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Making Decisions

In my opinion one of the most important things parents and a family can teach kids is how to make good decisions for themselves. Watching their parents make decisions and living with the consequence of them is the first step to teaching children how to be good decision makers. The second step to teaching kids to be good decision makers is by letting them make decisions from a young age. Starting with small choices with little consequence and building to larger ones with more important consequences as they get older. Starting with things like picking their own clothes as toddlers. Deciding when it’s best to do their homework as they get older. Deciding to play a sport for a season or not, then being sad because they decided they didn’t play and want to now. As teenagers letting them decide if they have time to have a part time job then having to figure out how to do that, get homework done and have time for friends. Letting kids know that every decision has a consequence, good or bad, and that you have to live with that choice. Letting them know that even if they make a bad choice it doesn’t make them a bad person and they will still be loved. Also, letting them know how proud you are of them when they make a decision on their own and stick to that choice and deal with the consequence. Life can be hard and learning to deal with things on your own even harder but when parents let kids know that no matter what they are loved and accepted makes them grow to be good, responsible adults who contribute to the world in a positive way and makes them happy successful people.

-Cassidy

This is an open letter to frustrated, concerned, worried homeowners, business owners, parents etc. I am writing as a concerned parent and citizen of La Ronge. Vandalism, breaking and entering has always been an issue in La Ronge but has gotten much worse over the years. I have been living on the same street for about five years now, in this time our vehicle gets broken into at least a couple times a year. We are the more fortunate ones as victims have had their vehicles damaged, businesses broken into. In 2014 there was an incident where two dozen vehicles were broken into and vandalized while they were locked in a compound. They were tourists from out of town to see our beautiful landscapes instead they get a destroyed vehicle. Another incident in late 2015 a couple had come home and it had been completely wrecked. Smashed eggs on the walls and ceiling, broken computer, food everywhere, smashed mirrors and windows. That is so disrespectful and frustrating for anyone in this community. Nobody works hard to buy themselves the things they deserve and come home to everything destroyed and wrecked. The youngest person in this incident is 13 years old and has faced charges. The 13 year old had been homeless for months after fleeing an alcoholic mother. Most of these vandalizers are young teens that most likely don't have the best environment at home or even have a home to go to so they may not be in the right mind state or have been taught whats right and whats wrong, but that still doesn't give them the right to be destroying property that doesn't belong to them. As parents, we need to show our children how they should behave and explain how their behaviour can affect others. You can use more complex reasoning and examples to talk about the differences between whats wrong and whats right. You are the parent, you need to set down firm rules and expectations that must be met or there could be consequences. Your child's friends can have a lot of influence on them whether it be bad or good. Ask your child if they can hang out with other friends if they are troubling or ask them to be a good peer and show them what is good and what is not. There has been a curfew enforced in La Ronge for anyone under 18 years old. Kids and teens are to be inside by 11 pm or the parents could be fined. The parents will be warned the first time, the second time will result in a 50$ ticket for the parents, the third time will result in 100$ for the parents. R.C.M.P are directed to call Child and Family Services if they cannot locate a parent of a child. In my opinion I don't think the curfew will affect the vandalism going on. Vandalizers tend to be sneaky and wait till no one is around and they never really get caught. They wait till homeowners are elsewhere or sleeping. I think a tour of an R.C.M.P detachment would be far more effective then a curfew for all these troubled teens, they would get to see what will happen if they keep up this behaviour and where they could end up.
 * Vandalism**

-Jessica

 Think of where the animal products you consume come from. You likely envision a sunny farm with acres of grass with cows roaming about, thrilled pigs rolling around in the mud and chickens in cozy coops laying their eggs. Sound right? Wrong. Places like this don’t exist anymore, the pigs that you envisioned are kept in what are called factory farms, windowless concrete buildings like overcrowded madhouses. They are filled with feces and the linger of death that soon awaits. Hundreds of thousands of chickens kept in single room with no room to even grow properly. They are injected with so many hormones they have difficulty walking at all. Cows kept pregnant to produce an abnormal amount of milk, their nipples so overworked they bleed and ooze pus. These animals are terrified, suffering, literally going insane and for what purpose? To be killed for their fur, skin and meat. Conditions like these are unacceptable and must be changed. If you are eating meat, if you are eating dairy products, or if you are purchasing leather or fur, you are supporting this despicable behavior. In order to stand up to these industries I encourage you to choose the more honourable way of living, the vegan lifestyle.  Living a vegan lifestyle has benefits in many aspects of life, one of the most important benefits being the effect is has on the environment. In recent studies it has been found that 20% of man made pollution comes from the meat industry, which only contributes to the greenhouse gasses that warm our planet. In fact, a single day of eating vegan saves 1,000 gallons of water, 45 pounds of grains, 30 square feet of forests, and a whopping 20 pounds of CO2 equivalent. “A single dairy cow produces about 120 pounds of wet manure per day, which is equivalent to the waste produced by 20–40 people. That means California’s 1.4 million dairy cows produce as much waste as 28–56 million people.” According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Notes from Underground, Fall 2001). The production of meat and other animal products places a heavy burden on the environment. From crops and water required to feed the animals, to the transport and other processes involved from the farm to your plate. The vast amount of grain feed required for meat production is a significant contributor to deforestation, habitat loss and species extinction. In Brazil alone, the equivalent of 5.6 million acres of land is used to grow soya beans for animals in Europe. This land contributes to developing world malnutrition by driving impoverished populations to grow cash crops for animal feed, rather than food for themselves. On the other hand, considerably lower quantities of crops and water are required to sustain a vegan diet, making the switch to veganism one of the easiest, most enjoyable and most effective ways to reduce our impact on the environment.  Here are some facts about the food industry you might be interested in:  Legally, there are allowed 135 million pus cells in one glass of milk.  1. Animal food production is one of the world’s leading causes of climate change.  2. There’s no sustainable way to raise animal foods in order to meet the world’s growing demand. <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> 3. The American government spends $38 billion each year to subsidize the meat and dairy industries, but only 0.04 percent of that (i.e., $17 million) each year to subsidize fruits and vegetables. <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> It has also been proven that animal products do a lot of harm to our bodies working against them. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America, and guess what? Those who had a meat based diet were 3x as likely to be diagnosed with heart disease. <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> There are many people still in the dark about what really goes on in the food industry, in Peta’s ad ‘Glass Walls’ Paul McCartney states, “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegan.” The fact is, if we treated cats and dogs the way we treat animals in slaughterhouses we would go to jail. Now, what is the difference between a dog and a pig? Studies show pigs are in fact more intelligent than dogs are, they even can outsmart a 3 year old. If your dog tasted like pork would you eat her? The dehumanization of farm animals does not make it acceptable to treat them the way we currently are. <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Therefore, the clear solution to the many problems that is the animal industry is to live a vegan lifestyle. Whether it’s for moral, environmental or health reasons, there are benefits everywhere. Living vegan can lead to a healthier, greener, happier lifestyle.
 * <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Living Vegan **

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;">-Kate <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;">Websites Credited: <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> http://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/going-vegan/ <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> https://www.vegansociety.com/whats-new <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> http://www.yourdailyvegan.com <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;">Movies Credited: <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Forks over Knives <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Cowspiracy <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Earthlings


 * S****hooting Star**

I see her in the night sky Twinkling brighter than The rest of them

And I hope that someday She will finally know That I have wished upon Only the brightest

Wanting the same thing After all these years After all the dreaming

I want her to fall down Like a shooting star And I'd surely catch her With every bit of stardust

-Aimee


 * Heaven's Voice **

One lone soldier, walking tall, Through the war, to end it all, Shots where fired left and right, Many ran on filled with fright, But this lone soldier, though so small, Vowed to die, or kill them all, Men in green, and men in grey, It didn't matter on this day, For this young man, of barely six, Knew this game and all its tricks. But then a voice like heaven called, Come eat your lunch before it's cold! And so the boy put down his toys, And walked towards his mothers voice.

