Maachestan: The Annual Spring Ice Break Up

Maachestan: The Annual Spring Ice Break Up

Maachestan, the Cree word for the annual spring river ice breakup, is happening all along the James Bay coast. This is a very important time of year for remote communities along the coast. Over the past few weeks, my family has been sharing regular reports of what is happening on the Attawapiskat River. I was happy to hear them all talk about this time of year, as it reminded me of hearing my parents, Marius and Susan Kataquapit, talking and di…