Category: News

Buying some time

The Atikamekw Nation announced on August 31 that they have come to an agreement in principle with the Quebec government, giving the two sides almost a full calendar year to negotiate a deal that would allow for the Atikamekw to be officially recognized as a distinct nation. On June 26, the ... read more ››

Let’s start digging Stornoway moves closer to opening its diamond mine

  The Stornoway Diamond Corporation has moved yet another step closer to opening the Renard Diamond Mine, the first of its kind in Quebec. Matt Manson, the President and CEO of Stornoway, announced on August 30 that the company had successfully completed the public hearings held by COMEX, the review committee established ... read more ››

Broadening your horizons

  Are you between the ages of 18-35? If so, the Canada World Youth organization (CWY) has an exciting and life-changing experience available for you. In the words of Jeremy Neeposh, a 26-year-old from Mistissini, the trip with CWY was “a great way to see the world”. In June, he returned from ... read more ››

Comanche Boy

On the heels of the knockout victory that earned him the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Continental America’s middleweight title belt, George “Comanche Boy” Tahdooahnippah has taken the next step as a pro boxer by signing an exclusive promotional contract with Star Boxing of New York City, a boxing management company ... read more ››

Headbangers’ paradise

I see lots of bands and shows throughout the year, but Heavy MTL, Montreal’s annual heavy-metal music festival, was worth the price, time and the rain that poured down this year. Oh, it was wet, humid, sticky and muddy, but our spirits were hardly dampened. How could they be when ... read more ››

Buyer (be) aware

Should I get “it” insured? Do I need an extended warranty? What’s the best way to finance “it”? What do I do if “it” breaks down or stops working when I’m 900 km from the nearest repair shop. A person can spend a lot more money than they need to on ... read more ››

Moratorium questioned

Some of the biggest news to come out of this year’s Annual General Assembly in Waskaganish was that the Crees of Eeyou Istchee have declared a permanent moratorium on uranium exploration, uranium mining and uranium waste emplacement throughout Cree territory. The day after the resolution was passed, on August 9, the ... read more ››

Fighting fetal alcohol syndrome

The Crees have entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding between the Grand Council of the Crees and SAF (Syndrome d’Alcoolisation Fœtal) France geared at sharing information and practices when it comes to preventing the brutal and life-lasting effects of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The MOU was signed on ... read more ››

Driven by a dream

It was a long and winding road through academia for Darren MacLeod before he finally received the distinguished accreditation of Certified Management Accountant from CMA Ontario. Only one other Cree from Eeyou Istchee has ever achieved this level of success in this field, providing a good reason for celebration for ... read more ››

Brightening the future

September is inevitability – the summer comes to a close and students head back to school. This routine defines a child’s life until he or she finishes their studies; the routine that comes after isn’t so clear. So, soon after the gleam of a new grade wanes and the grind ... read more ››

Moving in a new direction

It’s no surprise that the atmosphere is upbeat in the offices of Minority Media. On August 14, the Montreal-based video-game company released Papo & Yo, the first game it has developed – and the response has been very positive. Set up in 2010, Minority Media is an amalgamation of individuals from ... read more ››

Providing shelter

Coming right on the heels of the 41st Annual General Meeting of the National Association of Friendship Centres, the city of Montreal has pledged a 2,000-square-foot facility for a new Native Friendship Centre of Montreal (NFCM). This year has been quite the emotional rollercoaster ride for the NFCM after their funding ... read more ››

AGA Waskaganish 2012 Resolutions

DRAFT RESOLUTION Subject: Fighting Diabetes WHEREAS community members of Waskaganish and representatives of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay have brought to the attention of the members of the 2012 Annual General Assembly of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) / Cree Regional Authority the ... read more ››

AGA surprises

Nothing could have prepared the Crees of Eeyou Istchee for this year’s Annual General Assembly of the Grand Council of the Crees and Cree Regional Authority. It would have been unthinkable 20 years ago to see Hydro-Québec’s (HQ) top people and smiling Crees in the same room, but that’s what ... read more ››

Platform talk

Change or the status quo? That’s the choice facing the First Nations communities living in the Ungava district. While the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) trumpets the promise and potential of the Plan Nord, the Parti Québécois (PQ) and the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) are presenting the idea that they can bring ... read more ››

Taking the good with the bad

Hot of the heels of his “virtual walk” from Mistissini to Waskaganish, Sol Awashish, a member of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay’s Chronic Disease team, made a special presentation at the Annual General Assembly of the Cree Nation to update the people about the ... read more ››

A great success

Finally breathing a sigh of relief, André Dudemaine was happy to share that 2012 has been yet another incredibly successful year for Montreal’s annual Indigenous culture extravaganza, Terres en vues / Land InSights. Running from July 31-August 8, this year’s festival offered an incredible mix of cinema, live music, traditional arts ... read more ››

A bridge to greater development

After being talked about for many years, the long-awaited bridge in Mistissini over Uupaachikus Pass linking the community with land across the water is finally going to happen. Motivation for building the bridge is not only for residential development, but also for what lies on the other side – gravel. Without ... read more ››

Law Suit Filled over Saskatchewan’s First Nations Tobacco Tax

The Merchant Law Group, the same firm responsible for playing a major role in over 5 billion in residential school claims, has filed a class action suit on behalf of Aboriginal people regarding Saskatchewan’s changes to their policy on tax free tobacco for First Nations people. In 2010 the provincial government ... read more ››

Lubicon Lake Asks Canada to Stay Out of Community Affairs

In an attempt to reassert their sovereignty and enact self determination, the Lubicon Lake Nation of Little Buffalo, Alberta have called Canada back to the negotiating table after the government refused to deal with the Nation’s rightful government over what they called a “leadership dispute.” According to the First Nation, the ... read more ››

Wabun Youth Gathering features mini powwow

The sixth annual Wabun Youth Gathering held at the Eco Centre Lodge in Elk Lake July 16-20 featured a mini powwow, traditional teachings and workshops with an Aboriginal focus. Eighty-five Wabun youth attended the event sponsored by Wabun Tribal Council Health Services. The event was divided into two parts. The first ... read more ››

One Step Closer to Olympic Gold

“I’m praying for a wild card,” Mary Spencer said recently in an interview with the Toronto Star after being eliminated from the Olympic qualifying boxing tourney. “The only thing better than winning Olympic gold would be winning gold after qualifying via wild card.” And that is exactly the position that Spencer, ... read more ››

Cultural contacts

Everyone knows that if you’re not into the politics or personalities, the annual conference of Canada’s chiefs of the Assembly of First Nations can be deadly boring. You meet a lot of people in hallways or grabbing a smoke-filled “health break” who will admit they aren’t there for the meetings ... read more ››

Art Rascals

An “inveterate rascal,” Azban is a laughing spirit who lives in a world of unbridled growth and irrepressible abundance. Abernaki-Wendat artist Christine Sioui-Wawanoloath draws her inspiration from the lively spirit world of Azban. And that’s why the 22nd edition of the Montreal First Peoples’ Festival titled her exhibition “Masks, Drawings, ... read more ››

Grabbing a Bite

To ensure that elementary school students in Chisasibi have the fuel to power their minds in the classroom, Chisasibi’s Chajishapa Niguuitshtaan (morning bite) program will be heading into its second year. The idea behind the program is to give all children who haven’t eaten or that haven’t eaten enough that morning ... read more ››

A Healthy Future

The Crees and Quebec have signed a funding framework Agreement that will see the Crees of Eeyou Istchee begin important upgrade to the quality of their health care services. The funding in this new agreement will support the operations of the CBHSSJB, capital investments in buildings, equipment and information systems from ... read more ››