Crees can now merge on in to the superhighway, but there is a problem. We don’t have a car. We have a canoe. We have to turn that concrete highway into a river.
That was the theme which returned time and time again during a two-day symposium in Montreal from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. The James Bay Cree Communications Society organized the Cree Communications Symposium to “provide a forum for learning about new technologies and trends in communications services, and to discuss improvements to communications services for the Cree people,” said the introduction paper.
Besides the regional and local organizations which deliver communications services to the communities, there were representatives from various government and private organiztions to show what they have to offer in terms of technology and knowledge.
But the communities weren’t shut out from the proceedings. Chisasibi and Nemaska were jacked in via video conference and with audio conference in Whapmagoostui, Wemindji, Eastmain, Waskaganish, Mistissini and Waswanipi. Ouje-Bougoumou couldn’t be hooked in because of a lack of phone lines.
The audio and video conference was online for most of the conference. People were able to interact with each other. Video conference is simply talking through the phone with pictures. It’s a matter of using two lines on both ends, one for voice, one for video. Voila! you’re jacked in. Conferences can be held, courses can be taken.
In fact, the Little Red River Cree Nation in northern Alberta started the Kayas Cultural College last January which links three communities. Two of the three communities are fly-in with no roads. The college delivers Teacher Assistant Certificate and Adult Upgrading. Twenty five people are expected to complete the Teacher Assistant program by June ’95. It reduces training from 24 to 14 months. It costs $200,000 instead of $750,000.
There was a link with the cultural institute for part of the conference. They demonstrated how they held their courses. Of course as with any Cree people they took time to laugh and share stories with us in Montreal.
Boyd Williams from the institute noticed through the images that we shared similar gestures when we talked. He then went to say that we probably shared much more than that. Such as pointing with our lips.
There were also demonstrations of the different technology that is available. Working with computers, modems, networks, guided tours of the so-called Information Highway. Satellite systems, digital radio.
The general feeling was that our needs should be identified first before adopting anything. So that we don’t end up complicating and getting lost in the technology transfer. To maintain and enhance our Creeness. A Telecommunications Steering Group had been proposed by the JBCCS to determine needs and priorities for communications in the Cree world. The Steering Group meets in January.
There were also achievement awards given to Buckley Petawabano; he was presented with the Elijah Menarick Pioneer Award. Roderick Rabbitskin received the Joab Bearskin Regional Broadcaster Award. And Francis Kawapit was awarded the Community Broadcaster Award.
