Matthew Coon-Come called it the best general assembly he was ever at. New issues were discussed and emotions ran strong at this year’s General Assembly of the Grand Council of the Crees and the Cree Regional Authority (CRA). The assembly, held in Waskaganish, was organized under the theme “The Children, the Culture, the Land — Our Future.”
Much of it was devoted to discussion of social issues like sexual assault, violence against women and incest. Participants felt that open discussion of these issues was a first step toward healing.
Council members also passed several important resolutions, including one calling for a Cree Nation Gathering to determine
the “mission of the Cree Nation and establish the vision of the Cree Nation.” The assembly also characterized the poor state of the Chisasibi airstrip as “an emergency” and called on the governments of Quebec and Canada to finally come through with necessary funds. Following is a list of all the resolutions.
1. The assembly ratified three items proposed by the Cree Trappers’ Association:
#138/93. A decline in the numbers of beaver on Cree traplines prompted the assembly to call for the study and implementation of a beaver relocation program. The decline has especially affected Whapmagoostui, Nemaska, Chisasibi and Mistissini.
#139/93. All levels of government were called on to weigh traditional Cree knowledge in their deliberations, just as they would nonnative scientific knowledge. Cree hunters, trappers and fishers were also asked to participate in future reviews of development projects.
#143/93. The CRA and Grand Council were mandated to certify the Cree Trappers’ Association Trapper Training Program, following stalling on the part of the Quebec Ministry of Education. A committee will be set up in conjunction with the Cree School Board to establish the certification procedure.
2. Chief Billy Diamond proposed a motion calling for a Cree Nation Gathering. “The Cree Nation has reached a crucial moment in its history where decisions must be made to ensure the survival of the Cree Nation, its traditions, values and way of life,” the resolution says. The Gathering will determine the “mission and vision” of the Cree nation. It will be organized by a Task Force of Cree Leaders and Cree Experts, which will prepare discussion papers and information packages for Crees.
The executive/executive committee of the Grand Council and CRA were mandated to consult every Cree community, Cree entities, the elders and youth to elaborate Cree goals.
3. The assembly ratified a resolution proposed by Chief Matthew Mukash and seconded by John Petagumskum to reaffirm “united opposition” to the proposed Great Whale project. The Grand Council was mandated to “do all things necessary to ensure the cancellation” of the project. Waskaganish abstained. The resolution has been passed every year since 1989.
4. Chief Matthew Mukash proposed another motion calling on the Grand Council and the Cree Regional Authority to extend their “total and complete moral support” to the Special Traditional Gathering to be held at the mouth of the Great Whale River next summer and in subsequent years. All Crees and Cree entities were encouraged to participate.
5. The Grand Council and CRA were mandated to “fully support” the efforts of the Cree nation of Chisasibi to secure funding in order to provide proper facilities for the airstrip in Chisasibi. Currently, the airstrip has neither shelter, lighting or control tower and progress has been negligible in obtaining government funds to rectify the situation. The assembly characterized the situation as “an emergency” and called on Quebec and Ottawa to act immediately.
6. The Cree School Board was asked to coordinate the upcoming Conference on Education in conjunction with the director-general of the CRA.
7. The assembly voted to hold Special General Assembly on Justice and Public Security in the 1994-95 fiscal year. Financing will be sought from Ottawa and Quebec.
8. A resolution called for immediate “emergency measures” to help the Innu of Davis Inlet relocate and “find adequate social, economic and living conditions.”
9. The Grand Council and CRA were asked to prepare a list of all resolutions passed since the two bodies were formed.
10. The assembly called on Pope John Paul II to”walk with the Indigenous Nations and Peoples on the sacred path toward the healing of historical guilt, grief and shame.” The Pope was also asked to revoke the 1493 Inter- Cetera Bull and return all artifacts, traditional and sacred objects taken from the Cree Nation and other indigenous nations by the Catholic Church.
11. The assembly directed the Board of Compensation, the James Bay Eeyou Companee and Cree entitites to review and consider revisions in their allocation policies and cost-of-living indexation in the respective communities. The Grand Council was also directed to start talks with Ottawa and Quebec to provide adequate subsidies for transportation of goods and construction material to the North. This resolution was passed following concerns that several First Nations, among them Whapmagoostui, experience a higher cost of living due to expensive transportation costs.
12. The next general assembly will be held in Eastmain.