-Dae

Bones <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> When you look at me

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> What do you see

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> I am a girl

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> But my favourite colour is green

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> I am a girl

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> And I don’t need a king to be a queen

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> I am a teenager

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> But I don’t cause trouble

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> I am a teenager

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> And I can also have struggles

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> I am a human

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> And you are too

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Under my skin all I have are bones

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> And so do you

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> We are equal

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Believe it or not

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> It's amazing what your brain makes up

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> With a simple little thought

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Have you ever heard the ing

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Don’t judge a book?

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> This is something you should live by

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Don’t judge a human looks

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Under our skin

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Well what do you know

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> No race, no gender

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> All we have are bones

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em;"> -Jazmyn

**Stereotypes** Act like this  But only if its funny   Dress like this   But not too much Stereotypes surround our cultures  They’re used to oppress   They make us embarrassed   To act like ourselves They take our interest  Our beliefs   They turn them into a joke   So common on the streets People act like they’re no big deal  like they don’t hurt no one   but it stings   When your culture becomes someone else’s fun -Erin


 * More Than a Name**

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">“Let’s see… Kalla?” Kalla raised her hand ever so slightly and mumbled, “Here.” She felt her face burning. It was hard enough being the new kid, but being the new kid with a weird name? That was nearly impossible. The teacher didn’t seem to notice Kalla’s embarrassment. “Perfect,” she said. “You’ll be partnered with Maylee. Maylee?” Silence followed. The teacher looked around the gym, her tight ponytail whipping back and forth. “Looks like she’s absent. Sorry, Kalla. You can sit on the bleachers for today.” To Kalla, the walk to the bleachers seemed to be the longest walk of her life. She could feel dozens of eyes watching her as she slunk away to the sidelines. After what seemed like eternity<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">, Kalla sat with her hands in her lap and her head down. The teacher started calling out partners again, and pretty soon basketballs were being thrown all over the gym. Basketball was Kalla’s favorite game. At her old school, she had been the star of the team. But things were different here. The basketball team had no spots left, and so Kalla hadn’t been able to show anybody her talent. Until today, when they had started doing basketball in gym<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">Of course, today had to be the day that Kalla’s partner was absent. “Maylee,” Kalla whispered. “It’s all Maylee’s fault. I hate Maylee.” Actually, Kalla thought Maylee was pretty cool. For one thing, she had a beautiful name that seemed to roll off your tongue. For another, Maylee’s parents let her do anything. Tattoos, piercings, you name it. At the moment, Maylee had a nose ring, two studs in her left eyebrow, and tomato-red hair. Kalla’s parents would never let her do any of that that. They had a fit when she painted her nails, for Heaven’s sake!

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">After gym<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">, Kalla rushed through the halls. Gym<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> was her last class of the day! She was free! Elbowing people out of the way, Kalla yanked her locker door open to grab her backpack. As she slung it over her shoulder, she caught a glimpse of bright red. “Maylee? She’s<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> at school? She is so dead.” Kalla muttered. Sighing, she followed the bobbing shape of Maylee’s tomato red hair. Outside, Kalla picked up her pace. The stream of kids was thinning out, making it easier to move. She could see all of Maylee now, and she wasn’t that far ahead. Sprinting, Kalla reached out and grabbed Maylee’s<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> arm. The effect was immediate. Maylee spun around. “What are you doing? Get off of me!” she hissed. Kalla loosened her grip but didn’t let go. Instead, she glared at Maylee. Maylee glared right back. “Where were you today? In gym? The teacher said you were absent, but you obviously weren’t.” “So? I don’t like gym<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">. I never go. What’s it to you?” By then, all of the kids had left the school and were just specks in the distance. It was just Kalla and Maylee left. “I’m supposed to be your gym partner. Because of you, I had to sit on the sidelines and watch!” “Well, you better get used to it! I’m leaving tomorrow! And I’m not coming back! I hate it here! Now let me go!” With a sharp tug, she jerked her arm free. Both of the girls had been yelling. They stood now, panting, looking at each other. Neither of them knew what to say. Besides their breathing and the distant rumbling of cars, it was silent. “You’re leaving?” Kalla said finally. “Why? Where are you going?” She knew that Maylee’s parents were lenient, but moving just because their kid wanted to seemed<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> a bit extreme. “Swear you won’t tell anybody?” Kalla nodded, biting her lip. “I’m leaving with a few other kids tonight. Miles and Jesse. We’re gonna run somewhere, don’t know where yet. And then we’re starting a band. I’ll be the singer, Miles plays drums, and Jesse is a decent guitarist. We’ll make some money, get famous. What could go wrong?” “A lot of things!” Kalla snapped. “For one thing, Miles and Jesse are some of the stupidest<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> boys I know. Do you really want to put your life in their hands? For another, sooner or later somebody’s going to find you and bring you back, and then you’ll be in big trouble. Why not just stay here?” Maylee<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> rolled her eyes. “As previously said, I hate it here. We just moved here this fall and it’s awful. There isn’t a decent music club and I have a weird name!” Kalla reached out to grab Maylee’s arm again, only this time<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> it wasn’t hard. “Is that all?” she asked. “If there isn’t a good club, you should make one! As for your name… well, I don’t think it’s weird. Mine’s weird. Yours is beautiful.” Maylee looked skeptical, and Kalla could see she wasn’t convincing. “Well, I have to go. I still think you’re overreacting, but… promise me something, ‘kay?” Maylee<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> cocked her eyebrow, curious. “When you become famous, you have to send me a ticket to your concert.” She turned and walked away before Maylee could answer.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">That night, Kalla couldn’t sleep. She kept tossing and turning, hoping that Maylee had been lying. A few times Kalla felt like calling the police, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. It was Maylee’s choice, and Kalla didn’t feel right stopping her. After all, she’d almost run away a few times, too. The next day during gym, Kalla was barely awake. She had been up all night,<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> and had spent the whole day worrying about Maylee. Now she was so exhausted that it was hard to stand up, but she forced herself to. There had been no sign of Maylee all day, but Kalla kept hoping that maybe she’d show up… “Kalla?” the teacher said. “I’m sorry, but Maylee isn’t here again. Please go sit down.” “Yes, ma’am,” Kalla said, tears filling her eyes. She ducked her head so nobody would see her cry. Maylee had really done it. She had run away. Now she might get arrested or hurt or lost or even killed and it would be Kalla’s fault because she hadn’t been convincing enough. Gym passed slowly. When the bell finally rang, Kalla stumbled through the halls. When she finally got to her locker, Kalla gasped. In messy black marker, the words //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> I think your name is beautiful, too, //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> was written on the metal door. Somewhere in the sea of students, there was a glimpse of bright red hair.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">-Hannah

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 14.5482px;">I decided it would be a neat way to pass the time if I counted all the turns. Since it felt like the roads were just turning side to side. So I started counting each turn. After counting a few turns our tire popped. We were stuck there until we were able to change the tire. It was so boring because I just wanted to get there already. Ever since then I believed it was bad luck to count each turn on the dirt road toward Cumberland House. N<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 14.5482px;">ow I just believe it was just a coincidence. I haven't lived in Cumberland long enough to hear about any other community stories. A better way of knowing how close you are is to count the little green signs on the side of the road. when you see the one that says '90km' Cumberland is just around the next turn. I'm not really sure what the purpose of those signs are but all I can say is the roads are always changing because of the weather. Rocks and mud are a road condition people should be aware of when travelling on gravel roads. I wish everyone safe travels where ever they are going no matter what road conditions.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 14.5482px;">-Theodore

**The Mother’s Son** On a chilly morning in mid-March, happened to be the most important morning of my life. I will never forget the moment when my little Teddy was born, I had an at-home birth, it was still cold out since it was only early spring, so I spent most of my time indoors with Teddy, I was afraid that he would catch his death if I exposed him to the cold air, as I could not bear losing another angel, unfortunately Teddy’s twin brother had not survived the birth.

