Pukatawagan is an Indian reservation in northern Manitoba. There is no permanent road, although the presence of a railroad does make it more accessible than many communities in northern Canada. In the winter there is an ice road, although in 2006 warm weather shortened its usefulness severely. When the road is open, the drive from Winnipeg, Manitoba’s largest city, to Pukatawagan is 835 kilometres (518 miles). The first and longest portion of that is paved, but road conditions in the winter can be questionable depending on the weather. Once a traveller reaches the ice roads, speeds slow to a crawl and the final quarter of the journey often takes as long or longer than the first three quarters.
To understand Pukatawagan and communities like it, you must first understand at least the basics of the history of Canada.
The Voyageurs opened up trade to the central and northern reaches of Canada, transporting furs back to Montreal on the lakes and rivers using large birchbark canoes. The process was expensive, with investors in each expedition having to wait 18 to 24 months for a return on their investment.
Two French explorers, Radisson and Grossielliers, came up with the idea of sailing into Hudson’s Bay and having the natives bring furs to a series of semi-permanent trading posts. They approached the French government who were not interested, so Radisson and Grossielliers took their idea to the English. The Hudson’s Bay Company was formed and the British king gave it monopoly rights over Rupertsland, a huge area encompassing much of central Canada and reaching down into what is now Minnesota, the Dakotas, and eastern Montana.
The Hudson’s Bay Company set up trading posts and began trade. Although the monopoly granted to the Hudson’s Bay Company was unenforceable and the Voyageurs continued trading in the area for some time, they could not compete in the long run because of the high overhead required for their canoe trips from Montreal. Meanwhile, the Hudson’s Bay Company sailed leased ships from England directly to their trading posts then back to England.
The Mathias Colomb Indian band which makes up most of Pukatawagan’s population was established in 1910 on the Prayer Indian Reserve. Additional lands were granted in the 1920′s, but the band still has land claims with the Canadian government that have not been settled. Before 1910 the Mathias Colomb band was bounced among several other bands that are part of Treaty Number 6 and was attached to several bands that were far away from them.
The imperialism of the fur trade and the paternalism of the Canadian government lead, predictably, to the morass of social problems so prevalent in societies with such histories. Substance abuse, crime and violence are rampant. A lack of industry and the remoteness of Pukatawagan cause widespread unemployment. Living conditions, while improving, are still more closely comparable to the third world than the first world conditions prevalent in the rest of Canada.
The northern location of communities like Pukatawagan make for many challenges. The weather can be extreme, with blizzards blowing in and winter temperatures often dipping dangerously low. The area can sometimes be cut off from the outside world for days at time, with air travel not possible and the winter roads closed. Supplies cannot get in and people cannot get out under such conditions.
A lack of cold weather can present similar problems. Warm winters like the one that Manitoba has had this year can delay the opening of the winter roads. When the roads are closed, the residents of Pukatawagan can’t get to larger centres to shop. The price of shipping in staples also rises considerably because they have to be flown in. When the ice road closes, the price of 4 litres (about 1 gallon) of milk can easily reach $9.00.
While prices rise with the temperature, the price that trappers get for furs sinks. Warm weather causes animals to produce lower quality furs. In a fur market already depressed by both changes in fashion and increasing concern for the humane treatment of animals, a warm winter pushes the prices down even further. Meanwhile, the cost of trapping increases because gasoline, needed for the snowmobiles used to get out on the trap lines, can double as it becomes more scarce. Trapping wild forest animals for their warm, furry goodness is one of the few sources of hard currency available to many people in remote communities.
Climate change is not the only problem facing Pukatawagan and other northern communities. Education has been sorely lacking. According to the 2001 Canadian Census, almost half of twenty-five year olds had not completed high school. Those who wish to take post-secondary education must move to a major city to do so. The culture shock of moving to a modern city from a remote northern community is a major obstacle for many, and many of those who do complete post-secondary education must remain in the south if they wish to work, discouraging a culture of education from developing.
As in so many northern communities, there is a housing shortage. The houses that are there are often substandard. Poorly insulated, often with types of insulation known to be carcinogenic, over-crowding can be extreme, sometimes with as many as 20 people living in 900 square foot house.
A diesel fuel spill dating back to the 1950′s has contaminated the ground and the water, causing ongoing health problems. In 1987, the contamination of the school grounds and water supply caused the evacuation of children to surrounding communities. Drug and alcohol abuse and teen suicide spiked upwards as the children tried to cope with being removed from their families. Gangs began both to recruit and prey on the community’s young people.
While community leaders and band elders have been working consistently to improve things in Canada’s northern communities, and the last Canadian government had signed the Kelowna agreement with First Nations leaders to attempt to address the problems Canada’s aboriginal people face, even the recent progress that had been made in addressing the many issues is now in question. Canada has recently elected the Conservative Party as its national government. This party has a poor record on issues like land claims, having voted against them while in opposition. Senior party members have stated that the Kelowna Agreement was, “written on the back of a napkin,†and have said that they will change it.
