State, SRMT, and MCA on the land claim settlement.

“By tying the People of the Longhouse/Mohawk Nation Council of Chiefs/Haudenosaunee Confederacy to this settlement, it inadvertently accepts the legitimacy of the 1796 treaty; which confirms a consensual surrender of our land in New York State,” the release reads.

“We share this notification now, as we cannot wait until after he signs an agreement that could potentially destroy our inherent claim to our ancestral lands.”

The MNCC were not available for an interview about the settlement agreement before deadline, but Louise Herne McDonald, MNCC Bear Clan mother, told The Eastern Door“We are greatly opposed to it as it reads.”

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It can be fun to make a Top 5 Christmas wish list for the entire community, but this one isn’t about chocolate and a train set, although Kahnawake should be getting money for the actual train tracks that litter the community, but we digress on that, at least for now.

Instead, we will focus on tangible things that can change our lives for the better, and pull our community, sometimes kicking and screaming, into a better place. Colonialism is tough enough on its own, so dealing with those who profess to want the best for the community yet disguise their own gain as that of the collective, is who everyone needs to be wary of.

Number 1: Landback.

Sure, that may be a catchphrase to some, but to the people whose land was actually stolen, land that continues to be built upon by squatters, well it’s about righting a wrong and making a brighter future for all.

No one is doing much of anything about the land claims that exist. How do we know that? Well, the land is still not in our possession, so until it is, nothing real is being done to benefit our people. Besides, look at what happened with the 500 acres given back as part of the Highway 30 build – out-of-touch mayors fought it to try to stop it, so with an attitude like that, they won’t just give it back.

There are many roads to go down to try and change that, but council after council seem too scared, too ignorant, or just plain too out of their league to make any real inroads on a file that opened up in 2003 and is going on 22 years and counting.

Number 2: Language.

We grow up hearing when your time finally comes on this Earth and Creator speaks to you, if you can’t speak back to him in Kanien’kéha, how will he know you’re Onkwehón:we?

It may be a metaphor for language loss, colonial impact, and yearning for a more fluent population, but it’s one that has stuck with us and makes us think of what was and what could be.

Only roughly 3,500 speakers of our language exist in the world. What will we do to change that?

Our language connects us to who we are but also to the natural world around us in a way colonial languages cannot. Learning it in any way you can is a form of taking back what was lost, and of honouring our ancestors who died speaking it.

Number 3: Our mental health

Here’s a little secret: If we aren’t mentally well then none of what we say here will matter because we’ll be missing the key ingredient to put it all together.

That means getting the help and support you need to work through your traumas (we all have them) and treating others with a good mind while honouring and respecting all of those who walk this Earth, Native and non-Native alike; animals, plants, the air we breathe, the land we walk on.

If we think gossip and targeting others is power, then Ka’nikonhrí:io will forever be a meaningless word.

We have to fix ourselves so we don’t just raise a nation of whatevers, but one of powerful, prideful people who live in harmony as we used to, with everything around us.

Number 4: Family values

This goes along with mental health, but it goes further. If you cherish your family, you will do anything in your power to protect them. However, along with that way of thinking are the values you hold for your larger families: Kanien’kehá:ka, Onkwehón:we, and people of all colours and backgrounds.

If you treat your family with the dignity and respect they deserve, you have to remember family isn’t limited to a few people.

And that’s what your children will see and learn from.

Number 5: Unity

This follows treating others with respect, and as family, but it goes further as well because true unity means forgiving those who hurt you. Real unity means putting the collective above your interests, and it means stepping outside of your comfort zone to achieve much larger goals than just a new car or house.

Unity means respecting other communities and fighting like hell for their ambitions, instead of against each other out of selfishness.

Unity is not achieved without a ton of sacrifice, but a unified nation is a powerful one, and when you have power, they listen.

For now, we are divided, we fight each other too often, and we have no collective vision to get us out of this rut.

Only once we realize we’re the frogs in the boiling water we joke about, and truly understand what that means, will we be able to jump out, once and for all.

Steve Bonspiel

The Eastern Door

The Ashukan Institute and the KWE! Meet With Indigenous Peoples Festival are coming together to hold the first Indigenous Connections Summit at the Montreal Convention Centre in March.

The summit, which will be held between March 11-13 next year, will focus on economic reconciliation for its first edition.

“Of course, reconciliation touches subjects like health and social services, education, and justice, but for this first edition of the summit, we wanted it to be about a subject that was easier to measure concretely, that being economic reconciliation,” said Alexandre Bacon, president of the Ashukan Institute.

The summit will feature five roundtable discussions, each concerning a different aspect of economic reconciliation.

Bacon said that these roundtable subjects will help see where things are at concretely in Indigenous communities relating to their economic situations and agreements with the public and private sectors.

“What we’ve seen is that reconciliation has been a topic for decades, but very few indicators have been put out there to see where things are at, measure where we are with that,” said Bacon. “Are we going forwards? Are we going backwards? Is it all window dressing? What is really being done in terms of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples? We’re interested in what has been done in terms of concrete actions.” 

The event will be co-chaired by Michel Sabia, president and CEO of Hydro Quebec, and Canadian senator Michèle Audette.

The choice of chairs was made to show the multiple perspectives the summit is looking for.

According to Bacon, it was important to have one male and one female chair, one from the business world and one from politics, and to have one Indigenous and one non-Indigenous chair.

The announcement of the summit and Sabia’s involvement with it comes on the heels of Hydro Quebec’s announcement last week of its new Strategy for Economic Reconciliation and to Strengthen Relations with First Nations and Inuit.

In its publicly available announcement, the Crown Corporation stated its goals are “to support the economic, social, and cultural development of Indigenous communities, including through the sharing of wealth generated by energy projects, and to make our organization more open and inclusive, for our Indigenous employees, customers, suppliers and partners.”

At times in its history, Hydro Quebec has had a tumultuous relationship with Quebec’s Indigenous communities. For the James Bay hydroelectric projects of the 1970s and 1980s, for example, infrastructure was built over objections of the Cree populations to whom the land belonged. Phase one of the project flooded land on the Island of Fort George, forcing them to move onto the mainland. 

The second phase, which would have threatened the Great Whale River, was only stopped because of years of resistance by the Cree.

Bacon said that Sabia’s attitude as head of Hydro Quebec has been different, and that he wants to work with Indigenous populations, not against them.

 “Michel Sabia is, of all the CEOs in Quebec, the one who has pushed the most to make Indigenous peoples real partners in projects,” said Bacon. 

The MCK and Hydro Quebec signed an agreement earlier this year to co-own the new Hertel-New York Interconnection Transmission Line, with the MCK holding a minority stake in the 58-KM project. The project was heralded as an example of economic reconciliation.

“For us, it is a chance to put that into perspective and explore the efforts of Hydro Quebec to rethink the way it interacts with Indigenous people, not just that they are consulted, but that they become partners, and that their wants and needs are taken into account.”

Lynn St-Jacques, senior communications advisor for Hydro Quebec, said that the alignment of the summit with Hydro Quebec’s newly released strategy – as well as its pre-existing sponsorship of the KWE! Meet with Indigenous Peoples Festival – made chairing the event an easy opportunity to accept.

“The Indigenous Connections Summit and the strategy are, of course, two distinct initiatives, but they share the same theme. The summit will be a great forum for us to further discuss and foster reflections on our strategy, which is intended to be an evolving process,” said St-Jacques.

The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL) has already reacted positively to the announcement of Hydro Quebec’s strategy. In a statement, AFNQL regional chief Ghislain Picard said that “Hydro Québec’s Strategy for Economic Reconciliation is a first step in the right direction. It is based on principles on which First Nations agree. We have rights that deserve recognition and respect. We appreciate that Hydro Quebec and Mr. Sabia are committed to this path.” 

Mohawk Council of Kahnawake grand chief Cody Diabo is currently slated to speak at the summit’s “Guest of Honor and Honorary Co-Presidency Address,” on Wednesday, March 12, at 9:45 a.m., pending confirmation from Diabo.

[email protected]

Nearly a year-and-a-half after being brought to Quebec’s National Assembly, a bill aimed at establishing cultural safety for Indigenous people in healthcare settings has been officially adopted – though many Indigenous groups say that the legislation doesn’t go far enough, and that their organizations weren’t adequately consulted.

“‘Cultural security’ needed to be defined with us, we needed to have a mutual definition, because each person can define and interpret differently,” said Marjolaine Étienne, executive director of Quebec Native Women (QNW).

QNW was one of multiple organizations that publicly expressed their dissatisfaction with Bill 32 last week, alongside the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), the Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan (CDAM), the Joyce’s Principle Office, and the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Health and Social Services Commission (FNQLHSSC). 

“What are we working for? That’s the question. Are we just putting a bandage on the issue, or are we working on something with more depth?” Étienne said. “We’re not actually working on these things to meet the real needs of First Nations women and girls.”

The bill itself came about in the wake of the death of Joyce Echaquan, an Atikamekw woman who passed away in September 2020 at a hospital near Manawan. A public inquiry was launched into her death and the coroner’s report recommended that the Quebec government acknowledge the existence of systemic racism within healthcare institutions and commit to helping eliminate it.

From that sprung Joyce’s Principle, a document created by the Atikamekw Nation which outlines measures aimed at guaranteeing all Indigenous people the right of equitable access to all social and health services without discrimination.

