ARTICLES BY Steve Bonspiel

Chief involved in brawl

Eastmain’s newly elected Chief could be in serious trouble after being accused of attacking a Chisasibi man after a heated political discussion. Eastmain Chief Lloyd Mayappo and Chisasibi resident Lindy Moar were having a lively political debate at the l’Escale Motel in Val d’Or November 25 when things got out of ... read more ››

Chisasibi Anglicans move to ordain Deacons, Priests – Congregation wants more Crees to run local church

They just weren’t going to wait any longer. A group of Chisasibi Anglicans hoping to see more Cree priests and deacons in their church is forcing the archbishop’s hand. “It’s very important because it’s been a long time since any native people have been through the process that we’re going through ... read more ››

Cree models a hit at Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards

Guess what Cree Nation? You’re beautiful and you should flaunt it! That’s the message Whapmagoostui’s Sarah Meloche-Masty is sending to people all over Eeyou Istchee after her first modeling shoot was a huge success in Toronto for the Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards – held November 25-27. “I didn’t know what to expect,” ... read more ››

‘We haven’t been paid in three months’ Nemaska forestry workers say Ted Moses’ company giving them a run around

A crew of forestry workers from Nemaska is wondering why they haven’t been paid for three months after they helped clear brush from 10 hectares of Ted Moses’ trapline for the new EM-1 hydroelectric project. Neil Wapachee, the crew leader for 14 Nemaska “slashers,” says the workers keep getting the run ... read more ››

Cree Nation youth go on long trek to Ottawa

The Cree Nation has had a presence in Ottawa for quite some time now. The Grand Council office is located there, Cree students live in and around the area while attending school and a number of Cree youth are making the trek to see the Ottawa Renegades an annual rite ... read more ››

The Nation’s dirty dozen

The Nation magazine has been around for 12 strong years. Next year we’ll be teenagers and already looking forward to when we’re considered mature young adults. We’ve come a long way as the Cree Nation’s first (and only) pan-Eeyou Istchee news mag. We have been called many things over the years but ... read more ››

Diabetes profile: Alan Neacappo

Diabetes in Eeyou Istchee is at epidemic proportions. Recently the Nation had a chance to talk to Alan Neacappo and his struggle with the disease. Alan Neacappo is the Local Administrator for the Cree Hunters and Trappers Income Security Program in Chisasibi. He is 60 years old, single with no kids. “I ... read more ››

Feds Drop the Ball in Kashechewan Water Crisis

The federal government should be ashamed. After taking the Kashechewan people on a roller coaster ride that has resulted in a game of aquatic Russian roulette and disease, is death far behind? For those who don’t have television, internet, radio or a pulse, the community of Kashechewan on the west coast ... read more ››

Kashechewan Evacuated, Promised New Community

The beleaguered community of Kashechewan on the western coast of James Bay has been hard-hit by a recent water crisis and has been promised a new community by the befuddled federal government. Indian Affairs Minister Andy Scott announced October 27 that the federal government plans to build 50 new houses a ... read more ››

Chisasibi Truckers Blockade Non-Native Haulers

Chisasibi construction workers set up a blockade November 1 to prevent two non-native truck drivers from exiting the local gravel pit in a protest against what they called unfair hiring practices by Chee Bee Cree Construction. “We got over a hundred signatures to petition against the truckers,” said local truck driver ... read more ››

Montreal’s Modified Car Show – Pimp My Ride, Sure But No Police Lights Allowed!

Montreal’s salon de l’auto modifiée name was, as usual, a big hit this year. With tripped-out Hummers and hyped-up Civics, the show attracted people from all walks of life – and plenty of beautiful “car girls.” Olympic Stadium was home to over 200 cars from October 14-16, which was a welcome site ... read more ››

One More River Nominated for Gemini

Rezolution Pictures’ compelling and controversial film documentary, One More River, has been nominated for a Gemini Award. The film will be competing for the Donald Brittain Award for the Best Social/Political Documentary Program. The Gemini Awards, which recognize the best in Canadian Television, will air November 19 on Global TV at ... read more ››

Beware of Ghosts, Goblins and Ghouls!