Teddy was only 1.5 pounds when he was born, he was my miracle, he was so tiny and fragile; he reminded me of a small teddy bear and that is where his name came from. I fell in love with him the moment I stared into those big beautiful brown eyes of his.

Growing up, Teddy and I were inseparable, we went everywhere together. Cuddling and holding him was my most absolute favorite thing to do. It was just my son and I against the world.

A memory that I could recall from when Teddy was small is when we would go out for berries, which happened to be his favourite food and activity to do, it was also a bonus because it was a good daily exercise and the berries were healthy and organic without any manmade chemicals and preservatives. Often on those berry picking outings it would end with long lectures about safety; Teddy loved to climb, he was like a little monkey, and he would wander off and climb trees, I would get furious when I find him up high in a tree, it would send me into a panic since I could not climb that high on a skinny tree, I would be to heavy and big for it, helpless I would watch him cautiously as he climbed back down feeling pretty bad and guilty for scaring the wits out of his mother.

Teddy was smart for his age, he was very playful, thoughtful, caring, and sweet and had no troubles engaging in social activities/events. I’ve heard many stories about the hardships in motherhood, but my sweet Teddy made it easy for me. It wasn’t until his teen years, which brought much turmoil and heartaches. He would accuse me of being too controlling when I was only concerned about his safety and well-being. After all the older he got it wouldn’t matter since he would always be my little Teddy in my eyes.

He hung around with the wrong crowd, the ones who rebelled against their parents. At that time we had lived on the outskirts of town, we moved here because I thought it would be safer, growing up I had always warned him about the dangers of town, especially at night, because that’s when the bad people come out. Never in a million years would I have thought that my son would become part of those “bad people” I warned him about, late at nights they would be out on the street vandalizing people’s private property. I don’t know how many restless nights I’ve spent awake waiting for my son to come home, I could not sleep without him in the safety of our home.

Teddy distanced himself from me, he rarely even spoke to me, this was really hard on me since he was all I had in the world and he was heading down a bad and dangerous path. This went on until one day I couldn’t take it anymore, I pleaded out to him that his behavior and disrespect would be the death of me since I am older and my heart could not handle it anymore. Surprisingly my plea took a big effect on him because after that I have seen many positive changes in his attitude, he was helping out around our home, and he brought me food and was taking care of me. It felt like old times again, this brought me great joy to see such a wonderful change in my son.

This happy time did not last long though, a few weeks later his past mistakes caught up with him. I guess on the last night of his vandalizing the town, one of the owners’ of the private property was so fed up, with a heart full of anger and revenge he followed my son home. That bad man must’ve been planning this event out for weeks because he knew our schedule and exactly when we would go to sleep, which was the most vulnerable time to catch us. Late in the night he trespassed into our home, his finger on the trigger, no time to change his mind, he pulled the trigger. Sharp pain in my back. Another fire. Ouch my stomach! Another fire, my hip! The pain is unbearable. I’m fading in and out. The seconds feel like minutes, the minutes feel like hours, the hours feel like years. I don’t know what happens to that bad man but he is nowhere in sight, my son is by my side again, holding me. In between breaths I say “I love you, my Teddy. I’m proud of you, continue to be good. I will always be with you. I.love.you.” There is nothing he could do but hold me until I slip away. I know I will not survive this, this is the end of me, and there is no help on the way...why is there no help on the way you ask? Well when has an ambulance or an emergency medical team rushing deep in the forest to save a shot and wounded brown bear.


 * -Cynthia Kkaikka ELA A30**

My Life

Throughout my life I been through ups and downs, bumpy paths and difficult situations and those events are the things that make me who I am. I have had many beautiful experiences some better than others and I certainly would not be able to list them all in these paper, but I will share one of the most important episodes of my life. When I was 4 years old I had an accident that changed my life, as I knew it. It was November 2000, middle of the afternoon and a very snowy day. I was coming out of the school bus right in front of my house and while making my way out of the bus I missed a step, lost balance and fell hitting the back of my head with the edge of one of the steps. Even to this day I can remember how painful it was; I really believed I was going to lose consciousness because the pain was so unbearable. After hitting my head the bus driver ran to help me get up and check if I was fine and even though I was in a lot of pain I told her “I was okay and just wanted to make it inside my house”. When I made it inside my house I told my mother what had happened and she cried non-stop. She tried to make sure I was okay and tried to prevent me from sleeping. Eventually I fell asleep for a couple of hours and felt better after taking the nap. Later on that day, I decided to play around and jump on the couch (acting like the kid I was) and unfortunately I fell again hitting the back of my head on the floor. The horrible pain took over me again but this time was even worse; I got headaches and my eyeballs felt as if they were going to pop out of my eye sockets. I ran to my mom and told her what had happened once again and she took me to the hospital where a doctor examined me and noticed that my eyeball was being pushed out of my orbit. After visiting the doctor my mother and me returned home hoping that the unpleasant pain would go away. After a couple of days I was rushed to Saskatoon by plane. I was being examined once again by many doctors this time but they did not find anything wrong with me therefore, I was sent back to La Loche. When I returned home I was still in pain but nobody knew what was wrong and I just kept being transferred to Saskatoon every 3 months 4 times or more and this continued for 2 years. The doctors told me that there was a possibility of me having a tumor or cancer that was causing my eyeball to out of its orbit. Eventually the every 3 months visits became annual visits for 2 years as well. When I was 8 years old the doctors in Saskatoon recommended me to go to Vancouver and that is what my mom did. She took me to Vancouver and they examined me and found out that there was no tumor or cancer but a blood clot behind my eyeball and that is that very same blood clot that is pushing my eyeball out of orbit. When I found out about the news I did not know if I should have been worried or happy. I was happy because I knew it was neither cancer nor tumor but I was worried about the clot. I was trying to be optimistic and I told myself not to worry because the doctors would find a way to remove it and everything would go back to normal. Nevertheless, that was not the case. They explained to my mother and me that it would be more dangerous to try and remove the clot instead of leaving it intact because there was and still is a huge probability of me going blind. When I was 10 years old I was not capable to see anything in the dark or the flash light. I visited the doctor and I flew to Regina where I admitted to a hospital and constantly examined by specialists. However, all results were perfectly fine and the only suggestion was “to take of myself a little bit better”. They also argued that there could be a possible of having a surgery when I turn 12 if my body was strong enough but this never happened. We came back to La Loche and I gave up in the idea of having my eyeball back in place. I tried to live my life as positive as possible and everything was going great until I had my first stroke at the age of 14 but I did not know what it was therefore, I did not do anything about it. I got better 4 days after the stroke and I decided to pay the doctor a visit and I found out it was a mini-stroke. I was concerned but once again I tried to keep moving forward and be positive. At the age of 16 I had my second stroke. At the moment I was at my grandmother’s house and she took me to the hospital and they transferred me to Saskatoon and they informed me that the blood clot was causing me to have strokes because of lack of blood circulation to my brain. Later on that day I returned to La Loche. As a consequence of the second stroke I lost a year of my education because it was very difficult for me to study and not have headaches or extreme head pains.

