Wiky youth faces murder charges in fatal stabbing

WIKY-A 16-year-old Wikwemikong youth has been charged with first degree murder in the stabbing death of Cory Allen Roy, 28, of the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve, a father of two children under five.

The youth cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

According to an OPP news release, police were called to a disturbance at 37 Daawema Road in Wikwemikong in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 6. When the officers arrived, they discovered that an adult male had been stabbed.

The victim was rushed to the Manitoulin Health Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Upon investigation, it was determined that a youth had fled the scene.

Members of the Ontario Provincial Police Emergency Response Team, along with the canine unit, were called in to assist the Wikwemikong Tribal Police in locating the youth.

By daybreak, the youth had been located in another Wikwemikong residence, where he surrendered peacefully to police and was taken into custody.

The victim was born in Toronto in 1978, having moved to Wikwemikong two years ago, and was described by his family as a great fan of Johnny Cash's music, and an avid outdoorsman, especially fond of fishing, hunting and camping. He is survived by his wife Pam Pitawanakwat of Wikwemikong, his two-month-old infant son Cory Jr., and his five-year-old son Caleb Pitawanakwat.

The youth was remanded into custody before a provincial court judge in Wikwemikong Criminal Court on May 2. He will appear before the next sitting of Superior Court on Wednesday, May 17.

Investigation is continuing with the assistance of the Northeast Region OPP crime unit and the OPP forensic identification unit from Sault Ste. Marie. The joint investigation is being conducted with the Wikwemikong Tribal Police under the direction of Detective Inspector Tim Millar of the Criminal Investigation Branch of the OPP.

N.E. Manitoulin's mediated bargaining begins under cloud

following scaled-up picket action at dump

by Lindsay Kelly

NORTHEAST MANITOULIN-Three days before negotiations were to resume between striking Northeast Town workers and the town, the 32-week-old dispute caused more controversy with an incident that has left at least one resident feeling verbally harassed and angry about the union's presence at the town's landfill site.

On Saturday, striking workers, along with about 30 or 40 strike supporters from out of town, set up a picket line at the entrance to the town's landfill site, stopping people and asking for their support by encouraging them to turn around and go elsewhere to dump their garbage.

No physical injuries were reported, but many residents were reportedly involved in verbal confrontations that left them feeling angry and harassed by union supporters.

Sheguiandah resident Pat Wood said she travelled to the landfill on Saturday to drop off some garbage, but only realized when she got closer to the facility that there was a larger-than-usual contingent of strikers present at the gates.

"I don't know if it had anything to do with the letter," Mrs. Wood said, referring to a letter which appeared in the April 5 edition of the Expositor, in which her husband, Bruce, voiced his opposition to the strike. "I think it was just the fact that I was there and they were picketing. Other people had similar scenarios I had."

She waited in line while the picketers stopped residents in front of her, "trying to discourage them from going to the dump," and when it came to her turn, she said she was faced with a very hostile picketer, who stood in front of her vehicle and refused to let her pass.

"When I pulled into the dump, I motioned for him to 'please move; I want to go through,'" she recalled. "He shook his head no. So I parked the truck and got out and politely said I'd like him to move. He said no, he'd move when he wanted to."

Determined to drop off her garbage, Mrs. Wood returned to her waiting vehicle, where she slowly proceeded closer to the gates, giving the protester time to move out of the way, but also persisting so that he realized she was "not giving up and not going home."

"He finally walked across and went by, but as he was walking by he said, 'You bitch,'" she recounted, angrily. "Right there, I was livid. I was mad beyond mad."

Her ire was raised primarily because she believes that, as a taxpayer who provides funds to the town to operate the landfill, it is her right to visit the facility during the appointed operation times.

The severity of the issue was enhanced, for her, because her two young children, aged five and seven, accompanied her in the vehicle. Not only was the comment inappropriate, she said, but even her seven-year-old son commented on how what the picketers were doing was "not right," referring to a creed in his school agenda that says people should treat each other respectfully and not bully each other.

"They're bullying us, and harassing us-that's not right," Mrs. Wood said.

