MNR says it will stock:

Brook trout in Lk. Manitou

Pickerel in Lk. Kagawong

by Jim Moodie

MANITOULIN-Local anglers are welcoming a pair of fish stocking programs that are in the works for the Island's two largest lakes this year.

Last week, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) biologist Wayne Selinger indicated that the ministry is "proposing two new initiatives in an effort to enhance angling opportunities."

The first, he communicated, would involve the planting of walleye in Lake Kagawong, which already hosts the species but in relatively small numbers. Some adult walleye "were introduced to Lake Kagawong back in the late 1970s and early 1980s," Mr. Selinger noted, "and some limited CFWIP (Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program) stocking has occurred since that time." Still, the population currently exists "in very low" concentrations.

The MNR plan is to "increase walleye numbers in the lake through a combination of adult transfers from Lake Manitou and stocking of summer fingerlings raised at our Blue Jay Creek Fish Culture Station," Mr. Selinger indicated.

The second program would be geared to re-establishing a trophy brook trout fishery in Lake Manitou, the MNR biologist related. "At one time the lake did offer anglers an opportunity to catch large brook trout," he noted, and in order to revive this sporting option, the MNR hopes "to stock 10,000 pure-strain Lake Nipigon brook trout annually, starting in 2007."

Jim Sloss of the United Fish and Game Clubs of Manitoulin (UFGCM) said his organization has passed a motion in favour of these stocking efforts. "We had a meeting on February 27 with Bud Hebner and Wayne Selinger of the MNR, and we told them we welcomed the initiative," he said.

The UFGCM's only concern, said Mr. Sloss, was "whether people around Lake Manitou might be upset about them taking adult walleye" from their waters for planting in Lake Kagawong, but he has been reassured that cottagers and tourist operators on Manitou are not kicking up a huge fuss.

Paul Moffat of the Lake Manitou Area Association said that he hadn't been approached on the matter, but the property-owners group "doesn't have a position on it as far as I'm concerned."

His understanding is that Manitou has a healthy walleye population and likely won't suffer from the removal of a few hundred adults. "I talked to a fellow at the MNR, and it was estimated at that time that we had 80,000 walleye over six pounds," he said.

Avid Island fisherman Mike Sprack noted that the walleye in Lake Manitou arrived "without the ministry's help about 20 years ago, and have come on like gangbusters since." His understanding is that Manitou's walleye are a "Georgian Bay strain, a very heavy and beautiful fish."

Kagawong's walleye population hasn't flourished, he said, because the initial releases there weren't "followed up by further stocking over consecutive years. They are reproducing, but it's such a big lake-the second largest on the Island-so it takes time for it ever to become a real fishery. Still, this will give it a kick."

As for the brook trout identified for planting in Manitou, Mr. Sprack said that the strain hailing from Lake Nipigon grows larger than most brook trout and is sometimes called a "coaster." He noted that speckled trout have traditionally called Manitou's waters home, but this strain of brook trout are "more of a shoreline fish, something like the splake were, versus being creek-oriented." The biggest brook trout on record, he added, was caught in Lake Nipigon.

Mr. Sprack applauds both stocking proposals, noting the enhanced presence of these species will offer anglers more variety while taking some pressure off existing populations.

The brook trout in Manitou will offer "a different kind of fishery," he said, pointing out that such fish offer excellent eating and can be caught without the type of equipment needed for lake trout. "Some people don't have downriggers and steel line," he said.

Transferring some walleye from Manitou to Kagawong "may appear like a loss to tourists on Lake Manitou, but with the numbers in Manitou, taking out 200 won't have much of an impact," he reasoned. "It equals things out a bit and it will be a benefit in the long run, because you can have a world-class walleye fishery on more than one lake."

'Friends of Norisle' organizes

to save Manitowaning's ferry

by Jim Moodie

MANITOWANING-A looming blizzard wasn't enough to deter over two dozen boat boosters from converging on the United Church in Manitowaning last Thursday to strategize ways to save the historic S.S. Norisle.

Despite the dicey road conditions, several attendees travelled from as far away as Providence Bay and even Gore Bay, proving that concern for the boat extends well beyond the east-end port community in which the ailing ferry is berthed.

More support from across Manitoulin, and indeed the province, will be key to any plan to preserve the ship, it was stressed by several present. "We need to look at this on a bigger scale," urged Heli Cotnam, a Manitowaning resident with experience working on the Manitoulin Living campaign. "It's not just an Assiginack concern-it affects the whole Island."