Indeed, this event changed my life. It was difficult growing up and going through of all health issues but I believe that all those difficulties made me stronger and that is why I am the person I am today. I live my life day by day and I try to enjoy every bit of it; I will never be capable of knowing what its in store for me tomorrow therefore, I have to live today as if it was my last day.

-Korey

<span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6000003814697px; line-height: 21.1555576324463px; margin-bottom: 1em;">Once upon a time there was an old man that lived in a small house at the end of the road just outside of the city. He didn’t have much family or friends and kept to him self and spent a lot of time in his home. He would only go into the city when he needed to run an errand or get some food that was usually only 2 or 3 times a month. People often wondered what he did in his home over the years because he spent a lot of time in there. <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6000003814697px; line-height: 21.1555576324463px; margin-bottom: 1em;">The old man looked very young for his age and always had a smile for everyone. He was a quiet person and seemed a bit lonely just by looking at his facial expressions. He was also a neat and tidy person as the outside of his home and his yard were very well kept. It is quite interesting how a person can keep to himself for so many years without social interaction with others. <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6000003814697px; line-height: 21.1555576324463px; margin-bottom: 1em;">I was curious to find out more about him so I made an effort to become his friend. He didn’t open up right away so I continued to interact through conversation regularly and we soon opened up to each other. I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable with my friendliness so I took my time and had patience. At night before bed, I always wondered what kind of person the old man is such as a serial killer, secret agent or gang member. A bit extreme so I would laugh then wonder if he is a writer, musician or has an online job where he works from home. <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6000003814697px; line-height: 21.1555576324463px; margin-bottom: 1em;">One evening we were having supper and he decided to show me his basement, the place he claims to have spent a majority of his time. As we got to the bottom of the stairs my jaw dropped and I could not believe what I was seeing. He had beautiful painted pictures mostly of nature hanging all over his wall. I was quite impressed and curious so he told me all about his journey in life. He travels to different places around the world and takes many photos, when he returns he paints pictures from the photos. He sells his paintings online to different buyers that allow him to continue his travels. <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6000003814697px; line-height: 21.1555576324463px; margin-bottom: 1em;">It is quite amazing that a quiet and kind old man developed a plan so he can enjoy the world at his age from the comfort of his home. I am planning to have an adventure such as his when I am older. It is funny how we can make assumptions with our imaginations but in the end it is something to laugh about. <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6000003814697px; line-height: 21.1555576324463px; margin-bottom: 1em;">-Gavin

It killed him. It had killed him when he got the call about the funeral. Killed him on the flight there. Killed him while he waited for the single bag he packed for his short stay in Edmonton. Killed him as he drove down streets he hadn’t seen in a decade but knew like the back of his hand. He could handle the body, he supposed. Some forgotten cousin. A sad thing, but nothing worth coming home over—had one’s father not twisted one’s arm, financially speaking. Work out west was hard to find. The old man was rich. It was a natural arrangement, of course—none of the thirty year olds he knew could survive out there without accomplished parents—but not one without its inconveniences. “You got this, Brandon.” He checked his reflection in a corner of the window and decided to do away with the sunglasses. “Big tears. Big tears. Big tears.” They came pretty easily. He’d do the head-down thing, for sure, the //sorry-for-not-staying-dad-I’m-on-a-filming-schedule// thing too. His dad would never ask when he could see Brandon’s latest appearance, because he was too smart and too caring to ask difficult questions. But the understanding would be there, staring Brandon in the face every time he cashed another check. “You got this.” He still couldn’t make himself walk towards the door. Here he was, a //professional freaking actor//, and he couldn’t whip up some tears at a family member’s funeral. He smashed his fists against his thigh. The extra pain provided by the Canadian cold gave him an idea. He brought his right hand up, pulled himself out of the window’s view, and slapped himself in the face. Hard. Again. The tears flowed easily, then. Into the funeral home. His cheeks still stung from the slaps. His tears made it worse. He felt like a gigantic idiot. The family, or the few that remained this far into the service, all turned from their front row seats to look. None of their smiles looked real. He returned one just as fake. Then, dad stood. Darcy Bolt, the brake king of the Midwest, receiving his actor son back home. He didn’t raise his arms for a hug, so Brandon lowered his. During the funeral, Brandon’s phone kept vibrating in his pocket, gaining the unwanted attention from his dad. Shaking his head, Brandon stood up, smoothed his suit out, and walked out of the funeral home. Nothing he did will ever impress his dad, so why does he try?

-Kacee

I Am From...

I am from a prairie, As far as the eye can see.

I am from a boiling sun, As bright as a flaming fire.

I am from the color green, Where trees are so beautiful.

I am from a bright blue sky, Just like crystal clear water,

I am from a cold frigid winter, Where nights turn obsidian black.

I am from a comfortable pleasing fire, Which is so heated hot.

I am from clear crystal snow, That shines just like a gem.

I am from a blaze of moonlight, That shines just like a star.

I am from juicy fruit in the summer, Just like a pleasing meal.

-Caleb

In the 1920's, there was an old Dutch man that lived on the south end of Pinehouse lake in a cabin and he had a bit of a store. He supplied the trappers and fishermen but he wasn't right in the head. He never had a bank account and the story says that he kept his money in tobacco and coffee tins. He buried them somewhere on his property. He had been a wealthy man and people used to talk about him keeping money on his property. One year a couple of local hunters were out hunting and stumbled upon a the Dutch man's body in the weeds on the lake. It had seemed that the body had been there for a while. The hunters buried him, but once the community found out about his death a lot of locals started digging around his property. Even today during the warmer months people still go and look for the buried treasure.
 * Buried Money**

-Connor

Bad Days__ **There will be Bad Days** **Just as fire turns everything to ashes** **Just as snow forts, always melt** **Just as trees always die** **There will be Bad Days** **When the wind steals your voice,** **Just as you start to sing.** **When the sky will open up,** **And you will be soaked in every tear you’ve ever cried** **When the sun comes out of hiding,** **Just to burn your skin** **There will be Bad Nights** **Nights when stars will fade** **And you realize they’ve been gone all along** **When even the moon will hide it’s face** **In shame of it’s craters** **There will be Bad Nights** **When the world will be so heavy** **That you will be searching for the easy way out.** **When it seems someone forgot to** **Stick the “Fragile” sticker on you as child** **But on the Bad Mornings,** **You need to pretend that your body is a clean slate** **A fresh start** **A new beginning** **And write yourself a new page.** **-Kacee**

<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">Stop searching the universe <span style="font-family: Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">And you'll find the universe searching <span style="font-family: Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">For homes within you

<span style="font-family: Georgia,Times,'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 13.3333330154419px;">-Tylar ==

==

**Staying organized reduces stress: -Elliot**
Have you ever been stressed out due to an unorganized schedule? I have and having a schedule helped me get stuff done faster and I have less stress.


