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.
Wow i googled pukatawagan cause my husband and I lived there for two years…..and oh boy it sure is one of the worse places on earth
My boyfriend and I are thinking of moving to Pukatawagan because I am interested in teaching there. Is it really that bad? Please tell me why it’s the worse place in the world…or e-mail me, because I’d like to know a little more about this community. Thanks!
Mel, There are a lot of challenges there but the natural beauty is fantastic. Even though there are a lot of professional and personal challenges there, there are a lot of wonderful people as well. If you want to contact me directly email me at k3264@hotmail.com
PUK_u all you pukatawagon HATERS!!!
im looking for my old friend
bernadette colomb
i was see her at fort alexander treatment
if anyone see my friend please show this note
darlene rich
tansi?
i happen to be from puk… just write to bernadette colomb she is now a mother now…pukatawagan manitoba
general delivery
rog-1go
let curiosity drive you to puk..it is ok. judge for your self…
Sheryl, I was just wondering, what’s the deal with Pukatawagan? How long ago did you live there, and what were you doing? Please email me…cancerchick2001@hotmail.com
“Place” has nothing to do with anything. Its the people and you. You either lighten up a room or you darken it when you enter.
I come from there and I would never live there because it is too isolated and boring. The beauty of the place is unbelievable. I loved the fishing there and still like to go there to fish and camp. My parents live there with my brother and sister. It would be nice if there were people willing to help and restore the beauty of the peoples history and restore the meaning of life. I really hope the best for the people and hope they survive the disease that has caused them to get lost.
To the people who think Puk is the worst place on earth… you probably didn’t know anyone worth knowing here. You say you spent two years here, what did you do? Hole yourself in your house? Puk is a beautiful place to be. It may not have what every town or city has but it does have a lot more. Maybe you just don’t know what tranquility and peacefullness is. Puk is better without people like yourself. I’m glad we don’t have an weather road for just anyone to come and ruin it for all of us. I feel sorry for the people who say Puk is boring, maybe your just bored with your life period.
wtf? I didn’t know pukatawagan was one of the worst places on earth to live, otherwise I would’ve left a long time ago and never think of coming back. Anyways I’ll always return home ’cause I can’t find a more tranquill and beautiful place and maybe outsiders who are just looking for a paycheck can just look else where, cause we don’t need ya!
Pukatawagan is my home town and will always be. I lived there most of my life and it aint that bad as they say. mostly the drugs and alcohol are tearing up our communities and the we live as aborignal people. We need to stop the violence in our communities and start attacking the government not phisically but politically to get resources we need to survive because we all know that money cannot be eaten. Jessey Lee Hart representing the 553
Pukatawagon is where im from it is a good reserve but it is true that there is to much drugs and alcohol if that was gone then we would have the best resurve ever but ther always has to be something wrong like all reserves. i will never forget about my home town. hi all you dodgers!
I like Puktawagan a lot….would like to live there permanently….I moved back to Pukatawagan a second time to make this a reality. If I ever move back a 3rd time I will definantly have my own business of some type and built my own house before i move there. There is definantly a housing shortage in Pukatawagan. A lot of very nice people live there and there is no other place on this planet like Pukatawagan….have to go there for yourself to appreciate the natural beauty that is Pukatawagan…..and the people.
I’m also from Puk. All I have to say is It’s all bullshit. Most of the stuff u guys put in these notes is not true,(definately a beautiful place) but the reserve itself is bad. I don’t recommend moving there unless your ready to protect yourself from people with weapons, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Seriously though, watch ur back!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S. GOD HATES US ALL!!!!!!
I am not originally from Puk; i lived here for fifteen years and i say it’s a wonderful place to live in and the beauty around it. I don’t see it as a violent place which it is not. so people let’s not think of this place as a very bad place. we cannot live in the past forever; god did not put us here for nothing; be thankful of what the MOTHER nature gave us. I read all the comments and i think people shouldn’t think of anything towards “PUK” there alot of nice and freindly people in PUK.
I was in Pukatawagan for 1 week in January 2005 and another week in March 2005. I was there to do some work. I flew in the first time and it was so so cold! The second time I went in .. I attempted the infamous winter road. Luckily I had good company when I went.. Muskwa told good stories all the way there and she made sure to tell me which areas to avoid! It was actually a good ride. I enjoyed my stay while I was there. The RCMP did have to pull out my 4 by 4 out of the ditch cuz I wasn’t looking where I was going … LOL! They were nice about it too.. Anyway.. I think Puk people are nice. I would have liked to see in the Summer time because I heard it is beautiful place!
never go during spring trust me
AND GOD DOES NOT EXIST AH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
The government of Manitoba through their crown corporation, Manitoba Hydro and the federal government through the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs both expropriated Indian Land and fenced it to provide hydro generators to power the school, teacher residences, a nursing station and eventually some of the Pukatawagan homes. Diesel fuel leaked from these tanks and escaped the fenced compounds onto federal Indian reserve lands as provided for under s. 91(24) of the Constitution Acts of 1867 and 1982. The leaks went unnoticed for some years it seems until a total of over 500,000 litres contaminated the surrounding area and buildings had to be demolished due to health and safety considerations. The government of Canada is responsible for “Indians and lands reserved for the Indians” as per the Constitution, the Indian Act and Parliament through the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs.
