The 2nd annual best of James Bay is here! You, the people, have spoken.We received a record number of entries this year. Thank you to those whotook the time to let us know who you think is the best. Till next year,congratulations to our winners.
Best Community Contribution (Man)
1st Abel Bosum Jr.
2nd Chief Dr. Billy Diamond 3rd Thomas Coon
Best Community Contribution (Woman)
1st Chief Violet Pachanos 2nd Susan Esau
3rd Rhonda Spencer, Gertie Murdoch, Anna Bosum (tied)
Most Outstanding Elder
1st Robbie Matthew Sr.
2nd Billy Blacksmith 3rd Alex Weistche
Most Outstanding Youth
1st Ashley Iserhoff
2nd Samson Weistche, Patrick Mianscum, Matthew Iserhoff (tied)
Most Outstanding Tallyman
1st Mario Lord 2nd Freddy Jolly
3rd David Bosum, George Stewart, Matthew Wapachee, Charlie Diamond, Tommy Voyageur (tied)
3rd best story teller, Alex Roslin visits best UFO sighting spot, Whapmagoostui.
Best Hunter
1st Bernard Diamond, My father, Paul Salt, Sanders Weistche, Charles Matoush, Charlie Iserhoff, Charlie Diamond
Future Best Fisher at four years, two years running, Larry Jolly. He once caught a seagull at his secret spot.
Best Fisher
1st Larry Jolly
2nd Jonathan Kitchen, Stanley Mianscum 3rd Henry Stewart, Raymond Blackned
Fastest Goose Plucker
1st Mary Diamond
2nd Winnie Namagoose, Eva Ratt
3rd Mabel MacLeod
Honourable mention: Sandra Bullock
Best Storyteller
1st Ronnie Cowboy 2nd George Diamond Sr.
3rd Daisy Cheezo, Robbie Matthew, Alex Roslin
Best Politician
1st Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come
2nd Chief Billy Diamond
3rd Chief Violet Pachanos (“she holds two
offices”)
Best Cree Media (person or organization)
1st Portage, The Nation (tied)
2nd CBC-North, “Rock ‘n Rod” Roderick Rabbitskin, Arnold Cheechoo “Arnold, of course”, Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come
Best Cultural Contribution
1st Cultural Institute
2nd Anna Bosum
3rd CTA, Kenny Mianscum
Best Artist
1st Tim Whiskeychan 2nd Glenna Matoush 3rd Pakeesue Mukash, Morley Stewart
Best Musician
1st Darryl S. Hester
2nd Johnny Cooper, Kenny Mianscum, Pakeesue Mukash, Robert Bobbish 3rd Francine Weistche
Honourable Mention, Most disliked politician: Sonny Orr gives peace to his supporter.
Best Cook
1st My mom 2nd Bernice Kitchen 3rd Angela Moar
Best Athlete
Best UFO Sighting Spot
1st Whapmagoostui 2nd Chisasibi 3rd James Bay
1st Wally Rabbitskin 2nd Louis Mianscum 3rd Randy Shecapio
Cree Most Likely to Change the System
1st Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come 2nd Ashley Iserhoff, Bertie Wapachee, Chief Violet Pachanos, Chief Kenny Loon
Worst Band Council
Best Checkers/Chess Player
1st David Blackned
2nd Old men from Chisasibi Commercial
Centre/Chisasibi Elders
3rd Charlie Coon, Billy Blacksmith
Best Gossiper
1st Neil Diamond 2nd The Nation
3rd Winnie Bosum, Bruce Diamond
1st Waswanipi 2nd Wemindji 3rd Waskaganish
Best Band Council
1st O.J., Waskaganish
2nd Chisasibi, Mistissini, Nemaska
3rd Eastmain
Best Pool Player
1st Charles Katapatuk 2nd Smally Brien 3rd Albert Stephen
Smartest Cree
1st Eric House
2nd Matthew Coon Come, me, Kenny Loon
Most Disliked Politician
1st John Kitchen, Walter Hughboy 2nd Paul Dixon, Premier Lucien Bouchard, President Bill Clinton honourable mention, Sonny Orr
November 6, 1998
Funniest Cree
1st George R Hester 2nd Bentley Mianscum 3rd Neil Diamond
The winners speak…
“I’m surprised. I didn’t know that many people knew about me playing music.” Darryl S. Hester
“I want a recount!”
