Volume 20, Issue 23

Bigfoot sighting near Wemindji causes a stir

Photo by Melvin Georgekish The frenzied reaction by the cryptozoology blogosphere came close to crashing the global internet network in late August after a Cree hunter claimed to have seen a pair of the mythical Bigfoot (Bigfeet? – ed) while driving along a forested area near Wemindji. Melvin Georgekish knew something was fishy when ... read more ››

Chisasibi hosts healing event for residential school survivors

The healing starts at home. Inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings last spring, a Chisasibi committee organized a home-grown program September 5-8 to help local residential school survivors confront and heal the pain of their childhood ordeal. The committee ran groups at the local auditorium and the event culminated ... read more ››

Crees tee off in Mont-Tremblant to help students

From living it up on the links to getting down to some old-school country music, about 400 Crees made the pilgrimage to Mont-Tremblant for the 4th annual Cree Nation Achievement Awards Annual Fundraiser just before the Labour Day weekend. While the awards take place every second year during the Mont-Tremblant festivities, ... read more ››

Federal budget cuts to the Library & Archives of Canada stall Truth and Reconciliation Commission

An employee of Library and Archives Canada has told the Nation that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is being strangled by a lack of funding. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the LAC worker said the work of the commission is unlikely to be completed by deadline. “It’s unlikely we ... read more ››

Historic land agreement finally ushers Oujé-Bougoumou into the JBNQA

Community members arrive at Ouje-Bougoumou point. Photo by Theresa Macleod. Oujé-Bougamou’s voyage on the long road to recognition has finally reached its endpoint. Almost two years after the signing of Amendment 22, which confirmed Oujé-Bougoumou’s place in the James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), and over 20 years since the Oujé-Bougoumou/Canada ... read more ››

Hotel du Fort closing its doors

Renowned as a classy, independent boutique establishment, Montreal’s Hotel du Fort identified its mission to provide clients with a “home away from home” for the past 21 years. Sadly, the hotel has announced it will close its doors November 1 after dedicated service to many celebrity guests over the years, including ... read more ››

James Bay rock: Attawapiskat group shines with debut album

In a community plagued by years of negative media attention, Attawapiskat singer/songwriter Adrian Sutherland is hoping his latest project will put a sheen on the reputation of his disadvantaged community. Formed in 2011, Sutherland’s Midnight Shine released its self-titled debut album earlier this year. The nine-track disc combines Top 40 rhythms ... read more ››

Quebec’s first FASD clinic is coming to Eeyou Istchee

After years of planning and a Memorandum of Understanding signed at last year’s Annual General Assembly, the first Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Diagnostic and Intervention Clinic in the province of Quebec is coming to Eeyou Istchee. The Grand Council of the Crees, in partnership with the Cree Board of ... read more ››

The honour of a name

First Nation people are very enthusiastic when it comes to names. We name children these days in meaningful ways to honour the land, animal life and even the heavens. For example, my brother Joe named one of his boys Orion. A creative name that my brother Anthony gave to his ... read more ››

The hunter and the beast

I’ve got to say that autumn is one of my most anticipated seasons of the year. Moose break had begun. This is when I am most at my best as a camouflaged Cree wandering around Shashikan. I feel 100% a man. Spending time with Dad is also an opportunity for ... read more ››

Toronto the not so good

Toronto has a lot going for it. Canada’s largest city rightly considers itself the cultural, entertainment and financial capital of Canada. Officially, the city is proud of its cultural diversity, but increasingly, that pride is being questioned by Aboriginal Peoples across Canada. One of the early warning signs was the way ... read more ››