She said she didn't recognize the picketer who swore at her, and learned later, when she returned to the landfill with her husband, who was upset at the treatment of his wife, that he was, in fact, from Nairn Centre, and was only in town to show support for the Northeast Town picketers.

Union representative Fred Bond confirmed this presence, and said the additional union supporters were brought in, at least partially, to show support for the union just before going into the next round of negotiations, scheduled for May 9 and 10.

"It ended up being more about council's decision to move the dumpsters from the public works depot the week before bargaining, forcing everyone to cross the picket line," he said. "It was to show our concerns about what the town was doing, and why they were forcing people to cross the picket line."

Mr. Bond also insisted that, "Nobody called anybody names. We were pretty clear on that."

When people visited the picket line, the strikers stopped cars going in for two minutes, as is their legal right, in an effort to instruct people on their position and encourage people to turn around and bring their garbage elsewhere.

But direct, planned confrontation was not part of the plan, Mr. Bond said.

"If someone felt slighted, we were not swearing directly at them," he said. "We weren't out there to be causing trouble. If they felt that way, then I guess we apologize."

Mr. Bond said it is more likely that a picketer swore or shouted if someone was nudged or bumped by a vehicle as it was trying to pass through. "It is certainly not our intent to attack anybody," he said of the union's regular picket policy. "There's no reason why this would be any different."

"We just wanted to show our support for the workers in getting a fair agreement," he said. "That was our intent originally, and that's what, in our minds, transpired."

Mr. Bond said he hoped that council would be open-minded about finding some common ground during negotiations. The town's directive to the union indicated the negotiating team members should bring a change of clothes as they would be participating in round-the-clock negotiations, so "we're taking them on that," Mr. Bond said. "We'll see what develops and hope it's not a red herring and more of the same."

Mayor Joe Chapman also weighed in on the incidents at Saturday's picket line. He said he spent most of Monday fielding calls from angry citizens who were appalled at the union's behaviour over the weekend.

"Unfortunately, I received many complaints about how rude these union people were-they were actually cursing at a number of women who were just trying to drop off their garbage," he said. "Everyone was offended by their aggressive conduct and by the fact that the union brought in out-of-towners to harass local people."

"I don't know why the union leadership would do something so foolish just three days before we were to resume our mediated negotiations," he continued. "Council is still prepared to negotiate, but I get the feeling the union may not be serious about reaching a deal."

Rather than trying to intimidate taxpayers, the union should focus on the issues facing the town, such as overstaffing, the mayor said. When there is no seasonal work available-for example, when there is no ice in the arena at the summer-the town should not be paying for four arena workers.

Council held a special meeting on Monday to decide whether talks with the union should be broken off; however, as of press time on Monday, plans for the negotiations were to continue.

"If the protests occur again, council will simply contract out rural garbage pickup, or hire people to do the pickup in our truck," he said.

Mrs. Wood remains angered by Saturday's incident, and says the union is making the issue too personal. Following her return to the landfill on Saturday afternoon, not only did she not receive an apology from the picketer she says harassed her, but the picketers denied that anything had been said to her at all.

"These are grown, adult men, yet nobody has enough nerve to say, 'Yes, I called her that,' or, 'Yes, it was bad judgment,'" she said, calling them "cowards" and "bullies."

Mrs. Wood said she will maintain her support for town council, since she believes that it is doing what it can to streamline the town's operations, and bring a sense of financial responsibility to the town, a move she said should have been done immediately following the amalgamation of Howland township and Little Current.

She and her husband are currently considering setting up their own picket line, which would display signs and voice their support for town council, and if the plan does come to fruition, she hopes others will come forward to join in voicing their support for the town.

In the meantime, she said she hopes others will not be intimidated by the union's tactics.

"If people want to support the strikers, that's great, but they shouldn't harass the general public," she said. "The same with the strikers. They have the right to stop us for two minutes, but what about my right not to be harassed?"

Manitou River litterers ordered to provide stream cleanup duties

by Jim Moodie

MICHAEL'S BAY-As the sun slanted down on the Manitou River on Saturday afternoon, illuminating its emerald pools and the iridescent shapes of spawning rainbows, a group of five young people from Sudbury made their way painstakingly, but purposefully, along its banks, filling 10 large garbage bags with pop cans and other refuse.

