Category: 2012 03 09 2012

Bringing justice home

For the crowd that gathered for the official opening of the Wemindji Justice Centre on Friday, February 17, there were moments of laughter to balance against the new building’s serious purpose. Following a speech by Geoffrey Kelley, Quebec Minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs, Wemindji Chief Rodney Mark gave a speech while ... read more ››

Inuit distinctiveness

On February 24, the McCord Museum hosted the opening of a very special exhibition: Inuit Modern, The Esther and Samuel Sarick Collection. Shown last year at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), Inuit Modern is on loan to the Montreal museum until the end of September 2012. The exhibit, co-curated ... read more ››

The outdoorsman’s expo

There is a great difference between getting back to nature and then getting back to nature in style or at least so it may seem when you go to great big hunting, fishing and camping expositions in the great big city. From camouflage gear for every single part of your body ... read more ››

Paving the way for future success

On February 27, the Cree Nation of Mistissini finalized a work agreement with the Quebec government ensuring the First Nation has a part in the extension of Highway 167 that will stretch 250 km north of Chibougamau, through the Otish Mountains. The planned extension of Highway 167 is an integral part ... read more ››

Setting the lands in order

You know something big is afoot when a considerable smattering of sharp-dressed young people brave subzero temperatures early on a Saturday morning in the middle of winter. That was the case on the morning of February 11 at McGill University’s Chancellor Day Hall. Everyone was on hand to hear different ... read more ››

What’s our rating?

I once heard a lawyer mention off-hand that if there was a heap of Indians, the Cree would be on top of that heap. Now, why would anyone say something like that? The comment made me wonder if he was serious and I looked at him, very seriously, and asked ... read more ››

Dealing with the First Nations

These days Canadians cannot say they aren’t aware of some of the issues First Nations face. Attawapiskat showed housing and living conditions in many northern Aboriginal communities. Yet there are many communities like Attawapiskat throughout Canada and this problem is becoming too large to ignore by mainstream media and society. Economic ... read more ››

Northern treasures

There are growth spurts and then there are unreal growth spurts but that is what Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) has achieved. Back in the mid 1990s the yearly conference was hosted entirely in one hotel and had perhaps 5,000 participants. This year, the 2012 conference saw 30,000 ... read more ››

Laugh at Pierre Poutine, but the joke’s on us

The only game in Ottawa right now is a variation on the popular children’s book series, Where’s Waldo? This week, it’s been updated for the nation’s chattering classes as Where, Who and WTF is Pierre Poutine? There’s no better symbol than this pusillanimous pseudonym for Canada’s graceless slide into a corrupt ... read more ››

From the GCCEI/CRA

We take issue with certain inaccurate statements made in the article in the January 27, 2012 issue of The Nation entitled “CREECO board nixes new structure – for now”. If not corrected, they could cause unfounded concern among the Cree people of Eeyou Istchee regarding the establishment of the Cree Development Corporation ... read more ››

Dog clinic returns to James Bay

“It’s that time again…. the annual spring Dog Clinic is coming! The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) announces its return to the James Bay communities to provide vaccinations, deworming and spaying/neutering for dogs and puppies of all ages. IFAW has been providing support and services to the James Bay ... read more ››

Red Cross seeks a First Nation to house a satellite office

On October 20, 2011, the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) announced receiving a donation from the Patterson Foundation in order to support its initiative to set up on-reserve satellite offices in First Nations in both northern and southern Ontario. Having found the location for the southern Ontario office, the CRC recently issued ... read more ››

Drug traffickers caught in Moose Cree and Attawapiskat

On February 16 and 17, members of the Combined Forces Organized Crime Unit with assistance from the Moosonee Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police charged two men under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The police charged Rene Allen Sutherland, 39, of Timmins, with three counts of Possession of a Controlled ... read more ››

Two deaths in Whapmagoostui

Tears flowed February 22 in Whapmagoostui, the day of the Doris Sheshamush’s funeral. “The funeral was packed,” said neighbour Sonny Orr. “It’s sad because it’s been the fifth funeral this year.” Sheshamush was found by police frozen to death February 18 in the afternoon after allegedly leaving her house few hours ... read more ››

Attawapiskat receives modular homes from Ottawa

Attawapiskat will be receiving 22 modular homes funded by the federal government to aid those affected by urgent health and safety concerns, announced John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development on February 23. “The arrival of these modular homes demonstrates our government’s commitment to the residents of Attawapiskat First ... read more ››

On a dark and dangerous road

I sure am a lucky guy. Most of the time I take my life and all that I enjoy for granted but every once in a while I pause to think of so much I have to be grateful for. Stopping to remember to feel gratitude has helped keep me ... read more ››

Amending the rules

Nearly everyone agrees that the Quebec government’s Bill 14, An Act respecting the development of mineral resources in keeping with the principles of sustainable development, is an imperfect document. Tabled in May 2011 by Serge Simard, Minister for Natural Resources and Wildlife and Minister responsible for the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region and ... read more ››

Nation Health Matters

Welcome to Nation Health Matters. This is the first of a new monthly health column that will explore different health topics that are being covered in the media or suggested by the readers of the Nation or health professionals working in Eeyou Istchee. If you have a health topic that you ... read more ››

Fear in the hallways

It’s an experience that can cause high blood pressure, and increase one’s chances for heart attacks and strokes. The stress and anxiety leads to drug and alcohol use, among other unhealthy habits. And it can all start with something as simple as “that shirt’s gay”. Elementary and high schools in the ... read more ››

Cree Hockey News & Notes

James Bay Beavers Pee Wee CC The James Bay Beavers Pee Wee CC concluded their road trip to Quebec City with a run to the quarterfinals of the 37th edition of the International Pee Wee BSR tournament. The Beavers defeated a Swiss team and two teams from France before falling 3-0 ... read more ››

Education as weapon of mass destruction

Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) says it’s time for Canadians to face “some hard truths” about their history and residential schools. “It was not simply a dark chapter,” says a report by the TRC, but “an integral part of the making of Canada”. Justice Murray Sinclair says an Interim Report ... read more ››

Women taking action

International Women’s Day is an event that brings to light many important issues concerning First Nations women. This year’s focus was on eliminating poverty in First Nations communities. “For us, March 8 is every day,” said Michèle Audette, president of the Quebec Native Women Inc. (QNW). “The QNW celebrates, works and ... read more ››