Category: News

Fun on ice

  The CREE Senior Hockey Tournament was not the only tournament held over the weekend of December 8-11. Taykwa Tagamou Nation Recreation also presented its first Annual Aboriginal Hockey Tournament that weekend at the Tim Horton Events Centre in Cochrane, Ontario.   The inaugural edition of the tournament saw 12 teams vying for ... read more ››

Loon gets caught in freeze

On the morning of December 2, Stanley Mianscum alerted the community of Mistissini of a loon caught in the ice. After some discussions with the tallymen and the local safety department it was decided to rescue the loon and help it continue south. Hunter Matthew Shecapio thought it probably should ... read more ››

McGill students hold benefit concert in support of Attawapiskat

In December 5, McGill University’s Aboriginal Sustainability Project hosted a benefit concert in support of the people of Attawapiskat and to raise awareness of the housing issues that First Nations communities across Canada face. The Aboriginal Sustainability Project is supported at McGill by First Peoples’ House, the Social Equity and ... read more ››

Bridging the generations

  The trickster has long played an important role in the oral traditions of Aboriginal peoples around the world. For some, the trickster may be a dangerous or destructive being, for others, an adventurous and humorous friend. In either case, the trickster is typically a creative force and an important part ... read more ››

Christmas report card

The National Hockey League is approaching the 1/3 mark of the 2011-2012 season. Here is a quick look at how NHL players of Aboriginal descent are performing so far this season. All the players’ stats below were recorded on December 5. Aaron Asham – Pittsburgh Penguins, RW Métis Hometown: Portage La Prarie, Manitoba GP   ... read more ››

Coping with grief

The First Nations and Inuit Suicide Prevention Association of Quebec and Labrador (FNISPAQL) recently held its annual conference in Montreal. This year, the Dialogue for Life 2011 Conference marked the 10th anniversary of the association and brought together hundreds of frontline workers from Aboriginal communities across Quebec, Labrador and the ... read more ››

Christmas round-up

So Christmas is right around the corner and everyone is getting ready for the influx of family members as well as festive dinners. Snow has fallen already and things are gearing up for a good holiday season.   In some places Christmas celebrations have already happened. But there is plenty more planned ... read more ››

Delicious delights for the holidays!

With the shopping all done and the tree ornaments hung, the next thing to think about for your holiday festivities is what to serve your loved ones as you celebrate the holidays. While Christmas is a holiday that is all about tradition and familiarity, if you are looking to debut something ... read more ››

It’s okay to blame the victim

  Though the Ontario Cree community of Attawapiskat has been in crisis over education, housing and health for many years, since its recent time in the media spotlight over a dire housing crisis, the Canadian government has chosen to blame the community over simply handing out aid.   According to Timmins-James Bay NDP ... read more ››

Team work

Jonathan Saganash is the young, forward-thinking communications officer for the Cree Economic Enterprise Company (CREECO Inc.). He has big plans for the future of Eeyou Istchee but feels he’s up for the challenge.   Recently, Saganash represented CREECO Inc. at the ninth edition of the Secretariat to the Cree Nation Abitibi-Témiscamingue (SCNATEA) ... read more ››

Wheelin’ and dealin’

  December 1 marked a big day for the entrepreneurs of the Nations of Eeyou Istchee. Almost 400 people came to Val-d’Or from as far away as Nunavut to network, celebrate and discuss their future.   The people packed into the Forestel Hotel were there for two events. In the morning, the Secretariat ... read more ››

Crazy about the children

  There could have been no better opportunity than National Child’s Day on November 21 to allow community members of Waskaganish to organize a day of fun-filled activities for all their children. The participation and performances of our youth throughout the day did not go unnoticed and they deserve all the ... read more ››

Bringing justice home

  On November 29, the community of Oujé-Bougoumou opened the doors to its brand-new justice facility that will be serving the community and surrounding region. The building will give the public access to the justice system and allow them to actively participate. This accessibility will also provide jobs as well as ... read more ››

Where’s the heat?

