EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

Page 6

It is with sadness and regret that we must note that wagamese has decided to pull into shore for a rest after paddling his canoe across these pages for more than a year.

All of us here at "Windspeaker" were loyal fans, and it was common to see staff gathered around the layout department reading his column before it went to press, chuckling at his humor, delighting in his insight, and nodding in agreement at his wisdom.

The lower case "w" which he preferred for his name (he even used the lower case 'i" in referring to himself, but he editor always changed it) is typical of this humble and gentle man.

Over the weeks his column appeared, all of us learned a great deal about what it really means to be Indian. More importantly, we learned a great deal about what it means to be human.

The mark of a great writer in his willingness and ability to share his innermost feelings. wagamese honored us each week with his willingness to share generously of himself.

I am honored that he calls me friend.

The last thing I want to do it to make this tribute sound like an obituary. We look forward to future contributions.

Hopefully, wagamese has only pulled into shore for a brief rest, and after a few nights beside the campfire, the wanderlust will return and once more his paddle, clean and bright, will be cutting keenly through the streams of our lives and singing sweetly through our imaginations.

Charles wagamese fans are numerous.

Sheila Te Hennepe, co-ordinator of the Native Indian Teacher Education program of the Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, writes:

Sure do like your stuff! I look forward to opening the pages

of WINDSPEAKER to your glimpse of the world.

Mary Morin writes:

Tansi and Ahneen Wagamese,

I love your column, "From the Raven's Eye." When I am in need

of conversation and laughs, I read your thoughts. Tonight, I read

the last eight issues of "Windspeaker." You should compile your

Raven's Eye" into a book, then I can retire my tattered issues of Windspeaker."

As a volunteer of the Peyakowak (They are Alone) Committee,

I work to keep families together. We have distributed your thoughts

on foster homes. Thank you for your courage to speaking out about

them, especially when so many think they are so great! I'll send you

some info on our work. My door is always open for your visit. I'd

like to tell you about our focus maintaining the natural family unit.

Take care...say hi to Rocky W., Terry L. and Ray Fox for me,

Ahow

Mary Morin

Every so often we get calls and letters from people who don't seem to understand the role of a newspaper. Their misunderstanding usually takes one of two forms...either that we are here to promote individual or group causes, as long as they are Native and whether or not valid, without challenging or questioning them in any way, or that, because we are pro-Native, we should only print the Native side of a story, especially if the non-Native side is challenging the Native side.

Let me stress that those approaches to producing a newspaper are propaganda, not journalism.

We try to be professional journalists in the production of this newspaper.

That means seeking out and printing all the news that is of interest to our readers, or which has impact on their lives.

That means making every effort to print all sides of the story, and giving everyone involved in a story the opportunity to give their side of it.

And that means not allowing ourselves to be manipulated or controlled by any individual or group that would use us to further their self interest at the expense of others.