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Les sorties laser ne reflètent pas sur le produit fini. Cette épreuve e

Wearing a mask is now mandatory in enclosed or partially enclosed public spaces and on public transit such as: supermarkets, shopping centres, stores, movie theatres, restaurants, bars,

buses, the metro, trains, ferries, taxis, and carpools.

Letâ€™s continue to protect ourselves properly.

QuĂŠbec.ca/mask 1 877 644-4545

2 the Nation August 14, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

CONTENTS EDITORIAL

No problems

NEWS

5 Protecting others

Masks on for Eeyou Istchee

Back to school

IN BRIEF FEATURES

Up the ladder of success

Rockers take the 16 high ground

Reopening Cree schools

10 Fort George rocking

BOC/CreeCoâ€™s virtual AGA

Bumpy road ahead

The fish were jumping

Viral misinformation

PUZZLES REZ NOTES

Back to work

T&B

Rita Jonah McLeod: the Cree principal

In limbo

Sports

Arts

Angling in OujeBougoumou

Confronting Covid myths

Photo by Ndiamon

www.nationnews.ca August 14, 2020 the the Nation Nation 3 3

Editorial

No problems by Will Nicholls

Editorial

t has been three decades since the Cree stopped Hydro-Québec’s plans to dam the Great Whale River. That campaign gave us an in-depth education in government and corporate propaganda. So, when I was contacted by environmental groups in Maine and New York in July about a possible speaking engagement, it was no real surprise to learn that HQ is rehashing the same message: that hydro dams supply safe, renewable and sustainable energy. After thinking about it, I agreed to a request from the North American Megadam Resistance Alliance (NAMRA) to participate in an online seminar on July 26. Despite their attempts to reach out to the Grand Council of the Crees, they couldn’t get anyone to speak about the effects of the dams on the Cree and Eeyou Istchee. It was interesting to see how many activists were veterans from the battle over Great Whale. Many Americans, both new and old to the scene, wondered what had happened to the Cree and the land they loved so much. Were they in favour of Hydro-Québec’s plans to export more energy to the US? Are HQ’s statements true? Hydro-Québec hopes to export 2,400 megawatts to the states of Massachusetts and New York. To do so they must build new transmission corridors. One goes through Maine, where many people oppose

Many Americans, both new and old to the scene, wondered what had happened to the Cree and the land they loved so much the construction. The state is holding a referendum on whether to allow it this fall. The other corridors go under rivers and lakes in New York. Both plans are being heavily contested or promoted by interested parties. The webinar was a straightforward task. Negative impacts from hydro dams are clear to any Cree. The latest is the Grand Council’s concerns about Hydro-Québec camps being high-risk areas because of Covid-19. These sites bring in workers from Montreal, which at one time was the seventh most deadly city in the world for daily deaths. HQ did not test any of these people to see if they were infected with Covid19. The major problem with this is that the Cree communities are not set up to handle a severe outbreak. There are not enough beds, medical personnel and resources needed to deal with a major outbreak in Eeyou Istchee. As for environmental impacts, shorelines around the dam are so shallow that, in places, there are dead zones where no vegetation can take hold because of fluctuations in

water levels. No animals can live on the shoreline. Elders say that these should be one of the most productive areas for plant and animal life. In winter, the water fluctuations can cause air pockets under the ice, making it a dangerous place to travel. Mercury is still a consideration. While local fish are recommended as a food item for all except pregnant women, it’s worth noting that two of our coastal communities have programs that deliver fish to people’s homes. Most of these fish are caught in the James Bay where mercury levels are lower. Eel grass in James Bay is affected by the diversion of the Rupert and Eastmain rivers. Eel grass requires certain salinity levels, these have been affected by the diversions and it is dying off in places. Eel grass is a food source for migratory geese. Another immediate impact of the diversions is that water channels the Cree depended on are disappearing. This is downright dangerous as boats can run aground or have their outboard motors damaged by hidden shoals that never existed before.

Roads used to create the La Grande complex and the diversions allowed hunters to easily access caribou herds. The George River herd is the heaviest hit, declining from 800,000 in the early 1990s to just 5,500 in 2018. The Leaf River herd fell from 600,000 to 200,000. Despite requests from the Cree to end the sports hunt that saw dead caribou lining the road as hunters kept trying for a trophy kill, Quebec only saw the last sports hunt in autumn 2017. Hydro-Québec is saying in the US that there will be no more dams built and the power they are selling is surplus. If so, then one wonders about the statements made in the past to the Cree that this power was needed here because demand exceeded supply. That was why we lost the Rupert and Eastmain rivers, wasn’t it? An added 2,400 megawatts will see HQ scrambling to fill that order. While they say they are not considering anything in Eeyou Istchee, one wonders whether this will be the case if push comes to shove. In any case, the claims of no problems do not ring true.

