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John Masiewicz’s passion for charting family trees, and tracing genealogy led the electrical engineer to Gervase Macomber and a history of one of Kahnawake’s biggest families.

The greatest part of this job is listening to stories. There have been numerous times where I have sat across from a person and thought, ‘thank goodness I’m writing this down, so everyone who wants to can read their story.’ Sometimes, the stories provide life lessons, sometimes controversy, sometimes joy and sometimes inspiration, and some of the best by far are stories from elders.

Like fingerprints, no two family trees are the same, and all require digging. With modern software and available archive material, it has become easier and easier to trace your family back centuries through all the complicated roots.

It is a question that is being answered in Onkwehón:we countries across Turtle Island: how does a community take hold of its education system and ensure its children retain traditional knowledge while being able to succeed in higher education?

Kahnawake artist and teacher Owisò:kon Lahache drew on her family, passion for teaching, and artistic gift to paint a commemoration of the genocidal practice of residential schools.

Anishinaabemowin advocate and journalist Wab Kinew’s engaging new autobiography The Reason You Walk (Viking Press, $32) is a finely crafted journey of reconciliation, cultural revival and a touching story about a father and his son.

There is a lot more at stake in next week’s election for Canadian prime minister than who will run the country for the next four years (a minority government is most likely).

An hour into reading Globe and Mail columnist John Ibbitson’s new biography Stephen Harper, I posted a picture of the book on Instagram with the tongue-in-cheek caption “Who would’ve thought I’d spend an hour reading this?” Two friends from Kahnawake posted comments within minutes: “a good hour that you’ll never get back” and “burn the damn thing.” The Eastern Door requested a review copy of Ibbitson’s book, as Harper is continually cast as villain number one in Kahnawake, and understanding something of his life, politics and personality is important.

"We are suffering from a great sorrow, almost like death," said Charlie Patton told the gathering of people who came to pay tribute to residential school survivors on Wednesday.(Steve Bonspiel, The Eastern Door.)

The latest controversy in cultural appropriation news erupted this week when a New Brunswick singer attempted to bring attention to her Acadian roots and failed miserably in the process.