Assiginack councillor Bud Rohn agreed with that assessment. "It's an Island problem, and it will require an Island solution," he said, adding that he was "surprised that no-one from the MTA (Manitoulin Tourism Association) is here."

While Mr. Rohn was the sole representative of council on hand, the group counted a few former municipal figures, including erstwhile reeves Hugh Moggy and Dave Ham. The latter acted as chair of the meeting, although he insisted that Jean McLennan, the driving force in rallying support for the Norisle, join him at front of the hall. "Every ship needs a captain," he quipped, "and Jean here is our captain."

Mr. Ham provided a brief history of the vessel, noting that "it was the first ship built after the Second World War, being completed in 1947, and is one of the very few ships on the Great Lakes or even in Canada to have a triple-expansion (steam) engine."

While it served for many years as a passenger ferry on the Tobermory-to-Manitoulin route, the boat also "brought provisions to Manitoulin," Mr. Ham said, "and certainly deserves to be preserved as a piece of Manitoulin's heritage."

In the early 1970s, the aging boat began to "have trouble passing inspections, because of its combustible bulkheads," he recounted. Consequently, it was taken out of service, with Manitowaning qualifying as a new home for the superannuated ship in 1975.

The boat has rested here ever since, becoming a key part of the harbour's quaint appeal along with the adjacent Roller Mills building and Burns Wharf theatre venue. Mr. Ham credited historical society stalwart David Smith and museum curator Jeannette Allen, both present, with making the boat an enduring tourist draw and cultural fixture over the past three decades.

The current crisis over the ship's future was sparked last fall, when it took on water through a leak in the hull. "There's a bit of electrolysis present, and plating needs to be done at the water line that will cost a bit of money," said Mr. Ham.

The municipality has inherited responsibility for the boat from the historical society, and has expressed reservations about committing funds to the Norisle's upkeep. Indeed, it has contemplated selling the venerable boat for scrap.

Mr. Ham believes that would be a tragedy. "Although it was built in 1947, that's actually young for the Great Lakes," he said, noting, "there are older ones still sailing." The hull is generally quite sound, he believes, "with 1/2-inch-thick riveted plates below the water line and 3/8-inch plates above." The boat, he added, weighs approximately 2,000 tons.

Asked what it might cost to deal with the most pressing structural issues confronting the craft, Mr. Ham said, "my guess is that $40,000 would patch it at the water line, plus you'd need to put a cap on the smokestack."

Mr. Smith called this "a stopgap" solution, however, pointing out that, on top of fixing the immediate problem, "you still need $15,000 a year to maintain the ship." Over the past three decades, he was able to secure over $1 million in funding from the federal and provincial governments for the Norisle's upkeep, but even then it was something of a losing battle, he said, since tourist traffic was generally underwhelming and returns from such fundraising initiatives as a gift shop were miniscule.

"Having lived through this for 30 years, my feeling is that unless council will make $10,000 to $15,000 available on a yearly basis, the same way we fund the library and marina, you can't make it work," he said.

Others felt, however, that there might be other ways to keep the ship afloat short of demanding municipal support (which would likely be denied anyway). Mr. Ham noted that he recently had the opportunity to tour a World War II cruiser named the Oneida in Hamilton harbour. "It's been taken over as a heritage vessel by Parks Canada and is being totally restored," he said. "You've never seen such a restoration: it's in mint condition from the bilge to the wheelhouse."

A heritage designation for the Norisle was sought in the past, but turned down at the time, noted Mr. Smith. And while he allowed that "this could change, because things always change with the government," securing such a status wouldn't, in his view, solve the core problem anyway. While it might protect the boat from being destroyed, "you still need to fix it."

To generate money for the Norisle's maintenance, those present agreed that a non-profit association akin to the one that manages the old Norgoma ferry in Sault Ste. Marie would likely have to be created.

Elwood Wohlberg, who visited the Norgoma just over a month ago and subsequently corresponded with the committee overseeing its operation as a museum, shared a letter from Bud Campbell, secretary/treasurer with the group.

The not-for-profit body counts 12 members, and while some of the maintenance and staffing of the boat has been underwritten by the city of Sault Ste. Marie and the federal government in recent years, "the goal is to be self-sufficient by 2012," Mr. Campbell's missive indicated. Future plans include having a restaurant on board, providing space for special events, and operating a few rooms as bed and breakfast units.

