The children were from an Indian residential school that once stood close to where the cross is located.

I tried to find out if there was a list of names, but was informed the children only had numbers. There was no information of where the children were from, their ages or even gender.

This was one of the epidemics that came through the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation (SLCN) — my home community. There have been others like H1NI, tuberculosis.

The people of my small community have been through a lot, but we also learned many lessons from viruses of which the Cree had no immunity. As of this writing, SLCN has no positive covid cases, hence no deaths.

This is stunning considering today’s killer virus is taking many lives throughout other First Nations all over North America.

This is because this time we were prepared. Our leadership had a plan and that plan was put into place, when the first case was reported in Canada.

I believe the reason why there are no cases in SLCN is because the people listened, at least for the most part. They took the words of our leaders, to credible news sources, medical experts and the elders to heart.

I was able to speak to one elder who was young when the smallpox epidemic took many lives.

The virus, which was finally eradicated in 1979, came at a time when communication was limited to word of mouth. One elder told me the bodies were buried on top of each other to the point where the last row was only inches from the topsoil.

The one that took the most toll on me was tuberculosis. I had it when I was 16.

It was hard for a young man who loved to play sports, because I was always gasping for air. But I survived and outlived other viruses since.

I also think there are no positive cases in my community because of education. Not only formally, but being more aware of the world outside the boundaries of our bubble. We also have, and hold, a high regard of our traditional and cultural ways.

When other reserves cancelled their pow wows, we did not. We needed to keep that continuity going. So, we held a one-day mini pow wow. All the protocols of COVID-19 were followed, so we could keep the songs and drums of our ancestors alive.

As a traditional dancer, and knowledge keeper of the Cree, this was important to me. I have watched some of the children dance since they were toddlers and it was awesome to see them, as they grow, carrying on something that is in the thousands of years of progress.

Tonight, I will plug in my Christmas lights. It’s not much and nothing fancy.

My grandmother and mom always kept the Christmas traditions alive. When I was a boy, my kokume and I would walk to church for midnight mass. Walking to midnight mass is a memory I will cherish.

Even from miles away, the bell that sits on top of our small church could be heard echoing across the lake.

As we got closer to the church, I could see a small fire outside with people standing around it.

People would greet each other with a firm handshake, kiss on the cheek and a big hug.

This year is going to be different, like everything else. I don’t even know if there will be a service, but that’s okay because one does not need a gathering to share the spirit of this magical season.

Regardless, at midnight I will step outside, light my sweetgrass and sing a traditional song.

From my home to yours, Merry Christmas.

-Ken Noskye