Peetabeck - Canada
Fort Albany, traditionally known as Peetabeck (loosely translated to ‘the meandering river floods a pond in the springtime’), is a remote First Nation community located on the western coast of James Bay in Northern Ontario. Fort Albany is a Cree community and home to many survivors of the St. Anne’s Residential School, which closed in 1964 and stood until it was set ablaze in 1999.
The population of Fort Albany fluctuates around 900 Albanians (self-identified residents of Fort Albany). The community is accessible only by air, water, and a winter road. Like many First Nations reserves in Canada, Fort Albany is on simultaneous paths of recovery, re-discovery, and preservation. As key community members, including Elders, have begun to explore and promote their traditional roots through ceremonies, hunting practices, language, cuisine, music, and art, it has become imperative for them to share these practices with their youth. While dealing with the effects from past atrocities, Peetabeck is practicing a delicate, and sometimes divided, dance between the reclamation, acceptance, and rejection of both traditional and Western cultures.
In Fort Albany, like in many societies, youth are viewed as the future. And while they are full of potential, they are also the most vulnerable and impressionable. It is these young people, at times neglected, sometimes bored, or even abused, who face the most devastating challenges of a community severely affected by drugs, alcohol and what many refer to as the “suicide spirit”. It seems, in the experience of this photographer, that everyone in Fort Albany has a tragic story to share, whether it be a mother, a father, a son, a daughter, an uncle, or an aunt. So many lives have been cut short. The trauma is intergenerational and rooted in the long, dark history of travesties committed against First Nations in Canada, which include, but are not limited to, rape and physical abuse, endured by many of those who attended residential school.
Community leaders see an opportunity to steer youth on a path of healing. Young leaders recognize many of the challenges they and their peers face. Continuous efforts are made to involve people in positive activities and reconnect them to the land and traditions that were destroyed by residential school as well as other deplorable colonial activities throughout Canada’s history. The intention of this work is to shed light on the daily lives of young Albanians and show that, although they face enormous challenges, there is much hope in their community.
Michel Sutherland cradles his youngest child in front of their home.
A young girl lays on the grass outside of Peetabeck Academy.
Jeremiah Otis at Anderson's Point.
A cabinet engulfed in flames at the Fort Albany dump site.
The Small Tree in front of the Sacred Colours in the Altar before the first Sundance in Fort Albany.
Ruby Nakogee has breakfast with her son Emery Nakogee who has autism, at the home of Ruby's brother Brent, while the pair visit Fort Albany from Kingston, Ontario.
Mike Koostachin holds the cake while his wife Charlotte Nakoochee lights the candles during a birthday party for two-year-old Naomi (not in view) who was adopted by the pair. Naomi's mother Kayla Nakoochee passed away by suicide.
Cousins Karis Nakogee and Emery Nakogee at Karis's home.
Saul Chookomolin, left, and Raine Iahtail, right, share a laugh at Raine's home.
Michael Inishinapay.
Xavier Inishinapay lays in bed, clutching a stuffed toy, next to his best friend and Youth Council member Miranda Chookomolin, during a visit to her house one morning.
A child's bike lays in the water at the bottom of the Fort Albany causeway.
Amos Scott.
Myra Spence.
Boy.
Ashlynn Ashamock.
Nicole Sutherland gathers cedar in the natural environment for use in her first sweat lodge built in her backyard with help from long-time friend Joseph Scott.
Young people at the banks of the Albany River during the first Fort Albany Sundance.
Young people take part in the Children's Ceremony in the Sundance Lodge on the final day of Fort Albany's first Sundance.
Curtains inside the home of an Albanian.
Thomas Scott driving away from the Sundance Grounds after he completes leading his and Fort Albany's first Sundance.
Shakira Knapaysweet with friends next to the sacred fire outside a meeting before the second Sundance in Fort Albany.
Messages written on a picnic table outside of the Northern Store, including one referring to twelve-year-old Garrett who died in October 2016.
Xavier Inishinapay stands in the cemetery, behind him on the right, the gravesite of twelve-year-old Garrett Tomagatick who committed suicide in October of 2016.
The Sundance Lodge during Fort Albany's second Sundance.
Two young people hanging out next to GPS restaurant and store.
Layna Scott and Shakira Knapaysweet on the first day of their summer jobs at Norman's Store in Fort Albany.
Amos Scott at the Northern Store.
TJ Scott on the microphone taking part in a goose call competition at the Fort Albany First Nation Radio Station during youth council events for Canada Day 150.
Mike Koostachin hugs his daughter Maya at the Fort Albany First Nation airport before departing with her sister and aunt to Timmins.
JP on the back of a truck before a bonfire.
Members of the Youth Council of Fort Albany on a decommissioned fuel storage container just outside of town.
A young man lobs a basketball at the outdoor basketball court.
Beulah and Brenda, outside the Fort Albany airport, take a break from a ride around town.
JJ Koostachin smokes a cigarette while taking a break from playing the guitar during a bonfire at "Lion King".
Children look up and cheer at a Canada Day 2016 fireworks show put on by Fort Albany First Nation behind Peetabeck Academy.
Canada Day 2016 fireworks put on by Fort Albany First Nation.
Two young Fort Albanians outside of Peetabeck Academy with glowing balloons.
Dennis Inishinapay following his exit from the Lodge during the first Fort Albany Sundance.
The Chicago Blackhawks logo backlit by the sun in a doorway of a home in Fort Albany.
Firefighter JP Scott sets off fireworks while children watch on Canada Day 2017.
Xavier Inishinapay with passenger Andre listening to music in a truck.
The grave of a young man who took his own life in January 2016.
The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis seen on the final night of the first Fort Albany Sundance.