The Cree people of the James Bay coast have always been very sociable. My people who live in remote communities like Attawapiskat, Kashechewan, Fort Albany and Peawanuck have a history that centres around Powwows or gatherings. My ancestors were a nomadic people, who lived in different places at different times of the year, as a matter of survival.
In the old days my people would hold gatherings throughout the year. One place in particular for my ancestors to congregate was where Attawapiskat stands today. The gathering place was strategically located near the mouth of the Attawapiskat River which flows into the mighty, salt water James Bay.
Much of the traditional gathering has been lost with the modernization of the Cree lifestyle, yet I am happy to say that in Attawapiskat we have Cree Cultural Day, an event that is run over two days in June.
Cree Cultural Days is organized in the community with the cooperation of the two local schools and Elders. This annual event involves the whole community. Students and community members work together to set up tents and wigwams. The tents and wigwams are set near the homes of Elders who take part in cultural teachings and displays. The Elders’ teachings include cooking traditional meals, hunting and trapping and building and maintaining a wigwam. They also talk about the various animals and bird life that surrounds our community.
My people have passed down their history with words and stories. During Cultural Days the young generation have the opportunity to hear many of these tales from our Elders. A good part of who we are today can be attributed to the passing of stories from generation to generation.
When I recall past Cultural Days, I remember my uncle Leo Kataquapit demonstrating traditional trapping methods to an eager group of students, while standing in front of his small shack just beside his house. I could tell that Leo really enjoyed the chance to pass some of his traditional trapping experience on to others. At one point he pulled out a 10 foot stretching board that he once used for preparing wolf pelts. It didn’t take much for the group to conjure up a gigantic timber wolf, as Leo told one of his many trapping stories. Leo is one of the last fading group of Elders who still hunts, traps, fishes and lives off the land.
Xavier Spence is another elder I recall on Cultural Days gone by. He is a quiet man and often is called upon to demonstrate the craft of making snowshoes. His snowshoes are in demand as they are strong, light-weight and long lasting.
Cultural Days would not be complete without the touch of the grandmothers. Women like my mother Susan, Theresa Kataquapit, Annabella Nakogee and Madeline Hookimaw help to prepare traditional Cree meals in wigwams throughout the community. I have fond memories of these women smoking geese and preparing bannock over a fire while people watch and learn.
The grand finale of this two-day event is the grand feast. People, young and old, Native and non-Native come out in droves to sample the goose, caribou, moose, trout, pickerel, pike, bannock, tea ploss and all the trimmings. Sadly, this is one of the few times over the year the community gathers in the pursuit and celebration of traditional teachings.
It would be great if we somehow could make more opportunities to bring the Elders andtheir teachings into the school system on a regular basis, to help ensure theirknowledge and skills continue to be passed on.