 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Have more time to relax. When you are looking for something in a pile of your belongings but there is just so much stuff you can’t find it, your blood pressure goes up and that causes health problems.
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Have a lot more time for your self. By being more efficient, like getting your stuff done faster, wasting less time looking for things, you’ll spend less time working and have more time to do what you like to do.
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Have more time for family, friends and dogs. An organized person is able to have time for family, friends and dogs. You will also have more time to help out in charities or your church if you’d like.
 * 4) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Feel good about your environment. You may feel concerned when people drop by your home and see that your house is very unorganized or “messy”. Being unorganized usually results in embarrassment, but don’t be organized just for others, do it for yourself too.
 * 5) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Be healthier. When you are organized you’ll have more time to take care of your self like exercise and have more time to cook better meals for yourself.
 * 6) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Do better at your profession. An organized person gives a much better impression than an unorganized person.
 * 7) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Have more money because you’re organized. When you’re organized you’ll always know what you have before you go and buy something.
 * 8) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"> Achieve more. When you are unorganized, there are usually things that stop you from reaching your goals. Organized people can find ways to take out unnecessary tasks that are taking too much time and this gives them a lot more time to spend on their necessary goals on their daily plan.

Here is a link to a multimedia presentation by Aldo: <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">I was too young.....

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">Here is aNorthern Version of Dennis Lee's Poem, __Alligator Pie__ <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;">Rabbit stew, rabbit stew, <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> If I don't get some I think I'm going to a zoo. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> Give away the snow, give away the sky, <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> But don't give away my rabbit stew. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> Rabbit stew, rabbit stew, <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> If I don't get some I don't know what I'll do. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> Give away my furry gloves, give away my brew, <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> But don't give away my rabbit stew. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> Rabbit soup, rabbit soup, <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> If I don't get some I think I'm in a loop. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> Give away my skates, give away my group, <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> But don't give away my rabbit soup. <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 140%;"> -Chelsea

Fall is next to come

As I step outside to the crisp clean air I stretch out my arms and feel the chilly nights air

I smile to myself as I see the moon and stars high up in the sky shinning brightly over the beautiful calm lake in front of me

Fall is coming and the air is getting colder time will soon come that it won't be a calm lake but yet a lake covered in ice and snow

to skate on and sled on play on and build on making snowmen and snow angels a plenty

but its time now to enjoy the summer days that we have left because they're soon to come to an end and fall to begin

Summer will be back next year with more time for swimming biking and playing with friends

The time has come to say goodbye to summer for fall is next to come.

-Cherisse

RISE There he was, the boy standing alone in the dark When would he move, he seems lifeless Why is he standing there alone, where are his friends and family When all the world is fighting for survival When everyone is afraid to fight, afraid to stand up, afraid to speak His name will be called out by the Gods He would break up the fight, by speaking out for his people He would fight for their survival He would give his life for his friends and his family Because his friends and family would stand Next to the hero who would save their lives The boy that stands alone Will rise from the Shadows of yesterday He would save the world full of hate and lies. -Angus


 * //The Big Foot Scare!//**

//This story was told to me by someone I know.// //One day Laura, her husband Tom, and their two kids Jack, and Elsie were at their house in Big River. They were all doing their own thing: Tom was watching television, Laura was knitting in the living room beside her husband, Elsie was in her room listening to music, and Jack playing with his toys in the toy room. Tom started off the conversation by saying that he was getting a week off of work in a week and that he was wondering if Laura would be alright with them going on a family trip out in the bush to their cabin. "Yes dear! I would love to go to the cabin!" Laura replied. "Should we ask the kids now?" replied Tom. "Yes!" Laura replied.//

//"Jack, Elsie, could you two come over here for a minute?" said Laura. “Yea mom, be right there,” the kids said while on their way into the living room where their mom and dad were. “Would you kids like to go to the lake for the week in a couple days?”Laura said. “Sweet! Sounds awesome!” said 14 year old Elsie. “Awesome!!!! When are we going?” said 8 year old Jack. “I guess we're going in two days,” said Tom.// //Two days later they were packed and on their way to Jeanette Lake. Once they got there the kids took off down the trail; it was quite a ways to the lake from their cabin and when ever they’d go swimming they would usually just take the truck to the beach. While the kids took off Laura and Tom took the time to unpacked and get settled.// //“Wow! It’s even prettier then I remember!" said Elsie as she gazed at the beautiful lake. She hadn’t been to the lake for two years. “I agree, it is much different than I remember from two years ago.” Said Tom. “Remember when we came last time and I buried you in sand! That was so funny you really did get stuck and we had to dig to get you unburied," said Elsie. “Man I really did miss this place,” said Elsie.// //Later on the kids went back to the house. Their parents had just finishing unpacking. After that they all went to the beach for a much needed swim, it was hot out that day....really hot and the lake was just perfect for cooling everyone off. They finally started packing up their beach stuff just before sundown.// //When they got back to the house they were all exhausted so they just had sandwiches for supper. They cuddled up on the couch while Laura made them some hot chocolate. After that they all talked and told different memories about coming to the lake two years ago and all the fun silly times they had there.// //The next day Elsie woke to the smell of bacon and eggs! Her favorite! After breakfast they were doing the dishes when all of a sudden they heard whistling outside their cabin...really high pitched whistling. In these parts it was said to be that if you heard high pitched whistling and scratching it was BIG FOOT, and bit just any big foot! They could transform into anything! Anything!// //Tom perked up from washing dishes and peaked outside the window for a better view, it was Big Foot alright! “Laura get the kids down low under the table!” said Tom. Laura didn’t speak, she shook her head and gathered the kids under the table like he said. All of a sudden Tom heard the scratching of two foul beasts around the whole cabin. Tom quickly headed for the porch closet; he always kept a riffle in there with shells. He grabbed his gun, his shells, a glass with a bit of water in it, and sugar. He knew from his mother that if you put sugar in water, then dip the shells in there it would help to better wound the foul beasts known as BIG FOOT. He grabbed the shells and dipped them in the sugar water and headed for the door. He turned around “Laura I love you, keep quiet.”// //Tom took one slow step out the door, loaded his riffle and turned to face the foul beasts. They were watching him intently waiting for the perfect moment to strike! –Bang- One shot fired off, he hit the foul beast and it’s arm fell off. With a loud scream the beast ran off. The other one stayed back with a growl! This obviously took a great amount of courage to face such foul beasts who were over 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide, they were huge and they knew it!// //-Bang!- another shot fired as he quickly reloaded from the miss. -Bang- another as he quickly reloaded again. –Bang- this time he hit the beast and with a loud scream it also ran off. He quickly shot it again in the arm to warn it off and make sure it didn’t come back. He quickly went back inside and grabbed the phone and called the head office of the camp site and warned them of what had happened and to get some people in the kill the foul beasts. He told them that he had injured them pretty badly with his sugar water covered bullet. He hung up with a huge sigh of relief.// //Tom went to his family and hugged and kissed them all. “We have to get packed and go home now! I don’t want any of you guys going out alone not even out on the door step!” Tom said. “You heard your father, go get packed. Were going home,” said Laura in reply.// //After they were packed they brought their stuff out to the car and drove off. In the rear view mirror Tom saw one of the beasts approaching the house so he stepped on the gas just in case the beast decided he wanted them instead. Once they got home they were in great relief, they were all safe and happy to be together.// By: Cherisse

