Ted Moses
For Grand Chief
Why are you the best candidate for Grand Chief?
I have the experience, credibility, integrity and reputation required to effectively and adequately represent and defend the Cree Nation.
My lifelong commitment to the cause of the Crees and to Aboriginal peoples worldwide has allowed me to build a credibility and effectiveness in defending and promoting the interest of the Cree people that few others can claim to have.
My deeply-rooted traditional values, my experience as a tallyman, my longstanding and very public positions for aboriginal rights, and my record of successes in bringing concrete and real benefits to the Cree people speak for themselves.
My mission for the future is one of nation building. I will work to develop a strong Cree Nation government that will be stronger in the defence of the interests of the Cree Nation and better equipped to deliver real benefits to the people. This vision includes: defending our land, promoting new energy sources such as wind energy and energy conservation, more housing, healthy and viable communities, a vibrant Cree economy, more jobs, more services and programs for all and particularly for the trappers, and a Cree Nation government with the resources to take care of Cree affairs and to speak out effectively and with credibility for the people.
In your opinion, what is the single most important issue facing the Cree Nation today?
There are many important issues facing the Cree Nation today, and all of them need to be addressed. I am not a single issue candidate.
We need, among other things, to address better the social issues facing our people through improvement of the social conditions in our communities, we need to defend our land from ever-pressing demands on development, we need to improve our governance structures by making the Cree Nation government a reality, we need to develop new economic opportunities such as wind energy. We need to enhance our language and culture and we need to develop employment opportunities for our youth.
These are some of the issues that I intend to tackle as Grand Chief, and I am confident that my experience and credibility in achieving real and concrete results for the people will allow these issues to progress during my mandate.
If you could change one thing in the Cree Nation today, what would it be?
The Cree Nation is stronger today than it has ever been. The communities are building up, the Crees are respected and admired throughout Canada, and new opportunities are pointing on the horizon.
However, over the past few decades there has been a loss of some of our traditional values, families are not as united as in the past, and social family problems have increased. If there was one thing I could change, it would be to reinforce in the communities the traditional Cree values, and this I believe would go a long way in solving the social problems some of our people are facing.
What are the three most important things you hope to accomplish in your term?
I intend to continue my lifetime commitment to the defence of our rights and the protection of our culture, language and traditional way of life. This is why I decided to get involved in the Grand Council, and this is what I intend to continue pursuing as Grand Chief.
I also intend to improve the social conditions in our communities. Through new employment opportunities for our youth, new programs for our trappers and by developing new opportunities in wind energy, we can improve these conditions. I am already working towards new concrete measures to accomplish this.
I will also work to set up the new Cree Nation government in order to ensure that the Cree people better control their destiny and have more responsive and accountable institutions. I have succeeded in setting up the process that will achieve this, and I am confident this process can be completed within the next mandate if I receive the support of the Cree people to continue these important discussions.
What makes you proud to be Cree?
Our tradition of respect for others, the unity we have achieved as a Nation through the Grand Council, the fact that we believe in ourselves, our capacity to sacrifice our individual needs for the better of the Nation as a whole, and our long-term vision as a Nation are some of the things that make me proud to be Cree.
Matthew Mukash
For Grand Chief
Why are you the best candidate for Grand Chief?
I strongly believe in developing a common vision and common goals in all aspects of our governance to maintain a resilient and united Cree Nation. I saw the strength of Cree unity when the Cree Nation opposed the proposed Great Whale River Hydroelectric Project. I was one of the key players in this effort. It was an effort that put the Cree Nation on the international political map, and during this period, the wisdom of our Elders and the vibrant energy of the youth proved to be the greatest source of our strength. My personal involvement in this effort as leader, as well as my cultural background and the level of education that I was able to attain to date with success, gives me the confidence to lead the Cree Nation into a better tomorrow.
In your opinion, what is the single most important issue facing the Cree Nation today?
Disenfranchisement, or the feeling of helplessness, is one of the single most important issues facing the Cree Nation today. I have listened to many people during this campaign, as they spoke about the difficult challenges that exist in their respective communities: youth suicides, housing, threats to the environment, contamination from mining and forestry, inadequate resources in policing and social services, youth protection, increase of sport hunting, and the lack of control of what goes on in our homeland. To effectively address these issues, I feel that we need to ensure the development of a common vision that would establish a process of empowerment, so as to foster the involvement and meaningful participation of youth, women, men and Elders in the areas of concern.
If you could change one thing in the Cree Nation today, what would it be?
