Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority
Annual General Assembly
Resolution 2013-08: Joint Special General Assembly between GCCEI/CRA and Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay
WHEREAS, the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Regional Authority 39th/36th Annual General Assembly have received a report from the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay and consider that more time is required to address the administration of health and social services in Eeyou Istchee;
IT IS RESOLVED
THAT the members of the 2013 Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority General Assembly hereby mandate the Board/Council of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority to examine the need and call for a joint Special General Assembly with the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay.
Carried: August 8, 2013
Resolution 2013-09: Request for an Official CWEIA Representation on the GCCEI/CRA Council/Board
WHEREAS, the Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association (CWEIA), is a sole organization within Eeyou Istchee dedicated to advocating for Cree women’s issues, interests and their well-being;
WHEREAS, the CWEIA is a non-profit organization that was legally constituted on January 28, 2009;
WHEREAS, as a new organization CWEIA continuously seeks sufficient funds to sustain its vision and mandate for all Cree women, girls and children in Eeyou Istchee;
WHEREAS, with a total population of approximately 18,000 beneficiary Crees living on and outside Cree communities CWEIA strives to work to improve the lives in the Cree communities and urban centres that include Whapmagoostui, Chisasibi, Wemindji, Eastmain, Waskaganish, Nemaska, Waswanipi, Oujé-Bougoumou, Mistissini, Washaw-Sibi, and surrounding urban centres, such as Senneterre, Chibougamau and Val-d’Or;
WHEREAS, through advocacy, education and awareness promotions the CWEIA focuses on ensuring social justice and social equity for all Cree women who have been marginalized while the Cree communities have continued to grow and develop over the past few decades;
WHEREAS, CWEIA promotes Cree women’s engagement in the development and delivery of programs promoting equal opportunities in areas such as politics, economic development, health promotion, self-awareness and education;
WHEREAS, more specifically, the CWEIA strives to increase its organizational capacity to provide consistent quality services and program opportunities to all Cree women and their families living in Eeyou Istchee and surrounding areas;
WHEREAS, in order for CWEIA to meet its stated goals and objectives, it must be allowed to play an important role in decision-making process;
WHEREAS, CWEIA must be given an opportunity to have a bigger voice in Nation Building and in the development of Cree Nation Governance, and capacity building for Cree women;
BE IT RESOLOVED.
THAT, the delegates of the 2013 GCCEI/CRA Annual General Assembly recognize and acknowledge the important role that CWEIA plays in Cree society in nation building and capacity building in Cree governance, and the importance of having an increased role in Cree Nation decision-making process;
THAT, the delegates of the 2013 GCCEI/CRA Annual General Assembly request and mandate the Grand Chief and the Council/Board of the GCCEL/CRA to amend their respective compositions to allow a CWEIA representative to have an official seat on the Council/Board as soon as expediently possible;
THAT the members of the 2013 Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority Annual General Assembly hereby mandate the Grand Chief and the Council/Board of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried: August 8, 2013
Resolution 2013-10: Request for a joint Special General Assembly between GCCEI/CRA and CWEIA
WHEREAS, the CWEIA advocates to bettering the lives of all Cree women and will strive to work towards developing programs and services for approximately 10,000 women and children.
WHEREAS, CWEIA’s main purpose is to decrease violence in all Cree communities by delivering anti-violence campaigns at the local levels and to increase awareness of opportunities available to Cree women in business, entrepreneurship, training and education.