<span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 2680px; width: 1px;"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6000003814697px; line-height: 21.1555576324463px; margin-bottom: 1em;">Once upon a time there was an old man that lived in a small house at the end of the road just outside of the city. He didn’t have much family or friends and kept to him self and spent a lot of time in his home. He would only go into the city when he needed to run an errand or get some food that was usually only 2 or 3 times a month. People often wondered what he did in his home over the years because he spent a lot of time in there. The old man looked very young for his age and always had a smile for everyone. He was a quiet person and seemed a bit lonely just by looking at his facial expressions. He was also a neat and tidy person as the outside of his home and his yard were very well kept. It is quite interesting how a person can keep to himself for so many years without social interaction with others. I was curious to find out more about him so I made an effort to become his friend. He didn’t open up right away so I continued to interact through conversation regularly and we soon opened up to each other. I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable with my friendliness so I took my time and had patience. At night before bed, I always wondered what kind of person the old man is such as a serial killer, secret agent or gang member. A bit extreme so I would laugh then wonder if he is a writer, musician or has an online job where he works from home. One evening we were having supper and he decided to show me his basement, the place he claims to have spent a majority of his time. As we got to the bottom of the stairs my jaw dropped and I could not believe what I was seeing. He had beautiful painted pictures mostly of nature hanging all over his wall. I was quite impressed and curious so he told me all about his journey in life. He travels to different places around the world and takes many photos, when he returns he paints pictures from the photos. He sells his paintings online to different buyers that allow him to continue his travels. It is quite amazing that a quiet and kind old man developed a plan so he can enjoy the world at his age from the comfort of his home. I am planning to have an adventure such as his when I am older. It is funny how we can make assumptions with our imaginations but in the end it is something to laugh about. <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 2759px; width: 1px;"> My Life
 * The Story of the Old Mustangs found in the Junk Yard **
 * One day after school a young 15 year old boy was riding along an old road on his bike and came across an old junk yard in a trail in the bush. He stumbled across old tree roots on the trail and finally came upon and old junk yard filled with lots of old mustangs and cars. His jaw sank in excitement just thinking what he could do with all those old cars wondering if any one else new about those old cars. He went home that evening and didn't tell anyone a thing. He went to school the next day but couldn't stop thinking about what he could do with all those mustangs. After school he went home told his mom he was going on a long bike ride and wouldn’t be back for supper. He raced back to the junk yard with his tool kit and started looking around for the car in the best shape. He found it! It was a 1970 mustang boss with a 351 **** Cleveland **** in it. It looked like it had been in a small fender bender many years ago and then later had been vandalized. It just needed a new battery, some gas, new front quarter panels, some new windows, and two new front seats. So he went on a search and found a 1970 mustang boss with very bad front end damage but the right and left glass windows and back rear glass was good. He began taking the glass out of it and installing it into the other 1970 boss mustang. By this time it was getting close to supper so he got on his bike, stashed his tool kit and headed for home which was a 1 1/2 miles drive. When he got home his mom asked him where he had been. He just said that he had been biking around in the bush. The next day was Friday, he was excited, only one more day of school until the weekend! He worked hard so that he could have the weekend off without any homework. At the end of the day he went home on the school bus, went into his dad’s shop and got some old black window adhesive tar and stuck it in an old garbage bag. It was window adhesive tar his dad had left over from the time he had fixed the rear window in the station wagon. As he got on his bike his mom asked him where he was going and he again said just riding on some trails and did tell her that there were some old junky cars that he had found deep in the bush. His mom promised not to tell anyone and he knew he could trust her. What fun he had that summer working on the car! **
 * -Colton **

Throughout my life I been through ups and downs, bumpy paths and difficult situations and those events are the things that make me who I am. I have had many beautiful experiences some better than others and I certainly would not be able to list them all in these paper, but I will share one of the most important episodes of my life. When I was 4 years old I had an accident that changed my life, as I knew it. It was November 2000, middle of the afternoon and a very snowy day. I was coming out of the school bus right in front of my house and while making my way out of the bus I missed a step, lost balance and fell hitting the back of my head with the edge of one of the steps. Even to this day I can remember how painful it was; I really believed I was going to lose consciousness because the pain was so unbearable. After hitting my head the bus driver ran to help me get up and check if I was fine and even though I was in a lot of pain I told her “I was okay and just wanted to make it inside my house”. When I made it inside my house I told my mother what had happened and she cried non-stop. She tried to make sure I was okay and tried to prevent me from sleeping. Eventually I fell asleep for a couple of hours and felt better after taking the nap. Later on that day, I decided to play around and jump on the couch (acting like the kid I was) and unfortunately I fell again hitting the back of my head on the floor. The horrible pain took over me again but this time was even worse; I got headaches and my eyeballs felt as if they were going to pop out of my eye sockets. I ran to my mom and told her what had happened once again and she took me to the hospital where a doctor examined me and noticed that my eyeball was being pushed out of my orbit. After visiting the doctor my mother and me returned home hoping that the unpleasant pain would go away. After a couple of days I was rushed to Saskatoon by plane. I was being examined once again by many doctors this time but they did not find anything wrong with me therefore, I was sent back to La Loche. When I returned home I was still in pain but nobody knew what was wrong and I just kept being transferred to Saskatoon every 3 months 4 times or more and this continued for 2 years. The doctors told me that there was a possibility of me having a tumor or cancer that was causing my eyeball to out of its orbit. Eventually the every 3 months visits became annual visits for 2 years as well. When I was 8 years old the doctors in Saskatoon recommended me to go to Vancouver and that is what my mom did. She took me to Vancouver and they examined me and found out that there was no tumor or cancer but a blood clot behind my eyeball and that is that very same blood clot that is pushing my eyeball out of orbit. When I found out about the news I did not know if I should have been worried or happy. I was happy because I knew it was neither cancer nor tumor but I was worried about the clot. I was trying to be optimistic and I told myself not to worry because the doctors would find a way to remove it and everything would go back to normal. Nevertheless, that was not the case. They explained to my mother and me that it would be more dangerous to try and remove the clot instead of leaving it intact because there was and still is a huge probability of me going blind. When I was 10 years old I was not capable to see anything in the dark or the flash light. I visited the doctor and I flew to Regina where I admitted to a hospital and constantly examined by specialists. However, all results were perfectly fine and the only suggestion was “to take of myself a little bit better”. They also argued that there could be a possible of having a surgery when I turn 12 if my body was strong enough but this never happened. We came back to La Loche and I gave up in the idea of having my eyeball back in place. I tried to live my life as positive as possible and everything was going great until I had my first stroke at the age of 14 but I did not know what it was therefore, I did not do anything about it. I got better 4 days after the stroke and I decided to pay the doctor a visit and I found out it was a mini-stroke. I was concerned but once again I tried to keep moving forward and be positive. At the age of 16 I had my second stroke. At the moment I was at my grandmother’s house and she took me to the hospital and they transferred me to Saskatoon and they informed me that the blood clot was causing me to have strokes because of lack of blood circulation to my brain. Later on that day I returned to La Loche. As a consequence of the second stroke I lost a year of my education because it was very difficult for me to study and not have headaches or extreme head pains. Indeed, this event changed my life. It was difficult growing up and going through of all health issues but I believe that all those difficulties made me stronger and that is why I am the person I am today. I live my life day by day and I try to enjoy every bit of it; I will never be capable of knowing what its in store for me tomorrow therefore, I have to live today as if it was my last day. <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 3032px; width: 1px;"> **The Mother’s Son-By Cynthia Kkaikka** On a chilly morning in mid-March, happened to be the most important morning of my life. I will never forget the moment when my little Teddy was born, I had an at-home birth, it was still cold out since it was only early spring, so I spent most of my time indoors with Teddy, I was afraid that he would catch his death if I exposed him to the cold air, as I could not bear losing another angel, unfortunately Teddy’s twin brother had not survived the birth.