The communities of Chisasibi and Wemindji declared a state of emergency on Monday, December 5, following a total power outage that left homes and public buildings without heat at a time when windchills were reaching down into the -30s.   At press time, emergency supplies of generators, stoves, firewood, propane, flashlights and ... read more ››

A bridge to the past

  On November 15, Oujé-Bougoumou inaugurated the beautiful new building of the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute (CCI). The longhouse and wigwam inspired building will be housing a museum showcasing many artefacts from Cree history as well as a research and documentation centre, classrooms and a demonstration room where Cree traditions and ... read more ››

Two towns join Abitibi-Témiscamingue economic partnersh

  The towns of Matagami and Lebel-sur-Quévillon were officially welcomed into the Secretariat to the Cree Nation Abitibi-Témiscamingue Economic Alliance at a meeting on November 17. The announcement was made by Secretariat President Ted Moses at the organization’s headquarters in Val-d’Or. The Secretariat, created almost a decade ago, connects the region’s mayors, ... read more ››

National Aboriginal Achievement Awards winners

  On November 22, Members of the Canadian Parliament recognized this year’s recipients of the 19th Annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in the House of Commons. Following Question Period, Speaker Andrew Scheer hosted a reception in their honour. On November 24, a ceremony honouring the recipients was held in Vancouver’s Queen ... read more ››

Pessamit Innu chief speaks out against Plan Nord

  The chief of the Pessamit Innu is threatening action at home and abroad to show his displeasure with the Quebec government’s Plan Nord. Ridiculing the government’s offer of a $350 million compensation package, Chief Raphael Picard revealed a plan of his own: travel the world to tell Quebec’s potential business partners ... read more ››

Chorus grows demanding action in Attawapiskat

  “It’s been three weeks since Attawapiskat First Nation declared a state of emergency. And in those three weeks, not a single federal or provincial official has even bothered to visit the community.” These are the words of Charlie Angus, NDP MP for Timmins-James Bay, speaking in the House of Commons on ... read more ››

From the voice of a child

  Recently while covering an event as part of my work I was surprised at a question that came my way. That query came from the voice of a child. Little Michael Tomagatick looked up at me and asked, “Do you speak your language?” I answered him yes in the Cree ... read more ››

Making better choices

  More than 250 school children discovered the empowerment of self-confidence and feeling good about themselves through a diabetes prevention initiative in Timmins November 4. They made this discovery through workshops provided by Turtle Concepts, led by Dave “Jaegar” Jones in a one-day event held at the McIntyre Area and produced ... read more ››

Native sons

  Family and community -– that’s what the Cree band CerAmony is all about, and it has become their mantra in their personal and professional lives. Matthew A. Iserhoff and Pakesso Mukash took different roads to get where they are today. Iserhoff picked up music at a very early age (three years ... read more ››

Wine galore

Enjoying wine is all about enjoying the moment. When Nation editor-in-chief Will Nicholls asked me to review the wines at the annual wine and spirits event, La Grande Dégustation de Montréal 2011, I thought – now there’s a moment. I walked into the huge, brightly lit hall at the Palais de congrès ... read more ››

Protecting the trees

  On November 16, McGill University’s Aboriginal Sustainability Project and the Canadian Boreal Initiative hosted a conference celebrating the successes and the challenges facing the Aboriginal communities in conserving the boreal forest as well as personal stories regarding their experience on the land. Speaking at the conference, titled “The Boreal Forest: our ... read more ››

With Remembrance to a Veteran

  When Maggie Gull was 16 years of age, she was informed it was time to leave school because of her age. She attended the residential school in Chapleau, Ontario. But determined as she was, she found employment through the Anglican Church of Canada. She was a devout Anglican. She worked ... read more ››

Oujé-Bougoumou students honour veterans

  The Remembrance Day commemorations went well. Cynthia and I (Tom) on the intercom, asked the students in their classes to stand and observe the two-minute silence. Afterwards we read “In Flanders Field”, then invited the classes to go into the halls and erect the Hallway of Heroes (which remained up ... read more ››