Good samaritans? Well, not exactly. Penitents would be closer to the mark. Or shall we say: conservation converts?

The five were making amends for an act of carelessness last fall, when they left some beer bottles and other litter behind on the edge of the river after a camping trip. Local conservation officer Shane Brownlee discovered the detritus and was able to ID the group through a discarded document that included a name.

"I could have given them tickets," noted Mr. Brownlee, who supervised the cleanup on Saturday. "But I thought it would be better to get them down here again. It's one of the nicest spots on Manitoulin, and nobody likes to see garbage. So instead of a fine, I got a court order for them to clean up garbage."

The group willingly-eagerly even-obliged, arriving well before the appointed time of noon. "They like camping here," said Mr. Brownlee, "and they were all really good about it. They knew better, but it was just one of those things I guess. They got here early today, and were already picking up some garbage before I met up with them."

The group spent two hours combing the river banks in the company of the CO, who, apart from supervising the cleanup, shared some of his knowledge about, and passion for, the Manitou River's unique ecosystem. "I talked to them about the rainbow trout and their spawning beds, and explained how it's important to keep the river clean," he related.

Last fall, the group had inadvertently built a fire pit on an area of shore that is submerged in the spring, and, because this stretch consists of rubble, acts as a prime spawning bed, Mr. Brownlee noted. "The mess was actually in the riverbed, which is owned by the Crown, so that's why the MNR got involved," he said.

Mr. Brownlee feels the individuals were not being deliberately disrespectful, but rather acting in a mostly naive way. "They didn't know, because they've never fished for rainbows before," he said. "I showed them where they'd had the fire pit, and explained how it was right on the spawning bed."

The five campers appreciated the opportunity to conduct a cleanup rather than be dinged with a fine. "When we left court, they thanked me a bunch of times and said it was a good idea," the conservation officer noted.

And it was obvious, from the comportment and spirit of the group, that they felt positive about their efforts, and redeemed by them, rather than simply penalized.

Meanwhile, they provided a useful service for Manitoulin, by tidying up refuse left by other campers and anglers, past and present. Mr. Brownlee said that, of the junk collected by his team of court-order river wardens, "some of it was really old pop cans and whiskey bottles, right up to stuff from this past week."

That so much garbage could exist alongside one of Manitoulin's most beautiful natural treasures is a sad statement, indeed, and one that proves that these particular campers are far from the only offenders in this regard, and probably far from the worst.

"This is one of my favourite spots on the Island," said Mr. Brownlee. "You see spawning fish, geese, other species. I saw a wolf down here yesterday. A lot of people just like to walk here, and look at the salmon or rainbow. But people also have to pick up after themselves."

The group that was caught despoiling a bend of the river has no doubt seen the light after being brought back to the site of their transgression and educated, constructively, in the value of protecting the environment they avowedly love.

Mr. Brownlee hopes others will learn from the example and embrace an ethic of conservation before they, too, end up in court, and have to learn the lesson the hard way, through fines or public humiliation.

EDITORIAL

Students share thoughts on freedom of the press

Last Wednesday, May 3 happened to be World Press Freedom Day. It's a day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1993, that honours the sacrifices made around the world to ensure a free press. The day is also designated to remind governnmets of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression that the United Nations enshrined in its Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Last Wednesday, the Manitoulin Expositor also happened to participate in a career day fair at Manitoulin Secondary School. To make the Expositor's display more interactive, we made the sign shown in the accompanying photograph and solicited young people stopping at the newspaper's table to respond, on the spot, with their written observations. Many of them did, and so we are able to present a sampling of the opinions of the wise young people who, very soon, will be in charge of our institutions.

I believe that the freedom of the press is an excellent idea. It's a freedom and a right. I really like what our Expositor has been putting up. I think it's really important how much you put into the paper and how you say it. Sometimes I think people don't realize what freedom of the press is and does. Thanks for everything you do. Because what this does is give us insight into lives of others and brings awareness from everywhere.

Kaylyn Roy, Grade 12

Helps us stay connected locally and globally. By encouraging connections between people and countries we break down barriers such as race, status or age.