Teddy was only 1.5 pounds when he was born, he was my miracle, he was so tiny and fragile; he reminded me of a small teddy bear and that is where his name came from. I fell in love with him the moment I stared into those big beautiful brown eyes of his.

Growing up, Teddy and I were inseparable, we went everywhere together. Cuddling and holding him was my most absolute favorite thing to do. It was just my son and I against the world.

A memory that I could recall from when Teddy was small is when we would go out for berries, which happened to be his favourite food and activity to do, it was also a bonus because it was a good daily exercise and the berries were healthy and organic without any manmade chemicals and preservatives. Often on those berry picking outings it would end with long lectures about safety; Teddy loved to climb, he was like a little monkey, and he would wander off and climb trees, I would get furious when I find him up high in a tree, it would send me into a panic since I could not climb that high on a skinny tree, I would be to heavy and big for it, helpless I would watch him cautiously as he climbed back down feeling pretty bad and guilty for scaring the wits out of his mother.

Teddy was smart for his age, he was very playful, thoughtful, caring, and sweet and had no troubles engaging in social activities/events. I’ve heard many stories about the hardships in motherhood, but my sweet Teddy made it easy for me. It wasn’t until his teen years, which brought much turmoil and heartaches. He would accuse me of being too controlling when I was only concerned about his safety and well-being. After all the older he got it wouldn’t matter since he would always be my little Teddy in my eyes.

He hung around with the wrong crowd, the ones who rebelled against their parents. At that time we had lived on the outskirts of town, we moved here because I thought it would be safer, growing up I had always warned him about the dangers of town, especially at night, because that’s when the bad people come out. Never in a million years would I have thought that my son would become part of those “bad people” I warned him about, late at nights they would be out on the street vandalizing people’s private property. I don’t know how many restless nights I’ve spent awake waiting for my son to come home, I could not sleep without him in the safety of our home.

Teddy distanced himself from me, he rarely even spoke to me, this was really hard on me since he was all I had in the world and he was heading down a bad and dangerous path. This went on until one day I couldn’t take it anymore, I pleaded out to him that his behavior and disrespect would be the death of me since I am older and my heart could not handle it anymore. Surprisingly my plea took a big effect on him because after that I have seen many positive changes in his attitude, he was helping out around our home, and he brought me food and was taking care of me. It felt like old times again, this brought me great joy to see such a wonderful change in my son.

This happy time did not last long though, a few weeks later his past mistakes caught up with him. I guess on the last night of his vandalizing the town, one of the owners’ of the private property was so fed up, with a heart full of anger and revenge he followed my son home. That bad man must’ve been planning this event out for weeks because he knew our schedule and exactly when we would go to sleep, which was the most vulnerable time to catch us. Late in the night he trespassed into our home, his finger on the trigger, no time to change his mind, he pulled the trigger. Sharp pain in my back. Another fire. Ouch my stomach! Another fire, my hip! The pain is unbearable. I’m fading in and out. The seconds feel like minutes, the minutes feel like hours, the hours feel like years. I don’t know what happens to that bad man but he is nowhere in sight, my son is by my side again, holding me. In between breaths I say “I love you, my Teddy. I’m proud of you, continue to be good. I will always be with you. I.love.you.” There is nothing he could do but hold me until I slip away. I know I will not survive this, this is the end of me, and there is no help on the way...why is there no help on the way you ask? Well when has an ambulance or an emergency medical team rushing deep in the forest to save a shot and wounded brown bear. <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 3285px; width: 1px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 14.5482px;"> I decided it would be a neat way to pass the time if I counted all the turns. Since it felt like the roads were just turning side to side. So I started counting each turn. <span style="background-color: #ffff00; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 14.5482px;">a <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 14.5482px;">fter counting a few turns our tire popped. We were stuck there until we were able to change the tire. It was so boring because I just wanted to get there already. Ever since then I believed it was bad luck to count each turn on the dirt road toward Cumberland House,<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #0000ff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 14.5482px;">Period here <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 14.5482px;"> now I just believe it was just a coincidence. I haven't lived in Cumberland long enough to hear about any other community stories. A better way of knowing how close you are is to count the little green signs on the side of the road. when you see the one that says '90km' Cumberland is just around the next turn. I'm not really sure what the purpose of those signs are but all I can say is the roads are always changing because of the weather. Rocks and mud are a road condition people should be aware of when travelling on gravel roads. I wish everyone safe travels where ever they are going no matter what road conditions. <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 3773px; width: 1px;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">“Let’s see… Kalla?” Kalla raised her hand ever so slightly and mumbled, “Here.” She felt her face burning. It was hard enough being the new kid, but being the new kid with a weird name? That was nearly impossible. The teacher didn’t seem to notice Kalla’s embarrassment. “Perfect,” she said. “You’ll be partnered with Maylee. Maylee?” Silence followed. The teacher looked around the gym, her tight ponytail whipping back and forth. “Looks like she’s absent. Sorry, Kalla. You can sit on the bleachers for today.” To Kalla, the walk to the bleachers seemed to be the longest walk of her life. She could feel dozens of eyes watching her as she slunk away to the sidelines. After what seemed like eternity<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">, Kalla sat with her hands in her lap and her head down. The teacher started calling out partners again, and pretty soon basketballs were being thrown all over the gym. Basketball was Kalla’s favorite game. At her old school, she had been the star of the team. But things were different here. The basketball team had no spots left, and so Kalla hadn’t been able to show anybody her talent. Until today, when they had started doing basketball in gym<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">. Of course, today had to be the day that Kalla’s partner was absent. “Maylee,” Kalla whispered. “It’s all Maylee’s fault. I hate Maylee.” Actually, Kalla thought Maylee was pretty cool. For one thing, she had a beautiful name that seemed to roll off your tongue. For another, Maylee’s parents let her do anything. Tattoos, piercings, you name it. At the moment, Maylee had a nose ring, two studs in her left eyebrow, and tomato-red hair. Kalla’s parents would never let her do any of that that. They had a fit when she painted her nails, for Heaven’s sake! After gym<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">, Kalla rushed through the halls. Gym<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> was her last class of the day! She was free! Elbowing people out of the way, Kalla yanked her locker door open to grab her backpack. As she slung it over her shoulder, she caught a glimpse of bright red. “Maylee? She’s<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> at school? She is so dead.” Kalla muttered. Sighing, she followed the bobbing shape of Maylee’s tomato red hair. Outside, Kalla picked up her pace. The stream of kids was thinning out, making it easier to move. She could see all of Maylee now, and she wasn’t that far ahead. Sprinting, Kalla reached out and grabbed Maylee’s<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> arm. The effect was immediate. Maylee spun around. “What are you doing? Get off of me!” she hissed. Kalla loosened her grip but didn’t let go. Instead, she glared at Maylee. Maylee glared right back. “Where were you today? In gym? The teacher said you were absent, but you obviously weren’t.” “So? I don’t like gym<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">. I never go. What’s it to you?” By then, all of the kids had left the school and were just specks in the distance. It was just Kalla and Maylee left. “I’m supposed to be your gym partner. Because of you, I had to sit on the sidelines and watch!” “Well, you better get used to it! I’m leaving tomorrow! And I’m not coming back! I hate it here! Now let me go!” With a sharp tug, she jerked her arm free. Both of the girls had been yelling. Th <span style="background-color: #ccffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">e <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> stood now, panting, looking at each other. Neither of them knew what to say. Besides of their breathing and the distant rumbling of cars, it was silent. “You’re leaving?” Kalla said finally. “Why? Where are you going?” She knew that Maylee’s parents were lenient, but moving just because their kid wanted to seemed<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> a bit extreme. “Swear you won’t tell anybody?” Kalla nodded, biting her lip. “I’m leaving with a few other kids tonight. Miles and Jesse. We’re gonna run somewhere, don’t know where yet. And then we’re starting a band. I’ll be the singer, Miles plays drums, and Jesse is a decent guitarist. We’ll make some money, get famous. What could go wrong?” “A lot of things!” Kalla snapped. “For one thing, Miles and Jesse are some of the stupidest<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> boys I know. Do you really want to put your life in their hands? For another, sooner or later somebody’s going to find you and bring you back, and then you’ll be in big trouble. Why not just stay here?” Maylee<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> rolled her eyes. “As previously said, I hate it here. We just moved here this fall and it’s awful. There isn’t a decent music club and I have a weird name!” Kalla reached out to grab Maylee’s arm again, only this time<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> it wasn’t hard. “Is that all?” she asked. “If there isn’t a good club, you should make one! As for your name… well, I don’t think it’s weird. Mine’s weird. Yours is beautiful.” Maylee looked skeptical, and Kalla could see she wasn’t convincing. “Well, I have to go. I still think you’re overreacting, but… promise me something, ‘kay?” Maylee<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> cocked her eyebrow, curious. “When you become famous, you have to send me a ticket to your concert.” She turned and walked away before Maylee could answer. That night, Kalla couldn’t sleep. She kept tossing and turning, hoping that Maylee had been lying. A few times Kalla felt like calling the police, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. It was Maylee’s choice, and Kalla didn’t feel right stopping her. After all, she’d almost run away a few times, too. The next day during gym, Kalla was barely awake. She had been up all night,<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> and had spent the whole day worrying about Maylee. Now she was so exhausted that it was hard to stand up, but she forced herself to <span style="background-color: #ccffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">o <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;">. There had been no sign of Maylee all day, but Kalla kept hoping that maybe she’d show up… “Kalla?” the teacher said. “I’m sorry, but Maylee isn’t here again. Please go sit down.” “Yes, ma’am,” Kalla said, tears filling her eyes. She ducked her head so nobody would see her cry. Maylee had really done it. She had run away. Now she might get arrested or hurt or lost or even killed and it would be Kalla’s fault because she hadn’t been convincing enough. Gym passed slowly. When the bell finally rang, Kalla stumbled through the halls. When she finally got to her locker, Kalla gasped. In messy black marker, the words //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> I think your name is beautiful, too, //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px;"> was written on the metal door. Somewhere in the sea of students, there was a glimpse of bright red hair. <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 4094px; width: 1px;"> <span style="display: block; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 17.3091px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> __ Bones __ When you look at me

