By Xavier Kataquapit
Windspeaker.com
The Cree word for autumn is Ta-kwa-gun. I don’t know what it is about Ta-kwa-gun but it seems as I get older every year at the start of fall I hear of people passing and many others getting sick. Recently I have been sad at hearing of some wonderful people I know that have passed and others dealing with sickness.
It upset me to hear about the passing of Lily Batise the spouse of a friend Jason Batise. I recall meeting her 20 years ago and my partner Mike and I were impressed with what a beautiful, open and kind person she was. She was confident and so bright. She was the type of person that lit up a room and made people feel good about themselves.
Lily excelled at everything she did and she connected to so many people over the years. I know that she made a huge difference for many Indigenous people and she will be missed so much by Jason and their children Bazil, Carson, Brady and other family.
Recently I also lost my aunt Theresa Kataquapit. She was a rock in my family and the wife of the late Leo Kataquapit. Her family and friends will feel a huge loss with the passing of this well-known Attawapiskat Elder. Her family is feeling a lot of sadness as it had also recently lost Theresa’s son-in-law Joseph Sutherland this past summer. Joseph was one of the great hunters and traditional people in our community.
I am also hoping and praying that many of my good friends who are sick and struggling with disease find the care and healing they need to become healthy again. My partner Mike, who has a lung condition, reminds me every day of how important it is to pause to sense time slipping though our hands and realize how precious life is. It all makes me feel very helpless but the realization that I have had people in my life that were kind to me, gave me some of their time, loved me and lifted me up gives me a feeling of hope and gratitude no matter what comes my way.
Even with a lot of this recent sad news I am relieved at some happy things that are happening for many people I know. Although the Batise family is dealing with the loss of Lily I know that it still managed to celebrate the anniversary of Jason’s parents Barney and Doreen Batise in honour of 67 years of marriage. This dynamic duo has contributed so much to Indigenous people over the years and provided us with a family of amazing leaders and organizers who have made life better for their communities and far beyond.
Celebratory anniversaries were also held this past summer for my sister Janie and her husband Brian, who were honoured for 33 years of marriage. As well, my sister Jackie and her husband Clarence also celebrated 37 years of marriage. They have achieved much for their families and the community of Attawapiskat. My brother Lawrence and his wife Christine have also celebrated a long and successful marriage with a dedication to making life better for people up the James Bay coast. My dad Marius and my mom Susan would be so proud of all the good work and achievements all of my brothers and sisters have managed over the years.
So, I am reminded that even with the loss of those so dear to us we have much thanks to give them every day in the memory of the love, time and effort they made to provide a better life for us.
It is so difficult to make sense of and to come to terms with death and sickness. We all find different ways to cope with the fear and pain these big issues present. I recall my mom and dad when they were dealing with death and sickness and I remember well that after grieving and dealing with sad news they very quickly gathered themselves and put one foot in front of the other to make sure that their efforts would help, nurture, care for and guide their family and friends while their hearts were beating and they had their breath.
We must remember that those people who have passed and others who are sick don’t want us to be sad but instead they want us to get up in the morning and be thankful for the life and good health we have. We have to realize that we have to put our time to good use and do as much as we can make the world a better place. They are rooting for us.