Despite occupying a larger centre and drawing more visitor traffic, the Soo ship has also had its share of troubles in recent times. Mr. Campbell noted that funding for summer student help through Human Resources Development Canada dried up in 2005, necessitating the mothballing of the boat for one year, while the removal of asbestos and stripping of lead-based paint, as well as deck repairs, added to the maintenance burden.

Still, Mr. Wohlberg felt that that the Soo model of stewardship might be worth emulating, particularly since an association granted charitable status "could apply to sell break-out tickets to generate funds." He pointed, as well, to the example of the Friends of the Rideau Canal, which is able to drum up both interest and donations through a popular website.

All present agreed that getting the message out, through a variety of avenues, to as broad an audience as possible, is critical to making the Norisle a viable, ongoing enterprise.

Brian Morgan, of Providence Bay, noted that an historical video prepared in the first year of the Chi-Cheemaun's operation, which includes footage of the Norisle in its prime, could be reproduced and made available, while calendars and T-shirts depicting the boat might also generate attention and funds.

Paul Rowe felt that publicity for the cause could additionally be gained by intriguing a magazine, such as Cottage Life, in the story of the Norisle, while Ms. Cotnam pledged to "get it airtime on CFRM radio."

The group also contemplated creating a Friends of the Norisle booth at the Manitoulin Trade Fair, provided there is still time to sign up for space.

As for how, and where, the boat should fit into a possible redesign of the Manitowaning waterfront, opinions were mixed. Some felt that it should stay right where it is, and possibly be incorporated into the marina by providing space for an office.

"Keep in mind that the Norisle is very tied in with the mill and theatre," said Mr. Smith, adding, "without the Norisle, that mill wouldn't attract more than two dozen people a year."

Others felt that the boat should be moved-either north around the tip of the point, or south, beyond the beach-to free up space for more transient dockage in the harbour. Mr. Rohn pointed out that the township occasionally has to turn away large vessels hoping to tie up in the marina because it can't accommodate them. "There were four 50-footers last summer that turned around, and that's a lot of revenue in dockage fees we lost," he said. If the Norisle was relocated, "that's an area of over 200 feet that could be accessed by large boats."

Should the vessel be resituated south of the beach, dredging would likely be required, it was pointed out, while a suggestion to move the beach itself was vehemently opposed by a few attendees, notably Mr. Smith, who said he'd "probably chain himself to the beach" rather than see it disturbed.

Mr. Ham noted that "studies done in the past have indicated that docks should be added to the south, and for once I'd like to see us follow through on recommendations that come out of these studies."

Before adjourning, the group agreed to strike a tentative ad hoc committee that will convene again this week (on March 8) to appoint a chair and formalize its structure. Agreeing to serve on the committee were Dave Ham, Hugh Moggy, Ken Fogg, Paul Rowe, Jean McLennan, and Michael, Sandra and Brian Morgan.

The broader group of supporters will continue to be consulted, Mr. Ham pledged, and the more members who can be recruited to join the cause-with each Friend of the Norisle possibly being called upon to make a monetary contribution or volunteering time and labour in helping to spruce up the ship-the better.

"If this doesn't go anywhere, at least we'll have given it a shot," summed up Sandra Morgan, as those assembled got ready to step outside into the swirling wind and slashing snow. "If the boat goes down, it's going to go down kicking and screaming."

MSS mock trial team wins region

by Alicia McCutcheon

SUDBURY-What began as a good way to get out of doing the year-end assignment has become something much more to six Manitoulin Secondary School students.

Last fall, when Grade 12 law teacher Bruce Laidley told his class of the upcoming mock trials, he added that anyone who was interested in participating would be exempt from the final class assignment and, instead, would have the mark earned at the mock trial assigned as their project mark.

Mock trial team member Meagan O'Hare says she jumped at the chance to skip a major class project, but little did she know the work that would be involved with this new endeavour.

The team would meet with their coaches, local lawyers Stacy Haner and James Weppler, and teacher Mr. Laidley, twice a week leading up to their first competition. All students in Ontario were given the same case and details to study and practice with-Her Majesty the Queen vs. Carson Beancounter for charges of second-degree murder against one Donald Deadduck

On January 15, Meagan O'Hare, Tiffany Doucet, Vincent Clark, Alasha Brown, Marcus Stephens, and Janelle Proulx travelled to Sudbury to compete for the Hennessy Cup, named for presiding judge Patricia Hennessy. At the end of the trial, where MSS played the role of Crown Attorney, they were deemed winner of the cup and team member Janelle Proulx also took home the trophy for 'best crown attorney.'