What do you see

I am a girl

But my favourite colour is green

I am a girl

And I don’t need a king to be a queen

I am a teenager

But I don’t cause trouble

I am a teenager

And I can also have struggles

I am a human

And you are too

Under my skin all I have are bones

And so do you

We are equal

Believe it or not

It's amazing what your brain makes up

With a simple little thought

Have you ever heard the ing

Don’t judge a book?

This is something you should live by

Don’t judge a human looks

Under our skin

Well what do you know

No race, no gender

All we have are bones <span style="display: block; height: 1px; left: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 4965.5px; width: 1px;"> <span style="font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13.6px; line-height: 19.04px; margin-bottom: 1em;"> Think of where the animal products you consume come from. You likely envision a sunny farm with acres of grass with cows roaming about, thrilled pigs rolling around in the mud and chickens in cozy coops laying their eggs. Sound right? Wrong. Places like this don’t exist anymore, the pigs that you envisioned are kept in what are called factory farms, windowless concrete buildings like overcrowded madhouses. They are filled with feces and the linger of death that soon awaits. Hundreds of thousands of chickens kept in single room with no room to even grow properly. They are injected with so many hormones they have difficulty walking at all. Cows kept pregnant to produce an abnormal amount of milk, their nipples so overworked they bleed and ooze pus. These animals are terrified, suffering, literally going insane and for what purpose? To be killed for their fur, skin and meat. Conditions like these are unacceptable and must be changed. If you are eating meat, if you are eating dairy products, or if you are purchasing leather or fur, you are supporting this despicable behavior. In order to stand up to these industries I encourage you to choose the more honourable way of living, the vegan lifestyle. Living a vegan lifestyle has benefits in many aspects of life, one of the most important benefits being the effect is has on the environment. In recent studies it has been found that 20% of man made pollution comes from the meat industry, which only contributes to the greenhouse gasses that warm our planet. In fact, a single day of eating vegan saves 1,000 gallons of water, 45 pounds of grains, 30 square feet of forests, and a whopping 20 pounds of CO2 equivalent. “A single dairy cow produces about 120 pounds of wet manure per day, which is equivalent to the waste produced by 20–40 people. That means California’s 1.4 million dairy cows produce as much waste as 28–56 million people.” According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Notes from Underground, Fall 2001). The production of meat and other animal products places a heavy burden on the environment. From crops and water required to feed the animals, to the transport and other processes involved from the farm to your plate. The vast amount of grain feed required for meat production is a significant contributor to deforestation, habitat loss and species extinction. In Brazil alone, the equivalent of 5.6 million acres of land is used to grow soya beans for animals in Europe. This land contributes to developing world malnutrition by driving impoverished populations to grow cash crops for animal feed, rather than food for themselves. On the other hand, considerably lower quantities of crops and water are required to sustain a vegan diet, making the switch to veganism one of the easiest, most enjoyable and most effective ways to reduce our impact on the environment. Here are some facts about the food industry you might be interested in: Legally, there are allowed 135 million pus cells in one glass of milk. 1. Animal food production is one of the world’s leading causes of climate change. 2. There’s no sustainable way to raise animal foods in order to meet the world’s growing demand. 3. The American government spends $38 billion each year to subsidize the meat and dairy industries, but only 0.04 percent of that (i.e., $17 million) each year to subsidize fruits and vegetables. It has also been proven that animal products do a lot of harm to our bodies working against them. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America, and guess what? Those who had a meat based diet were 3x as likely to be diagnosed with heart disease. There are many people still in the dark about what really goes on in the food industry, in Peta’s ad ‘Glass Walls’ Paul McCartney states, “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegan.” The fact is, if we treated cats and dogs the way we treat animals in slaughterhouses we would go to jail. Now, what is the difference between a dog and a pig? Studies show pigs are in fact more intelligent than dogs are, they even can outsmart a 3 year old. If your dog tasted like pork would you eat her? The dehumanization of farm animals does not make it acceptable to treat them the way we currently are. Therefore, the clear solution to the many problems that is the animal industry is to live a vegan lifestyle. Whether it’s for moral, environmental or health reasons, there are benefits everywhere. Living vegan can lead to a healthier, greener, happier lifestyle. Websites Credited: http://www.rd.com/health/healthy-eating/going-vegan/ https://www.vegansociety.com/whats-new http://www.yourdailyvegan.com Movies Credited: Forks over Knives Cowspiracy Earthlings