EASTMAIN is breaking new trails on old hunting grounds.
At Eastmain’s Local Annual General Assembly, two resolutions were passed that deal with traplines and the traditional role of the tallyman. This is the first time that the tallymen have been officially recognized in Band resolutions.
The resolutions lay out the rules and regulations for the users of Eastmain traplines and also concern poaching on the traplines.
Band secretary Redfern Mark-Stewart talked to The Nation about these two resolutions.
“People were disturbing the wildlife management of the trapline. Our band members were concerned and wanted a stop put to it,” said Redfern.
Redfern said the resolutions apply to everyone, whether they are Native or not. They also apply to people not living in Eastmain and will apply to Hydro-Quebec.
The Hydro-Quebec connection is the scientists who study the James Bay region. They fish, trap and hunt for samples in Cree traplines. Now, they will have to inform the appropiate tallymen before harvesting samples.
“These were the wishes of the Eastmain First Nations members,” said Redfern. “The resolutions were made locally but we’d like to see them carried out at a regional level also.
“I hope this works out. In a year, we expect full compliance with the wishes of our members. In the old days these types of resolutions were not necessary, but today people break the rules. That’s why these resolutions were passed—to show respect and to honour the traditional role of the tallyman.”
Concerning rules and regulations imposed on the users of the Eastmain traplines
Resolution#: 1994/95-23 Proposed by: George W. Gilpin Seconded by: Luke Tomatuk Action: Carried
WHEREAS the Members of the Cree Nation of Eastmain having met at Eastmain, Quebec this 31st day of August, 1994;
WHEREAS the Tallymen have always been considered the rulers in charge of their individual traplines thereby ensuring the protection of the users of the trapline as well as the survival of the waterfowl and all species of wildlife;
WHEREAS the Crees have always, traditionally, respected the commands and instructions given by a Tallyman in respect to his trapline and have always requested permission to hunt and to use the resources of a trapline from the Tallyman to which it belonged;
WHEREAS the Tallymen of the Eastmain
Cree traditional territory have brought to the attention of the Council and Members of the Cree Nation of Eastmain their concerns with the constant depletion of their traplines and threats to the survival of the waterfowl and other species of wildlife by the destruction of the feeding grounds of those species;
WHEREAS the Tallymen of the Eastmain Cree traditional territory have realized in the last few years that the rules of the Tallymen are sometimes disregarded due to the rapidly declining retention of the Cree traditional way of life;
WHEREAS the Members of the Cree Nation of Eastmain recognize the importance of the commitment to and respect of the Cree way of life and the Cree traditions, particulary with regards to the Tallyman and the survival of the species;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED:
THAT the Members of the Cree Nation of Eastmain hereby recognize the fundamental role of the Tallymen as protectors of the land and the rulers of the traplines on the Eastmain traditional territory;
THAT the Members of the Cree Nation of Eastmain demand that all users of the traplines located in the Eastmain traditional territory specifically notify the Tallymen in charge of the respective trapline of their intention to venture into a definite trapline in order to hunt, trap or fish in this trapline; such entry as well as the time spent in his trapline shall be approved by the Tallyman prior to departure of the users for the trapline;
THAT the Members of the Cree Nation of Eastmain recognize the importance of the rules and regulations imposed by the Tallyman with regards to the use of the trapline and hereby demand that such rules and regulations be totally and unequivocally respected by all users of the traplines;
THAT the Members of the Cree Nation of Eastmain also recognize the importance of imposing rules and regulations specifically addressed to protect the feeding grounds of the waterfowl and species and for that specific purpose specifically demand that all rules imposed by the Tallyman preventing the use of mechanical contraptions (such as skidoos, four-wheelers, etc.) and the collection of all garbage be strictly abided by all users of the traplines located in the Eastmain Cree traditional territory;
THAT the Members of the Cree Nation of Eastmain have agreed to the Fall Goose Hunt commencing on September 15,1994; however the Members of the Cree Nation of Eastmain also recognize the authority of the individual Tallyman to allow the opening of his trapline prior to that date or at a subsequent date due to specific conditions and location of his trapline;
THAT the Members of the Cree Nation of Eastmain demand that all users of the traplines located in the Eastmain Cree traditional territory receive permission from the Tallymen in respect of the allocation of the species to be hunted and/or trapped prior to the killing of these waterfowl species or wildlife animals;
THAT the Members of the Cree Nation of Eastmain agree that all rules and regulations imposed by the Tallymen be mandatory and failure to obey these rules and regulations may result in the immediate expulsion of the users from the trapline;
THAT the Eastmain Cree Trappers Association be and is hereby requested to do all action necessary to give effect to this resolution.
Concerning the poaching on the traplines
Resolution No.: 1994/95-13 Proposed by: Sinclair Moses Seconded by: Charlie Mayappo Action: Carried
WHEREAS the Tallymen have always been considered the rulers in charge of their individual traplines;
WHEREAS the Crees have always respected the commands and instructions given by a Tallyman in respect to his trapline and have always requested permission to hunt and to use the resources of a trapline from the Tallyman to which it belonged;
WHEREAS the Tallymen of the Eastmain Cree traditional territory have brought to the attention of the Members of the 1994 4th Local Annual General Assembly the problems they are encountering in their traplines which are
being depleted by hunters and trappers from other communities who are using the trapline without first requesting permission from the Tallymen;
WHEREAS the Members of the 1994 4th Local Annual General Assembly deem it appropiate to communicate with the Cree Trappers Association as well as Tallymen from other communities to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to preserve the traplines;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED:
THAT the Members of the 1994 4th Local Annual General Assembly request that a letter be sent on behalf of the Eastmain Tallymen to the Cree T rappers Association, to the Local Cree Trappers Association Committee of the other eight communities
as well to each Tallyman of the Cree traditional territory informing them of the concerns of the Eastmain Tallymen for the unauthorized use of thier traplines;
THAT this letter also specify that any user of the traplines must first request the permission of the Tallymen, in respect of the Cree traditions;
THAT the Chairman of the Cree Trappers Association, Mr. Edward I. Gilpin Jr., be requested to table this letter at the next Annual General Assembly of the Cree Trappers Association;
THAT Chief Kenneth Gilpin be requested to send this letter on behalf of the Eastmain Tallymen and do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution;
THAT Chief Kenneth Gilpin be requested to report on this matter at the 1995 5th Local Annual General Assembly.
