Volume 13, Issue 13

Celebrating Mother’s Day

Some people think this idea was originally conceived by Julia Ward Howe after the American Civil War as a day to honour the inherent pacifism of mothers. In reality, the idea goes much further back. The ancient Greeks celebrated a festival as they practiced mother worship. Indeed many of us should ... read more ››

Child shot to death in Waswanipi

Eeyou Istchee has another victim of careless firearm storage, this time in Waswanipi. On May 2, two children under 10 were left alone in a boat tied to a dock with a firearm nearby. “A kid accidentally fired a .410 shot gun,” said Waswanipi Constable Wasesguin Gunner, one of the responding officers. ... read more ››

Coon Come rocks EM-1A panel with criticism

It was the Matthew Coon Come of years gone by. When the former Grand Chief and AFN National Chief took centre stage at the EM-1A panel hearings in Montreal last week, he didn’t mince words. Coon Come gave an impassioned speech aimed at Hydro and their strong-arm tactics. He warned Federal ... read more ››

Crees look east to jump-start economy – Ten-day trip to China uncovers secrets of the Orient

Waswanipi business leaders returned from a fact-finding mission to Hong Kong April 8-19 with some solid leads for developing the Cree economy. Sam W. Gull, a key organizer on the trip who has already started his own import/export business with China, said the trip to the former British colony also gave ... read more ››

First People’s Fest develops split personality

The 16th edition of the Terres en Vue First People’s Festival comes with a twist. The festival will be split in two parts this year, in part because of the popularity of the ever-growing Francofolie Festival and their need for the same venues during the same time as the First People’s ... read more ››

Horses, bows and arrows

Tourists. They came prepared for all the usual emergencies and had a solution for every eventuality. The one that made me wonder about these new strangers who trampled over beautiful blackberries, succulent cloudberries and nicely flavored blueberries and insisted on chewing on juniper berries instead for the distinct aftereffect, (I ... read more ››

Innu challenge JBNQA

The Innu of Pessamit have launched a $75-million legal challenge against the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, according to a report in the Montreal Gazette. The Innu cited the fact that they were not a part of the JBNQA in 1975 signed between the Cree and Inuit, and Quebec and ... read more ››

Quebec scolds Hydro

Hydro-Quebec was caught red-handed and red-faced when they admitted to doing work last summer without a proper permit. An April 24 CBC News report said that Hydro had performed certain remedial works on the Rupert River before the giant hydroelectric project was given an official green light. These works included tree cutting ... read more ››

The Annual Break-up

Spring has always been a time reserved for the excitement of the goose hunt. Everyone ventures out on the land to take part in a long tradition of gathering food and to take part in cultural activities with family and friends. However, this period also has another side that is ... read more ››

The passing charade

I don’t usually venture into Montreal’s east end because I’ve never in my 15 years as a resident felt comfortable there. Maybe it’s because of my steadfast refusal to speak French or my recurring fear of being surrounded, isolated and severely beaten by skinheads, bikers, or the typical Quebecois redneck. You’ve ... read more ››

The POW WOW LISTINGS

May 13: Youth Traditional Pow Wow Rama, Ontario, Mask Arena 705-325-3611 ext. 1294 vickies@mnjikaning.ca May 20-21: Bkejwanong Community Cultural Celebration Pow Wow Wallaceburg, Ontario 519-628-5628 or 519-322-6164 May 26, 27, 28 2006 Odawa Native Friendship Centre 30th Annual Odawa Pow Wow Ottawa Nepean Tent & Trailer Park 411 Corkstown Rd. off Moodie drive North Rain-out location: TBA for more info : (613) 722-3811 www.odawa.on.ca June ... read more ››

Youth charged in shooting

Short-staffed Mistissini police are relieved after a shooting incident ended without bloodshed. The police received a tip around 1:30 am May 2 that someone was shooting while walking around the community with an arsenal of weapons. “Shots were fired, and we responded to the scene,” police spokesman Bradley Mianscum said. “We didn’t ... read more ››