Category: News

Wemindji teacher Theresa Kakabat Georgekish keeps Cree culture alive

As told to Eleanor Cowan Valuing the Cree language means pondering each syllabic and understanding that at some point in time, one of my ancestors fashioned it to express not only a noun, but also to tell what that person, place, animal or thing was doing at that moment in history. Theresa ... read more ››

Broken cable causes election delay

Results from the first turn of the 2013 Grand Council Elections were delayed for more than 12 hours by a failure in fibreoptic communications cable north of Matagami on July 15. The failure affected all communications system in the area, including cellphone reception, internet and landline connections. In an email to ... read more ››

First turn of elections inconclusive

The first turn of the 2013 Grand Council elections ended without the naming a Grand Chief or Deputy Grand Chief. No candidate was able to secure the required absolute majority (50% + 1) needed to secure a victory. Results from the run-off election pitting Matthew Coon Come against Ashley Iserhoff ... read more ››

Mistissini student wins Cree-Naskapi Commission Award

Carrie-Lynn MacLeod, 17, is the latest winner of the 16th annual Cree-Naskapi Commission Award, which highlights highest academic achievement. MacLeod was first nominated for the award by her high school, Voyageur Memorial, located in Mistissini, where she was also valedictorian and prom queen. “I just graduated from Grade 11, I feel ... read more ››

Caught in the fire: Johnny Neeposh talks about his Eastmain forest-fire experience

On hand to protect his family’s cabins and camp, Mistissini’s Johnny Neeposh contacted the Nation and spoke about being alone in the bush with the wildlife in this incredible tale of survival. Here is his account from trapline M25, near Eastmain. “I went to check on my cabin as we have a ... read more ››

Waswanipi’s Teddy Otter says the ECN is just giving him a line

Talking about dealing with the poles on his trapline, Waswanipi’s Teddy Otter recalls George Orwell’s book Animal Farm. “They taught us that in school,” he said, about the story of animals that organize and fight to take control of their own destiny from their human masters, only to see some in ... read more ››

The Assembly of First Nations faces 30% budget cuts

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) received word on June 3 that the federal government would cut its operating budget– yet again – this time by 30%. There had long been speculation by many people working in Aboriginal advocacy that the Conservative government would likely slash the AFN’s funding in the ... read more ››

PAQ announces new location

A new home for Montreal’s disenfranchised Métis, First Nations and Inuit was announced June 19 at the Montreal Native Friendship Centre (MNFC). A traditional drum ceremony and a prayer by a member of the community started the evening for the announcement of the new building at the Projét Autochtone du ... read more ››

Edith Cloutier named Member of the Order of Canada

  Regroupement des Centres d’amitié autochtones du Québec (RCAAQ) President Edith Cloutier has been appointed Member of the Order of Canada for her work and actions improving the living conditions of urban Aboriginals. RCAAQ said they were proud of her achievements centred mainly on the Native Friendship Centre Movement. Cloutier said, “This ... read more ››

Mistissini Niimuuhiikan… Mistissini powwow

Mistissini is the place to be July 19-20. After too many years to count, this Cree community will finally be hosting a powwow. Says organizer Luke MacLeod: “Years ago, I asked an Elder if they had songs made just for dancing. He was a respected Elder who often sang using ... read more ››

Oujé-Bougoumou and BlackRock sign BallyHusky Agreement mining deal

The Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation and the Grand Council of the Crees/Cree Regional Authority (GCC/CRA) signed an Impact Benefit Agreement June 20 with BlackRock Metals Inc., opening the way for an open-pit mine in Oujé territory. Known as the BallyHusky Agreement, the deal will allow extraction of iron ore and vanadium, ... read more ››

Leadership to be proud of

One must give credit where credit is due. Unexpectedly, this means the Quebec government under the current Parti Québécois administration. They have surprised and delighted me in their recent actions. Most recently, Quebec’s Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks, Yves-François Blanchet, has notified Strateco that he plans to “refuse ... read more ››

Elections Part III: Christopher Napash, Linda Lillian Shecapio, Robert Kitchen

Christopher Napash Deputy Grand Chief candidate CN: I am from Chisasibi but was born on Fort George Island. I have been involved in politics both directly and indirectly over the course of my entire career. I currently work as the Assistant Director of Operations for the Cree Nation of Chisasibi and have done this ... read more ››