However, there’s a reason the government cannot adopt Joyce’s Principle.

“To be transparent, to put Joyce’s Principle in place, we need to recognize systemic racism, and we’ve still got the same position on that,” said Quebec’s minister responsible for relations with First Nations and Inuit Ian Lafrenière.

The government has repeatedly refused to recognize the existence of systemic racism, leading it instead to create Bill 32, which was officially passed last Thursday.

The bill requires every institution in the health and social services network to adopt a cultural safety approach towards Indigenous people that “takes their cultural and historical realities into account in all interactions with them.”

Ghislain Picard, chief of the AFNQL, said that there’s a lack of accountability within the bill, with health networks only having to release their plans to ensure safe practices to the government.

Part of the problem, he said, is that Quebec did not listen to Indigenous communities when deciding what measures needed to be taken.

“It’s not up to Quebec to do that. It’s up to us to determine what Quebec needs to do to provide cultural safety,” Picard said.

“We’ve always been open to adhering to a process that would’ve seen us really, genuinely involved. The government had a very good opportunity to co-construct and co-develop a law with us, and they didn’t choose that route.”

Lafrenière said that the bill does include accountability – health and social services networks must report back to the government with a list of practices implemented to ensure cultural safety, which are to be published annually.

“It’s going to be transparent, people will see that. It’s a very important aspect of the bill. I heard comments that there are no obligations, but I don’t agree with that,” he said. 

Lafrenière also said that the use – or lack thereof – of the term “systemic racism” has led to roadblocks in addressing racism in the province.

“Each time this expression is used, I get some people that completely are not open to talk about it anymore, they shut down,” he said.

“At the end of the day, let’s fight racism instead of fighting about expressions.”

He said he acknowledges the reactions of some Indigenous groups to the passage of the bill.

“It’s a reaction, I think it’s a human reaction, and I do respect and understand that,” he said. “I’m not saying it’s perfect, I’m not saying everything’s going to change because of it, but we need to start somewhere.”

Picard said that AFNQL will be monitoring whether the bill leads to real change.

“We’ll just have to wait and see how all of this unfolds in the coming weeks and months,” he said. 

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A local man is facing criminal charges after being arrested in connection with recent threats made to the Kateri Memorial Hospital Centre (KMHC). 

The hospital had to go into lockdown on two separate occasions over the last four weeks, the latest being Saturday, when a man called threatening to enter with a gun. Another threat to shoot also came into the hospital’s landline on November 19, with both incidents prompting lockdowns.

The Kahnawake Peacekeepers believe the same man was behind both threats. 

“They were saying that same thing,” said KHMC executive director Valerie Diabo. “They threatened with a shooting to the organization.”

The man called around 2:40 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, said Diabo, who immediately rushed over as soon as she got word of what happened.

“When I received the call, I was in disbelief. I was like, ‘Oh no, not again,” she said. “I’ll be honest, fear set in.”

The lockdown remained in place until 6:30 p.m. A security perimeter was set up by the Peacekeepers around the hospital, and no one could enter or leave the building, in the meantime. 

The call had come in just as a holiday party was ending that afternoon, meaning many visitors had to stay put until the lockdown was lifted. Hospital staff were more than happy to make them comfortable, Diabo said. 

“Our kitchen staff went into high gear preparing extra meals for our staff and visitors that were here that couldn’t leave,” she said. “They were patient. They were very grateful for being fed and that we took care of them.”

Kahentiióhstha’ (Roberta) Duhaime had to come visit her mother Mary Paul that day, but first had to wait until the coast was clear before she could come.

“There’s something wrong, the person has some issues going on,” she said. “I think that it’s a manifestation of a change in our society. Because people have always had issues, but I don’t think this is something that people considered doing. These kinds of things just didn’t happen before.”

Call traced back to home

Peacekeepers spokesperson Kyle Zachary said this time around investigators were able to trace the number of the caller to a home on North Creek Road.

“The staff member that took the call made note of the number,” Zachary said, saying it led them to an IP address. “It was through an online service that he placed this call.” 

Peacekeepers came to the home to arrest the suspect the next day, just before noon. 

Joseph So:se Montour now faces six separate charges, including three for uttering threats, two for intimidation, and one for assaulting a Peacekeeper, after having appeared before a judge at the Longueuil courthouse this Monday. 

He faces a third count for uttering threats, with police alleging he threatened a Peacekeeper while in custody. Police also claim there was also a struggle during his arrest, prompting the count for assaulting a Peacekeeper.

Diabo declined to comment on the arrest, saying she wanted to hold off as criminal proceedings are now underway. 

Montour’s court file reveals he’s been arrested before by the Peacekeepers for making threats, once in 2021 and another time in 2022. He pleaded not guilty following both arrests.

The charges stemming from his 2021 arrest were later withdrawn in 2022. He was also acquitted on charges stemming from his 2022 arrest in 2023.

Though he was acquitted on the threat charge and another for obstructing justice in 2023, the judge did agree to impose a one-year protection order for someone Montour knew who had requested one. 

Such requests can be lodged anytime someone has fears someone will harm them or their family, damage their property, or share intimate photos of them, even before any crime has been committed. Conditions can include being barred from communicating or going near the person under the protection order, depending on what the judge orders.

The Eastern Door contacted Montour’s lawyer, and also attempted to reach Montour by phone, but did not hear back by deadline. 

As of Thursday, he had yet to plead. A judge was expected to decide that day whether or not he’d be released from custody, but this information was not available by deadline.

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An agreement billed as the first of its kind promises to open up the personnel records of hundreds of members of the Oblates of OMI Lacombe Canada who worked in dozens of residential schools, files that could assist communities in seeking truth and identifying abusers.

The transfer of records to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) is set to take place over a year, under the supervision of an archivist paid for by the Oblates, with the NCTR pledging to make the records accessible to the “fullest extent that federal and provincial privacy laws allow.” Information such as portions relating to third parties or health will be redacted.

The agreement follows three years of discussions between the Oblates and the NCTR following the discovery of unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was administrated by the religious group. The result is the transfer of personnel records of members who died at least two years ago; the previous standard was 50 years.

“My ultimate hope is it gives answers to the people who were impacted by the schools, directly or indirectly, and that a fuller history of the residential schools might be known by more and more people,” said father Ken Thorson, provincial leader for the Oblates of OMI Lacombe. “If we can contribute to that, it will have been more than worth the work that has gone into this by ourselves and by the NCTR.”

According to NCTR head of archives and senior research director Raymond Frogner, in the coming weeks the NCTR is planning to post the names of more than 700 Oblates and the residential schools at which they worked on the centre’s website. This information was compiled over two years of research, he said, during which discussions with the Oblates were ongoing.

“I honestly believe this is a serious step forward because this is the first time we’ve done it,” said Frogner, adding the centre is hoping to enact similar agreements with other religious orders to help get around the restrictive privacy legislation that governs access to NCTR records.

The information contained in personnel records is highly sought after by groups that are working to uncover the truth about residential schools.

“Every community that is doing searches for the missing and disappeared children, they’re combing through these (other) archival records, and they’re creating lists of names of children and where they came from, and they’re extracting names they can find in letters and documents to put together a personnel list,” said Kimberly Murray, who is wrapping up her mandate this month as Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools.

However, there are many hurdles to compiling a comprehensive list of personnel using these methods.

“They were kids,” said Murray. “They had names for individuals. They didn’t necessarily know their real name, or they just knew them as the gardener, or they had a name that they called the gardener who abused everyone. So the personnel records is something the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission) fought for and that churches kept saying they were not going to deliver the personnel records for the TRC.”

The promised availability of the Oblates’ personnel records contrasts with many of the other millions of records in the hands of the NCTR.

The final report published by Murray’s office in October contains a chapter advocating for the decolonization of archives, noting that churches have highlighted that they are not subject to the privacy legislation that apply to other kinds of organizations. This means records in the hands of the NCTR – housed at the University of Manitoba and subject to Manitoba privacy laws – can be harder to access than if they are obtained directly from churches, according to Murray.

This leads to what Murray called a shell game, in which churches can use the NCTR to, in effect, hide records while creating an illusion of transparency.

“Everywhere I went, people were complaining about their access to the records at the NCTR,” said Murray, who added that the Oblates and similar groups should share records directly with communities.

Thorson suggested the Oblates believe that managing access to the records is now the responsibility of the NCTR, however.

“They’re a third party that ensures transparency, that ensures the documents that have been transferred for the sake of preserving the history of the schools, that they’re the ones that are making decisions about how it is made available to whom,” Thorson said.

Frogner objected to the idea that personnel records are being concealed through the transfer.

“They’re not hiding behind us at all,” said Frogner, who added that the agreement has been constructed so that the Oblates are opening their files in a way that will prevent some of the privacy legislation hurdles that apply to the records provided by the TRC.

“This is my effort to try and get around it,” he said.

“I got here in 2016, and I’m just trying to get around the legislation that was in place when I got here to open the records as much as possible.”

Frogner noted the importance of the personnel files as a means of gathering clues as to which priests and other members of the Oblates may have been abusers. He and Murray both pointed out that it was common for guilty priests to be shuffled around different assignments.

“One of the things you’ll notice is some priests worked at one school their entire career and they don’t have any problems in their history,” said Frogner. “Other priests seem to bounce around four or five different [schools], and these are the ones that seem to have had issues with crimes against children.”