Emma Taillefer, Grade 12

People should be aware of journalists and reporters because without them we wouldn't be aware of the world around us and...World Press Freedom Day!

Josh Khan, Grade 12

To be free in the press has two very important sides to it.

It is important for people to know what is going on in the world and our communities so we can help make a difference when there are problems like natural disasters.

Another side to this issue is that sometimes when people's personal issues are discussed in the press it can be twisted and people will start thinking things that aren't true.

Since this Island is so small everything gets around like wildfire, there ends up being a lot of judgment and prejudice. Sadly it doesn't just happen here; it happens everywhere. We need to start accepting people for who they are and not believing everything we see on TV.

Elise VanDeyl, Grade 11

Freedom of press is essential for uniting a nation and keeping international affairs close at heart in times of dire need.

Lauren McCormick, Grade 12

They have tried to oppress our religion, our learning, our uniqueness. But we have fought hard. Without the freedom of our speech, the freedom to print what we want, the oppressors of the world would have taken us over by now. May our voices be heard.

Steph Burt, Grade 12

LETTERS to the EDITOR

Possible loss of Honora horse business rued

Seems small businesses are being pushed out

To the Expositor:

I couldn't believe my eyes when I read a letter to the editor a few weeks ago about the possible closure of Honora Bay Stables-the stable with so much life and energy. Have the people on Manitoulin gone mad? Here is an opportunity for people old and young alike to go out and do exciting activities in the beautiful and scenic outdoors we have here on Manitoulin.

And yet it seems that small businesses, instead of being encouraged, are being pushed out. You often hear from the young people on the Island that "there is nothing to do here." Folks, I hate to tell you, but you are wrong. We have so much, and this stable was growing to be one of the many activities that should have been able to carry on year-round and grow with its owner. 

We have a summer cottage in Mindemoya, and myself, my wife, and two children ride here as regulars, as well as my kids attending the great summer camp the stables has just begun. It has been a part of our holidays now for four years and one we don't want to lose out on. I contacted Ms Jansen after reading this letter to see if there was any mistake, and she regretfully explained the reasons behind her decision to possibly close her life's dream, and one of the most exciting and fun things to do here on Manitoulin.

Although she has assured me that this summer the stable will be open for business as usual, there are no longer expansion plans, and no longer the chance for Manitoulin to have a therapeutic riding establishment (which would be hugely beneficial to the Island), and really no clear idea of what she will do for her future. Wow. What a tough choice for this young lady. Rest assured we will be showing her our support and riding as regulars once again this year.

David and Sharron, Thomas and Alain Campbell

North Bay

Feds are failing residential school survivors

Canada, live up to your agreement

To the Expositor:

Once again, to the delight of millions of Canadians, their elected government has chosen not to honour an accord that was negotiated and accepted by the premiers of the provincial governments along with the national government of Canada.

The agreement had the support of a duly elected parliament of Canada and was accepted to redress and bring a measure of justice to a national crime that was perpetuated on the First Nation people's children.

This was done as result of official policies set out by the past governments of Canada. The crimes that were committed on the children of the First Nation people was, and still is, reviled by the societies of the world. Even in the world of convicted criminals, provincial and federal correctional institutions, this type of crime is not acceptable and the people who are convicted of this type crime are considered the lowest form of humanity.

So it is with great shock and disappointment that the First Nations watched as the newly-elected conservative government reversed a very carefully examined and investigated settlement that attempted to rectify a severe injustice that was perpetuated on the First Nation people's children.

We read frequently in our country's newspapers, and see on our local and national news programs, the results of the efforts by the child protection and law enforcement agencies in combating this type of heinous crime. We read of the arrest and apprehension of people who are involved in child pornography and sexual abuse of children.

With the current focus that society is placing on this type of crime, the First Nations thought that the time was right to address and finally bring some measure of justice to the crimes that were committed by people who were given the authority to administer native programs that were set up as result of government policies concerning First Nations people.

Isn't it a crime when this is done to a child-any child? Or are there exceptions made when this is done to First Nation children?

