ARTICLES BY Joshua Grant

Outrage over wasted caribou

“Oh my gosh, it was a complete disgrace,” said Nadia Saganash, describing her initial reaction to photos of caribou carcasses left to rot along the highway near Chisasibi. “It’s hard to look at, especially for Elders and community members; these are edible and consumable parts.” Saganash is the Wildlife Management Administrator ... read more ››

"Mr. Hockey: My Story" Book Review

Considered by no less than Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky as the greatest player to play professional hockey, Gordie Howe now offers his own take on his career, early life and the upbringing that produced the athlete known as “Mr. Hockey.” Born in Floral, Saskatchewan, Howe grew up in Saskatoon with ... read more ››

Special Assembly for Wildlife and Habitat

A special assembly in Chisasibi November 3-5 discussed wildlife and habitat issues in the James Bay region and heard about the Cree Nation Government’s vision for land use, marine habitat and protected areas in Eeyou Istchee. Isaac Voyageur, Director of Environment and Remedial Works and Regional Environment Administrator, told the Nation ... read more ››

Commemorating a hero – Monument honouring Shannen Koostachin unveiled in New Liskeard

It’s been a long three years in the making, but Jules Koostachin and her creative team have finally realized their goal of constructing a permanent monument to honour the life and legacy of Shannen Koostachin. Shannen’s parents, Jenny Nakogee and Andrew Koostachin, were on hand to unveil a beautiful bronze ... read more ››

Career Fair in Mistissini Highlights Future Opportunities in Eeyou Istchee

Cree Human Resource Development’s annual career fair continues to grow every year. The event’s 8th edition saw new exhibitors, increased attendance, its first-ever live online stream and an evening gala featuring some of the James Bay’s finest artists. Taking place at the Neoweskau Sports Complex in Mistissini October 21-22, the event ... read more ››

What the federal election means for First Nations

by Xavier Kataquapit Now that he is in power, the big question is what a majority Liberal government headed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will really mean for First Nations across the country. The good news is that out of 18 Indigenous candidates the Liberals put forth, eight won seats. The ... read more ››

Waswanipi and Greenpeace launch Broadback petition

Waswanipi and Greenpeace are launching an online petition to gather international support against further logging of the Broadback River Valley, the last untouched region in the community’s territory. The two worked together to create the website www.savethebroadback.ca, which hosts a video filmed inside the community that urges the Quebec government to ... read more ››

The Apatisiiwin Agreement with Hydro-Québec nears its end

Eleven years after the Apatisiiwin Agreement between Hydro-Québec and the James Bay Cree was reached, the final cohorts of the Technical Employment with Hydro-Québec (TEHQ) program have begun their two-year training programs. This last group of prospective employees have exactly two years to complete their studies in automated systems electro-mechanics at ... read more ››

Annual march for missing and murdered Indigenous women sparks hope and anger

The 10th annual march for missing and murdered Indigenous women in Montreal October 4 was an emotional affair. Organized by the Missing Justice Collective and the Montreal Centre for Gender Advocacy, the event saw close to a thousand people gather in Cabot Square before walking down Sainte-Catherine street to Phillips ... read more ››

Nemaska Lithium Inc. receives federal and provincial approval for Whabouchi mining project

(Left to Right) Luc Blanchette Mining Minister, Guy Bourassa, President and General Director of Nemaska Lithium, Pierre Arcand, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and le Plan Nord, Grand Chief Matthew Coon-Come, Greg Jolly, Deputy Chief of the Nemeska Cree Nation, Steve Gamache, Mayor of Chapais After permit applications, relationship building, ... read more ››

Hockey Camp of Hope helps First Nations youth

“Bringing hope to our communities through the game of hockey.” This is the slogan for Brenden Biedermann’s Hockey Camp of Hope (HCH), a professional hockey camp founded by Biedermann and his friend David Cheechoo. The two both experienced first-hand the obstacles faced by First Nations youth growing up in difficult situations ... read more ››

Cree sniper overcomes life obstacles on way to QMJHL

Another athlete from Eeyou Istchee is making waves in the competitive hockey world. This time it’s 16-year-old Adam Cheezo, who was born in Mistissini and grew up in Eastmain. Cheezo was drafted by the Val-d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League June 6 and recently cracked the team’s ... read more ››

Osheaga 2015 knocks it out of the park

Another crazy weekend at Montreal’s Osheaga music festival came and went from July 31 to August 2 as Evenko celebrated the 10th anniversary in Parc Jean-Drapeau, where the event has grown into one of the biggest, most diverse musical experiences in Canada. Star-struck teenagers, flower princesses, care-free hippies, unabashed “bros”, ... read more ››

Romeo Saganash wants to mobilize the Aboriginal vote for federal election

MP Romeo Saganash marked the unofficial launch of his re-election campaign with a cocktail party and fundraiser July 6 in the Old Port of Montreal. Joined by New Democratic Party leader Tom Mulcair, Saganash said he intends to mobilize First Nations voters across Canada to turn out in large numbers ... read more ››

Oujé-Bougoumou signs agreements with Chibougamau and Chapais

Chief Reggie Neeposh and the Nation of Oujé-Bougoumou took another step forward in affirming the role of Eeyou Istchee as stewards of the land and protectors of the environment on June 15. Neeposh signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Mayors Manon Cyr of Chibougamau and Steve Gamache from Chapais, marking ... read more ››

Sequins store trashed in Nemaska break-in

Clarence Shecapio arrived to an unpleasant surprise when he opened the door to Sequins, the Nemaska convenience and grocery store he owns with his wife Cindy Coonishish. Sometime between midnight and 5 am on May 23, the back window was smashed and a variety of groceries and packaged goods were ... read more ››

Waswanipi launches free breakfast program

Michel Awashish and his friend Waka Hughes – affectionately known as Doctor Waka Waka – recently launched a free breakfast program for Waswanipi schoolchildren in association with the Breakfast Club of Canada. With the help of the local band council and community volunteers the two men have finally realized their dream ... read more ››

Snow racers blast cross-country in James Bay

The last couple weekends have been busy for snowmobile enthusiasts in the James Bay region with two major cross-country races: one as part of the Festival Folifrets in Chibougamau on February 26 and the annual Mistissini Cross-Country on March 6-8. The 49th edition of the Folifrets Festival and its cross-country snowmobile ... read more ››

Montreal protest march brings new meaning to Valentine’s Day

Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, a grassroots Montreal campaign, shifted the focus of Valentine’s Day away from flowers and Hallmark cards this year to address the mistreatment, violence and disappearance of Native women across the country. Hundreds of supporters braved -30 temperatures during a march from Cabot Square down ... read more ››