Elections Part III: Matthew Coon Come, Virginia Wabano, Roger Sandy

As the election race for the positions of Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chief heats up, more candidates accept our invitation to speak about their dreams for the future. With perspectives from just about every point on the spectrum, some of these candidates have already run governments while others have had ... read more ››

Lubicon Lake Nation claims its rights

 In Northern Alberta, the fight for First Nations rights to ancestral lands is moving towards another showdown between the Lubicon Lake First Nation and the federal and provincial governments. The Cree band is calling on the courts to block all further resource development on disputed territory until they gain the ... read more ››

New project to map urban Aboriginal mobility

 As Quebec’s Aboriginal population continues to surge, people across the province are travelling between Nations and cities in unprecedented volume. This month, the Regroupement des centres d’amitié autochtones du Quebec (RCAAQ) announced the impending release of a new study carried out over the last four years with the ODENA Research ... read more ››

Bust and boom

A high-profile raid in Waswanipi gets locals talking about drugs and crime. Some people said that the police had their guns drawn. Others even said that shots were fired. As the rumours circulated, however, it became clear that few in Waswanipi were certain of whether the police raid that took place ... read more ››

Iserhoff visits Australia

At the invitation of the Australian government, Deputy Grand Chief Ashley Iserhoff addressed the inaugural conference of the World Indigenous Network in Darwin, Australia, on May 27. The conference brought together Indigenous groups from around the world with over 1,300 delegates representing 50 countries. With a wealth of successful achievements by ... read more ››

Aboriginal Affairs minister defends Ottawa’s funding cuts

The Conservative government is defending its further planned cuts to the Aboriginal Affairs budget. On June 9, many Aboriginal advocacy groups were shocked to learn that their funding has been cut within the latest rounds of austerity measures pushed forward by the Harper government. Responding to the criticism, Aboriginal Affairs Minister ... read more ››

Whapmagoostui man sentenced in family slaying

Peter Jr. Tooktoo receives 30 years for triple manslaughter in 2008 Whapmagoostui community members witnessed the end of a tragic chapter in their Nation’s history this month, as the final sentencing in the death of Minnie Natachequan and her two sons was delivered by Quebec Superior Court Judge François Huot on ... read more ››

Singularly collective

It’s taken me a while to address last month’s Supreme Court of Canada decision that limits individual rights to protest resource exploitation. It’s a tough one as it looked at not only the duty to consult with Aboriginal Peoples before making decisions affecting treaty rights or agreements, but how and ... read more ››

Grand Council Elections

Further down the campaign trail…. It’s official! The nominations for the positions of Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chief have been posted and the election race is on. Contesting this year’s race for Grand Chief are incumbent Matthew Coon Come, current Deputy Grand Chief Ashley Iserhoff and former CREECO/ Board of Compensation ... read more ››

From conflict to partnership

Grand Chief celebrates new governance agreement for James Bay Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come did not hold back in his description of Bill 42. Speaking in Quebec City on May 29, he described the bill as “legislation of fundamental importance” that will “bring the Cree and the Jamésiens together in a ... read more ››

An innovative North

Business conference in Amos is full of creative ideas In today’s fast-paced business environment, remaining stagnant is a surefire way to be left behind. Thanks to the increasing use of the Internet and its available multi-platform tools, creativity and innovation have become the most highly sought skills in the business marketplace. On ... read more ››

The Nation has a healthy harvest at awards gala

Once a year the Nation and its team of writers, editors, columnists, photographers, production staff, graphic and web designers, sales people and accountants are judged on the quality of their work. It is truly a team effort that makes the Nation possible. As in years past, this year has shown ... read more ››

Crime Stoppers gets Cree green light

Eeyou Eenou Police Director Reggie Bobbish is bringing the Crime Stoppers prevention service to Eeyou Istchee. “The program will work with the general public and police collaborating to fight crime in our communities,” said Senior Officer Jim Hester. “By refusing to close your eyes to crime, you contribute to eliminating acts ... read more ››