Many people that I have talked to in this campaign are concerned about the inaccessibility of the Cree leadership. Bringing the leadership home is one of my goals if I get elected. Within the first year of my term, I will seek a mandate from the Cree Nation move the Office of the Grand Chief closer to Cree homeland. Only in the Cree world does the leadership live outside of their homeland in which they were elected, and that must change to be more accessible to the people.
What are the three most important things you hope to accomplish in your term?
There are more than three things that I would like to accomplish in four years. But the three that most important ones to me are: the development of a comprehensive economic development plan for the future, the cleaning up of the Ouje-Bougoumou contamination site and the finalization and enactment of the Cree Constitution.
Once elected, I will secure a mandate from the Cree Nation to approach Harvard University, an institution that has been conducting strategic studies on economic development of Aboriginal communities in the United States and Canada for about 17 years, to do a similar study for the Crees. This kind of study is needed in order to fully pursue the economic potential that exists with our society and within our homeland. We need to promote what is called de facto sovereignty or the nation building approach to socioeconomic development. To me, this is the most viable solution to promoting employment and economic growth over the long-term. Wind energy is one of the most important renewable resources to which we never up our rights, which will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the Cree Nation in the future. Imagine the possibilities in terms of employment, sustainable and sound economic growth!
With respect to the Ouje-Bougoumou contamination issue, I will seek a mandate to immediately begin negotiations with the parties involved – the Federal Government, Quebec and the mining companies. I will also seek a mandate that calls for a thorough investigation into the matter.
And finally, of course, the Cree Constitution must be finalized and adopted by the Cree people, a Constitution that is acceptable first to the Cree people, and one that is consistent with existing principles and international law. This will bring a sense of hope, ownership, pride and dignity to the Cree people.
What makes you proud to be Cree?
I am proud to be Cree for many reasons. I am proud of the fact that our language is still very strong and our culture still flourishing and vibrant, and that many of our people still actively pursue the traditional way of life on the land. All the achievements of the Cree Nation to date are the result of this fact. I am very proud to see educated Crees with degrees in law, engineering, medicine, social work and so forth. I am also very proud to see Cree institutions, entities and companies such as Air Creebec, Cree Construction Company and many others, surviving in a very competitive market. I am more proud to know that, within about 40 years or more, our Nation has grown and evolved in to what it is today – one the most powerful of indigenous nations in the world!
Ashley Iserhoff
For Deputy Grand Chief
Why are you the best candidate for Deputy Grand Chief?
The situation in the Cree Nation has a lot of statistics that are much a concern to me and especially to young people. I’ve worked with young people in my community and throughout the Cree Nation for 17 years and my heart has been with them during that time.
I think it’s time for someone who’s been working with young people for a number of years to be part of getting them involved in the process of decision making and make progress with the Cree youth and to have a leader who will be there for them.
In order to bring hope to the people, they have to be involved and not excluded.
In your opinion, what is the single most important issue facing the Cree Nation today?
Right now I believe we have to come up with firm commitments from everyone to secure permanent positions in our communities. Economic development is a very important aspect for Cree people to live comfortably in terms of living in their homes and in the community. It also improves the social aspect of the community when people are stable with their positions.
If you could change one thing in the Cree Nation today, what would it be?
I think one thing I would change is to have every age group to be involved with the way we govern ourselves. In the past if you compare it to the life when we used to live off the land, everyone had a very important role to play in the camp. The Elders had an importance to play to bring food or to have peace in the camp area.
The women had a responsibility too, making sure everyone was dressed properly and that the children and her husband and family were doing well. The child had a responsibility to be part of the camp.
When you’re in the bush it’s a different lifestyle, everyone has an important responsibility to play. That’s one of the things that we have to bring back, to get everyone involved and make our communities healthier and create the map for the future.
What are the three most important things you hope to accomplish in your term?
Whatever office I go into it’s not just one person who does anything it’s people. In order to make change happen I think we need people to be a part of the process and solutions for the Cree Nation regarding what’s going on in the communities.
We have to have everyone involved and I think that’s what is different in my campaign, in my experience with the young I believe that they have the answers to what’s going on with them. I think we have to have them and our Elders involved at all times. The Elders have to bring back the spirit of what a family is.
The Residential school legacy is a big issue. As I said before, economic and social issues are very important and we need to find meaningful permanent positions within our communities.
It’s good to have jobs elsewhere, but keeping them on the territory keeps families together. Establishing businesses in the communities is a much healthier environment for our children.
What makes you proud to be Cree?
