Volume 9, Issue 9

Charlie brian may 1937-march 2002

It was with sorrow that I learned a good friend of mine had passed away Thursday, March 7. Charlie Brian will be missed by many people, Cree and non-Cree alike. Anyone who had ever gone to his restaurant knows that he embodied Cree hospitality. He greeted everyone with a smile ... read more ››

Cree Construction Investigation

The James Bay Cree of Northern Quebec are at the threshold of deciding what the next step is in seeking to reconcile how management for the Cree Construction & Development Corporation allegedly embezzled a sum estimated at over a quarter million dollars. Last year a purchasing agent who had been transferred ... read more ››

Financial Woes can cripple band councils

Jim McCarthy is a 12-year veteran of the Department of Indian Affairs. On February 27, McCarthy appeared before the Cree Naskapi Commission to discuss problems with the James Bay Cree bands submitting year-end audited reports on time and the high levels of indebtedness that afflict some band councils. One of ... read more ››

Review: Stupid White Men, by Michael Moore

Stupid White Men By Michael Moore Published by Harper Collins 2001 Michael Moore is now my hero. He is also a filmmaker and a writer. His films include Roger & Me, The Big One, Canadian Bacon and he’s working on a new film called Bowling for Columbine. He has worked on the television ... read more ››

Rupert Study on Hold

The Ruperts Reverence group is pressing the Mayors’ Council of James Bay Municipality to ask the Quebec Environment Ministry for a biodiversity study on the effect of damming the Rupert River. The Mayors’ Council initially passed a resolution in favour of a study. But the council later decided to postpone the ... read more ››

Sun Peaks Protesters Face Criminal Charges

Two Elders, Irene Billy & Charlie Willard, a spiritual leader, Henry Saul and a young warrior, George Manuel Jr. are appeared in court March 12 on charges of criminal contempt for refusing to leave their home and the Skwelkwek’welt Protection Centre located at Skwelkwek’welt and on unceded Secwepemc Traditional Territory. The ... read more ››

Sustainable Development Moot At McGill

It was a contentious Moot (an assembly where people debate certain issues in a structured manner) at McGill on sustainable development in the James Bay. First year law students were lucky enough to see a panel consisting of Romeo Saganash of the Grand Council, Claude Demers of Hydro-Quebec, Phil Raphals ... read more ››

Taxpayer group tries to stir anti-Native hatred

A Calgary-based taxpayer organization is saying that a court decision affecting thousands of First Nations people in Alberta will create racial friction and administrative chaos. The Federal Court of Canada ruled March 7 that First Nations living under Treaty 8 do not have to pay any tax. According to the ruling, ... read more ››

The Fighting Whities

An intramural basketball team at the University of Northern Colorado called “The Fighting Whities” is turning the tables on the insulting practice of naming sports teams after Native peoples or tribes. Led by Solomon Little Owl, director of Native American Student Services at UNC, the team chose a white man ... read more ››

The Late Charlie Brien May 12, 1936 – March 8, 2002

On Friday March 8, 2002, our community received the heartbreaking news of Elder Charlie Brien’s passing Charlie was a prominent figure in our community. His presence never went unnoticed. As one of the first businessmen, he broke the trail and laid the foundation to economic development for our community. When ... read more ››

The way to walk is with your head high

Everyone was talking about them, the walkers for diabetes awareness. It was exciting to know that people could still walk the way our ancestors did, with dogs and sleds. As they appeared out of the trail from across the river, I marveled at the speed they crossed the last stretch ... read more ››

Traditional Knowledge And the School

My article is about Native traditional knowledge. This article will introduce how we can use traditional knowledge in schools. Its intent is to give communities, and schools in particular, some encouragement to implement traditional knowledge. One example about traditional knowledge comes from the mighty Canada goose. The majestic Canada goose signals ... read more ››

Under The Northern Sky Too Cold to Forget

Snowstorms are [ust another part of life during the winter season in my home community of Attawapiskat on the James Bay coast. I have many memories as a young boy playing in the snow outside our front door in the middle of a blizzard with my young brothers. Most of ... read more ››

What is the New Economy? A Youth Perspective

I am a 24-year-old youth who loves talking economic development in Eeyou/Eenou Estchee, as a beneficiary of the Cree lands of our Eeyou/Eenou Estchee. What does the new economy mean to us, the Crees of Quebec? Well, here is one point of view I think we should pay close attention to. ... read more ››

Will on the Grill

Don’t we all love to munch out on something? Unfortunately, that’s where the pounds and kilos can add up. Love handles may be useful but they are unhealthy once they get beyond a certain point. Don’t let this happen to you. It doesn’t mean you have to give up your ... read more ››

Youth Protection Is A Community Affair

Youth Protection is a community affair in spite of the fact that the Youth Protection Act is a foreign law to Cree and other native communities. Before Canadian law was introduced into the communities, the concept of caring for children is a value that has kept the Cree communities strong for ... read more ››