Reports from superiors and job reviews that may be in the personnel files can also shed light on what happened, even as this means reading between the lines, Frogner said.

“This is another piece of the puzzle. You’re not going to find always a smoking gun, but it will help you in your research to understand what happened,” he said.

The Eastern Door requested a copy of the agreement from the NCTR but did not receive a response by deadline.

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

David Scott has officially retired from his role as fire chief of the Kahnawake Fire Brigade (KFB). Since joining in early 1980s, Scott has committed 42 years to the brigade, climbing through ranks to become chief and eventually fire chief. 

The station’s executive committee shared the announcement this week. Though he’ll no longer be fire chief, he’ll still be on call if help is needed.

“David has 42 years in the department and will remain an active member as a firefighter, and remains dedicated to the department and the community,” wrote Doug Lahache, vice chairperson of the committee, in a statement to the media on Tuesday. “The KFB appreciates the 30 years of service David has provided the department as fire chief and wishes him all the best in his retirement.”

His retirement began on Sunday, December 8. Assistant fire chief Wihse Stacey is taking over his role in the interim. 

“He had been speaking about retirement probably since he was 50,” Stacey joked.

Scott is the third-longest-serving member of the fire brigade behind Arnold Lazare, who boasts 45 years, and Dwaine White, who’s put in 44 years. 

Lazare, Scott, and Terry Diabo were the first ever certified instructors at the brigade 

“We trained most of the members that are there,” said Lazare, who was fire chief for 17 years at the brigade before passing the torch to Scott. “The three of us worked together to make the fire brigade what it is today.”

Asked whether he’d consider putting his name in as successor, Stacey said he’s still undecided.

“Forty-two years speaks volumes. I don’t think anybody can gain the experience that somebody would bring from 42 years in 20 years,” said Stacey, who served in the brigade for over 24 years now. “It will honestly take me 42 years to gain the experience and knowledge that he brought to the fire ground. He was very clear. He had a direction in mind of how the incident needed to be managed, and that’s what was done.”

Lazare said Stacey would have his full support if he chooses to go that route. 

 “I believe he’s a strong candidate,” he said. “He’s young, he’s smart, and he’s got a lot of certification. I suspect he will be the next chief, but that’s just my opinion.”

An internal selection process for the next fire chief is expected to begin in the new year.

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Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) grand chief Cody Diabo used last week’s Assembly of First Nations (AFN) special chiefs’ assembly to challenge federal leaders to envision what a future relationship could look like between Kahnawake and Canada.

He also pushed for an official apology for the Oka Crisis at the assembly, where First Nations leaders from across the country gathered.

“It’s always good to network with other communities and build relationships,” said Diabo, who attended the AFN alongside MCK chiefs Jeffrey Diabo, Iohahí:io Delisle, and Ryan Montour, as well as representatives from the external government relations portfolio team and Council technicians. 

Representatives from the federal government, including prime minister Justin Trudeau, were in attendance and addressed the AFN.

“I feel the same urgency as you do to move forward, because every day that goes by, there are more problems that we haven’t resolved and more issues that we need to keep working on,” Trudeau told the assembly.

Federal opposition party leaders were also in attendance, including New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh and Yves-François Blanchet, leader of the Bloc Quebecois.

Those in attendance were invited to ask questions and speak directly to the leaders, and Cody took to the mic to invite Blanchet to Kahnawake. A clip of that moment has been shared widely on social media.

“It is still our land, our ancestors were there, and my ancestors were there when your ancestors arrived on boats,” Cody said.

“I welcome you to Kahnawake so we can have a conversation about what our relationship should be, and how your people can start packing up.”

Blanchet responded to Cody directly.

“In today’s reality, we are the immigrants. We came on lands where people were living in their own way,” he said. 

“Nowadays, we have to search for a balance which will be respectful of everybody’s prerogative.”

Diabo also met with the federal minister for Crown-Indigenous Relations, Gary Anandasangaree. The return of Seigneury lands was briefly discussed, as well as the possibility of Canada issuing an official apology for their role in the Siege of Kanehsatake, also known as the Oka Crisis.

“If Canada wants to look at building up their relationship with us, then there needs to be a formal apology for sending the army to Kahnawake and on the Mohawk people during 1990,” said Cody. “He said it’s something that he will address, it’s definitely something that he would be supportive of, but it needs to come from the government as a whole and not just an individual in a meeting.”

Chiefs also discussed the recent decision made by the AFN to return to the negotiating table regarding Jordan’s Principle and long-term reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services program, with First Nations Child and Family Caring Society executive director Cindy Blackstock leading the plenary discussion.

While in Ottawa, Cody also participated in the Iroquois Caucus General Assembly, where they discussed the role of the AFN in terms of governance.

“It’s our position that AFN are an advocacy group, but they’re entering into domains of rights holders, which has us concerned, and nobody speaks for Kahnawake,” Cody said. 

Cody said that the Iroquois Caucus is working on updating protocols that exist between it and the AFN to ensure that role is clear.

“Essentially the Iroquois Caucus speaks for themselves, and we attend AFN basically to see what’s going on,” he said. “We may ask for changes to some resolutions or vote on them, but we try to stay out of it as much as possible.”

The next Iroquois Caucus meeting is in January, where chiefs will continue to discuss the topic going forward.

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The second annual Indigenous Winter Market welcomed throngs of visitors this past weekend to Oka Park’s Littoral Visitors Centre, bordering the snowy beach.

“Our market is a little bit more than a market, it’s almost a festival,” said Véronique Vincent, tourism project manager for Kanehsatà:ke Tourism, the organization behind the event. 

“I think the mission is really about being independent, regaining our right to exist, and reconnecting,” she said. “Between different Indigenous communities we used to trade all the time. Why not bring that back to life?”

After kicking off the event with an opening ceremony on Friday night, visitors enjoyed a broad range of experiences all weekend.

Not only were there more than 40 vendors, but everything from music, singing, and dance demonstrations to tattooing and free workshops. 

“The more you have diversity, the more you know people, the more you are rich as a person,” said Vincent. “Our mission is not only about bringing Kanesatake to light, it’s also about bringing people together.”

An exciting addition this year came from Café Masko, serving hot meals on both days. Jacques Watso, owner of the cafe and also an elected councillor of the Abenaki Council of Odanak, said that 800 dishes were sold during the weekend.

The menu featured Watso family recipes, with food like bannock, rabbit stew with dumplings, game meat stew, cedar and berry tea, along with sagamité, a traditional soup.

“We’re practically neighbours, the Abenakis and the Mohawks, even if we’re divided by the Richelieu River. On our side there is good food, and on this side too. It’s nice to do these exchanges,” said Watso.

While Café Masko is located in Odanak, Watso also caters events, including in neighbouring communities.

“Masko is the name of my daughter, I do this for her,” Watso said. “It’s a meeting place, a place of cultural exchange.”

Market-goer Jean Brunet visited the Indigenous Winter Market for the second year to try Café Masko’s food and to stock up on Little Tree Farms’ delicacies, like cinnamon honey and ginger honey.

“We really came for the honey, we’re honey afficionados,” said Brunet.

Among returning vendors was Kanehsata’kehró:non Kaysun Oke.

“I like to try and make a diversity for people. I have some wood burnings that are a little bit traditional, and I have some that are more focused towards nature,” she said. “I have some earrings, I’ve got a little bit of leather work. I have a little bit of everything for everybody.”

On Sunday, she also led the woodburning workshop, which she did last year as well.

Across from Oke’s table, market-goers sampled 392 Pepper Company’s products. 

“We make hot sauce, corn chips, salsa, sunflower seeds, all homegrown peppers turned into a juggernaut of hot things,” said Kahnawake owner Jonn Mayo.

“It all started with family, just getting together in the garden, and an overabundance of peppers one year, and what are we going to do with them?” he said.

It’s a family business; Mayo’s kids do the labelling on the bottles, and even the graphic design is done in house.

On Saturday and Sunday, Reviving Kanehsatà:ke Radio 101.7 FM broadcasted live from the market and conducted interviews.

“I think it’s important for the radio station to be involved in community events, and this event was very important for getting us known. Getting other communities and other cultures to know what our culture is about,” said Karahkóhare Syd Gaspé, president of the nonprofit Mohawk Multimedia, which oversees the station.

“We’re also about promoting our culture through language, because language is the essence of our being,” Gaspé added.

He said Kanienʼkéha speakers present at the event spoke on the broadcast on Saturday, and they were hoping to run into others on Sunday.

“If they’re willing to speak on the radio, they can say some words in Kanienʼkéha so our audience can know what our language sounds like,” he said.

Vincent is hoping that next year the event grows and expands beyond the building into the outdoor space. 

“Eventually let’s extend, go outside, bigger, brighter,” Vincent said.

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Among the Lord of the Rings fandom, even minor characters have the power to capture the imagination of readers. For Japanese filmmaker and animator Kenji Kamiyama, that character is Helm Hammerhand — the namesake of Helm’s Deep. Mentioned in just a dozen pages in the original trilogy, the character nonetheless looms large in the imagination; he apparently struck down an enemy in a single punch and he’s one of the two enormous figures that looms over the entryway of Helm’s Deep in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Kenji Kamiyama has made a name for himself producing Blood: The Last Vampire, and directing the Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. With The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, he brings a singular vision to the world of Tolkien. Set 183 years before the events of the Ring, his feature-length anime follows Helm Hammerhand’s daughter Héra, a strong-willed and clever young woman destined for greatness.