When the news came that this settlement was not going to be honoured by this current government, the vast majority of the Canadian people were silent and there was no concerted effort to try and save this accord other than the concerns voiced by First Nations people and a few activist groups.

Unfortunately, by the time this national disgrace is rectified, the vast majority of the victims of this tragedy will have passed away and they will go to their graves carrying the severe emotional scars that were inflicted on them as a result of the government policies that allowed these crimes to be committed.

This is seen as a money issue by the government and they do not want to be seen as spending taxpayers' money on Native people. The people of Canada have to be told the truth: the Natives have been the supreme taxpayers of this country and continue to be so. The economy of this country is on the backs of the First Nations peoples of this country, and as a result of this truth the past Canadian governments made an agreement with Canada's first people that, as a result of them being the supreme taxpayers of this land, they will not have to pay the provincial sales tax on goods and services they purchase.

Canada has to know that a vast majority of First Nations people pay income tax, the GST and all federal excise taxes on all goods and services in the manner as the rest of Canada. This is not a money issue. It is an issue of justice. It is an issue of upholding the laws of Canada. It is an issue of up holding the very core tenets and the articles of the Canadian constitution.

What this present Canadian government is doing by not honouring an agreement that a duly-elected government of the people of Canada signed is a micro version of what the governments do on a macro version between themselves. They do not honour their agreements and accords between themselves-

Like the NAFTA agreement and the softwood issue, farm subsidies, etc. So it is with the internal agreements within Canada.

It has to start at home. Canada-live up to your agreement you made at home. Then we can say, with truth, 'I am proud to say I'm Canadian.'

R. Gerry Kaboni

Wikwemikong First Nation

Family devastated by loss

Let us not let death be in vain

To the Expositor:

"Life," a word that means living or beginning. Not an end. Sometimes life comes to an end, and too soon. They say God comes for the people He needs, or the person dies for a reason. For He sees what is happening in our future and spirits see what we don't. We as a proud nation no longer see this, our eyes are closed, our ears no longer hear. For we are lost, but that's a choice we have made. By picking up ourselves, raising our heads up-let the sun's rays hit our face. Feel the warmth, take a breath; now listen and we will hear what we have never heard before. Take another breath; now we open our eyes and see that our youth are lost. They do not hear and they do not see a proud people. We are still lost and our elders and leaders have to step up. We have to open our eyes, we have to listen. We as elders and leaders and parents, it's time for us to open our eyes and see.

We as Anishnabek can no longer ignore what is happening in our community. Too much hurt is here, and we have to take care of each other. Just like a baby crying, we do not ignore, we do not pretend not to see or hear. Without a second thought, we go to the baby, we listen, we observe. Just like the sun we should give them warmth and guidance. We should be sick and tired of us trying to hurt each other, or even killing each other-is this our future?

We lost a cousin this week by a young person who is lost. Cory's right to live was taken and no amount of punishment will ever stop the pain. This past week has been very difficult for his family and burying Cory will not be the end. They will continue to relive this event during the upcoming court proceedings.

Let us not let Cory's death be in vain. Stop glorifying "thug life." They do not pretend to be Anishnabe, but why do we choose to live like thugs? Visit Detroit, Chicago, South Central L.A., the morgues, the prisons, the penitentiaries and the grave sites. Glorify this life, then go to the mirror and see which of your family will die because of your lifestyle-your son, your daughter, your brother, your sister, your father, your mother?

The Anishnabe way is to cherish life and allow the Great Spirit to decide when it is our time to pass on to the spirit world. For we as Anishnabek people do have a choice-we have four directions to follow and thug life is not one of them.

Take back the power to teach your children our traditional ways. We have the power to decide what influences our youth. It is OK to say "no" to your children, for they will learn they must work to succeed. Believe in yourself and change will happen. Maybe Cory Jr. and many other children will grow up in a better environment.

Follow the right path and avoid being carried by six.

Baa Maa Pii Miinwaa KaWaabmiin Cory...

The family of the late Cory Roy

Wikwemikong

Letters can also be dropped through the slot on the front door of the Expositor office.Send your Dear Dave letters to Box 369, Little Current, Ontario, P0P 1K0,