Intertribal Life Newspaper -

It was the last day in March when I went to my trap line on Assinika Lake in northern Manitoba. I needed to check my traps. My son was to follow. When I first got there, I set some beaver snares, and then I checked my fish net. Toward evening I went for firewood from the bush. As I was returning to the cabin, I met some men from my village. They came to tell me of my son's tragic death. He had locked himself in a closet and hanged himself.

After I heard that message I said to the men, "Go on ahead. I have dogs to go home with."

As soon as they left, I too got on my way. Then as I crossed a...