While it is not clear what changes the new government will seek to make, their less than stellar record on dealing with northern communities and aboriginal issues in the past does not bode well for those seeking to bring better living conditions, more education, and better employment opportunities to Pukatawagan and hundreds of other remote Canadian communities.
I am from Alberta on my dad’s side but my mom is from Puk so therefore I AM FROM PUK TOO! I like going to school in Puk and playing with my friends. I love going ice fishing with my step-dad Joe. There is a lot to do in Puk. Ski-dooing in the winter and boating in the summer. Fishing at BloodStone is my favorite.
Tansi My name is Judith M. I’m from here, Dodge city, As some people call it. lol. I moved here in 92, and I met alot of nice people. The scenery is wonderful. If you should ever come to puk, make sure it’s in the summer, that way, you can see the wonders of our world. (you need a boat) Lol. anyways Hi to everyone who reads this and may your journey continue with laughter and happiness.
Hey Teachergirl…I was just wondering how long ago did you work in Pukatawagan, and what grade you taught. I’d like to hear more about your experiences in Pukatawagan. By the way…like I wrote earlier…IT’S ALL IN THE COMPANY THAT YOU KEEP! I hope that eventually people can let go of all the bullshit that they carry and look at every new situation with a new attitude.
I WANT TO COME HOME SOON!
Hello all. I’m Ojibway from northern Ontario. I’m also a published author with three novels and a memoir through Doubleday Canada. Myabe you’ve read Keeper’n Me? For Joshua? A Quality of Light? Or maybe, Dream Wheels?
I’m 52 and the only Native person to win a National Newspaper Award for Column Writing for my work at the Calgary Herald in 1991.
Anyway, I’m writing a new book called By Reservation Only: The Hidden Face of Canada and I’m considering Puk as one of the communities to visit and write about. The aim of the book is to show life as it is in remote communities and I believe Canadians really need to know about the oil spill, the housing shortage, the bilking of the econopmy by the Northern Store and all the stories you people who live there must have.
Please feel free to contact me at richardwagamese@yahoo.com if you’d like to help with your stories.
Meegwetch!
Richard Wagamese
http://www.richardwagamese.com
hi there everybody.
i love the robber boots there.
now i live in regina .
some day i go home for awhile
hello dodgers what up i see you all every day of my life and im glad to be the fuck out of there but what can u say its home and i miss the people not the place anywaish see u th fuck later
Tansi ,
answer to ur question Lanny was rested @ High Rock ….2 hour boat ride from the cummunity ……
Ekosi
I’m Also From Pukatawagan…. What’s Up with you Pukatawagan HATERS! Pukatawagan is the home of the Missinippi Challange…So bring it on! Also we have alot of beautiful women out here and I’m one of those beautiful women…. So Don’t Be A Hater! See You’s Around the town dodgers….
I’m not sure if I can post here…but I’m part of a performance company named X Company from Winnipeg, who is set to perform in Pukatawagan next week!
I just want to let you know that I’m so excited to be in your community for the week!
We’ll be running some hip hop and other dance workshops. (I might be running one too!)
It would be great to connect with someone before we head there. We’re flying from the Pas this Tuesday!
See you soon!
Nikki
X Company
Feature Performer/Dance Instructor
http://www.xcompany.net
“NEYA RULES” – PUK IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE – PPLZ R NICE – THE ONLY DOWN FALL PUK HAS IS……..”NO MEN” ….LOL…SO FOR ALL U SINGLE READERS (MEN ONLY) HOLLA …LMAO …. =0
YOU CAN NEVER LEAVE HOME ..ALWAYS COME BACK TO “PUKATAWAGAN”
THATS WHERE I COME FROM …”PUKATAWAGAN”………..=)..LOL
“PUKATAWAGAN” …….HOME OF THE MISSINPPI CHALLANGE ….HOME OF GREAT PADDLERS …..”CHAMPS” …..PUKATAWAGAN IS A PROUD CREE NATION ..AND NO MATTER WHAT UR THOUGHTS R ABOUT PUK ..YOU WILL NEVER BRING DOWN THE STRONG …
Well i’m not really sure where to begin all i know is that Puk is a nice place to live if you know the right people. I’ve lived there and boy was i treated right. I have not been there for about two and a half years. so i’m not sure how the changes are going i do plan on taking my family for a visit up there i’ve got alot of reletives down there and i would like to say hello and miss you all very much…..
true dodger here so listen up
fist of all i use’d to live in the bronx whair puk started an it ant beautiful
in puk thy say that the bronx is a bad place to live in
well i live’d there for year’s i don’t stay in puk no more but i’ll move back
couse it is my home.
