Missed Flights, Goodbyes, and Leaving Kawawachikamach

Thu, Sep 5

A light wood-colored laminate floor with a person’s foot in a black sock and jeans visible at the bottom right. In the bottom left, a red broom and dustpan are shown, as if mid-cleaning. The room appears clean with minimal dust or debris on the floor.

This morning, I cleaned up the rectory in preparation for leaving and stopped by the Naskapi Development Corporation and the Naskapi Nation band office to see if anyone needed anything. I wanted to know if there would be another time they’d need me, possibly in late October.

A man wearing glasses and a dark sweatshirt is seated in the driver’s seat of a vehicle, holding the steering wheel with both hands. He is buckled in with a seatbelt, and the view outside the window shows a cloudy sky and trees in the distance. The interior of the car, including the dashboard and roof, is visible.

Jimmy Shecanapish, ever so kind, offered to drive me to the airport, as he usually does. But today, God’s timing was different from mine.

A crowded airport waiting area filled with people, many sitting on chairs or benches while others stand or walk through the space. Most people appear bundled in coats, and luggage is scattered around them. The ceiling features wooden beams, and a traditional canoe is mounted on the wall. The scene captures the busy atmosphere after an event, with people preparing to travel.

When we got to the airport, it was packed. The crowd was overwhelming, with so many people heading home after the Elders Gathering. That’s when I learned about Air Inuit’s new check-in policy, which was stricter than I had anticipated.

Because there were so many standby flights, seats were in high demand. I missed the check-in window by just three minutes.

Disappointed, I called my girlfriend to let her know the situation. Trisha, in the Band Office, worked her magic and got me on a flight for the next day.

I was disappointed, but I decided not to get too upset and just rolled with it.

Two elderly men are seated together in a cozy, wood-paneled room. One man, holding a cane, is wearing a white t-shirt and plaid pants, while the other, wearing glasses and a collared shirt, shows him a red folder with papers inside. The room is warmly lit, and family photos and religious images adorn the walls, creating a comforting atmosphere.

While scrolling through Facebook, I saw a post from Matthew Mameamskum’s family. Something about it instantly gave me a sinking feeling. Matthew had always been close to my family—he worked with my dad, Bill, checking translations for the church and the community. His wife, Kitty, always ensured I was fed when she provided lunches for Innu kids at Jimmy Sandy Memorial School.

A gravel driveway leading up to a small gray house with trucks parked along the sides. Another gray house is visible on the right side, and a few trees stand in the background beneath a cloudy sky. The scene appears to be in a rural area, with signs of community gathering evident from the parked vehicles.

I jumped on the side-by-side and rode over to his house, where the driveway was already filling up with trucks. Community members were beginning to gather. Inside, I sat with Ishko Mameamskum and his brothers, paying my respects.

Rod Mackenzy was there, helping coordinate, and passed our masks to everyone since a few family members were sick.

A group of people gathered inside a home, many wearing face masks. Some are seated on chairs and recliners, while others stand near a kitchen island in the background. The room is decorated with string lights and a mix of family photos and floral arrangements. A few people are passing out masks, while others engage in conversation, creating a warm and communal atmosphere.

Matthew had just passed away.

Two hearses are parked outside a small brown house with a dirt driveway. A dog walks near the steps leading up to the house. The sky is overcast, and trees can be seen in the background. The scene captures the moment as people gather for a funeral.

As I was there, I remembered that today was also George Amos Guanish’s funeral, so I quickly went to his house as the hearse was arriving.

A man kneels at a doorway, using a drill to remove the door frame. Another man stands in the background, watching as the work is being done. The door frame has been partially dismantled, with pieces of pink insulation visible on the wooden deck. The scene shows preparations for accommodating pallbearers carrying a casket.

John Chescappio was, as usual, helping in every way possible, even removing the door frame so that the pallbearers could carry the casket out smoothly.

A crowded room filled with people standing and sitting, as they pay their respects during a funeral service. A casket is visible at the front of the room, with mourners gathered around it. A cross hangs on the wall in the background, and the room is simply decorated. The atmosphere is somber as visitors move through the space.

The house was packed. The family had laid cardboard on the floor to accommodate the steady stream of visitors who came through the back door, paid their respects, and exited through the front.

Outside, I spoke with Uapush, who had been very close to George. He wanted to do something to show his respect, so I agreed to help him get his guitar so he could sing at the funeral.

A group of pallbearers, wearing black hoodies and red sashes, carefully carry a casket down the steps of a house toward a waiting hearse. The casket is silver, and the men work together to lower it from the porch. The house is a modest home with brown siding, and the sky is partly cloudy.

The pallbearers gently lowered George’s casket out of the house and into the hearse.

A small bird, identified as a whiskychak (Canada jay), perches on an overhead wire against a cloudy sky. The roof of a house is visible below, and the bird appears to be watching the scene below curiously.

A whiskychak watched over us curiously.

The family started walking in a procession to the church, and Uapush and I sped around the back to his house to go get his guitar.

A funeral procession follows a hearse down a dirt road, with people walking closely behind it. Some carry flowers, and others wear red sashes over their clothing. The scene takes place in a residential area with modest houses and overcast skies, reflecting the somber mood of the procession.

The procession to the church was somber, and the church was completely filled.

The interior of a church with a casket draped in a purple cloth at the front, adorned with a large bouquet of flowers. In front of the casket, a wooden cross with dates "2000-01-10" and "2024-08-28" is displayed. Lit candles and religious symbols, including a crucifix on the wall, surround the altar, creating a solemn and reverent atmosphere.

Susan Nabinacaboo’s voice filled the space with Family Circle, and the air was thick with emotion.