WHEREAS, CWEIA requests more political support from the Grand Chief and Cree Chiefs to promote and achieve its goals and objectives for Cree women of Eeyou Istchee;
BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT the members of the 2013 Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority General Assembly further request that the CWEIA and Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority, work closely together on addressing the important issues that affect Cree women of Eeyou Istchee;
THAT the members of the 2013 Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority Annual General Assembly hereby mandate the Council Board of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority to provide political support necessary and for the CWEIA to seek funds for a joint Special General Assembly on issues that affect Cree women of Eeyou Istchee;
THAT the members of the 2013 Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority Annual General Assembly hereby mandate the Council/Board of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Carried: August 8, 2013
Resolution 2013-11: Cree Development Corporation
WHEREAS Section 8.10 of the Paix des Braves is explicit in the mandate of the Cree Development Corporation is the economic and community development of the James Bay Cree’s, promoting job creation, partnerships in economic development, business development and diversification;
WHEREAS the Cree Development Corporation is required to play a central role in a Cree Nation inclusive economic development strategy;
WHEREAS an urgent need is growing for the job creation and economic development throughout the Cree Nation and the CDC is required immediately for the Cree Nation to strategically pool and leverage resources to these present and growing critical needs;
WHEREAS Council/Board resolution 2011-07, February 3, 2011 supports the establishment of the Cree Development Corporation;
WHEREAS Council/Board resolution 2012-51, December 13, 2012 supports the establishment of the Cree Development Corporation;
WHEREAS existing economic development structures are unable to meet the needs and the time for discussion and consultation has passed and action is required;
IT IS RESOLVED
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Regional Authority 39th/36th Annual General Assembly hereby herby authorizes and instructs Grand Chief Dr. Matthew Coon Come, Deputy Grand Chief Rodney Mark and the Implementation Manager to implement without delay a detailed plan for the establishment of the Cree Development Corporation which should include details on:
• The Capitalization of the Corporation
• The identification and transfer of assets
• The identification of corporate organization
• The identification of the share structure to ensure the maximization of profit and ensure the distribution of the benefits and business and employment opportunities created in a consistent and equitable manner to the Cree Nation
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Regional Authority 39th/36th Annual General Assembly further authorizes and directs Grand Chief Dr. Matthew Coon Come to take such measures as may be necessary or useful to the give effect to this resolution.
Carried: August 8, 2013
Resolution 2013-11: Indian Residential Schools
WHEREAS the governments of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut have joined forces to create a mandatory curriculum for high school students to learn the legacy and history of residential schools;
WHEREAS in regards to the curriculum the Minister of Education of the Northwest Territories has stated that, “The learning activities in this unit are built on the voices and the stories of the former residential school students and others… they did this disregarding the pain and grief it caused them personally, because they wanted us to know.”
WHEREAS there is no mandatory or elective curriculum in Quebec or Eeyou Istchee in regards to the legacy and history of residential schools.
IT IS RESOLVED
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority 39th/36th Annual General Assembly hereby mandate the Cree School Board to develop and implement in the schools under its jurisdiction curriculum for senior secondary school students to learn of the legacy and history of residential schools;
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority 39th/36th Annual General Assembly hereby mandate the Grand Chief, Deputy Grand Chief and or Director of Quebec Relations to lobby the Government of Quebec to follow the example of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories in the development and implementation of curriculum for senior secondary school students to learn of the legacy and history of residential schools.
Carried: August 8, 2013
Resolution 2013-13: Extension of deadlines related to the process of the compensation payments related to Indian Residential Schools
WHEREAS a class action suit was initiated and settlement reached for all First Nation community members who suffered through the Indian Residential School system;
WHEREAS the Indian Residential School settlement called for the payments in two categories, first as a Common Experience Payment “CEP” and second the Independent Assessment Process “IAP”;
WHEREAS some members of the Cree Nation did not receive compensation for all the years spent in residential school;
WHEREAS some members did not receive all the information therefore they were unable to fully understand the procedures for the processes;
WHEREAS there was not enough time to bring more awareness to the Cree public regarding the CEP and IAP
WHEREAS the people who experienced severe trauma during the stay in these institutions had difficulty to talk about abuses as it can be similar to reliving the experience;
WHEREAS some members of the Cree Nation still live with fear of foreign institutions like the schools which is itself a barrier to them completing the necessary forms;
WHEREAS members of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi have tabled a petition signed by 256 community members calling for an extension of the deadlines that were imposed in regards to applying for compensation due to the Indian Residential School experience;
IT IS RESOLVED
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority 39th/36th Annual General Assembly hereby mandate the Grand Chief and or Deputy Grand Chief to request from the appropriate authorities the extension of the deadlines that were imposed in regards to applying for compensation due to the Indian Residential School experience on humanitarian grounds.