so if you want to come to puk come to puk you will meet some
realy nice people but watch the drunk’s couse thay will fight you
if thay don’t know you but you’ll meet all most every one rightaway
an if you drink take you’r own boose couse we all love are
fire water an if you smoke that take you’r own
so have fun when or if you come to puk
your welcome here
but don’t bring truble
HI! So I started researching the real Puk and found this long thread of notes. My step father and my siblings are from Puk and they visit every year to camp and stay with family. I am aware of the housing, the teen suicide and drugs and alcohol. BUT I am also aware and found threw my research that the people of Puk have spirit, there humble people trying to revive there culture. This community is starting to reach out for help and others are slowly coming to the community. The people of Puk are strong, courageous men and women who will bring community together and heal as a community. I would really like to know more about the suicide in Puk as I am writing a proposal to hold a Youth Suicide Camp this summer. Who needs it? What do you/they need? And what are the resources available. I noticed that there is a youth centre, are there any TP’s up there that the RCMP or the community have? Please, anyone, any info would be great.
Stay Strong!
With Honor
Jade Harper
hay ppl’s that dont know puk and got nuthing nice to say bout the place pukatawagan is a nice place to live i’ve lived here for 11 years and anyone from puk can and will tell u haterz wat u gotta know! and i’ve lived in prayer river for 2 years but yah puk may be a small reserve but its ok once u get to know the whole town by heart!!!!!! well anyways all u pukers dont diss yur hometown u may grow old here and have to be saying to the next generation as an elder u will tell the kids puk is a beautiful place……………………..anyways im not an elder but im a mature person and understand my language as i grow n grow…..
well thank u for taking the time to read wat i had to say!
Ekosi, kenanaskomatin..
[...] Posted on January 19, 2009. Filed under: Uncategorized | http://www.sprol.com/?p=334 [...]
Hell yah!!!!!
missing all the fellow dodgers in the community!!!!
juss stuck out in the city schooling and repping it up here in southeast!!!
lol its true…..once yuor out of the town…you’d want to go back…
peace to all the dodgers!!!!
A little girl from back in contaminant spill from back in 1910-now 2009
Manitoba hydro , Department of Indian and northern affairs , pcb ancient leaking oil capacitor in the transmitter behind the old old school some of us still remember that old school today,The old generator was behind the old school and got on fire ….I remember I was only about 9 years old, my brothers and sister were also small….nuns were the teachers by then one of was Sister Annanet ,sister Theresa ,Liliane…ect;;;
I have a dream to help my children children and great grand children , PCB toxicity
skin exposure , acne rashes , change in blood urine skin condition live damage , stomach , anemia , Immune system , behavioral alterations , high level of Toluene effect of kidneys , biliary tract , motor skills short term memory on children , can enter by skin , mouth ,so dodgers….. ask for help the health of your future children and their children ……this can cause depression and fatigue even death …. many of us have cancer and many have died already…..PCB CONTAMINATION A HEALTH HAZARD JUSTANOLDMAN NEWS GROUP DATE 1998/03/12 Whoop-dee-doo ! Indians are marching in protest again , The whiners Parade! tsk tsk we do not have to die fight what we believe in people Our children rights ,
Eyah Puk is a great place to be…I grew up here most of my life and I’m still young…I’m glad to be raised here because It’s a beautiful place and eyah.
I love this place and I hope I could go back soon… XD
Hi again! Oh my god, I wrote a comment 3 years ago on this site,
RICHARD WAGAMESE! ITS GOOD YOUR CONSIDERING PUK! I would totally support your book. Please feel free to contact me at almahart_207@hotmail.com. I moved back to Puk after 8 years of running away from issue’s.
Greetings
I have flown over Pakatawagan in my small plane in my role as Volunteer in LAMP ministry. We, through volunteers presently offer VBS (Vacation Bible School) for one week to about 23 communitities in Northern Manitoba.
If someone interested reading this would contact our office 1-800-466-8507 we have a team that would come to Puk this summer.
Pukatawagan is where i am from and its a beatiful place winter is great you get to go ski doo riding and snow boarding and slidding and icec fishing and all other kinds of things its great in the winter you have fun have hot chocalote out sidde and others things and in the summer you really need boots yeah and summer time you get to go canoe riding walk the moutains alot others things and yeah the teachers come there to teach us and maybe find a good man that knows how to hunt trap fish camp all those kinds of things so yeah people need to find porepole i guess and hummm pukatawagan is my home town come see for your self to judge …..dont judge a book by its cover see for your self and experience the the funnest …..for the poeple that are thinking of coming to pukartawagan is great come on down to the puk is right you dont win noithing but love from our community taha im jus bored
im from pukatawagan…..And i love it dont judge go there and find out……peace ya’ll snot is out
Snot rules !!!!!:P
hello, I’m monica from Italy. I’m nephew of Father Bignami, someone knows him and wants to speach about him? I think he is a saint..! lotta love