The law states that when something escapes ones land, whether rented, leased, owned or otherwise held and controlled, and this causes damage or injures someone, they are strictly liable and there is no defence. Canada and the Minister have not taken responsibility for the escape of diesel fuel from their compounds and have confused the issue for over twelve years now. They are able to do this because they control the band finances and can prevent them from getting proper legal advice regarding the largest land oil spill in North America. The escaped fuel has caused the demolition of a school, nursing station, a mall, housing fr teachers and nursing staff and about 100 of housing build by the local government. These have not been replaced as is required when substance from one’s land escapes and damages and injures others. Rather, the government is somewhat adversarial in their conflict of interest position and have threatened the local government with suddenly having trouble with normal funding of local government activities. The threats will probably be denied but the liability is strict and it is the federal government and Manitoba that are responsible legally and, of course, morally. This part of the law is very simple and is taught in first year law classes in Canada. Its a slam dunk, people and it is not complicated at all and will not cost an arm and a leg in legal fees. Lets go!
my friend lanny sinclair was from the puk,he died christmas day 2006.could somebody tell me if his remains were sent there,please email me,and let me know if he,s there,and what his birth date was,he,s got plenty of friends here.contact me at my email adress eebooze@hotmail.com,thank you very much.
I would just like to say that there are a lot of teachers hired here every year. They come from all over the place. What makes me sick is that many of them come to our community with so called good intentions but in reality many of them come here and ruin families. So many teachers are stirring up shit that we don’t need. They think they can just come here and do what they want! Why can’t they find someone in there own race, someone from where they are from. What’s wrong are they so ugly that there own race won’t want them? I think our education director should hire married couples as our teachers instead of HORNEY HOME WRECKERS!!! FROM NOVA SCOTIA or those newfoundlanders. Stay off our land, stay home…
I don’t know if anyone who looked at this article actually read the part that says: “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.” If anyone actually looked into it, they’d find that most of the issue is with the amount of oil/fuel spill pollution and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). I’m sure it’s a fine place to live, but it is FACT that there is a high rate of abnormalities among people born in the 60′s and 70′s in the area BECAUSE of the contaminated surroundings. “In 1988, Chief Pascal Bighetty went to visit the City of Chernobyl in the Ukraine to see the devastation of the contaminated area. Chief Bighetty compares Pukatawagan to Chernobyl where people are dying a slow death” (http://www.fnen.org/). Essentially, the issue is not wholely about how people live life there, it’s about what kind of pollution occured and how people need to band together to make the government fix it.
p.s. Cheyenne or whoever you are, you should know that not all inter-racial relationships are a bad thing. I myself am in one and love my husband very much. Maybe you’ve had a bad experience, but that’s no reason to make hasty generalizations and racist remarks.
what ever Dayna you must ba a newfie,lol.
my adopted cousin in bernadette colomb is in puk. but she is 12 years old.
I’m from pukatawagan, and BBOOOOOO to all who don’t like puk
I’m from Pukatawagan but i moved away to The Pas. i still go home and visit my family.
I don’t know who started this but I thought Hell’s Kitchen” in New York City was the worst place in the world because police will not even go in there for any reason at all.
In Manitoba, I thought Shammattawa was the worst place in the world and I hope somewone from there stands up and says something because Pukatawagan does not even come close to being the worst place. In Fact, Pukatawagan is soon going to be the best place in the World because Shania Twain says it all in her song, “UP”. Shania Twain is coming to visit Puk and go fishing on the Churchill River and Pukatawagan area this Summer.
What do you think of that??
I dont know about one of the worst polluted places on earth, i dont know man, didnt you guys hear of the Northeastern U.S. ? I mean whats the point of this article, the actual pollution or the issues the community faces? I guess the guy who wrote the article didn’t have nothing better to do (laughs) … not sure what we’re goin on about … I thought it was one of the most beautiful places i ever saw … at least on the land and parts of the community … seems alright there man I mean theres worst places like Samolia or somethin (laughs) … much researched articulated homework next time a must!
I am from Pukatawagan, and all that I can say is that it is just like ANY other place on this earth. There are people that will treat you well, and people that will treat you like garbage. It is NO different from anywhere else you would visit.
If you want to go for a visit, this is what you will need. RUBBER BOOTS in the spring!!! and the summer…and the fall…lol. You will need a warm coat for the winter months, but I definitely recommend RUBBER BOOTS! WE HAVE MADE THEM A FASHION NECESSITY!