Kenji Kamiyama got his start working as a background artist on iconic films like Akira and Kiki’s Delivery Service. The film’s feminine centering has strong echoes of Éowyn, even featuring voice work from Miranda Otto, but it’s also clear that Kamiyama takes influence from characters in anime like Miyazaki’s Nausicaa and Princess Mononoke. As a character, Héra has many tomboy qualities but never loses her femininity. Where her father (voiced by Brian Cox) relies on his overwhelming strength, she has to rely on her intelligence and charisma in order to overcome her challenges. 

Speaking over Zoom with the help of a translator, Kamiyama talks about his interest in the character. “This character is supposed to be the strongest king in the history of Rohan. He killed Rekka with a single punch with his bare fist, but at the same time, he was overconfident. It leads to an incident that cuts off his bloodline.”

In the world of Tolkien, there are many different races (or species): hobbits, elves, orcs and humans. Kamiyama’s story interests itself in the realm of humans. “Helm Hammerhead is an important character in the story (of the Ring) and his story is the turning point for human history.” The film, rather than explore a war among the different races, focuses on a story of humans fighting each other. It becomes a tragedy marked by egos, misunderstandings and betrayals. 

The film’s inciting incident has to do with a marriage proposal gone wrong. Kamiyama sees this as a turning point that brings about a shift in influence in the world. “The sort of human saga that we are talking about is about the end of the era for the gods, and going into the era of humankind.”

Though set in a fantasy world, the film reflects on the fundamentals of human nature. Kamiyama sees the film as an exploration of humanity’s propensity for war. “It tells the story of how humankind cannot avoid war,” he says. Rather than attempt to root war in something noble and beautiful, it never transcends petty egos. We watch as people suffer and leaders refuse to concede ground in service of power. It’s a movie effectively about the pointless sacrifice of war as well, as Helm Hammerhead sees his bloodline destroyed in service of empty victories. The film doesn’t present battle as noble or good, but a fraught undertaking that cheapens the value of human life.

The film is friendly for young teen audiences that want to go deeper into the Lord of the Rings universe, but it certainly doesn’t condescend to them. It’s a film that features heroism but also examines the complexity and fragility of the human spirit. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is a welcome and fascinating addition to the realm of Tolkien adaptations. ■

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim opens in Montreal theatres on Friday, Dec. 13.

For our latest in film and TV, please visit the Film & TV section.

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Kanehsata’kehró:non Julia Kanathiiostha Lazore is officially in the running for this year’s Miss Indigenous Canada, the second edition of an annual pageant aimed at celebrating Indigenous women across Turtle Island.

“I’m just so excited to be a part of this experience, I think it’s a really great thing for the whole of Indian Country, honestly,” said Lazore, who is one of 22 contestants in this year’s pageant. 

She was inspired to take part in the pageant after seeing Kahnawa’kehró:non Kahentísa’s Alfred participate last year. Alfred had shared her journey on social media.

“I just thought what she was doing was so inspiring, and she really inspired me to try it out,” Lazore said. “I followed her journey all summer, and I work a lot with the youth, so when I was inspired I thought maybe I could inspire some of them to get out of their comfort zone as well.”

Canada Aleria McKay, director and committee head of Miss Indigenous Canada, said that she’s looking forward to being back for another year of the pageant. 

“It’s looking to be a really great group, they’re all very accomplished and they’re all bringing something different and unique to the table,” said McKay, who is from Six Nations. “It’ll be great to meet all of them, and interesting to see how it all plays out on stage.”

Contestants compete in four categories as part of the competition: an interview, a personal essay portion, a cultural presentation, and the presentation of a community scrapbook. All contestants will head out to Six Nations for a three-day retreat during “pageant weekend” next summer, where they will participate in workshops, go on educational tours, and listen to guest speakers.

Community member Wanda Gabriel said she was delighted to see the news that Lazore is in the running for the pageant.

“Julia is a beauty inside and out. She is generous of heart, a young woman dedicated to learning our language,” she said. “She brings a beautiful smile to all and a gentle and kind heart in all that she does.”

This year’s cohort was announced just this week, but Lazore said she already has big ideas for what kind of topics to touch on – one of them being the youth in the community.

“I’m going to represent my community, and I really want to inspire the youth to put themselves out there,” she said.

As an adult immersion student at Ratiwennenhá:wi, Lazore is currently working to become a certified elementary immersion school teacher at Rotiwennakéhte Ionterihwaienhstáhkhwa, where she also attended as a child.

“That’s where I got all my songs, my dances, my everything, it was a big part of my life and taught me who I was for when I grew up,” Lazore said. 

She’s hoping to be able to platform the work of the elementary school and the language program in her campaign for Miss Indigenous Canada.

“I always say, I’m a superstar no matter what I do, whether I’m sitting in my class, cooking in the kitchen, or on the runway,” she said. “My real path is to be a teacher in the schools, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do this too and be proud of it.”

Community members can follow Lazore’s journey at her dedicated Facebook page set up for the pageant. 

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With demand expected to surge, Hydro-Québec says it has secured a new source of energy for demands to come.

Karonhiaráhstha’s Winter Wonderland has broken fundraising records once again, with the 10th edition of the event raising more than $260,000.

The event is named after Karonhiaráhstha Sky Junie Delisle, the infant daughter of Carla Skye and Iohahiio Delisle who passed away in St. Martin during a vacation.

Following that tragic event, the two co-founded the Winter Wonderland in her memory.

This year, the Kateri Memorial Foundation (KMF) event raised $260,796.18 through tree ticket and half-and-half sales, after expenses. Last year’s Wonderland, also record breaking at the time, raised almost $200,000.

The half-and-half alone raised $66,250 – $19,000 more than the 2023 half-and-half, which had sold out.

“We could not have done this without our sponsors, volunteers, the Delisle and Skye families, and of course all of our loyal customers,” said the KMF in a written statement announcing the total raised.

In a previous interview with The Eastern Door, Skye said that the Playground Poker complex venue exceeded her expectations in terms of how many people were going to attend, particularly from surrounding communities.

Indeed, the venue, which replaced the Knights of Columbus Hall following its temporary closing, was very close to Chateauguay and was easily accessible from Highway 138.

The ease of access helped raise the most money ever for the event, as more people than ever bought tickets trying to win one of the 21 trees displayed by businesses, families, and community organizations – and the plethora of gifts underneath them.

The money raised will continue to go to many charities and initiatives in the community.

Much of the money will continue to go to Karonhiaráhstha’s Memorial Scholarship program, which aims to support community students who pursue higher education.

Money will also go towards supporting causes benefitting parental bereavement, addiction, and CPR training.

The KMF is also giving $20,000 to the Orville Standup Memorial Food Basket, up from the $10,000 given to the Food Basket last year. 

“I would like to say niawenhkó:wa to the KMF organizers for yet again donating to the food basket, $20,000 will help us out in a big way, especially during the holiday season as we are giving out 100+ Christmas baskets, gifts for the children and other goodies to the clients on our list,” said Food Basket coordinator Cory Rice. “I feel really grateful to everyone involved.”

In addition, the KMF will be giving money raised by the Winter Wonderland to Kanien’kéha language causes in the community.

A bi-annual grant of $1,000 will be given to first and second-year students currently enrolled at the Kanien’kéha Ratiwennahní:rats immersion program.

Additionally, the KMF will be giving $20,000 to the Sharing Our Storiesproject.

“I think it’s amazing that the KMF is supporting Sharing Our Stories,” said Steve Bonspiel, who launched the project in 2022. The editor and publisher of The Eastern Door said that as more and more local organizations recognize its value for the community, the better it can accomplish its historical and cultural preservation goals.

“Donations like this go a long way to supporting our mandate and what we’re trying to do, but it’s also supporting our team,” said Bonspiel. “We exist for the community, we work for the community, and it’s going back to the community.”

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It’s safe to say that Santa Claus is quite the cookie connoisseur. This Christmas, why not change things up for the jolly fellow with this matcha tea and white chocolate cookie recipe? Better yet, serve them up on a red napkin or a Christmas-themed plate for a total festive feel.

Matcha is a type of green tea that is very popular in Japan, and it gives the foods and drinks it is used in an eye-catching green colour – a perfect fit with any holiday decorations on a table!

This recipe is from my roommate, Dominique, and is a favourite all-year round!

Ingredients

2 cups of all-purpose flour

3 heaping tablespoons of matcha tea powder (don’t hesitate to really make those tablespoons heaping)

½ tablespoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

¾ cup unsalted unmelted butter

1 cup brown sugar (can substitute same amount of white sugar)

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (real stuff is best, but Santa won’t judge if you go for artificial)

1 cup white chocolate chips

Preparation

1. In a bowl, mix the flour, the matcha tea powder, the baking soda, and the salt with a whisk. Put aside.

2. In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to mix the butter with the sugar. Incorporate the eggs and the vanilla extract until mix is light and fluffy.

3. At low speed, add the dry ingredients from step one to the mix in step two until the mixture is homogeneous, but no more than that. Add in the chocolate chips.

4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Put one-inch balls of cookie dough on two baking sheets covered with food-safe parchment paper, spacing each ball by about two inches.

