Volume 11, Issue 17

A Symphonic and Fabulous First Peoples Fest

Another amazing celebration of Native culture with Montreal’s First Peoples’ Festival has summed up its activities with grand cheers and standing ovations, at Place des Arts, Théâtre Maisonneuve. On June 21st, National Aboriginal day, and the last day of the festivities, Dvorak’s New World Symphony preformed pieces inspired by Innu poems ... read more ››

George Blacksmith: Soon to be the Education Doctor

Many former students might remember George Blacksmith from his days as principal at Mistissini’s Voyageur Memorial School. Blacksmith says his experience as an educator helped him to understand the provincial curriculum. He was one of the pioneers in the Cree School Board’s language and cultural programs and studied Quebec’s new educational ... read more ››

Grad Night: Not Just Frills, Beer Spills and Birth Control Pills

Ah, graduation. While school is out and no doubt you are still deprogramming from it all, the grad is no doubt on some of your minds. With the lyrics of Pink Floyd or Alice Cooper anti-school anthems ringing in your head as you walk around with perma-grin on your face, ... read more ››

Mistissini Grad Wins Prestigious Award

Samantha Coonishish of Mistissini is this year’s winner of Quebec’s Lieutenant Governor’s award, given to those who have excelled in academics. Quebec Lieutenant Governor Lise Thibault made the presentation to the recent graduate of Mistissini’s Voyageur Memorial School during a ceremony in Quebec City. The award represents excellence and dedication and ... read more ››

Mysteries Deaths

The Sûreté du Québec is investigating a gruesome discovery fishermen made on the shores of Lake Mistissini the evening of June 29. The bodies of two nonnative men were found in a boat beached on the shoreline not far from a dock. Police have yet to release the names of the ... read more ››

Obedjiwan Gets Short End of Forestry Stick

The Paix des Braves agreement has made the Cree Nation prosperous in many respects, but may be indirectly responsible for impoverishing the forest industry of the Attikamek of Obedjiwan. Last year, Waswanipi put in a request to the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), for 70,000 cubic metres of wood. This request ... read more ››

Oh, the Opulence…

I awoke this morning with a minor headache and a minor government. Let’s just hope that this doesn’t turn out to be a major headache for us. As for other misquoted minor politicians, who reportedly claimed, then later disclaimed, that we as Cree live in opulence. Sixty grand for a ... read more ››

Quebec Innu Plead Guilty to Hunting Endangered Caribou

Three Innu men from Quebec’s North Shore have pleaded guilty to killing 14 animals from the endangered Red Wine caribou herd in Labrador. In April 2003, three hunters from Pakuashipi travelled to a restricted hunting zone near Cache River in Labrador. When wildlife officials investigated, they found one of the dead caribou ... read more ››

Respect is a Two-Way Street

In the last issue we did a story about the Journal de Montreal’s news piece on Chibougamau. In the article the people interviewed seemed to show a distinctly racist attitude towards the Cree. We gave coverage to it because at the Nation we believe such attitudes cannot go unquestioned or ... read more ››

Sitting With Elders

Recently I had the opportunity to meet two remarkable Elders through two First Nation organizations – Wabun Tribal Council and Mamo-Wichi-Hetiwin Employment and Training. Elders Alex Solomon of Constance Lake First Nation and George Endugesick of Brunswick House First Nation made some time for me and filled me in on ... read more ››

Squatters: A Growing Problem in Eeyou Istchee

Squatters are like moss; they appear in places where they’re least wanted. The problem with squatters in Eeyou Istchee has reached epidemic proportions of late, and the Grand Council of the Crees has called on the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to set guidelines for dealing with illegal cabins. The hunters ... read more ››

Thespians, Take Note

So you want to be a star. This summer you may have a chance. Yves Sioui Durand, artistic director of the Odinnok Theatre, and Simon Brault, director general of the National Theatre School of Canada (NTSC), are pleased to announce the launch of a new theatre workshop program for Native Artists. This ... read more ››