One more thing…Cheyenne, don’t be a hater…there are enough of them in the world. I grew up in a society that was not accepting of “Indians” and I didn’t like it. One of the first teachings that Aboriginal people learn is “RESPECT” Treat people the way you would like to be treated. You need to learn a thing or two about the world that we live in…Puk is just ONE INY SPECK ON THE EARTH! It may be home to us, but there is WHOLE world out there that is waiting for us to see. I am insulted that you would bring the whole race issue into the topic of hiring of teachers…Peoples skin color does not matter when you are talking about people that are teaching “Our” children. Just remember this one thing…
ALL PEOPLE ARE CREATED EQUALLY, NO MATTER WHAT RACE, RELIGION OR GENDER THEY ARE!
Thanks for your time…and Ill say a BIG HELLO to all my fellow Puksters and to anyone who has been there!
Jenn
Cheyenne from Puk
It’s really sad that there are still so many uneducated bigots like you around that maintains the status quo in corruption and racism. Instead of wasting your negative energy by promoting racism and racial hatred, why don’t you take a step back and evaluate yourself before you judge others. Grab a brain and go back to school, you may learn about many great qualities about our Caucasian brothers and sisters. Good luck with your bitter life.
I’m from Toronto but I was in Puk for a while. Its definitely not the worst place i’ve been..I actually prefer Puk to Toronto. There are good ppl up there.
Northeastern USA is definitely worse. They call Buffalo, NY the toilet bowl of America…and with good reason.
puk rules! winnipeg a.k.a murderer city!
I think puk is boring sometimes and yet it is alright, it’s good when you got no where eles to go!
Again, its not the place but the people and the relationships you have in that place. You can be incredibly happy, joyous and free anywhere in the world if you choose.
You can be miserable in the greatest resort if you choose.
I agree. I have been to some of the most beautiful places in the world and Puk was the last place i would have expected to go and have a good time but the ppl i met there i love like family now. I’m sure they would never have expected to have someone like me in their family but here i am. I wouldnt choose anywhere else in the world. If u don’t isolate yourself then you will create a family and friends for yourself anywhere u go. Unfortunately, a lot (but not all) of white ppl go africa, india, asian, and canadian reserves with the intent to help from a distance. Thats impossible. You cannot help from a distance. You have to have an understanding in your heart about what it means to struggle and as a black person i know what that means. I would never trade my pukatawagan family for anything. They are my blodd now. I would not have survived in puk if it were not for them.
Tansi to all the pukatawagan ppl…even if u hate me!!
Love marisa
Tansi all you ppl’s! I am from Jetat and my ancestor’s are from there too! I grew up in Jetat but also spent a lot of time in Pukatawagan. Jetat was a beautiful place to be with a big sand hill right by the lake! The trees and land are most memorable because of the many trails I ran around on. My grandparents used to live there so my parents took my sister and I there too. Off and on… If you know who I am call me. Oh… P.S. What did the cat say about breakfast?……
Hey growing up… This sounds familiar, ” Cook me some bacon and eggs too” Wish I could turn back time for a bit. an hour or two.
This for you all ppl who have never been to puk,you don’t have to wear an armer or protect yourself with any kind of weapon.This place is alright. I’ve lived here all my life,it’s the kind of peolpe you choose to be around….hint..hint….
it’s the most beautiful place on earth,especially in the summer cause i get to go out on a canoe…..this is the home of THE MISINNIPPI CHALLANGE…so if you like a challange come here and find out for yourself.
Hey holla out to my First Nation brothers and sisiters of MCB TO THE 553…LOL..
Hey im from Puk! Yeah Puk is a small but fun place to go in the summer people are friendly over there every one says hello to every body. But out of all in Puk i like the summer games because we give a challenge!! Some people just have no respect for all Dogers. For all the people who never went to Pukatawagan it is a beautiful place but to much Alcohol and Drugs there seriously. Other than that I dont think its a bad place and thats why i will always go back to Pukatawagan!
TO ALL DODGERS WHATS UP MY NATIVES!! PEACE OUT SEE YOU BACK HOME*
WINNIPEG IS MORE WORSE! NORTH SIDE – SOUTH SIDE IM A HUSLA MAKIN DA MONEY U KNOW!
How many people in Puk have seen the DVD, The Secret and it was featured on Oprah and Larry King Live? Does anyone have a DVD so that they can invite people over and watch it as a group? I know there are a lot of people at Jimmy’s place and maybe thats where we start to show it.