6. With the oven heated, put one sheet in the top third of the oven and the other in the bottom third. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are slightly golden, switching the sheets halfway through baking.

8. Remove sheets from oven and let cool for about five minutes. Remove cookies from sheets and place on tray and let cool completely.

Makes about 36 cookies – enough for St. Nick to come back for thirds.

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According to a study by the Angus Reid Institute, 6% of Canadians say they want Canada to join the United States.

Conservatives (11%) are more than 10 times more likely than Liberal (1%) and NDP (1%) voters to say they want Canada to join the United States.

The study comes after Trump allegedly joked that Canada should join the U.S. as the country’s 51st state if it can’t handle the 25% tariff on Canadian goods. Trump followed up on the joke by posting “an AI-generated picture of himself on a Swiss mountain with the Canadian flag on his Truth social account.”

“Joking or not, Trump’s comments are landing with a thud on this side of the border. The question of attachment to Canada and whether Canadians see themselves better off with a merger is one that has fuelled debate in both countries for more than a century. While Trump may consider himself a master dealmaker, Canadians have consistently expressed disgust at the possibility of Canada joining the United States.”

The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from Nov. 29 to Dec. 5, 2024 among a representative randomized sample of 4,004 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum.

For our latest in news, please visit the News section.

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The Tsi Snaihne Recreation Centre in Snye was filled to the brim last weekend, as crowds from near and far packed in for another sold-out edition of the Akwesasne Indigenous Fashion Show.

“Everyone was so happy and confident after they got off the runway, and there was so much encouragement from everybody behind the scenes,” said Konwaséti Mariah Kirby, who came from Kahnawake to model in the show. “It felt so good, it’s just amazing to walk for such talented designers, Onkwehón:we designers from across Turtle Island.”

Kirby walked for two designers: Tisha Thompson, from Akwesasne, as well as Kahnawa’kehró:non Thea Thomas, who was showcasing her designs at the show for the first time.

For Thompson, Kirby walked in a twins-themed runway, where she was matched up with Yakohwasawaks Green, from Six Nations. The two wore matching hide shirts, white pants, and porcupine quill earrings for a striking identical look.

Thompson, who was also one of the main organizers for the event, said it was a delight to see models who had never met pull off her twin concept so well.

“When you go to another reserve, you’re like, ‘Oh my god, you look just like my cousin,’ and I wanted to see that come down the runway,” Thompson said. “I just can’t believe we nailed it.”

Thompson said this year was one of the best-organized iterations of the fashion show since it first started in 2006.

“It just went without any problems, it ran so, so smoothly,” Thompson said. “Our organizing committee stepped it up, and that’s why this show is the outcome.”

Also modelling for the twins runway was Kahnawa’kehró:non Dylen Delormier, who joined forces with Ahkwesahsró:non Carcie Thompson. The two wore an all-gold getup with reflective mirror detailing, a look that Delormier said brought to mind images of prom or a night out in Las Vegas. 

“Her work is impeccable, it’s honestly jaw-dropping how talented this woman is,” Delormier said. 

The show was a great way to meet other Onkwehón:we in the fashion industry and build connections for the future, Delormier said.

“It was so beautiful to get together with a group of girls and walk the runway in such beautiful clothing,” Delormier said. “The friendships that were made and the laughs that were shared are to be remembered forever, it was definitely a core memory for me.”

This year was model Kendall Horn’s fifth time walking in the show, which she makes the trip for every year from Kahnawake. 

“Seeing so many people in the stands makes me excited to see what the future holds for Onkwehón:we in the fashion industry, the talent in our communities deserves to be shown worldwide,” she said. 

Horn modelled for three designers: Tisha, Thomas, and Kay Francis Designs. Thomas’s looks are often streetwear-inspired, and Horn wore a mini skirt and jacket for her runway, with jewelry by Little Star Artistry. For Kay Francis Designs, she wore a long, fringed leather skirt paired with a turquoise crop top with gold accents.

“It takes a lot of effort and courage to showcase a line, and they all over-exceeded expectations,” Horn said.

Horn was paired with fellow Kahnawa’kehró:non Vanessa Martin for Tisha’s runway, making them one of the few sets of twins that were from the same community. The two wore looks intended to look like “liquid gold” with dentalium earrings made by Isabella Thompson. 

Martin also modelled for Tina Bradley of Queena Ribbon designs, wearing a miniskirt with pink and silver ribbon, alongside a lace kimono and beadwork by Waves Thompson that included a beaded body chain, two-tiered earrings and a choker. 

“It’s really moving to see the waves and trends Indigenous fashion is making in our communities and also in the fashion industry in outside society,” Martin said. “I think it’s a lovely thing that our people are being shown in such a radiant light to others, and I hope that light shines brighter and brighter.”

Many models and designers brought their children to the event. Kirby said that she was delighted that her six-year-old daughter got to witness so many proud Onkwehón:we creators on the runway.

“Seeing her just glow and light up from seeing me walking was such a proud moment for me, because I want her to be that confident when she grows up,” she said. “It’s really nice to have that support, and have her there watching me, knowing she can follow in my footsteps if she wants to one day.”

More than 300 people came to support the event, which featured 15 designers and around 100 models. Tickets to the show sold out in a matter of hours online, and Tisha said that next year, the event will be moving to a bigger location to meet demand. 

“We realized we’ve outgrown our venue, because we could’ve sold three times over that many tickets,” she said, adding that the support from Akwesasne and beyond is invaluable in propelling Indigenous fashion designers forward.

“It’s not just one person that does this. It takes a whole community to pull this off,” she said.

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Paul Graif said it was a complete surprise when he found out last week he’d won an award for being the best radio anchor and reporter in a small market. Unbeknownst to him, his boss Chris Reiser had submitted his name for Broadcast Dialogue’s Canadian Radio Awards.

“I was floored, at first I didn’t believe him,” Graif said, K1037 Radio’s news director.

He said it’s the first time in his 34-year career in broadcasting that he’s been recognized with an award.

“I guess it’s been my work in the community over the last almost 15 years now,” he said.

Reiser said he’s long been a fan of Graif, and had admired his work before joining K1037 over two years ago.

“He knows his audience very, very well,” said Reiser, the station’s program manager. “After all this time of hearing him and speaking with him and dealing with him, they know that they’re going to get a fair shake, and they trust him. And there’s nothing more valuable to a newscaster than trust.”

Graif became a news reporter at the station in 2010, after having spent over 20 years in sports broadcasting at CBC, Global, and CTV. For his first four years with K1037 he was also juggling working part-time at CTV, where he’d been since 2008. 

He said that despite his fond memories as a sports journalist, he doesn’t miss a thing about it. 

“I love being part of something,” he said about K1037. 

Prior to coming on in 2010, he had already had a brief stint at the station in the 1990s.

He had been playing basketball one day with Dan Dorsey, his former classmate and the sports director back then, when the topic of the radio station came up. 

“I said, ‘Sports? I’ll do anything.’” Graif saif. “He said, ‘I’m sending you to an Expos’ game.’”

He remained at the radio station from 1991 to 1994, working in sports, news, and eventually afternoon broadcasts, until he left for CBC in 1994.

“It was the education I never got about our Indigenous population in this country,” said Graif, a born and raised Montrealer. “I knew nothing about Kahnawake before I first showed up here six months after the Oka Crisis in 1991.”

Joe Delaronde met him at the station back in the 1990s, and said he’s always been struck by his dedication to the craft.

“He loves what he does, and from day one he’s always carried himself in the most professional manner, as professional as anybody I’ve ever worked with,” said Joe Delaronde, chair on the station’s board.

“He’s got a tough job,” he added. “He’s managed to do it and walk that fine line of getting the information out and being respectful at the same time.”

Graif said the accolade wouldn’t have been possible without all those willing to take his calls.

“I just want to thank the community, for just being so supportive,” he said. “And for allowing me to tell their stories, but also for answering the phone for those tough stories as well.”

He said he feels a deep connection to Kahnawake, saying it’s a place where he often spends his free time with the friends he’s made along the way. 

The news director said he was also elated to see the station named as a runner up in the award’s best community station in a small market category. 

“To me that’s what this is all about. You know, really diving into the community. That’s why we’re here,” Graif said. 

Mitch Craig, the voice behind the clips aired in between the station’s newscasts and interviews, also won an award for best imaging voice. 

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After working on and off at K1037 Radio since 1995, station manager Heather Bauersfeld is finally calling it quits. 

Everyone at the radio station knew her retirement would be coming soon. She had been saying it for years, but was waiting until she could find the right successor to take on the challenge. Dennis Stacey, host of the Afternoon Drive, will officially begin come the new year.

“Several of the board members, I can tell you this, were saying ‘Heather don’t leave! Don’t leave!’” said Joe Delaronde, chair of the station’s board.

Bauersfeld, a long-serving board member, was called upon in 2020 to fix the station’s financial woes after the prior station manager had been laid off. Advertisers were increasingly turning to social media and revenue had plummeted.

 “I fix and then I go – that’s what I do – but I’m not coming back again,” Bauersfeld said. 

The station’s operations, expenses, and its management of radio bingo had to all be reassessed, she said. 

“I did a complete analysis of all of that and submitted a report to the board. The board approved it and said, ‘Go ahead, make the changes.’ And here we are, nearly five years later from 2020, and we’ve never been in a better position,” said Bauersfeld, who had been juggling her managing of the station alongside a part-time job at Kahnawake’s Caisse Populaire until 2021.  