On Monday of this week, those six students returned to Sudbury to compete in the regional championships against three other schools. After a flip of the coin, and not gaining a bye, MSS was to first play the role of Crown. According to Kelly O'Hare, mother of team member Meagan O'Hare, the first trial lasted an "agonizing" hour and 15 minutes. The Crown first cross-examined the accused Carson Beancounter and the chief witness, Mr. Beancounter's best friend and business partner.

"We drilled them to find loopholes in their case," said an ecstatic Ms. O'Hare from Sudbury. Judge Hennessy then ruled that the case was in self defence and Mr. Beancounter acquitted of all charges.

With only 15 minutes to prepare for their next case as defence, the team members say they were definitely nervous about their new role, as this was their first time competing as the defence.

Ms. O'Hare said that although they had never competed in this capacity, they had practised the routine "time and time again" with their coaches.

This time, Carson Beancounter was played by Ms. O'Hare and examined by Marcus Stephens.

"The cross-examination was exciting," Ms. O'Hare remarked. "You always kind of know what your teammates are thinking and what they will ask when they're examining you, but when it's the other team, it's always interesting."

Ms. Brown, who played the deceased's best friend, was then examined by Ms. Proulx and cross-examined by the prosecution.

Once the hour-long trial had concluded, Judge Hennessy ruled that MSS had won the case and, again,  acquitted Mr. Beancounter of all charges. She also ruled that MSS had won the challenge and would move forward to compete in the provincial championships on April 19.

Throughout the mock trials, the team appreciated the response they received from Judge Hennessy who would always try to give 'constructive criticism' to the teams, as well as praise.

"Judge Hennessy told the team she had high hopes for them and said how impressed she was with their trial skills and hoped they would do well in the finals," said Kelly O'Hare.

"We owe it all to our coaches," said Vincent Clark. "We had really good coaches."

"Everyone is really, really happy right now," he adds.

Wiky hosting NHL oldtimers

Local squad facing off with NHL legends

by Lindsay Kelly

WIKWEMIKONG-Through the 1970s to the 1990s they were some of the brightest stars in the National Hockey League (NHL), and later this month a group of retired hockey greats will travel to the Island to speak to students at Wasse-Abin High School and play in an exhibition game, with all proceeds going the school's hockey program.

The initiative has been spearheaded by Wasse-Abin High School principal Ron Odjig, who says he has been working for more than a year to arrange for the NHL Alumni to visit his community. The program, called the NHL Alumni Hockey Tour, makes scheduled visits to communities across Ontario where former hockey players emphasize good sportsmanship, and speak to kids about the significance of doing well in school.

For the first time in its 13-year history, this year's tour will include the NHL Alumni Aboriginal Tour, which will see Aboriginal players join the roster to connect with First Nations students.

"We want to help promote not only hockey, but all sports, and emphasize the importance of education," Mr. Odjig says. "We want kids to stay in school, and learn the importance of the extracurricular aspects of school."

Members of the NHL Alumni will arrive in Wiky on March 18, when they will host a hockey clinic for pre-registered boys and girls, which will begin at 9 am at the Wikwemikong Thunder Dome.

At 2 pm, the T-Bird Hockey Alumni will face off against the NHLers in a good-natured contest that is open to the public. Among the former NHLers scheduled to attend are former Buffalo Sabres forward Tony McKegney, former Toronto Maple Leafs right winger Gary Leeman, and former Boston Bruins left winger Stan Jonathan. All proceeds from the game will go towards the Wasse-Abin High School hockey program.

Following the game, a 'meet-and-greet' session will take place at Rainbow Ridge Golf Course, starting at 5 pm, during which ticketholders can meet and mingle with their favourite NHL Alumni.

Wasse-Abin students will have a unique opportunity to meet the NHL Alumni the next day when the players visit the school to speak to them about important issues such as their commitment to education, careers, and their participation and involvement in the community.

Mr. Odjig says he first hit on the idea of bringing the tour to Wiky when he was in Kirkland Lake with a local Panthers squad for a tournament. He met with some of the players who were attending a game there and he was "very impressed" with how many of the players have retained their high skill level. With lots of skilled local players also, he believes the March 18 matchup will be fun to watch.

Mr. Odjig also hopes the event will be a good opportunity to promote his school as a contender for inclusion in the Sudbury District Secondary Schools' Athletic Association.

Competing in events hosted by the group is a precursor to competing in larger competitions hosted by Northern Ontario Secondary School Athletics (NOSSA) and the Ontario Federation of School Athletics Associations (OFSSA), and it's an experience in which Mr. Odjig would like his students to become involved.

