Category: 2011 12 02

A bridge to the past

  On November 15, Oujé-Bougoumou inaugurated the beautiful new building of the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute (CCI). The longhouse and wigwam inspired building will be housing a museum showcasing many artefacts from Cree history as well as a research and documentation centre, classrooms and a demonstration room where Cree traditions and ... read more ››

Shopping for commodities

  As we enter a new future of dancing with and within the commodities markets, selling diamonds and gold left and right, a rare mineral here and there, what comes to mind is that we’ve come a long way from just reinvesting debentures and bonds and occasionally cashing in on mega-projects, ... read more ››

No editorial

  This issue of the Nation doesn’t have an editorial. It’s not that I have nothing to say but rather no time in which to really say it well. Other matters have occupied my mind and time. On Thursday, November 17 at 5:05 pm, my wife Amy German delivered Hunter Donald Joshua Nicholls. He ... read more ››

Two towns join Abitibi-Témiscamingue economic partnersh

  The towns of Matagami and Lebel-sur-Quévillon were officially welcomed into the Secretariat to the Cree Nation Abitibi-Témiscamingue Economic Alliance at a meeting on November 17. The announcement was made by Secretariat President Ted Moses at the organization’s headquarters in Val-d’Or. The Secretariat, created almost a decade ago, connects the region’s mayors, ... read more ››

National Aboriginal Achievement Awards winners

  On November 22, Members of the Canadian Parliament recognized this year’s recipients of the 19th Annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in the House of Commons. Following Question Period, Speaker Andrew Scheer hosted a reception in their honour. On November 24, a ceremony honouring the recipients was held in Vancouver’s Queen ... read more ››

Pessamit Innu chief speaks out against Plan Nord

  The chief of the Pessamit Innu is threatening action at home and abroad to show his displeasure with the Quebec government’s Plan Nord. Ridiculing the government’s offer of a $350 million compensation package, Chief Raphael Picard revealed a plan of his own: travel the world to tell Quebec’s potential business partners ... read more ››

Chorus grows demanding action in Attawapiskat

  “It’s been three weeks since Attawapiskat First Nation declared a state of emergency. And in those three weeks, not a single federal or provincial official has even bothered to visit the community.” These are the words of Charlie Angus, NDP MP for Timmins-James Bay, speaking in the House of Commons on ... read more ››

From the voice of a child

  Recently while covering an event as part of my work I was surprised at a question that came my way. That query came from the voice of a child. Little Michael Tomagatick looked up at me and asked, “Do you speak your language?” I answered him yes in the Cree ... read more ››

Making better choices

  More than 250 school children discovered the empowerment of self-confidence and feeling good about themselves through a diabetes prevention initiative in Timmins November 4. They made this discovery through workshops provided by Turtle Concepts, led by Dave “Jaegar” Jones in a one-day event held at the McIntyre Area and produced ... read more ››

Native sons

  Family and community -– that’s what the Cree band CerAmony is all about, and it has become their mantra in their personal and professional lives. Matthew A. Iserhoff and Pakesso Mukash took different roads to get where they are today. Iserhoff picked up music at a very early age (three years ... read more ››

Wine galore

Enjoying wine is all about enjoying the moment. When Nation editor-in-chief Will Nicholls asked me to review the wines at the annual wine and spirits event, La Grande Dégustation de Montréal 2011, I thought – now there’s a moment. I walked into the huge, brightly lit hall at the Palais de congrès ... read more ››

Protecting the trees

  On November 16, McGill University’s Aboriginal Sustainability Project and the Canadian Boreal Initiative hosted a conference celebrating the successes and the challenges facing the Aboriginal communities in conserving the boreal forest as well as personal stories regarding their experience on the land. Speaking at the conference, titled “The Boreal Forest: our ... read more ››

With Remembrance to a Veteran

  When Maggie Gull was 16 years of age, she was informed it was time to leave school because of her age. She attended the residential school in Chapleau, Ontario. But determined as she was, she found employment through the Anglican Church of Canada. She was a devout Anglican. She worked ... read more ››

Oujé-Bougoumou students honour veterans

  The Remembrance Day commemorations went well. Cynthia and I (Tom) on the intercom, asked the students in their classes to stand and observe the two-minute silence. Afterwards we read “In Flanders Field”, then invited the classes to go into the halls and erect the Hallway of Heroes (which remained up ... read more ››

A Word from Santa’s Helpers

  While anyone who believes that Santa Claus is coming to bring them presents on Christmas Eve has no doubt already made their Christmas list a few times over by now, not everyone on your gift shopping list makes it as easy to get them something that will make them happy. For ... read more ››

Back on track

  If you ask young Cree hockey fans today who their hockey idol is, most will say Jonathan Cheechoo. Born and raised in Moose Factory, Cheechoo was the first Cree player to be drafted by an NHL team when he was taken 29th overall by the San Jose Sharks at the 1998 ... read more ››

A sparkling future

  A study released by the Stornoway Diamond Corporation has estimated that over $4 billion worth of diamonds is buried in an area northeast of Mistissini. The results, released on November 16, are part of a long-term investigation undertaken by the corporation in the area around the Otish Mountains. It is a ... read more ››