This year’s AGA cost about $70,000. Or $2,333 per hour for the 30-hour schedule. Democracy doesn’t cost that much in the Cree world when you consider that over 60 people met for three days at the assembly in Wemindji after travelling great distances.
As the delegates walked in, there was a pleasant surprise—Billy Diamond returning to the AGA’s after a two-year absence.
This year’s absent Chiefs included Matthew Mukash,
Nemaska’s George Wapachee and Violet Pachanos of Chisasibi, due to the death of an respected Elder (she showed up the second day to attend the AGA).
All other Chiefs were in attendance along with the delegates chosen to represent their communities. Six delegates were required from each community to approve past and planned future actions of the Crees of Eastern James Bay.
One of the first topics to be discussed at the AGA was Radisson. Radisson is supposed to be a temporary town that would close down except to house the workers necessary to the running of the La Grande project. In the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, it says Radisson would close when the construction work was finished on the dams.
But with the construction work nearing completion some Radisson people have different ideas and are trying to make this company town a legitimate municipality in the middle of the Cree territory.
According to Abraham Rupert of Chisasibi, Radisson residents have gone so far as to send their proposed community master plan to Chisasibi. Radisson town planners say they want Chisasibi input so Radisson can reflect Cree values. Radisson residents are even willing to have their children taught the Cree language.
Rupert said that Chisasibi isn’t i nterested in helping Radisson residents out and point out that the JBNQA section dealing with Radisson is clear and specific. Chisasibi residents are saying why didn’t Radisson bother to do this earlier if their intentions were aboveboard.
“Twenty years ago when they entered the Cree Territory is when offers like this are made,” said Bill Namagoose, executive director of the GCCQ.
♦ There was also a question raised over the $12 million in advances made to the CSB and other Cree entities to cover money owed by outside governments. Chief Bosum brought up a good point concerning some outstanding balances owed by the governments that the Crees may never get back.
“Maybe when the political climate is right and the government really wants something, we’ll see that money/’ he said. “It’s hard for some people to understand why this is still on the books, but it’s just a reminder for everyone. I understand how people feel because in the Cree world you either have money or you don’t When you are owed money it’s a concrete thing. In the accounting world some things aren’t as tangible as the Cree world.”
♦ Another issue dealt with was what to do with Nitchequon. When the Canadian Armed Forces moved out eight years ago, it sold the facilities to the Mistissini Band for 1 dollar. It was only a fishing camp and is expensive to operate. Mistissini would like input from the GCCQ/CRA,
CHSSB, CSB and the Cree Bands on how to effectively use the facilities. Mistissini is requesting a feasibility study.
Suggestions for a treatment center and youth detention facilities were talked about The quorum discussed the need for programs and facilities geared towards Cree youth who now have to go to the south. “The southern facilities don’t work for our children,” said Chief William Mianscum.
“We have to find an effective use for these buildings before they are occupied by someone else. There is the danger that some government agency will attempt to occupy them as we are not really using them at this time. But this facility should be looked at as an opportunity for the benefit of the Crees,” he said.
Mianscum also pointed out there is the possibility that toxic PCBs are stored there in underground portions of the facilities. He said the PCBs would have been left behind by the military when it pulled out and a cleanup should have been done.
François Gunner, a Mistissini delegate, also spoke passionately about the need for a treatment center geared to the Cree people.
Chief Billy Diamond discussed the treatment center in Waskaganish. It serves people who have alcohol and drug abuse problems, as well as problems stemming from their past such as residential school. It tries to give people a better life overall.
The Cree Health Board says it can only give funding for only one treatment center for all the Crees. But Diamond says Crees should ask for moneys to be set aside for all communities asking for the same thing. He said the federal government only funds programs, not construction of treatment centres. He said this attitude doesn’t reflect the real needs of the Crees and must change.
♦ Paul Gull spoke about the Cree School Board and thanked Annie Whiskeychan for all the work she has done on the CSB’s behalf. This added up to 30 years of service working on the Cree language. She was given a standing ovation by the assembly.
The second morning, wall outlets stopped working and the sound system went dead. A lone voice was heard to say, “Where’s Hydro-Quebec when you really need them?” Fortunately, a few extension cords did the trick and the meeting was on again.
The main morning topic was other Natives coming into the communities with their versions of Native culture and spirituality. There was a feeling that it might take away from Cree culture and traditions. People expressed concern over this.
Delegates said Crees have their own traditions that can help people and we need to revive those. Billy Diamond said we should look at all outside influences and praised the CSB for its Cree language programs. He proudly said that his granddaughter corrects him now on his Cree.
♦ Chief Hughboy’s name popped up again in this year’s AGA. The dissidents were calling for an inquiry into what was happening in his community.
Grand Chief Coon Come said the GCCQ/CRA can’t get involved in these types of local community matters. He said the request for an inquiry is the responsibility of the Cree-Naskapi Commission. But the dissidents countered that the CNC is part of the problem.
♦ The Operations and Maintenance Funding Agreement between Crees and the feds was approved. Chief Billy Diamond had reservations. He stated that the O&M Agreement limits the Crees. He said it is the start of who is status and non-status. Diamond said the Crees have the right to determine their own citizenship, not the federal government He felt the Cree Bands would be forced to tax their own people and said this would compromise the nontax status of the Crees.