"With this group, we can show how skilled our players are at this level," he said. "I'm going to be asking the community to petition letters to the league."

The principal noted that Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) worked to become involved with the association last year, but that it stirred up some controversy. While he acknowledges that he may face some roadblocks in making this happen, he believes it's important to give his students the opportunity to play in the same league as other secondary schools.

"I hope it doesn't get too political, but I'm trying to get the discussion to become public," he said. "Things like this need public attention."

For more information about the upcoming event, contact Mr. Odjig at 859-2870, ext. 223, or email him at rodjig@amtelecom.net.

EDITORIAL

National security should not become an election issue

Last week's editorial commentary ended with a line that will serve equally well to begin this week's opinion piece: We look forward to (anti-terrorism/national security issues) not being an election issue.

In what must be increasingly viewed as an immediate pre-election period, this wish doesn't seem to be shared by politicians, as the Conservatives accuse the Liberals of being soft on terrorism while the Liberals retort that their Conservative rivals, in taking particular political stands, are merely grandstanding for the electorate.

Our position is a simple one: issues of national security, especially respecting fears about terrorism, should be above partisan politics. It's a given that all national (and regional) political parties will be concerned about national security and about threats of terrorism.

It is not useful for our political process, nor for our faith in politicians (about whom many Canadians already feel cynical), for political parties to play on Canadians' fears and to make negative claims about the very patriotism of the party on the other side of the House.

We're already seeing this happening and it is wrong, wrong, wrong.

There is much on the table just now; much that can-and should-be publicly debated by an all-party committee charged with revising the Anti-Terrorism Act, which it would then recommend to the House of Commons and the Senate for fine tuning and eventual passage.

There is scope for much work, debate and compromise in the wake of last week's defeat in the House of Commons of the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act-legislation that allowed for preventative arrest and for investigative hearings (in secret)-and the Supreme Court's decision, two weeks ago, to strike down the security-certificate process for deporting resident non-citizens suspected of terrorist links.

Such an all-party committee would have much to publicly discuss and recommend.

All political parties profess to want to redeem the political process and to reinvigorate interest in politics among ordinary Canadians.

No thinking person could believe anything except that all elected politicians, and the national parties to which they belong, will strive to keep Canadian citizens safe, particularly within our national borders.

The old habit of, "if you're for it, we're against it," was evident in the heated debate last week on the extension of those controversial aspects of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

There were hints of compromises, but once the battle was joined, no-one seemed interested in either offering or considering alternatives to those provisions of the act whose time was running out because of the "sunset clauses" built in to them when the act was passed six years ago.

Leave these issues to an all-party committee.

There are plenty of other important topics-pollution issues/global warming, Canada's role in Afghanistan, the future of national health-care policy-to occupy Canadians during an election, without resorting to outright scare tactics.

Voters must demand that the parties vying for their votes take the high road on issues of national security and terrorism.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Islanders hockey club misusing fund for Aboriginal youth

Local First Nation players deserve better!

To the Expositor:

An advertisement concerning upcoming Manitoulin Islanders Junior A hockey games in the latest issue of the Expositor contains a small box saying "Chi-Meegwetch to the Dreamcatcher Fund." In my opinion, the acquisition of funds earmarked for First Nations youth by this organization is an abusive exploitation as well as an infringement of the individual rights of six young men because they happen to be of First Nation ancestry. 

To the uninformed, the Dreamcatcher Fund is an Aboriginal-administered funding organization founded to provide a funding source for First Nation youth. The Dreamcatcher Fund exists to mitigate the obvious discrepancies that are the realities of the world we live in, whereby First Nation youth marginalized by limited resources or limited fundraising opportunities have an opportunity to participate in sporting or cultural activities.

On the other hand, the Manitoulin Islanders Junior A Hockey Club is an incorporated entity with a board of directors and substantial staff (volunteer and otherwise) that has a list of corporate sponsors, most likely personal donors, and charges an admission fee-in short, not the typical Dreamcatcher Fund recipient.

I suggest that a very creatively crafted, spin-doctored application exploiting the racial status of a minority of its players has taken funds away from First Nation youth who desperately need funds more than a mainstream junior hockey club team who should be ashamed of even considering let alone completing this action.

There are many intangibles associated with this donation. Is it specifically earmarked for equipment purchases for First Nation players or to offset a portion of total club costs? How can there be unity on this team when now it is divided by ethnic-specific funding? Manitoulin Islanders: do the right thing and return the funding to be allocated to those in greater need.