Carried: August 8, 2013
Resolution 2013-14: Declaration of Non-Violence
WHEREAS during the 39th/36th Annual General Assembly of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Regional Authority members of the Cree Nation, representing youth, Elders, men, women and all segments of our communities walked to the meeting to raise awareness and seek commitments of Non-Violence;
WHEREAS the delegates of the 39th/36th Annual General Assembly of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Regional Authority, appreciated the message of Non-Violence and signed personal declarations for Non-Violence;
WHEREAS the effort to eliminate violence in our homes, communities and throughout Eeyou Istchee will ensure a bright and strong future for the children of Eeyou Istchee and the Cree Nation as a whole;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT, the delegates of the 39th/36th Annual General Assembly of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Regional Authority hereby make a declaration of Non-Violence and further mandate the Board/Council of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority to make a similar declaration and further direct the managers of the organization to identify concrete measures to bring actions to the Declaration of Non-Violence.
Carried: August 8, 2013
Resolution 2013-16: Land Selection for the Washaw Sibi Community
Whereas, previous General Assembly resolutions have been adopted which confirm support for the objectives of the Washaw Sibi Eeyou,
Whereas, previous General Assembly resolutions have been adopted which declare recognition of Washaw Sibi Eeyou as the tenth Cree First Nation,
Whereas, previous General Assembly resolutions have been adopted which call for the full integration of Washaw Sibi Eeyou into the Cree Nation and its various entities,
Whereas, the Washaw Sibi Eeyou have for several years been involved in activities related to the selection of a site for the future Washaw Sibi village taking into account various financial and other considerations provided by the Grand Council of the Crees,
Whereas, in April 2012, the Washaw Sibi Eeyou leadership was informed by representatives of the Grand Council of the Crees of the direction of negotiations related to the Cree Nation’s Governance Agreement with Quebec, and the importance of ensuring that all Cree communities be situated so as to participate in the anticipated new Regional Government,
Whereas, representatives of the Grand Council of the Crees urged the Washaw Sibi Eeyou to consider identifying a site for the future Washaw Sibi village north of the 49th parallel and within the Washaw Sibi traditional territory so that the Washaw Sibi Eeyou could participate in the future Regional Government,
Whereas, the Washaw Sibi Eeyou leadership presented the option to its membership of identifying a site for the future Washaw Sibi village north of the 49th parallel and within the Washaw Sibi traditional territory,
Whereas, the membership of the Washaw Sibi Eeyou, through a duly constituted community assembly, expressed its consent and willingness to identify a site for the future Washaw Sibi village north of the 49th parallel and within the Washaw Sibi traditional territory,
Whereas, a range of community consultations and technical studies have been undertaken to identify a site for the future Washaw Sibi village north of the 49th parallel and within the Washaw Sibi traditional territory,
Whereas, the completion of the work to identify a site for the future Washaw Sibi village is an urgent priority for the Washaw Sibi Eeyou,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That, the Annual General Assembly of the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee hereby supports the efforts on the part of the Washaw Sibi Eeyou to identify a site for the future Washaw Sibi village north of the 49th parallel and within the Washaw Sibi traditional territory,
That, the Annual General Assembly of the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee hereby directs the Grand Council of the Crees to continue to provide financial, technical and other assistance to the Washaw Sibi Eeyou to achieve the above-noted objective in accordance with funds previously set aside for such purposes,
That, the Annual General Assembly of the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee hereby directs the Executive Director and the Treasurer of the Grand Council of the Crees of Eeyou Istchee to undertake all required measures to give effect to the above,
That, the members of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istche)/ Cree Regional Authority 39th/36th Annual General Assembly hereby mandate the Board/Council and more specifically the Grand Chief and/or Deputy Grand Chief to assist, support and work with the Washaw Sibi Community in the formal land selection of their community, including the management of relations with the Government of Quebec, municipal governments and other First Nations.
Carried: August 8, 2013
Resolution 2013-16: Honorariums for Delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority Annual General Assemblies
Whereas the honorariums for delegates of the Annual General Assembly for many years has been established at one hundred dollars ($100.00);
Whereas it would be appropriate to examine an increase in the honorarium payable to official delegates of the Assembly of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
That the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Regional Authority 39th/36th Annual General Assembly hereby authorize the Board/Council of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority to increase the honorarium due to the delegates of the Annual General Assemblies of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Regional Authority to two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00).
Carried: August 8, 2013
