Volume 12, Issue 13

Comex Officially Opposes Firing Range – But Province Misses Deadline for Approval

The Cree-Quebec Comité d’examen (Comex) is in danger of becoming irrelevant if the Provincial Administrator (PA) does not uphold its position against the proposed SNC Technologies firing range in Waswanipi – and soon. The delay to approve or nix the ballistics testing range is undermining the credibility and relevance of the ... read more ››

Education Starts at the Top

A letter to the editor of the Montreal newspaper Le Devoir has triggered an uproar in Mistissini. Published in early April, it bashed the system that schools the kids of Eeyou Istchee, and in particular the community of Mistissini. The surprising part is that it was the Mistissini School’s Principal, ... read more ››

Expect Road Delays

The Société de développement de la Baie-James (SDBJ) is warning motorists to be cautious and expect possible delays on the James Bay highway from now until June 30. SDBJ, which maintains the road, says that over-sized trucks carrying various materials will be frequenting the route. The trucks are traveling to their final ... read more ››

Fontaine at Montreal Business Gala

First Nations leaders from across Canada gathered at the Loews Hotel Vogue in Montreal April 20 to talk business. The message at the Convergence Gala was all about business opportunities, networking and partnerships with First Nations. The Gala featured a special presentation by the National Chief of the Assembly of First ... read more ››

Isaac Mianscum: A New Cree Idol – Mistissini Singer Makes it to Third Round of Reality TV Competition

Singing is not something that just anyone can do. It takes talent, heart and a touch of spunk – qualities that Isaac Mianscum most surely possesses. The song that propelled the 24-year-old Mistissini sensation to the third round of this year’s Canadian Idol contest was “You Raise Me Up,” by Josh ... read more ››

It’s In My Genes

The helicopter had reached its weight limit and hovered for what seemed an eternity before ungracefully stirring enough sand to uncover a pyramid, then flew up and beyond the trees and towards the north. Meanwhile, a Twin Otter loaded to the gills with supplies taxied off the tarmac and buzzed ... read more ››

John Rupert Killed the First Two Geese in Whapmagoostui

On April 22nd 2005 at approximately 2:00 p.m.

Kashechewan Sewers Overflowing

Spring flooding of the Albany River has caused Kashechewan’s sewage system to back up, flooding basements and contaminating the water system. Those affected were flown to Moosonee April 23 as a precautionary measure. “The homes were flooded with the back up of the sewer,” said Deputy Chief Rebecca Friday, who told the ... read more ››

Mistissini Girls Are National Hockey Champs!

After losing in the Gold Medal Game to team Ontario South the first three years of the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, Team Eastern Door and North (representing our Quebec region) has finally broken through defeating Team Ontario South 4-3 to win the Gold Medal in Miramichi, New Brunswick during the ... read more ››

My First Goose Break

The anticipation of shooting my first goose had me fidgeting in the car on the drive up to Paul Dixon’s trapline. It also gave me a lot of time to think. I wondered how many geese I’d bag. I was hoping for three, but I’d settle for one. During the eight-hour ... read more ››

Revenue Sharing With Hydro Quebec

For this issue The Nation asked people for their thoughts on the $1.5 million the Crees will receive as their share of revenue growth from Hydro Quebec’s exploitation of hydroelectricity in Cree territory. Bertie Wapachee, Nemaska: “If you look at the average, about $2 billion a year on 1,000 megawatts of ... read more ››

Val d’Or Native Friendship Centre Wins Award

The Native Friendship Centre of Val d’Or was recently awarded the Filon des Premieres Nations by the Val d’Or Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony that was held on April 9th, honoured “a Native organization that stands out throughout the territory.” The presenters took into consideration the organization’s impact on local economic ... read more ››

Whapmagoostui Man’s Search for Non-Native Dad Ends – Father Had Already Passed Away, Finds Four New Brothers Instead

The anticipation was almost too much to bear. Whapmagoostui’s Philip Cooper was going to be meeting his brothers for the first time in his 36 years and you could tell how nervous he was. His hands were sweating profusely as he wondered how the three siblings – he had already ... read more ››