In December, I became aware of the Islanders asking my son for his Indian Status Card. He was told to inquire as to the purpose and he was informed that the team was making application for funding from the Dreamcatcher Fund on behalf of the (at that time seven) First Nation players. As parents we told him absolutely not to provide his Indian Status Card unless the Islanders were making supplemental applications to the Canadian Jewish Congress, Canadian Irish Association, Franco-Canadian Association and every other ethnic nationality represented on the Manitoulin Islanders. 

I understand that this has not happened. What has transpired is a classic example of systemic discrimination with strong racial undertones.

First Nation individuals and community organizations dependent on the Dreamcatcher Fund for its youth need to be concerned by the dangerous precedent of this action as it signals that any non-Aboriginal sporting entity with a minority of First Nation youth can and will apply for funds specifically designated for First Nation youth.

To those detractors who might argue the Dreamcatcher funds acquired by the Islanders ensures that the First Nations pull their own weight, you need to know the First Nation community is extremely supportive of the Manitoulin Islanders, as evidenced by the list of corporate sponsors identifying prominent First Nation businesses as well as the large number of First Nation fans who willingly pay $9 at every home game for the opportunity to catch a very infrequent glance at their local heroes.

And this leads to my next point. A component of the Dreamcatcher Fund application requires an explanation of how the funds will benefit the applicants. One can only assume that the spin-doctored application of the Manitoulin Islanders said something to the effect that it would promote First Nation youth through participation in a competitive level of hockey. 

The promotion of First Nation youth from the far-flung reaches of James Bay is noteworthy, while the promotion of local First Nation youth is deplorable to the point that one local player left the team in December. Even the highly regarded Manitoulin Expositor was unaware of local players on the Manitoulin Islanders team until its omission in an editorial was pointed out in early January, 2007.

To date, four local First Nation youth have played in 25, 25, 28, and 42 out of 44 Manitoulin Islanders games. The skill level and list of credentials for our local players is not the issue at hand. Comments to the effect that you had to be white or Cree to play on this team have been overheard at some games because those are the only players that the coaches can relate to.

Our white and Cree brothers are honoured guests in the land of the Anishinabek and all that is expected is that we are respected for who we are-and that extends to the recognition of local First Nation youth, and all local youth generally, as being competent to play hockey at this level.

Assistant coach Eldon Cheechoo, in a recent issue of the Expositor, described one addition to the team of late from Moose Factory as his "little cousin." With the return of junior hockey to the neighboring town of Espanola and the shabby treatment of local players on the current Islanders roster as an indicator of things to expect, Cheechoo and the other Islander high foreheads better get used to scouring the far reaches of James Bay and beyond for more "little cousins" to fill its roster next year.

Manitoulin Islanders: do the right thing!

W. Tim McGregor

Whitefish River First Nation

People are making money their god

We'll face judgment whether alive or dead

To the Expositor:

The tomb of Jesus being discovered does not really mean anything to me but I do believe that Christ died for our sins. Always trying to discover about Jesus's remains is not right, and they're doing it for the almighty dollar when they should just leave it as is and just start believing. We have enough problems here on earth that sometimes I think people are making money their god. Money is just a necessity in our lives but people will go overboard with it. The discovery they made and for which they are planning to use DNA, I do not think they will find out it was Jesus they found, unless they find a way to forge the documents.

I think they're just trying to deprive people of beliefs because in the Bible it does say people like this will come into our lives and that's what we have to watch out for. Judgment Day, I do believe in it, because we're gonna face this judgment whether we're alive or dead, whether we like it or not, and I do not think the almighty dollar is going to save us from this.

It's about helping each other in a good way with no conditions and I believe this is God's way.

Ron Osawabine

Wikwemikong

Seeing cars ahead of you critical in nasty conditions

Please turn your taillights on!

To the Expositor:

How many drivers realize that when you turn on your ignition in your vehicle you only activate headlights, and some older models don't even do that? I was on my way to Mindemoya on Thursday morning last week and snowy weather conditions caused me turn back. I was following a snowplow and police car. The police car had no taillights on and the car I followed back had none either.

For those of us who are less confident driving in nasty weather conditions, be it snow, rain, sleet or fog, please be courteous and turn those lights on. Seeing the vehicle in front of you is just as important as seeing the oncoming traffic. I know this will help my confidence and that of many others.

Diane Chambers

Little Current