Category: News Updates

MoCreebec: Just who are they?

Like many other James Bay Crees, I went to residential «school in Moose Factory, Ontario. I have returned there only once since I left the school 26 years ago, until this past week. There are mixed feelings about the place; because of the exile and the problems a residential school ... read more ››

Will on the Grill: Quick Baking Powder Biscuits, Navy Beans for writers, and more

In this issue of Will on the Grill I’m only going to give you a few tasty recipes but I’m going to give you some of the hard learnt secrets of the kitchen at the end. Doesn’t it just burn your butt when you want to make something but you’re ... read more ››

“One Dead Indian” by Peter Edwards

One Dead Indian By Peter Edwards Published by Stoddard 2001 One Dead Indian is about the Ontario Premier, the OPP and the Ipperwash Crisis. The book takes you back to September 4, 1995, when Stoney Point Natives went into Ipperwash Park to reclaim an ancient and traditional burial ground. Within 72 hours ... read more ››

Will on the Grill

When we all went out to the QCNA (Quebec Community Newspapers Association) awards in Magog last week, most of the staff decided to go golfing as the place we were staying was famous for it. I on the other hand heard there were not one but two wineries in the ... read more ››

Should O.J. Be Concerned?

There are grounds for a preliminary health study among the Ouje-Bougoumou Cree, but no need of a full-blown program of detoxification of heavy metals among community members. That’s the conclusion reached by a third-party review of last fall’s Christopher Covel study of toxic contaminants in the water, wildlife and people ... read more ››

Canadian courts say tax exemption is not there to benefit people economically: Appeal rejected, Fights wears on for the weary

Roger Obonsawin is in the seventh year of a fight for values, culture and beliefs. This month he found out that his battle could likely carry on for another seven years – not only at his expense, but also for the thousands of Aboriginal peoples in Canada who earn income ... read more ››

Time to heal our communities

It feels like forever since I wrote an editorial. Or should I say since I felt like writing an editorial? There have been great events happening in Eeyou Istchee. A decision has been made. What the consequences of that decision will be or whether it will even be honoured is something ... read more ››

Did the Creator choose our leaders?

I’ve heard it said that the Creator in his infinite wisdom chose the Cree leaders and that we should respect his or her choice. Several people, in letters-to-the-editor and in public meetings, have offered this view. I have a few problems with that idea. First and foremost, it negates free will. ... read more ››

Deputy Chief of Nemaska First Nation Throws Support behind Mukash and Iseroff

Shortly after Deputy Grand Chief Matthew Mukash made his public announcement concerning the AIP, Deputy Chief Josie Jimikin of Nemaska attacked the agreement. According to some residents, who wish to remain anonymous, resistance to the AIP is starting to be organized. Jimikin told the Nation that he had “plenty of volunteers” ... read more ››

Whapmagoostui Cree Named to RCMP Committee

The Mounties have appointed the first Aboriginal from Quebec as a member of the RCMP Commissioner’s National Aboriginal Advisory Committee. Losty Mamianskum, from Whapmagoostui, was officially named to the committee on Oct. 15, but only found out about it a couple of weeks ago due to being out of town. The ... read more ››

Z-man’s Back to School Tips

With the days getting shorter and the nights getting colder, one can’t escape the inevitability of summer’s end. A funny thing about endings is that they tend to signify new beginnings, like the beginning of a new school year. The piles of homework, the skill-testing math quizzes, the reading assignments ... read more ››

You Gotta Wonder

Let me see, Minster Nault of Indian Affairs puts a little Indian Band into third party management but that’s because it has problems, not because he’s getting back at them for criticizing his administration. And recently Indian Affairs denied that the $5 million that they cut to the Assembly of First ... read more ››

U.S. Environmental Groups, First Nations Join Forces in Lumber Dispute

It’s been said that one sometimes can’t see the forest from the trees. In other words, it can be difficult to see the big picture. Of course, if all the trees are felled you will be left with an unobstructed view of nothing. Where the softwood lumber industry is concerned, ... read more ››

The National Great Outdoor Show 2001

The first thing you notice about the Great Outdoor Show is that it is held indoors. Once you get your head around that small detail you are free to delve into an exhibition that boasts some 600 exhibitors all eager to show you their wares. A small but vital team ... read more ››

Oil Behind Plan Colombia

The Vietnam-like U.S. intervention in Colombia is all about oil, not drugs, reports the Resource Center of the Americas. The U.S. is committing $1.3 billion to “Plan Colombia,” assistance package to Colombia’s notoriously abusive military. The plan was supposedly to fight Colombia’s drug barons. Less-known is that Colombia’s petroleum production today rivals Kuwait’s ... read more ››

CREECO. Ordered to Sell Servinor

The Crees’ eight-year venture in food distribution is over. The leadership of the Cree Regional Authority has ordered CREECO., the Cree-owned economic development company, to sell Servinor Food Wholesaler Inc., its money-bleeding subsidiary. The move came in a resolution at a special Dec. 12 meeting of the Council/Board, the body that runs ... read more ››

“Geas Keeld by ye Nateves”

Everybody loves a good goose story. How many times have you recounted the time when you shot the whole flock or made that amazing shot? Your story may not go down in the history books. But then you don’t have the store manager recording your results down in a log book. ... read more ››

A River Runs Through It

When the weatherman calls for rain in Tsawataineuk, you don’t just reach for your umbrella. The 150 people of this small British Columbia First Nation get in their homes, and they don’t waste any time along the way. Once or twice a year, after a good rain, the entire village is ... read more ››

In the beginning…

In the beginning there was Chief Billy Diamond, Chief John Kitchen, Chief Walter Hughboy, Chief Kenneth Gilpin. They tumbled down like a string of dominoes. Who’s next? Chiefess Violet Pachano? Chief George Wapachee? Chief Kenny Loon? Noted and much beloved warmonger and mass murderer Henry Kissinger came up with The Domino Theory ... read more ››