From its early Celtic beginnings to the present-day ritual of dressing up as a blood-sucking vampire or a cackling witch -all in a quest for sweet tooth-numbing candy – Halloween has come a long way. The word itself actually has its origins in the Catholic Church, according to the website wilstar.com. ... read more ››

Nemaska Loses a Fighter

I lost a friend the other day, a friend that everyone in Eeyou Istchee should know about. Maggie Minister was a loveable lady from Nemaska who underwent a bilateral lung transplant in Montreal last March, and sadly, passed away on October 2. I was shocked when I heard the news, and as ... read more ››

The Washaw Sibi Struggle Continues…

Washaw Sibi met with Members of Parliament and the new Grand Chief recently to clarify their issues and demands and push for a solid separate identity. “We want to resolve our long standing issues, and it’s certainly been a long time coming,” said Washaw Sibi councillor Kenneth Weistche. He and his wife ... read more ››

The People of MoCreebec Speak Out – Much Has Been Said About the “Outsiders,” Now It’s Their Turn to Talk

The people of MoCreebec have been called outsiders, left out of numerous elections for their own Grand Chief for years and kicked around by Ottawa and Quebec. Now they want everyone in Eeyou Istchee to know how they feel about it all. Their bloodlines run through the communities of Wemindji, Waskaganish ... read more ››

A New Leader for Eeyou Istchee – Mukash Wins Solid Victory; Promises Democratic Decision-Making

The people have spoken. After six years under the leadership of Ted Moses, the Grand Council of the Crees – and the people of Eeyou Istchee – will look to a new era of cooperation, new ideas and perhaps most importantly, change. Whapmagoostui’s Matthew Mukash and Mistissini’s Ashley Iserhoff were elected to ... read more ››

What’s Next for Ted Moses? – With a Wealth of Experience, Defeated Grand Chief Could Write His Own Ticket

After nine years and two consecutive terms as Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees, Ted Moses is turning the page to another chapter in life and his career. Under what title or working with whom? No one yet knows, but it’s clear that Moses has an enviable CV ... read more ››

Because French-Language Pre-K is a Huge Success: Mistissini Launches English Pre-K

Success can be measured in many ways and Mistissini’s Voyageur Memorial School is hoping that their success rate will climb, thanks to French and English pre-Kindergarten programs that has children as young as 4 attending school full time. The French program started two years ago and is now seeing its graduates ... read more ››

No Clear Winner in Grand Council Elections – Grand Chief, Deputy, To Be Decided September 15th

The August 31st election that saw seven candidates run for Deputy Grand Chief and four for Grand Chief ended in a stalemate – sort of. The fight for top dog saw Matthew Mukash come out on top, 43.2% to Ted Moses’ 31.9% of the popular vote. That wasn’t enough to secure a ... read more ››

Mistissini Football Camp Draws Hundreds – CFL’s Ottawa Renegades Make Return Appearance

Mistissini was the scene of hundreds of cheery, smiling kids throwing footballs and having a grand old time as the second annual Mistissini All-Star Football Camp rolled into town August 23-25. The Ottawa Renegades of the Canadian Football League went to Mistissini to continue what they started last year – introducing ... read more ››

Washaw Sibi Cree Walk to New Home – Hope to Correct Historic Injustice

The Washaw Sibi Crees reached a new level in their fight to be recognized as the 10th Cree community this month as they walked 115 kilometres from Amos to an old campground that they hope will be their new home. The Washaw Sibi Eeyou have been struggling to be included in ... read more ››

Waswanipi AGA Heats Up Election Fever

The elections for Grand Chief and Deputy Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees were the hot topic at this year’s Annual General Assembly in Waswanipi. Much of the buzz is over current Deputy Chief Paul Gull, who is challenging Ted Moses for Grand Chief. His attention to the youth, ... read more ››

SNC Artillery Range Rejected – But Chapais Mayor Wants Another Shot

Waswanipi residents can breathe easier after a July 27 announcement by the provincial administrator that the proposed SNC Technologies firing range has been shot down. “The provincial administrator has refused the project,” said Brian Craik, who along with Philip Awashish, sits on le comité d’examen or COMEX, which is made up ... read more ››

Mistissini Boosts Participation in Annual Golf Tourney

The day got off to a slow start and an even slower finish, but when all was said and done the Cree Nation of Mistissini was able to hold its head high as they set a record for the number of participants in their Chibougamau golf tournament. A healthy 264 people ... read more ››

Ted Moses Talks to the Nation About His Re-Election Bid

The race for the position as Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees is heating up once again and in this issue we will be talking to Ted Moses, who is hoping to be re-elected and lead the people for the next four years. It is our aim for you, ... read more ››