“Certain rights in this O&M Agreement are a step backwards towards the affirmation of Cree rights. We are giving up our sovereignty by allowing a government to force us to tax our people,” he told The Nation.
Delegates agreed with his argument on taxation. For those details see resolution No. 8. Diamond also didn’t like the limitations of a five-year agreement with no treaty status.
♦ The push was on to give the OJ’s the next GCCQ/CRA AGA so that people can admire the town that won a UN award. Lots of sideline lobbying done by Chief Bosum. He was impressive in representing his community this year. Waswanipi, however, is looking at celebrating the 20th anniversary of their community and say it’s their turn.
OJ accepted this and will be suggested for the following year since the Cultural Institute will be open and would be inaugurated in a presentation to visiting delegates.
♦ Problems with housing were also discussed. Specifically, people not paying rent. It was recommended that a regional commission be sent up instead of the present system. There was a report given on the Cree rental housing. It discussed overcrowding, repairs and renovations (see News, page 5).
♦ There was a debate on the Cultural Institute. A report was tabled on the plans for the Institute. A full report will appear in the next issue of The Nation.
♦ Grand Chief Coon Come discussed the Cree Eeyou Astchee Commission. East Coast readers can check out the insert in The Nation and the ad in our previous issue for details on the Commission and its mandates. A lot of delegates talked about the need for this Commission.
♦ Grand Chief Coon Come was given an award from JBCCS in recognition of his work in fighting for Cree rights and values.
♦ There was a door prize for those who stayed until the end—an airline ticket to anywhere in Canada… and a T-shirt from The Nation. After repeated calls from Chief Bosum that The Nation contribute, we donated that T-shirt. The winner was Matthew Happyjack, but Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come held on to the T-shirt Thanks to everybody for their assistance and translations at the AGA.
RESOLUTIONS No. 1 Congratulates Ted Nolan as the first Native to coach major league hockey. There is mention of his help in summer hockey schools for Cree youth. An interesting rider got amended. It was proposed that each member of the Cree Nation get a life-time season ticket to all NHL hockey games. Hockey fans can take their complaints to the delegates over the deletion of this section of the resolution.
No. 2 A resolution calling on Health Canada to change its policies and give capital funding to construct treatment centers for alcohol and drug abuse and healing in the Cree communities.
No. 3 basically says representation of Crees is needed on the board of directors of the SDBJ. The SDBJ is a body that looks at economic development in the James Bay area. The Grand Chief was mandated to look after this.
No. 4 concerns Nitchequon. It says the GCCQ should look at ways to carry out an environmental analysis of the site, consult with all Bands for possible uses of the site and seek funding for its operation. Mistissini would still have control of Nitchequon and all projects deemed feasible for it.
No. 5 says the limit of parallel 55 as the northern most part of the Cree Territory is unreal as the Whapmagoostui people use hunting and trapping grounds north of the 55th parallel. The GCCQ is mandated to meet with Quebec to correct this problem.
No. 6 Eastmain is asking for a $4-million advance from the moneys allocated to each Cree Band. This would be used to relocate an arena and sports complex from LG-1 to Eastmain.
No. 7 says non-Natives should respect the culture and traditions of the Crees. All people coming into the Cree territory should not try to impose their ethnocentric values and ideas on the area and should be aware of the effect of their activities on the wildlife. The Cree leadership is mandated to deal with all non-Native consultants, academics, researchers, etc., who receive permission to come into the Cree territory to make them aware of this.
No. 8 Taxation in any form for Crees is unacceptable and the GCCQ is to declare its displeasure with the policies of the feds. The GCCQ should take political and legal measures to protect the tax immunity status of the Cree people and entities.
No. 9 refers to the housing shortage in the Cree communities. It calls for discussions with the feds, a national campaign in conjunction with the Assembly of First Nations and the creation of a regional Cree Housing Commission.
No. 10 looks at Anschaaukaamikw, or the Cree Cultural Institute. The working group for this will be consulting with the Cree communities, and the CRA will prepare an appropriate organizational structure for the bringing together of all programs, services and activities regarding Cree cultural matters. The CRA will also look at getting funds for the Institute.
No. 11 Protection of Cree collective rights. It calls for a statement of Collective Rights and Freedoms of the Cree Nation. It also asks that we develop a symbol to reflect those rights and freedoms. The Cree Nation Youth Council would participate in this process.
No. 12 looked at the 26.5 cents charged for each kilowatt-hour to Whapmagoostui residents. The Quebec norm is five times lower. Hydro-Quebec is threatening to cut off delinquent customers on Aug. 15, 1995. The GCCQ and local Band Council will seek a meeting with Quebec to try to resolve the differences.
No. 13 seeks to further define the role of the James Bay Municipality. The Quebec government is seeking to change its role and powers. The AGA feels the spirit and intent of the James Bay Agreement may be affected by proposed changes. The resolution says Radisson should be restricted to personnel required for the operation and maintenance of the dams. All non-essential buildings and facilities should be removed from Cree Territory as agreed.
No. 14 concerns the funding of the Cree Trappers’ Association. The GCCQ will look at maximizing its funding as well as assisting the CTA in its endeavors.
No. 15 supports the Aboriginal Youth Gathering in Waswanipi to be held Aug. 15-17, 1995.
No. 16 says the next AGA will be held in Waswanipi from June 26-28, 1996.