Luckily for the station, their Friday night radio bingo grew in popularity over the pandemic as bingo halls shuttered. 

It was also around then that Stacey first joined K1037 as an intern, helping to produce the Afternoon Drive. He was briefly let go over the pandemic, but was later called back in to host the show. 

He’s worn many hats since then, working in commercial traffic coordination and radio bingo, in addition to other roles. That made him an easy pick, Bauersfeld said.

“I’m a capable person. I’m able to handle a lot of information, and a lot of the stress that comes with the job,” Stacey said. “I’ve learned just about every aspect that can be learned about not only community radio, but K1037 itself.”

Station news director and anchor Paul Graif described him as “unbelievably dedicated.”

“He came in with next to no experience in radio, but all he has done is shown an unbelievable aptitude for learning, for improving,” he said. “He’s taken it upon himself to learn every job in the station, and he’s done them all. He is well positioned to understand everything that goes on here and lead us into the future.”

Delaronde said Stacey has the full support of the station’s board of directors.

“He’s a good guy. He’s got energy. He says all the right things. He does all the right things. He gets his hands dirty when there’s a job to be done,” he said. “He’s very adaptable, and you need that in a small organization. You can’t be a one-trick pony.”

Bauersfeld will remain in her role until December 31, training Stacey in the meantime. Though she’s retired, she’ll continue to remain busy with her latest role at the Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC). 

“Everybody that comes through the doors at K103 has always said that once you’re here and you’ve worked here for a long period of time, it kind of gets in your blood, right? So, it’s hard to leave,” she said. “I am going to miss it tremendously.”

While it feels bittersweet saying goodbye, she said she’s sure now is the right time to go.

“It needs fresh young energy now,” she said. 

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The Kahnawake Survival School (KSS) wrestling team took part in an exhibition meet with Massey-Vanier High School last Wednesday in Cowansville, with both teams looking to sharpen their skills before the holiday break on the road to the Greater Montreal Athletic Association (GMAA) tournament in February.

“The coach for their team asked me if we wanted to do it, just to have something happen before the kids go on Christmas break, which is what I was looking forward to doing,” said Brandon Stalk, head coach for KSS’s wrestling team.

Both teams matched up pretty well on paper, according to Stalk, so he accepted the offer to have the team go to Cowansville for the meet.

While it was an exhibition, and the teams did not officially keep score, Stalk said that KSS performed well, winning five of nine matches.

“Our guys wrestled pretty well. I was happy with what I saw,” said Stalk. “They have a pretty good understanding of the basics, and they executed them pretty well.”

Stalk said that, compared to when training started, the team is showing improvement both on offense and, especially, on defense.

“Defense was something I was focusing on with them for the last two weeks,” said Stalk.

This year, KSS has wrestlers in 13 of the 15 weight classes teams compete in and have more than one wrestler in three of those weight classes.

Stalk said that the number of wrestlers on the team this year means they could be one of the top teams come GMAA time – due to the official points system, not having a wrestler in a weight class is a penalty of five points, severely tanking their point totals in past tournaments.

“That’s our main tournament. That’s the tournament where KSS used to win the whole tournament every year for like, 20 years,” said Stalk. “It’s the one we want to do well in again.”

KSS’s squad is relatively inexperienced still, as almost half the athletes are rookies. Some even wrestled their first ever non-practice matches against Massey-Vanier. But, Stalk said, the team has a lot of fast learners.

“Some of our rookies are very athletic, and they’re picking up the sport very fast,” said Stalk. “With what I see now, I’m able to start teaching them a lot more things. We’re going to start adding on to their offensive moves, and I think by the time we get into February, we’re going to see another improvement in their technique.”

Still, nothing beats experience for Stalk.

“They need to get used to that pressure of being in a real match and going for it, and they can only get that by having more meets,” said Stalk. “So that’s why the one last week was important to us.”

KSS brought 14 wrestlers to the meet, and with Massey-Vanier not having enough wrestlers for every weight class, some KSS teammates went against each other.

“That worked out pretty well. They were even matches. Our guys got some decent mat time,” said Stalk.

Stalk is hoping to organize more meets once everyone gets back from the holidays. For now, he is happy with how the exhibition with Massey-Vanier went – and would gladly do it again with them.

“It was a really good week for us, and I’m glad he invited us over. We’ll definitely try something like this again, and maybe next time it will be at KSS,” said Stalk.

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Months after community voting on Facebook ended, the Kahnawake Minor Hockey Association (KMHA) has unveiled and equipped teams with brand new jerseys.

The home jerseys are black with white and yellow stripes, with the white and black reversed for the away jerseys.

They feature a new logo, designed by Shakohahiiostha McComber. The logo is a side profile of a Kanien’kehá:ka man wearing a three-feathered kastowa.

“I think choosing this logo with the Kanien’kehá:ka head honours the history of Kahnawake’s past jerseys which also used a head as the logo,” said KMHA board member Emily Stacey. 

McComber said that when he submitted his design – one of over 20 received by the KMHA – he did not even consider the possibility his design would be the winner of the community vote.

“I just wanted to participate,” said McComber, who has a lot of graphic design software experience in his day job. “Kahnawake is full of really great artists. I was really surprised. I didn’t think it would go anywhere.”

Although the logo design won the online voting, the colours did not. In fact, purple was the winning colour on Facebook.

On November 12, KMHA offered a sneak preview of the new jerseys to the public with a Facebook post announcing the launch of merchandise with the team’s new colours and logo. 

According to Stacey, while numbers have not been made available on total sales so far, they have received good feedback from community members who have purchased the apparel or equipment available online. The money raised will go towards upkeep costs for the KMHA.

But community reaction to the new colours was not universally positive. Some left comments on the post, questioning why the team did not go for the winner of the community vote.

“Ultimately, as a board we decided to honour the history of Kahnawake Minor Hockey again and stay with the black and yellow scheme,” said Stacey, echoing the comment left by the association’s Facebook page on that post.

Stacey said that the voting results – no longer publicly available – were “very close” between the two colour schemes.

Now that the jerseys are in the team’s hands, Stacey said they have received a lot of very positive feedback about them.

“We’ve even had other associations and teams commenting on our new jerseys with all positive messages about them,” said Stacey.

The KMHA’s Junior team officially introduced the jerseys in their November 29 game against the Vaudreuil-Dorion Mustangs 3. 

“The crowd gave us a big cheer as we went out on the ice,” said Junior Mohawks goaltender Maxwell Goodleaf, who was the starter against the Mustangs.

Goodleaf and the Junior Mohawks are on a four-game winning streak – including winning the first three games they’ve played with the new designs.

“It felt good to win our first game in them,” said Goodleaf, who registered a shutout in the Mohawks’ 7-0 win against the Mustangs. “Fresh jerseys, good vibes, and good results, nobody’s stopping the train now.”

This Saturday will be “Kahnawake Day” at the Sports Complex, where the Mohawks will be showing off their new jerseys all day, with 15 home games on the schedule, starting at 8 a.m.

“We encourage the community to come support and cheer on our youth!” said Stacey.

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These days, the hockey rink in Lot 106 of the New Development area of town is looking anything but new.

According to Roiatate Horn, director of the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) Sports and Recreation Unit, that’s because it was not made to be a permanent installation – and yet, it has been up for years.

“It is not made for full-time outdoor use, it’s plywood and two whiteboards put together for the hockey boards,” said Horn. “In the past, they were put out there seasonally. Before I got here, in my position of director, they were seasonal installations. They were put up in the winter and then taken down in the spring.”

Horn said that, for reasons he did not know, the temporary rinks – in Lot 106 and some other places in town – were kept up the whole year, for a few years.

“The wood that is used for those is not made to withstand the weather 24/7 for that long, or getting hit by hockey pucks and lacrosse balls for years,” said Horn. “It’s not an issue of lack of maintenance; it’s just the lifespan of lumber that’s not made for that kind of outdoor use.”

To help decide the future of the rink installation in Lot 106, Sports and Recreation have asked community members to answer a survey, comprising a half-dozen questions tackling subjects like location, safety, and noise concerns.

Community members have until December 17 to answer the survey questions online on the MCK’s website.

Horn said that the goal is to make the temporary rinks permanent, if the community decides that is the way to go forward.

“We have materials that are rated for 365 days per year, for a variety of weather, from extreme heat to extreme cold, and the usage of sports and recreation equipment,” said Horn.

If it is decided that the current location is to the community’s liking, Horn said that while there are no current backup plans, there will be discussions with the Lands Unit if need be.

“We have a good relationship with our lands department. If we need to pivot at some point, we can work very quickly with them on a possible new location,” said Horn.

In the meantime, this winter will be the last season of the Lot 106 rink in its current form. At the time of writing, the turf there was in the process of being removed to allow the possibility of making a frozen surface there – something that has proven to be difficult to do in the past.

“This is going to be my third winter with Sports and Recreation. And the last two seasons, we were not successful in putting ice on there,” said Horn.

But, with temperatures dropping drastically at the end of the month of November and staying below freezing – besides this week’s rainy weather – there is hope of getting an ice surface ready.