I didn’t see THE SECRET. but i’ll look into it. About Jimmy’s place, I know some of his kids live there STILL with their children, but one mom there with her “5″ kids had a place of her own with her common in law. I don’t know why they don’t live there anymore. Unlike some of us. Yeah we live with our parents, cause we don’t have a choice. THe band won’t give me a house. I’ve been trying for so long. maybe cause i’m not related to any of them. The ones who ruin their houses by drinking shouldn’t get a house until the other people on our reserve get one.( the ones that been waiting on the list for years). They even drink and burn their house down, it’s not fair, maybe i should burn the place i’m staying at, so we can get a new house they are making right now. Well no offence to anyone, I’m just upset on how things are going around here. HAVE A GREAT DAY!
Hey, wahts up Ryanna. Haha its funny. I wouldn’t stay more than a week up in Puk. Even if there family there. Holla
HAHA props to Cheyenne. You tell those cock-casians!
Finally! Someone who knows what I’m talkin about! You have to live here to know those teachers and what they do
Whoa there! Everybody is entitled to their own opinions! So what if I’m bitter! And you’d be surprised with my Education! Never mind you.
to bad for u .
i hope your right.but God still love u and he be waiting for u
Hello All,
I used to teach in Puk some time ago. In fact I was in Puk from 1981 to June 1985. Life was a bit tough then but again I enjoyed every minute of my time in Puk. I remember not having power for days but again I call this a thrill and a challenge. I introduced the “school yearbook” and also organized both summer and winter sports. I taught Grade 6 and 7 for some time and most other times I was the Resource teacher. All the people and the students were all nice to me. They are all heard workers and always did their best. Pukatawagan in itself is a “paradise” with the beautiful scenery and the surrounding lakes, etc… Pukatawagan was probably one of the very best “Reserve” I’ve seen! I have taught many students whose sur names were : Bighetty”, “Colomb”, “Linklater”, “Dumus”, “Sinclair” , etc.. etc.. etc…
From Puk I went to Split Lake and then to Nova Scotia and back to Windsor Ontario. Now I’ve got a few more years left before I go into retirement. Some day I hope to visit Pukatawahan again! I love Pukatawagan and I think it’s a wonderful place when we compare to the smog and pollution around here.
Hurray! Two thumbs up for Puk! For those people who put Pukatawahgan down, think again. “Puk is just a beautiful and a wonderful place”.
Enjoy! Pukatawagn is a “beautiful” place.
Sincerely,
Nazeer Junus
Former Teacher 1981-1985
I taught there for 2 years. I never had an affair with any local. There is lots of racism there…against non natives.
I found it very sad how alcohol ruins lives. Young lives. Too bad.
Apparently not enough racism, if you know what racism is about. Racism is about stalling the social and economic development of a group of people and I wonder how they were able to stymie your economic condition? You were probably there working for the government, the church or Northern Store. Did you have a job and a subsidized modern and fully furnished house so all you had to bring was your toothbrush and redneck attitude?
If racism was working in Puk like you suggest, then the greatest benefactor in Puk’s mass poverty includes the local Northern Store, which was formerly the Hudson’s Bay Store, located at the end of the reserve and at the end of a private road owned, operated and maintained by the Band. A road, which to our knowledge was never paid for by Northern and after more than forty years has not given a penny to the Indian Band as a contribution to the capital cost of the road and its annual maintenance cost of plowing snow etc.
In fact, if the Indians of Puk were at all racist, they would immediately stop doing business with Northern and put all their buying power into their own coop store which they only give $1 million per year while they give Northern $30 million in business.
If they did that then the poverty would stop over night in Puk and the would do $31 million in business and at 30% mark-up on sales, they would retain $9.3 million dollars per year which they can use for local social and economic development.
Because they are not racist, Northern takes out this amount and this money never comes back for Puk’s benefit. The Canadian Government knows this is happening and has been happening since 1867 and beyond and it has not asked the Indians why they accept poverty while the local store takes out millions that they could tap and retain for their own self government purposes.
Indians are always looking for a casino to change their economic situation and are completely blind to the casino called the Northern Store at the end of their community which they fund with their band budgets, welfare, family and old age pensions which they get every month. A racist Indian at Puk would start a movement to inform every home in Puk as to whats going on and support the local coop store and let Northern go and live off its shareholders who will never send a penny to Puk to alleviate the housing crises where 29 people are forced to live in one house!!
Come on Puk, get racist and turn your poverty into prosperity right now! Do you need help? Do you know where to get the help you need? Do you know how to live outside of poverty? What would you do if you had a cash flow of $9 million a year? What would you do if you could live anywhere in the world and you could live in peace and without the need to take mood altering substances and if your loved ones were happy, joyous and free?
What if you could insulate yourself from the hidden and injurious racist shots from the above person and you could laugh all the way to the bank on the same earnings Northern takes and which have been referred to as “welfare economics”? Northern is okay with “welfare economics” why can you not be okay with too?
Finally, “alcohol does not ruin lives, racism does!!!
Get an education, teachergirl!!!