Throughout my past experience as Deputy Chief, as a councilor and as Youth Grand Chief, I got a chance to travel around the world speaking at different assemblies or conferences and one of the big differences between the Cree Nation and other Nations is many have lost their languages. When I come home to the Cree Nation I see 99% of our people still speaking Cree. We don’t just talk about our culture, we still practice it and we still live off the land and that’s one thing that makes me really proud to know that we still live that life and still speak our language and practice our culture.
Losty Mamianskum
For Deputy Grand Chief
Why are you the best candidate for Deputy Grand Chief?
My grandparents’ teachings, my university education, work history and life experiences are the basis for my approach to issues affecting our Nation. Hard work with no shortcuts got me where I am today; sometimes holding jobs that some feel are beneath them. After university, as a communications officer, I helped one person at a time in my community. Today, I am an advisor and negotiator.
My past experiences are not that different from other Crees.
I understand how it feels to be looked down upon, with little hope. Alcohol abuse brought me suffering, but 16 years of sobriety have instilled strength and compassion, sensitizing me to our social problems. I have earned the respect of many people. For four years now, representing Quebec’s Aboriginal Peoples, I am one of RCMP Commissioner Zaccardelli’s advisors for policing matters on the National Committee. I spoke at the Quebec judges’ conference last year, and I am invited back this year. I know Chief Justice Gagnon very well. Education gives us access to those in power, leading to awareness and greater understanding, toward respectful co-existence. Developing exceptional relationships with governments serves to protect and defend our rights without compromising our people’s needs, values and aspirations.
In your opinion, what is the single most important issue facing the Cree Nation today?
There is no single most important issue facing the Cree Nation. There are many complex issues and they do not have simple solutions. I believe the social issues affecting our youth are among the most important. After all, the youth are our most important resource because they are our future. Many of these problems require local level initiatives because every community is different. Politicians can talk about what they will do for the youth, what they will put in place. But, all these are ineffective if the youth themselves do not have a say. In a special forum, we will listen and apply what they tell us to put a system in place with proper financial resources. I believe that children and youth need structured activities like weekend and after-school programs that will instill self-confidence. To give them a sense of security, we must entrench our cultural identity, our values, in a government structured with appropriate jurisdiction, powers and authority giving us more control over our lives and Eeyou Istchee. We are susceptible to external influences until this happens. This is an important element in empowering our youth. There are other very important issues that I could mention.
If you could change one thing in the Cree Nation today, what would it be?
I would change the apathy (lack of active interest or involvement) that exists everywhere. This is not the fault of any particular person or group. I believe that we can change this over the long-term. It will require much education and awareness. There was a vision created over 30 years ago, based on Cree values. Once people begin to see their role in this broader vision of the Cree Nation, and the opportunities available to them, they can contribute to positive change. I believe we can turn apathy into empowerment, and positive change and move forward to a brighter future. Please check my web site (www.losty.ca) where I give a message to the people explaining the vision I am referring to.
What are the three most important things you hope to accomplish in your term?
I will work on justice, Section 18 of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. The Crees would be much better off to have control over their own justice system rooted in traditional Cree values. Restorative justice and other measures geared toward wellness could be established. Crees could become probation officers, court clerks, defense lawyers, crown attorneys, justice coordinators, mediators, guards, and more. Secondly, my social background sensitizes me to the plight of the youth, women, men, children and elderly. If I am elected, I will accept invitations to speak on social issues, such as addictions, domestic violence, and individual rights. It is time for leaders to become role models. Sometimes, a few words of inspiration from leaders who care can steer people in a more positive direction. Finally, if Cree self-government negotiations succeed, I will participate in the framing of a Cree Constitution. I want to ensure that individual and collective rights are balanced, and freedoms and liberty are firmly entrenched. I want to contribute to something that will make our descendants proud; an evolving Cree society that is strong in its cultural identity, promotes freedom, happiness, growth, progress and economic prosperity.
What makes you proud to be a Cree?
What really makes me proud is the achievements and progress that we have made together, as a Nation, in the last 30 years. The Cree people have always chosen their leaders well. Even when other First Nations criticized them for the actions they took to protect and defend our way of life and Eeyou Istchee, our leaders always did what was best for us.
I think that sometimes we focus too much on what we perceive to be wrong around us and not enough on what we have to be thankful for. It seems, these days, that the only people who understand our successes are our Elders. It was they who had the original vision for a better future for us, our children, grandchildren and our descendants.
There is a better future ahead of us!
