Tag: matthew coon come

Specialized sex education will remain despite Quebec plan

Social media lit up with debate following an August 30 Twitter post by Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come calling the Quebec government’s plan to impose a “no-exceptions” sex-education curriculum at some of its schools “disgusting.” But many of those responding to Coon Come seemed to be missing the implication of ... read more ››

The ins and outs of the Cree Nation's 2015 AGA

Oujé-Bougoumou hosted this year’s Grand Council/Cree Nation Government Annual General Assembly in a beautiful setting marred only by the on-and-off rain. More than a few members thought we would be flooded out but thanks to quick thinking, plastic and sand banks it didn’t happen. Numerous local entrepreneurs provided home-cooked country ... read more ››

Skipping our future

Absenteeism among Cree students was a hot topic at this year’s Annual General Assembly in Oujé-Bougoumou. The rates have dropped but still remain high at 19%. Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come said this would always be an issue, “because … the School Board (and the leadership) can only do so ... read more ››

New campaign launched to show support for Broadback conservation

While the Cree have been hard at work to see the Broadback River and the area surrounding it declared a protected area, a new campaign has been launched by the Quebec chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). According to Pier-Olivier Boudreault, a biologist and project manager for conservation ... read more ››

Why Bill C-51 is a threat to Aboriginal rights

In January, the federal government tabled Bill C-51, the Anti-terrorism Act, 2015. The bill has generated widespread uncertainty and concern. It fails to safeguard the dignity, human rights and security of Indigenous peoples and individuals. It is inconsistent with good governance. The bill would allow federal judges to grant Canada’s spy ... read more ››

The Grand Chief discusses the Stand Against Uranium campaign

On October 7, the Grand Council of the Crees launched the web-based StandAgainstUranium.com campaign to inform people in Eeyou Istchee and the world about the Cree’s firm stance against uranium exploration on their traditional territory. The campaign addresses the risks associated with uranium mining and shares opinions, photos and videos to ... read more ››

Will on the Grill: Quick Baking Powder Biscuits, Navy Beans for writers, and more

In this issue of Will on the Grill I’m only going to give you a few tasty recipes but I’m going to give you some of the hard learnt secrets of the kitchen at the end. Doesn’t it just burn your butt when you want to make something but you’re ... read more ››

Cree Traditional Health Practices & Wellness

Watchia! I have been on board since May 13th, 2002 on a program formed as “Wellness and Traditional Cree Health Practices” on our regional health board. Some of you may or may not know that I have been involved in social service counseling, workshop facilitation and training on issues related ... read more ››

Healing and Protecting our Sacred Mother Earth

The traditional Hopi spiritual elders say that we have not learned our lessons in the past from our use of technology. Technology is now having a world of its own. We are using technology to accumulate wealth and power. We are now using technology for the wrong reasons. Technology is ... read more ››

Fontaine To Head ICC

Former National Grand Chief Phil Fontaine has been named as the new Chief Commissioner of the Indian Claims Commission. The appointment, announced August 29, had the full support of acting co-chairs Daniel Bellegarde and P.E. James Prentice. “We were originally appointed co-chairs on a temporary basis until a Chief Commissioner ... read more ››

2nd Annual Burnt Church Lobster Festival

Though the season may officially start on August 20 for Burnt Church residents, some are already on the waters in defiance of the DFO wishes. JJ Bear, communications officer of the Atlantic Congress of Chiefs, says he hopes there will be no confrontations like last year. Bear said, “the DFO ... read more ››

Indian Humour Belies the Stoic Stereotype

The following piece by Mark Trahant, a Shoshone-Bannock writer from Fort Hall, Idaho, is reprinted from the Native_News listserv (ishgooda@voyager.net). Flip through any 19th-century collection of American Indian portraits and you’ll see many images of stereotypical Native Americans: the serious expression of Sitting Bull; a warrior whose eyes avoid the camera, ... read more ››