“We were looking at possibly taking the rink down right away, but seeing that the weather changed and got cold so quickly so early in the season, we’re going to attempt to go and put ice in this year, so that way the community in that area have some free recreation in terms of skating and hockey,” said Horn. 

Ice surface or not, the rink is now scheduled to be dismantled in the spring.

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A proposed deal that would see three tobacco giants pay out billions to provinces and territories, as well as smokers across Canada, has been approved by the companies' creditors, a lawyer representing some of the creditors says.

With an English title taken from a song by Leonard Cohen, Philipe Lesage’s Who by Fire understands that growing up walks hand in hand with death. Death can be literal — the loss of a loved one or a beloved companion — but it can also be metaphysical: an ego death, the death of a dream or the end of childish fantasies. Set in a cabin in the woods owned and occupied by a filmmaker, the movie follows 17-year old Jeff (Noah Parker) as he navigates a brutal coming-of-age marked by disillusionment and yearning. 

As the film opens, Jeff, Max (Antoine Marchand-Gagnon) and Aliocha (Aurélia Arandi-Longpré) are seated in the backseat of a car. Max and Aliocha’s father Albert (Paul Ahmarani) is driving them to an airfield, where they will be flown to a remote cabin in the woods owned by Blake (Arieh Worthalter), Albert’s former collaborator and Jeff’s favourite filmmaker. In this sequence, Jeff’s fingers briefly brush up against Aliocha’s leg, just before her father plays a prank on all of them. 

Once they arrive at the cabin, Jeff is overjoyed to be able to spend time with Blake, but soon the dream turns into a nightmare. The forest doesn’t seem ripe with hope, but danger; pleasure gives way to psychological games that destabilize Jeff’s identity and place in the world. The towering icon of Blake, the great filmmaker, soon becomes a monstrous incarnation of all of Jeff’s fears as competition and rivalry take hold.

Who by Fire, Lesage’s anticipated follow-up to Genèse, won the Best Film in the Génération14plus category at the Berlin film festival at its premiere earlier this year. With a runtime of 2 hours and 35 minutes, the film overflows with ambition, in the sense that, for Lesage, it’s a massive undertaking, and a work that deals quite plainly with the idea of aspiration. While Jeff is an aspiring filmmaker, he’s confronted with an adult world that often feels petty and cruel, rather than liberated and inspired. It’s a movie about wanting to create — making films, making love and how often time and opportunity slips us by. 

Director Philippe Lesage sat down with us in Montreal to discuss making the film.

Justine Smith: The film is structured around these extremely long, unedited dinner sequences. They feel very raw and spontaneous. How improvised are they?

Philippe Lesage: I knew they were going to be a big part of the film and I really want my actors, in general, to take the script and make it their own. I don’t even read the script when I’m on set, it goes into the garbage. I really want to start from a point where we’re looking for moments and we’re almost forgetting that we’re making a film; where there’s this kind of magic, spontaneous, authentic thing happening on set.

There are two things I need to do: many takes, and to give a lot of freedom to the actors. If they want to stand or get a coffee, they could if they wanted to. They completely changed the structure of the dialogue sometimes, especially in the first dinner scene, with a lot of people overlapping each other. There are of course main things that they need to be hitting because that’s the scene and you can’t avoid it.

For Blake and Albert especially, because they have no such dialogue in the film, even in casting I was really looking for guys who were very good with adding stuff and being very creative with words. In the first casting where Arieh (Worthalter) and Paul (Ahmarani) met, it was actually on Zoom, there was something extremely special about it. Some actors are not at ease with it at all. It has nothing to do with the quality of the actor, they can be very good at different things. But, for those specific roles, it was absolutely fundamental that they had this capability. Everybody needs to understand that there’s going to be a lot of improvising and overlapping dialogue with mundane or banal conversations. Everybody was in that kind of mood. 

There’s a beautiful Taoist saying that is very important for me and very beautiful. It says that the best swimmer forgets that he is in the water. It’s because you have this kind of ease. We all experience those moments, even when you’re writing — I’m sure you’ve gotten completely into that moment. Almost everybody has. Those moments are hard to get to, but I’m always trying to put in the conditions where that can happen. Freedom for the actor is one aspect, and like I said, repetition, repetition, repetition! Repeating the scene, then repeating the scene, then repeating the scene again.

JS: The dinner scenes especially are very long. Realistically, how many repetitions were you able to do?

Philippe Lesage: The actors were saying I did 30 takes, which I find a bit enormous, but they’re probably right! We shot the scene from many different angles and then I ended up taking the main shot where you get everything in the frame. Those were the best scenes, but I did try to cover myself. Normally, I don’t cover myself, but I did here. The intensity was all in the wide, long shots. I had many options. We had two days for every dinner scene and we also shot the dinner scenes at the end of shooting. It was a good decision because the actors are completely in character. We had 40 days behind us, everybody knew where they were. We even ended up finishing early and I didn’t need the last day of shooting because, for the last dinner, we got it after three takes. 

JS: When the film was presented at Cinemania, there was some allusion from the producer that the film was difficult to make. Did you feel that was the case?

Philippe Lesage: I mean, it was a challenge on the production level but it’s not of interest to me, because it’s a different reality. For me, it was my best shoot in terms of how I dealt with my own stress. I felt so stressed on my last film, Genesis. It was this kind of cliché where I felt directors need to be so sure of themselves and where they’re going or the team might stop listening to the director. I was afraid I’d lose the crew and if I didn’t know what to do, they’d lose trust in me. It was a totally immature insecurity. 

On this film, I was the complete opposite. I decided before we even started shooting to be completely honest with the crew. I was surrounded by amazing people with no toxic elements. I tried not to freak out if I didn’t know where to put the camera, because sometimes that happens, and then you have a panic attack. I experienced that on Genesis. In this film, if I didn’t know where to put the camera, I’d tell my first AD to give the crew 15 minutes or half an hour to take a break to discuss with my cinematographer Balthazar (Lab). I was being more transparent and not overconfident. It’s stupid to mask everything. I had to accept my flaws and my doubts, and when you work in that way, it actually makes you more comfortable and confident. We shot for 45 days, so sometimes there was a bit of tension, but it was super important for me to solve problems by communicating. It was a challenging shoot, but for me, it was the best. I’m not going to lie about it. I had a fantastic crew and we had an amazing time. Most of them agreed it was the best shoot of their lives. Sometimes something magical happens. 

JS: You shot the film in 2022. That’s almost five years after you would have shot Genesis. What changed to make you decide to shift your approach?

Philippe Lesage: I was very happy with Genesis but I wasn’t very happy about the experience. I was too stressed and I didn’t have a good time. For many people also, I don’t think it was the best shoot of their lives. I wanted to change that and it’s my responsibility as a director. It’s my fault if I’m creating stress. That’s the big thing, I wanted to change my way of dealing with stress because I knew it would have an impact on everybody. I decided it was going to be different and I didn’t have to compromise on any of my terms. We still did a lot of takes! You can still be demanding, that’s not the problem — especially with actors used to working on TV. For them, it can be a real pleasure to work with someone who’s doing 30 takes because we can explore. I’m not making them do redos like a pickup, picking up the same thing 40 times, we’re trying stuff. It’s an experimental laboratory and it’s amazing. It’s the best dimension of what cinema can be. 

JS: When we spoke about Genesis back in 2019, you spoke about how much you loved and how important the editing process was for you. Is that still the case?

Philippe Lesage: I remember. I told you I hated shooting and love editing. Now I love both! I enjoy the writing. I was asked if I would write with somebody else, but that would be very different. Even though I’m a very social person and have a very active social life, I’m also very appreciative of being alone. I travel alone to a lot of festivals. I just came back from Dublin and was in Japan just before that. I was writing the next project with only my interior life as a companion. Then, shooting is a completely other dimension. I like it now, but it’s not like, “I don’t want this to end.” I’m looking forward to the end of shooting but not the end of writing or the end of editing. 

Editing gives me the most pure pleasure. Shooting is more like adrenaline — I don’t sleep and the days go by so fast and it’s so challenging. Then you go back to your hotel room or your little cabin in the woods. Sometimes it’s a day you’re not entirely happy with. It’s a struggle. On this film, there was not a day I wasn’t happy about what we shot, and that was a nice feeling. Still, I like the bubble of editing. I don’t edit myself, I’m always working with Mathieu (Bouchard-Malo), who is like being with a brother. We have a good time. He’s so sensitive, and one of the only people I truly trust. I always say that it’s better to live with your own mistakes than the mistakes of others, but with Mathieu, when he’s pushing for something in the film, I listen to him. 

JS: One thing that struck me about Jeff was that, as part of his journey over the course of the film, it does feel as though he experiences a disillusionment with cinema. Does this mirror how you see the medium at all?

Philippe Lesage: He’s such a neophyte and doesn’t know what he wants to be. He’s 16 years old and wants to make films. But, it’s like, when I was eight years old, I said, “I want to make films,” but it doesn’t mean anything.

JS: But now you are making films!

Philippe Lesage: Yes, but if I put myself in the shoes of the character and I met my filmmaker idol and it turns out this guy wants to destroy me from the inside for no reason, maybe I would question if I was in the right field. It’s more about being disappointed by adults. They’re supposed to be role models, but they aren’t. In the beginning, (Jeff) is so happy when Blake gives him the script with his shooting notes, but then Blake drives him crazy, playing with his mind. 