A man with a guitar, identified as Uapush, stands at the front of a church near the pulpit, playing a song during a funeral service. The congregation is gathered closely around, with many people standing in the pews. A lit candle sits on the pulpit, and a wooden cross is visible on the wall behind the altar. The emotional moment brings a sense of solemnity to the scene.

When the time came, Uapush played a song that brought tears to the family.

A group of pallbearers, wearing black with red sashes, carry a silver casket down the steps of a church and towards an open hearse. The scene takes place in a small community, with several trucks parked nearby and houses visible in the background under a cloudy sky. The mood is solemn as the service concludes and the casket is prepared for transport.

After the service, the pallbearers brought the casket down the church steps and placed it back in the hearse.

A long line of vehicles drives down a dirt road, forming a procession as they make their way through a forested area. The cars have their lights on, and the road stretches into the distance, surrounded by trees and utility poles. The procession is part of a traditional funeral, passing through the village before heading to the cemetery.

As is tradition, a parade of cars formed and circled the village, passing George Amos’ home on the way to the cemetery.

The view from inside a vehicle, showing a woman in a red sweatshirt driving a bus along a dirt road. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction have pulled over, stopping to allow the funeral procession to pass. The windshield is covered with dust, and the scene outside shows a cloudy sky and a few vehicles on the road.

Out of respect, traffic in the opposite direction stopped to let us pass.

A group of pallbearers, wearing red sashes, carry a silver casket from the hearse at a cemetery. Family members follow closely behind, some holding floral wreaths. The scene takes place outdoors, with a small shelter in the background and a mix of emotions on the faces of the mourners.

A group of mourners stands around an open grave at a cemetery, with some holding umbrellas as a light rain begins to fall. Two men inside the grave prepare to lower the casket, while a wooden cross marked with the name and dates of the deceased is held by one mourner. The sky is dark and overcast, reflecting the somber mood.

At the cemetery, a light rain began to fall. It softened the heavy hearts of those grieving, mingling with tears.

A large group of mourners gathers around an open grave at a cemetery, some holding umbrellas as light rain falls. The grave is lined with green turf, and floral arrangements can be seen inside the grave. People stand in silence, offering prayers and support to one another.

A group of mourners stands around an open grave, where a blue floral wreath rests on the casket at the bottom. One mourner holds a cross painted with the name and dates of the deceased. The sky is dark and overcast, and the mood is solemn as people reflect and offer comfort.

We offered prayers and shared comfort in hushed tones.

A large gathering in a gymnasium, where tables are set for a feast following the funeral ceremony. People are seated along long rows of tables, sharing a meal and conversations. The atmosphere is a mix of somber reflection and warmth as family and friends come together to remember the deceased. The gym's high ceilings and basketball hoops are visible, and a large banner hangs on the back wall.

After the ceremony, we returned to Kawawachikamach, where the family had prepared a feast. People shared smiles through their tears, remembering the good times they had with George Amos.

An elderly man, identified as Matthew Mameamskum, sits on a bed in a warmly lit room with wood-paneled walls. He is wearing a light striped button-up shirt and looking directly at the camera with a calm expression. Behind him are family photos and books on a wooden dresser, adding a personal and cozy atmosphere to the scene.

Later that day, I returned to Matthew’s house to check on his family. I spoke with his daughter Louise for a while. Though it was difficult, she found peace knowing that Matthew was now reunited with Kitty.

A nighttime view of a village illuminated by bright lights in the distance, seen from a hill surrounded by darkness. The sky is almost entirely black, while the lights below create a soft glow over the trees and buildings, evoking a sense of quiet reflection.

As the evening wore on, I spent some time alone on the hill overlooking the village where I grew up.

A bearded man, wearing glasses and a cap with the word "Kawawachikamach" embroidered on it, sits in a vehicle at night. He is looking ahead with a thoughtful expression, illuminated by the dim light inside the vehicle. A seatbelt is visible across his chest, and the background outside is dark.

I’m so grateful that I missed my flight. It allowed me to be here for the people who matter most to me.

Fri, Sep 6

A man with a full beard and slightly wet, tousled hair takes a selfie after a shower. He is wearing a red shirt with a Canadian symbol on it, and he looks directly at the camera with a content expression. The background shows a plain white wall and door, suggesting the photo was taken at home while preparing for the day.

Woke up, showered, and took some time to clean up a little more. Everything’s packed, and I’m ready to go.

A red wooden building with the sign "Naskapi Development Corporation" is seen on a cloudy day. A rugged side-by-side vehicle is parked in front of the building, loaded with bags and gear. The building has boarded-up windows on the ground floor, and wooden steps lead up to the entrance. The vehicle, covered in mud, reflects its use in rough terrain.

After loading up, I made my way to drop off the rectory keys at the Naskapi Development Corporation and returned the side-by-side to the Naskapi Nation garage. That side-by-side has been a godsend for getting around!

A man, Jimmy Shecanapish, is seen driving a large SUV, smiling and focused on the road. He is wearing a dark blue hoodie and glasses, with his seatbelt on. The interior of the vehicle is modern with a touchscreen display and controls on the console. Trees and the road are visible through the windows as they drive.

Jimmy Shecanapish, always looking out for me, picked me up today—in a giant sedan SUV limousine, no less! Quite the departure from my usual rides.

An airport waiting area with several people seated. A woman in a pink jacket drinks from a bottle, while a man in gray sits beside her. Another person is lying down on a bench in the foreground. Above the seating area hangs a traditional canoe, beautifully crafted and suspended from the ceiling. The canoe is a reminder of the unique cultural heritage of the community.

At the airport, I had some time before boarding. I always love looking at the canoe on the wall here. Every community has its own style of canoe design, and it reminds me of how deeply unique each nation is.

Then came the moment I dreaded—getting ready to board. No matter how many times I do it, I hate leaving. This place always feels like home, and it’s never easy to say goodbye.