Category: 2007-08-03

A brave new world

I tried to summon the devil last July 16. The word was out that the Harper government was set to unveil a monumental agreement with the Cree of Eeyou Istchee. And I felt I had to at least try to verify if Hell had in fact frozen over. I guess I’m ... read more ››

Alice Cooper’s Offspring

Back in the 1970s, the infamous Alice Cooper was turning heads with his trademark makeup and by being the most reptilian rock star in the world’s least understood rock band. Meanwhile, Cooper penned the best tunes for adolescents everywhere while staging THE SHOW to watch. The lyrics from their best ... read more ››

Another Kashechewan in the making? – Fort Albany deals with extreme mould, spreading disease

The Cree community of Fort Albany, Ontario, is in a crisis that looks to some like a repeat of the horrors that residents of their sister community, Kashechewan, have endured over the past four years. Serious cases of mould, fungus and dangerous toxins contaminate 26 houses that are less than seven ... read more ››

Whapmagoostui’s recipe for healthy living – Local chef Nelly George cooks up a food revolution

With epidemic rates of diabetes and obesity, Eeyou Istchee desperately needs healthier eating habits. Whapmagoostui chef Nelly George’s solution targets the early stages of a child’s life -when he or she develops their taste for food at the local daycare. “I learned a lot from my mother, she taught me how ... read more ››

0-J races: pedal power for cash prizes

Ouje-Bougoumou will host a day-long mountain bike competition August 2 with cash prizes on offer for the fastest peddlers. Featuring six open competitions, the event will start at 9 am with the children competing until they reach the minor and senior competitions. For minors aged 13 to 17, the entry ... read more ››

Bears Midget AA Tryouts

The Cree Nation Midget AA hockey club will be hosting a tryout camp for the 2007-08 season August 24-26 at the Sarah Stephen Memorial Arena in Waskaganish. The camp is open to any midget-aged players along with last year bantam from any community within the Cree Nation. For application forms, ... read more ››

Healing Conference

The first Cree Healing Conference will be held on Fort George Island August 27-30. Each day of the conference is organized by theme: August 28 focuses “The Individual”; August 29 “The Family”; August 30 “The Community as a Nation.” The workshops will deal with the various aspects of community development and progress. ... read more ››

Jays and Hawks champs in Fast Pitch Tournament

The Chisasibi Jays overpowered all comers in their community’s Second Annual Invitational Softball Fast Pitch Tournament, winning six straight games in the men’s tourney and capping the championship by shutting down the Eastmain Fireballs July 15 with a final score of 4-0. On the women’s side, the Chisasibi Hawks defeated ... read more ››

Nunavik goes back to the future

Inuit hunters in Nunavik are being asked to return to dogsledding as climate change continues to eat away at ice floes, making snowmobiling increasingly dangerous, according to Martin Tremblay, an environmental researcher with the Kativik Regional Government, which oversees Quebec’s Artie region. Inuit hunters’ dependence on snowmobiles for transportation over the ... read more ››

Waskaganish council candidates

Waskaganish has announced the candidates for their upcoming election on August 14. Please note that voting will be between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm that day at the Gathering Place. Advance polls will take place at the same time and place on August 9. Here is the ... read more ››

Cree-Canada agreement hailed by all sides – Unanimous Consent – History made in $1.4 billion deal that will establish self-government

It was like night and day. Unlike to the announcement of another “nation-to-nation” agreement five years ago, the deal announced July 16 between the Crees and the federal government has met with universal approval. The 20-year Agreement Concerning a New Relationship Between the Government of Canada and the Cree of Eeyou ... read more ››

New proposed agreement with federal government

An Agreement was reached by Canada and the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) dealing with certain past and future obligations of Canada to the Cree People in the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (1975). Grand Chief Matthew Mukash and Federal Minister Lawrence Cannon announced the proposed Agreement ... read more ››

Chiefs respond to $1.4 billion deal

Here is what some of the Chiefs of other aboriginal communities and groups are saying about the $1.4 billion agreement. The deal, signed July 16 between Canada and the Cree Grand Council, will give the Crees control over services such as policing while paving the way for self-government negotiations. Phil Fontaine, ... read more ››

Echoes of a Proud Nation

Back in 1991 the Mohawk community of Kahnawake decided to host a pow wow on the same patch of land that had been occupied by the Canadian Armed Forces the previous summer. That long summer of 1990, of course, was dominated by the Oka Crisis, when Kanesatake Mohawks set up ... read more ››

Cirque de Soleil’s aquatic Las Vegas show O’-mazing

If “O” stood for outstanding, Quebec-based Cirque de Soleil’s spectacular aquatic show at the Bellagio in Las Vegas would be selling itself short. The name actually stands for ‘eâu’, which is the French word for water – and for good reason. Most of the show is done from the blue ... read more ››

Shee-kak, or the one who squirts

There are only a handful of animals that we fear on the James Bay coast. Most of these creatures are strong and powerful. These include the black bear and polar bear mainly because they can easily outrun a person on just about any terrain. Wolves and wolverines are considered dangerous ... read more ››