It’s similar in Genesis, but I didn’t say this in interviews at the time because I thought it was obvious, but (these men) are filled with toxic masculinity. You feel the pressure of the patriarchy trying to squeeze the characters and destroy them. There’s a bit of that here, too. I’m always coming back to this idea. It’s a way for me to say, whatever happens, keep your passions intact even if they try to destroy you. To be honest with yourself is hurtful, but it’s normal and you have to move on.

JS: Who by Fire reminded me a lot of the Pierre Perrault film La bête lumineuse. There is the cabin in the woods, the drinking and all the underlying tension. There’s also that aspect of toxic masculinity that you mention.

Philippe Lesage: There’s a couple of nods to that film and even a quotation, during the (animal)-skinning. The character’s name in La bête lumineuse is Stéphane-Albert and in my film it is just Albert.

JS: When people ask me for recommendations of Quebec films, La bête lumineuse is always one I mention.

Philippe Lesage: Absolutely. When I was teaching film in Denmark, it was the first film I screened to my students.

JS: What did they think of it?

Philippe Lesage: Well, they’re Danish, so they also have a culture of drinking. They could really connect with it. It’s a very interesting film and one I really like. When I first saw it, I was like, who am I going to identify with? When I was younger, I had a job at a school, surrounded by older guys — hockey and football players. I was very skinny and wanted to make films. I was not fitting into their model of masculinity and for the first time of my life, I felt bullied. I was never bullied in school, but then I felt like I had to be tough.

When I first saw the film, it was very painful, because I was identifying with poor Stéphane-Albert because he was the one being mocked. But you know, you can also blame him. It’s very complex, because you’re put in a situation where you’re on his side, but you realize that something is off. He doesn’t read the room. It’s all about himself. He makes himself out to be an unbearable character. There’s a duality between rejecting him and identifying with him. I think that’s why the film hits so hard. 

JS: In a way, he’s rejecting them preemptively. He may be a poet but is perhaps not as sensitive as he thinks.

Philippe Lesage: He’s not understanding of other people and their temperaments at all. He doesn’t get that he’s awkward from beginning to end. That’s another kind of egocentrism. 

JS: A lot of Who by Fire takes place in the woods. We have this idea that nature can be this healing place, but I’m not sure it’s the case here. What are your feelings on nature?

Philippe Lesage: I wasn’t really a guy who liked nature very much before I did this film.

JS: And now you like it?

Philippe Lesage: Well, because there was a pandemic, we did research and scouting for two years. I visited all parts of Quebec, which was very nice, and maybe because of the pandemic, I started to enjoy it. But, I will say, after a week I’m still like, “Let’s go back to the city.” In the film, nature isn’t really an escape, it’s a bit like Solaris. It’s a bit philosophical, in Solaris — you can be on a different planet and on a spaceship, but the ghost from your past will still haunt you.

Nature is important; it has beauty, but it contains a kind of darkness. It’s not like a postcard. We filmed it to be a little scary. Even in the opening scene, there’s menace. Factually, you can go hiking, go off the path to go pee, then you can’t track back and you die in the woods. We will find your body six months later. It’s great, but it’s scary. 

In the opening scene, where Alyosha is discovering the woodmill, we see the hypocrisy. We have beautiful nature, and everything seems beautiful. But, if you look from above, you’re going to see that everything has been destroyed and collected. You can go to the top of a mount in some regions and then you’ll see how much of the forest is being completely destroyed. Nature is there, but humans want to control it. That’s part of the reason I have that scene where Blake, after that last dinner where he’s lost a few feathers, he’s getting weaker and weaker, is like, “Okay, I’m bringing you on an adventure.” His ego is bringing them into a destructive and dangerous situation. There’s this destructive nature that comes from men. But there’s also this idea that even if you go outside, you’re still stuck with your problems. There’s this notion that you can’t just escape. You can’t just control the environment like you’re this great director also trying to direct your life. ■

Who by Fire is now playing in Montreal theatres.

For our latest in film and TV, please visit the Film & TV section.

The post Philippe Lesage on his ambitious new film Who by Fire, a cautionary tale about meeting your heroes appeared first on Cult MTL.

A total of 105 deer have been killed in an operation the city says was needed to restore the ecological balance in a local park.

With only 24 hours left until the federal government's GST holiday kicks in, small retailers say they're preparing as best as they can for what could be a period of shopping chaos.

Pierre Poilievre has ‘axed the facts,’ and Canadians are being fooled by a dumb slogan

Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s the bigger idiot: the politician campaigning against a program that benefits the majority, or the majority prepared to torpedo a program they benefit from.

The carbon tax is an effective system that cuts emissions and air pollution and puts money back in Canadians’ pockets. It’s also had a “negligible” impact on inflation. Despite this, Pierre Poilievre has bullied the public through social media manipulation into abandoning something all evidence shows is working.

Poilievre’s axed the facts, and Canada’s ready to elect him because of a dumb slogan, brought to you by Big Oil and their friends in Ottawa.

For more commentary about Montreal politics and culture, please visit Observations from Montreal.

For our latest in news, please visit the News section.

The post Pierre Poilievre has ‘axed the facts,’ and Canadians are being fooled by a dumb slogan appeared first on Cult MTL.

Financial insights for families and seniors

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

A recent report, “Revenu Viable en Estrie 2024”, conducted by the Institut de recherche et d’informations socioéconomiques (IRIS), provides a comprehensive examination of the financial realities faced by residents of the Estrie region. The report, based on in-depth research and local data, highlights the income levels required for individuals and families to live above the poverty threshold. It examines how housing, transportation, and daycare services contribute to economic pressures, especially for seniors and young families. This article explores the findings from the first three chapters of the report, offering insights into the socio-economic landscape of Estrie and its challenges.

Understanding Estrie’s economic and social framework

Nestled in southwestern Quebec, Estrie is a region known for its semi-urban character, vibrant industries, and stunning natural landscapes. It is home to eight regional county municipalities (MRCs) and the major urban hub of Sherbrooke. Estrie’s economy is supported by diverse sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture, education, and healthcare, making it a vital part of Quebec’s economic fabric. Bromont, for instance, stands out as an economic powerhouse with a thriving tech industry, regional airport, and year-round recreational facilities.

However, alongside its strengths, Estrie faces socio-economic challenges. The region has a higher proportion of seniors—24.5 per cent of its population compared to the Quebec average of 20.8 per cent—and a growing number of families with young children. This demographic shift places unique demands on housing, healthcare, and public services, making financial sustainability a pressing concern for many residents.

Viable incomes and local disparities

IRIS defines a “viable income” as the amount necessary for individuals or families to meet their basic needs, participate in community life, and manage unforeseen expenses. The report highlights notable disparities in viable income levels across Estrie’s municipalities:

• Single individuals: Viable incomes range from $33,490 in Granby to $51,843 in Bromont.
• Single-parent families with one child in daycare: Viable incomes vary from $49,398 in Richmond to $63,651 in Bromont.
• Two-parent families with two children in daycare: Viable incomes span $71,044 in Lac-Mégantic to $93,951 in Bromont.

These figures illustrate the high cost of living in certain areas, particularly Bromont, where economic affluence and limited affordable housing drive up viable income requirements. Unfortunately, more than half of single individuals in the region fall below these income thresholds, reflecting a stark economic divide. Single-parent and two-parent families, while faring slightly better, still face significant challenges, particularly in areas with limited access to affordable daycare and transportation.

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L’article A snapshot of life in Estrie – Part 1 est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

On Dec. 10, the Village of North Hatley held a public consultation meeting at Sainte-Élisabeth Church to address proposed zoning changes in the C-4 zone. Councillor Andrew Pelletier, in a Dec. 11 interview, outlined the process while deferring specific commentary, emphasizing the ongoing nature of deliberations.

The proposed amendments, detailed in public notices issued by the municipality on Dec. 3 and Dec. 10, include removing single- and two-family homes, motels, and religious establishments from permissible uses. Instead, they introduce multi-family dwellings (with 8 to 24 units per building), commercial spaces, and increased building heights, from 10 metres to 15 metres. These changes aim to accommodate a prospective project in the C-4 zone, which includes properties like the Pilsen and the old Grist Mill building.

“We collected all kinds of information,” Pelletier said of the Dec. 10 meeting, which included a presentation by municipal officials and drew about 20 attendees. According to Pelletier, the consultation primarily focused on the rationale behind the zoning amendments and allowed residents to voice their concerns. He added that the feedback gathered will be reviewed at a Jan. 13 council meeting.

The village’s ongoing master plan process, supported by an anonymous donor, was a recurring theme at the meeting, according to Pelletier and the Dec. 10 notice. Residents questioned why zoning changes were being considered ahead of the plan’s completion, expected in late summer 2025. “A lot of people said, look, you guys are doing the master plan, so why are you doing this sort of thing?” Pelletier explained.

The Dec. 10 public notice highlighted the master plan’s timeline, with consultations set to begin in early 2025 and final adoption anticipated in September. It also clarified that the zoning changes align with the village’s vision of creating a denser, mixed-use core while addressing the need for rental housing.

Pelletier, however, was tight-lipped about specific discussions from the meeting, citing respect for council processes. “We can’t really talk about the project until we get the zoning change,” he said. He encouraged residents to attend the January meeting, where more concrete details will be addressed.

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L’article North Hatley council reviews zoning amendments est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.