Charles Hester, The Portage (tied with The Nation)
Most disliked politician John Kitchen at news conference announcing another hated policy.
“He’s funny, he’s really like that. I don’t know where he got it from. Probably from our late dad. He was like that.”
Josephine, sister of George P Hester (funniest Cree 2nd year in a row)
“No secret. My invention. Simple ingredients.”
Margaret Moar of Jacob Restaurant. Best hamburger after McDonalds.
“I’m very happy. Everything I do, I try to do my best. Before I learned everything by watching my mother-in-law. Mary Diamond, fastest goose plucker
Oh terrific!
Walter’s spokesperson
“No comment” White House spokesperson
Best of… Consumer Awards
Best Auto Dealer
1st Veillette and Johnson 2nd Hardy Ringuette 3rd Aube
Best Snowmobile Dealer
1st Ou J’ai des Sports 2nd Beric Sport 3rd Mario Monger
Best Restaurant
1st Bar-B-Barn
2nd Jacob’s
3rd Quick Stop (Rays)
Worst Restaurant
1st Waswanipi Cafeteria 2nd Roderick’s Restaurant 3rd Moulin Rouge (Chiboug.)
Wachiya… Best gift shop
Best Hamburger
1st McDonald’s Big Mac
2nd Jacob’s
3rd Brien’s, La Paryse
Best Pizza
1st Pizza Hut 2nd Mike’s
3rd Chisasibi Mitchuap Rest., Angela’s (Mtl.), Chip stand (Wask.)
Best Bar/Gub
1st Chateau Inn 2nd Winny’s 3rd Chateau Louis
Best Grocery Store
1st Metro
2nd Chisasibi Co-op, Loblaws
Rowdiest Bar
1st Chateau Louis 2nd Cristal’s 3rd Bar Central
Best Hotel
1st Sheraton Centre 2nd L’Escale 3rd Confortel
Best Hunting Supplies
1st Baron
2nd Mario Monger 3rd Sport Expert (Rouyn)
November 6, 1998
Best Fishing Supplies
1st Baron
2nd Siibii Supplies
3rd Sport Expert (Rouyn), Ferplus
Best Sports Supplies
1st Podium
2nd Sports Express
3rd Sport Expert (Rouyn)
Best Bridal Shop
1st Jaymore’s
2nd St. Hubert St. Plaza
Best Flower Shop
1st Diane Fleuriste 2nd Helene Fleuriste 3rd Mother Nature; wild flowers in the woods (they’re free)
Best Jewellery Shop
1st Bijouterie Val d’Or Enrg 2nd Bijouterie Riche Or 3rd Bijouterie Baribeau
Best Children’s Clothing
1st The Gap for Kids 2nd Au coin des petits 3rd Géant des Aubaines
Best Iby Store
1st Toys “R” Us 2nd Dollarama
Best Furniture Shop
1st Meubles Marchand 2nd Meubles Selections 3rd Ikea
Best Music Shop
1st HMV
2nd Sam The Record Man 3rd Polyson
Coolest Clothing Store
1st Stitches
2nd Le Chateau, Rio sud Val d’Or 3rd Bo Jeans
Best Gift Shop
1st Wachiya 2nd Wal-Mart 3rd Hallmark
Favourite Airline
1st Canadian 2nd Air Creebec 3rd Air Taiga
Honourable mention, Larry Linton
Best Overall Business
1st Kepa Transport
2nd Air Creebec
3rd Cree co., Cree Construction
Best Town for Shopping
1st Montreal 2nd Rouyn-Noranda 3rd Ottawa
