On The Ice Road - Canada
The following is written by Jack Locke.
When Nick Kozak and I ventured across northern Ontario in February 2016, we knew not of what we would find. With temperatures ranging from -10 to -35 degrees Celsius we found crystals—ice crystals that reflect the life of the region near James Bay on traditional Muskegowuk territory. These ice crystals were found at every stop, along the Wetum Ice Road, at every First Nation, be it Moose Cree, Fort Albany, Kashechewan, or Attawapiskat.
The way light reflects back, refracts through, or is absorbed by the ice crystals gives back a story. That image was captured by Nick's camera, but more than that, Nick was able to extract images and bring them to the fore.
For sixteen days, across 1,500 kilometres of frozen muskeg, across wide rivers and tiny creeks, inside homes and the occasional beaver den, Nick's eye captured the visual sounds of the ice crystals. Those ice crystals presented on the following pages are a brief photographic summary of the total discovery.
In case you haven't clued in, those ice crystals are human beings, natural and man-made creations. They embrace all things mortal and magical. They all were found #OnTheIceRoad.
- Jack Locke, Montreal, April 11, 2016.
For more, go to http://ontheiceroad.wordpress.
A sign next to the James Bay Winter Road heading from Fort Albany to Moosonee.
Fernand Job, a trapper, at Fraserdale Station.
A fuel truck, part of a convoy, returning from the De Beers Victor Diamond Mine along the James Bay Winter Road towards Moosonee.
People walk by boarded up homes in Kashechewan First Nation.
Raymond Inishinapay at home in Kashechewan First Nation.
A northeast view of Attawapiskat First Nation looking towards James Bay, taken from the Catholic Church bell tower.
Attawapiskat First Nation children using a dip in the ice road for sledding.
An employee walks by an aisle at the Northern Store in Kashechewan First Nation.
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George DeRose wearing his traditional Regalia at the 13th Annual Double "M" Traditional Powwow in Moose Cree First Nation.
A young boy outside his home in Kashechewan First Nation.
Jason Metatawabin cuts into a tree that will be used for firewood to heat homes in Fort Albany First Nation.
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Two young people on a snowmobile on the ice road over the Attawapiskat River.
Xavier Inishinapay sits in the passenger seat in Fort Albany First Nation.
A worker for the James Bay Winter Road after pumping water for 'ice-capping' where a truck spreads water over the road's surface.
Antoine Fireman sits in an old beaver lodge lined with plastic, next to his camp outside of Attawapiskat First Nation.
The northern lights in Fort Albany First Nation.
Pauline van Veen, a volunteer veterinarian from Barrie, spays a dog in Attawapiskat First Nation while another volunteer assists her.
A road grader idles in the middle of the night on the ice road just outside Attawapiskat First Nation.
Brian Okimaw, in Attawapiskat First Nation, on the night before his planned road blockade against the De Beers Victor Diamond Mine located 90 kilometres upriver.