When Ken died in February 2021, we had an outpouring of messages from readers, with many telling us how much his columns meant to them. In light of that, we thought we would go back through our files and re-publish some of them. Ken would be flattered by the kind words readers expressed. We miss him as a friend and as a storyteller.

“It could happen.” From now on I’ve decided this is going to be my motto in life. In fact, I might just make it my Indian name. I speak fluent Cree and I tried to think of one word that could best describe this phrase. The closest translation I could find was, “if you try hard enough, anything is possible.” However, as for a single word in Cree, I will continue to search for one. I have seen too many people pull off what others thought was impossible and make it possible. ln my life, I’ve been privileged to be a part of an Indigenous revolution. The year I was born, First Nations people were not allowed to vote. Actually, we weren’t even considered a people yet.

Today, First Nations people are not only voting, but getting directly involved as candidates. This all happened in a generation. This proves it could happen. Almost a decade ago, I was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Doctors. surgeons and medical specialists told me I wouldn’t make it a year, yet here I am. When many others were getting ready for my funeral, I was getting ready to start a new life. Even though I had absolutely no physical strength, my mind was still working. When I heard doctors telling me I wouldn’t last, I said to myself, “that will never happen.” Along the way, through the support of family and friends and my belief in my Creator, I recovered. It could and it did happen. There are many people I met during my stays in hospitals who were right up against life and death, and yet they are walking, strong and healthy, today.

One young man I met was shot in a hunting accident. He was only 17. The bullet had grazed his spine and he was told he would never walk again. After a couple of years of therapy, he not only walks, but I would put my money on him in any marathon he runs. He made it happen. When I was living in the Riversdale area, I met many people who, some against all odds, made it happen. One young woman, who used to stop at my place before and after school for a snack, had a home environment filled with substance and extreme drug abuse. I always felt bad for her. She had one of the most beautiful smiles. Jacqui, my partner at the time, adored this little girl, but we also both knew her home life was about as stable as a rubber duck trying to float upstream on the South Saskatchewan River. With perseverance, she finished high school and went on to university. Today, she still has that beautiful smile and also her own family. Once again, anything could happen.

A friend of my mine always wanted to be a trapper. He was married and, of course, his priority was his family. Last year, he told me he was about to retire. He’s a successful businessman. I asked him about his dream of being a trapper. He replied he was probably getting too old to be challenging 40-below weather in the wilderness. Still, he was able to get a hold of a trap line, build a small cabin and come winter he went trapping. Age is nothing when a person is following their dreams. Not all stories are inspiring because there are many people I believed would live a life filled with a possibility fell into extreme drug addictions. One should never give up on people because anything could happen. And, with the proper support and direction, that person could be the best addiction counsellor. l’ve seen this time and time again.

There was a little boy who grew up on a Northern trap line. He had an incredible and vivid imagination. He ended up being taken away and into an Indian residential school and so many foster homes he lost count. He ended up in youth centres and finally in prison. He always dreamed of being a writer, but his education was limited. Wilen he was released, he went back to complete his high school. He enrolled in university and tried and pursued different areas in higher education, but decided journalism was the way to go. When he graduated he became a radio host, a television reporter, and he wrote for the Saskatoon Express and the Your Saskatoon newspaper. It could and it did happen.

-Ken Noskye