Volume 20, Issue 7

Addressing the issue

Stemming from a resolution signed by the Grand Chief at the 2012 Annual General Assembly of the Crees as a commitment to work on the issue of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in Eeyou Istchee, six months later the issue got its own forum. Congregating at the Delta Hotel in downtown ... read more ››

Booming trade

An independent study by AECOM, commissioned by the Secretariat to the Cree Nation Abitibi-Témiscamingue Economic Alliance (SAENCAT), shows that the Secretariat’s signature event, the Business Exchange Day held annually in Val-d’Or, has led to a significant number of contracts. An organization founded to encourage “harmonious development of the Cree Nation and ... read more ››

Chief Spence ends hunger strike

Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence ended her 44-day hunger strike January 24. The same day, Elder Raymond Robinson, of the Cree Cross Lake Indian Reserve in Manitoba, ended his own hunger strike. Robinson had joined Spence two days into her protest in December. The circumstances of Spence’s decision to end her strike ... read more ››

Diamond Jubilee medals rejected

Ellen Gabriel, former president of the Quebec Native Women association, and Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee of the Anishinabek Nation both rejected the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. The medal is meant to “honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians” for the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the ... read more ››

Enduring the cold

Cold weather, real cold, is an awe-inspiring thing. Obviously, I’m not talking about Toronto’s call-a-national-emergency-at-minus-10 cold. I grew up in Alberta and Northern BC, so I am familiar with a real winter. I had the privilege recently to renew my acquaintance with winter’s deep freeze when I experienced record cold temperatures ... read more ››

Facts and messages

An recent Ipsos-Reid poll for Global Television and Postmedia News purported to show that two-thirds of Canadians believe First Nations are well treated by the federal government. They also believe First Nations receive too much funding from the feds, but still feel that Natives’ quality of life should be improved. ... read more ››

Intimate escapes

While St. Valentine’s Day may be just around the corner, when it comes to booking a few days for a sweet couple’s escape or a playful getaway with the immediate family, just about any time is a good time to hit the road, particularly with the frigid temperatures of late. A ... read more ››

Lots of shiny chrome

By Amy German by Iulian Boz This year’s Montreal International Auto Show (January 18-27) had a lot to offer. Aside from presenting upcoming models, new concepts and the latest technologies, there were lots of activities for the entire family. Honda gave Montreal a gift by premiiering its new concept of Honda Gear at the ... read more ››

Protecting the herd

The Cree Regional Authority (CRA) and the Cree Trappers Association (CTA) have launched an initiative to raise awareness of the fast-diminishing woodland caribou herd. According to an independent study commissioned by the CRA, the woodland caribou population is falling sharply, especially among the eastern Temiscamie herd, whose territory has seen a ... read more ››

Reviewing last year

It has been quite a year for the Eeyou Eenou Police Force, which is completing its second year as a unified police force. With many successful arrests and the start of a new training program, the EEPF has established its reputation and made the force more professional. There are many facets ... read more ››

Romeo Saganash appointed Deputy Critic

Two days after returning from a three-month medical leave January 17, NDP MP Romeo Saganash was appointed Deputy Critic for Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs for his party. Saganash wasted no time making an impact by signing the declaration to carry on the struggle for Indigenous rights. NDP leader Thomas Mulcair said ... read more ››

Strateco tries to sideline Cree opposition

Strateco Resources is asking Quebec Superior Court to declare that Cree opposition to uranium development in Eeyou Istchee cannot be an impediment to provincial approval of their Matoush project in the Otish Mountains. The company filed a motion for mandamus and declaratory judgment in Quebec Superior Court January 17. In a ... read more ››

Tax? What’s that?

I was perusing through the many or should I say, thousands upon thousands of comments on Chief Spence’s hunger strike and the Idle No More movement, and most comments I could see were made by people who really have no idea of what this whole thing is about. One of the ... read more ››

Too many die on our northern highways

Here we are again in the middle of winter. This year up north, I am hearing lots of reports of snow and freezing temperatures. Last week, the temperatures with wind chills were in the minus 40 to 50 range in many places across the country. However, all this started late ... read more ››