For five straight days, Sandy Lake First Nation community members were lined up at the local youth center with their dogs in one hand and paperwork in the other to get their pets spayed, neutered and vaccinated. It is the first time the community – a fly-in location in northwestern Ontario -- has had veterinary services and the initiative received an overwhelming response.
As part of their effort on diabetes education, Ontario Works in Sandy Lake gave a smoothie demonstration to passersby, in an attempt to show how easy, healthy and tasty these drinks can be.
As is typical with long trips away from home, you tend to learn a lot about yourself as well as the community you’re visiting. I’ve only been here for two days and already I am noticing interesting things about myself and the life I live at home.
Last night I arrived to Sandy Lake First Nations reserve, located in the north of Ontario -- 1,462 kilometres north of Toronto to be exact. Getting here was a bit of a trek, though an easy one. First a flight to Thunder Bay, followed by an overnight stay in Sioux Lookout and then another short flight to Sandy Lake.
When I applied to be CTV’s pick for a placement with the organization Journalists For Human Rights, I was quick to say I wanted to come to Northern Ontario and spend time with Indigenous peoples in their communities.
