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 was late in the evening, with the sun ready to settle down for the night. I was standing high atop a cliff that overlooks a lake — a huge lake about eight miles long and four miles wide. The sunset was incredible. It was as if the sky came alive with colours of a beautiful butterfly. In the Cree language we call this sunset “ka-pasee-mok” which literally means “so beautiful you can hear it”.

That’s the beauty of the Cree language: a simple thing like a sunset can be changed into something that comes alive. There was a breeze in the air, a warm southern wind like a gentle chinook. The lake had small waves which ducks and loons were taking for a ride. If I closed my eyes, I could feel the power of the lake as its mist enveloped my being. Times like this make me feel alive and appreciate Mother Earth and all her creations. It was like a pull, an energy of some sort that compelled me to look up. lt’s been a few years since an eagle has been seen this neck of the woods, but right there before my eyes was an eagle with a wingspan longer than I can stretch out my arms. It flew around me a couple of time then headed straight at me. It came so close, I could see the talons. An envelope of life came over me. It was like a visit from my ancestors or even my late mother.

My mom’s last name was Kiyawasew: that’s what it says on her marriage certificate. The proper way to pronounce Kiyawasew is “Kehew wa sew.” Kehew, which in Cree means eagle, and Wa sew means bright or shining. Put it together and you have bright or shining eagle. I always thought it was a beautiful name and have thought about changing mine to it. However, my other grandfather might take that personally. My other great-great-grandfather was Brilliant No Sky. He was the chief of a Cree nation that camped where the downtown airport used to be in Edmonton. I thought that was also a beautiful name. One of my nepbew’s son is named Brilliant. I could change my name to that too, but I wouldn’t be able to live up to the name. So. I’ll stick with the No Sky (with an added E at the end).

I kept an eye on the eagle as it flew by and then slowly disappeared into the fading sunset. “What a blessing”, I thought. Not only was I treated to an incredible sunset I also felt the power of the lake and the breeze. Then to top it all off, I had a visit from an eagle. “How is it?” I asked myself. “What could I have done to be so privileged?”

At a young age I came to the realization I come from a proud nation with a history unmatched anywhere else in the world. As I grew, I fell flat on my face over and over again, most times influenced by a spiral of extreme addictions. Each time it happens, I run back to where I am accepted no matter what. I go back to my heritage where I can feel the pride in the contributions First Nations people have made to the world. I try and let some of that pride rub off on me a little, and slowly I find my direction in life. As I walked away from the lake and headed towards my place, I felt assured the Creator gave me this day to be thankful.

– Ken Noskye