the Nation is published every two weeks by Beesum Communications EDITORIAL BOARD L. Stewart, W. Nicholls, M. Siberok, Mr. N. Diamond, E. Webb EDITOR IN CHIEF Will Nicholls DIRECTOR OF FINANCES Linda Ludwick EDITORS Lyle Stewart, Martin Siberok PRODUCTION COORDINATOR AND MANAGING EDITOR Dan Isaac CONTRIBUTING WRITERS M. Labrecque-Saganash, S. Orr, P. Quinn, B. Powless, A. Simoneau, Ndiamon DESIGN Matthew Dessner SALES AND ADVERTISING Danielle Valade, Donna Malthouse, Melissa Juliette THANKS TO: Air Creebec CONTACT US: The Nation, 4529 CLARK, #403, Montreal, QC., H2T 2T3 EDITORIAL & ADS: Tel.: 514-272-3077, Fax: 514-278-9914 HEAD OFFICE: P.O. Box 151, Chisasibi, QC. J0M 1E0 www.nationnews.ca EDITORIAL: will@nationnews.ca news@ nationnews.ca ADS: Danielle Valade: ads@nationnews.ca; Donna Malthouse: donna@beesum.com SUBSCRIPTIONS: $60 plus taxes, US: $90, Abroad: $110, Payable to beesum communications, all rights reserved, publication mail #40015005, issn #1206-2642 The Nation is a member of: The James Bay Cree Communications Society, Circle Of Aboriginal Controlled Publishers, Magazines Canada Quebec Community Newspaper Assn. Canadian Newspapers Assn. Les Hebdos Sélect Du Québec. Funded [in part] by the Government of Canada. | www.nationnews.ca |

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4 the Nation August 14, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

CMCA AUDITED

News

by Ben Powless

Masks On for Eeyou Istchee

Crees adopt provincial indoor mask requirement as cases increase nearby

s the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep the world, the Cree Nation leadership has decided to follow Quebec’s directives on mask use in public indoor spaces, now requiring those over the age of 12 to wear masks. That update came during Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay chairperson Bella Petawabano’s July 30 public statement on the Cree Radio Network, when she reminded people that this includes retail and grocery stores, shopping malls, entrances and elevators in public buildings, airports, as well as buildings where sports, cultural or religious activities are held. “Wearing a mask protects other people in case you have the virus without having symptoms. We have to get used to wearing a mask, and it’s everyone’s duty to learn how to wear it properly. This is another reality in the pandemic,” Petawabano said, encouraging people to buy homemade masks from local artisans. The announcement comes as cases begin to rise in some Quebec jurisdictions, including Region 8 (Abitibi-Témiscamingue) and Region 2 (Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean). Region 8 has seen at least six cases confirmed in the past few weeks, including a suspected case of community transmission in Val-d’Or. Meanwhile, Region 2 has struggled, with over 50 cases reported

in the past few weeks. This moves Region 2 into an area considered unsafe and requiring two weeks of isolation for anyone returning from there. The CBHSSJB is monitoring the situation in Region 8 but still considers it safe to travel. However, Petawabano urged caution if visiting Val-d’Or, Senneterre or RouynNoranda – as bars, restaurants and theatres there have reopened and may represent transmission points, particularly as people may remove masks. This means that anywhere outside of Region 18 (Eeyou Istchee), Region 17 (Nunavik), Region 10 (Nord-duQuébec) and Region 8 are considered unsafe, including any mine sites, forestry camps or Hydro-Québec sites. Anyone who returns from these areas is required to isolate for two weeks. Petawabano acknowledged that this was a burden on families who have members working in these camps, and said the leadership may issue updates in the future on this issue. However, protocols have been developed for work sites to become certified in Covid-19 testing, meaning Cree workers returning from these sites will not have to self-isolate. As of press time, no work sites yet met that requirement, but the Cree Nation pledged to inform the public if that changes.

CBHSSJB also reports that an individual recently failed to respect the Local Isolation Law and visited several social gatherings. This forced the Public Health Dept staff to trace and contact all those at risk while forcing all those who came into contact with the individual to take precautionary isolation. The Board of Health reiterated the importance of considering how everyone’s actions impact other community members as well as local health workers. As of July 30, 706 Covid-19 tests were done on community members, with 694 coming back negative, and two still waiting for a result. There are no known active cases in Eeyou Istchee. Another 856 screening tests have been conducted, with 846 being negative, and 10 awaiting results. Petawabano said the tests are primarily meant to ensure that health workers, and others potentially at higher risk, weren’t carrying the virus. “Screening tests are like casting your net in the right places in the river. We are looking for undetected infections. We appreciate your cooperation for this kind of testing,” she said. As teachers begin to return to communities August 8, they’ll also be required to isolate for two weeks. With the Cree Nation Annual General Assembly taking place, no Covid-19 briefing was issued August 4, according to Corinne Smith,

Information Officer for the Public Health Department. Instead, health experts made presentations directly to the Cree leadership, while the proceedings were broadcast on the radio. In the rest of Quebec, there has been increasing concern over the province’s announcement to allow restaurants and bars to reopen, while allowing outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people, up from 50 previously. The Montreal Gazette reports that a number of medical experts voiced their concerns in an online thread, but didn’t publish their names out of concerns for privacy. In one email, a medical specialist wrote: “Having seen the worst of this pandemic, I would prefer we stay the course a little longer. I would like to see the bars close and these gatherings not be allowed at least until mid- to late September.” Quebec defends its position by saying it is following European models. However, Spain has recently faced a surge in cases tied to large gatherings involving young people. New cases have hovered above 100 per day in Quebec in recent weeks, while Canada as a whole has seen a minor decline in newly reported cases. Overall, Canada has seen over 118,000 confirmed cases, and just under 9,000 deaths.

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www.creejustice.com If you need more information or have additional questions, contact our office in Val-d”Or.

By phone: 819-874-2600 By email: justicevaldor@cngov.ca 6 the Nation August 14, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

by Ben Powless | Photo provided by CSB

Back to School (Some Restrictions Apply)

t’s a question that school officials across the globe are being forced to ask: can we safely reopen classrooms? If so, how? If not, how can we still support children’s education? In Eeyou Istchee, those decisions are being made by the Cree School Board (CSB) in consultation with the Cree Health Board and leadership from each community as they prepare to welcome students back to school August 27. “Our guiding principles are to ensure the health and safety of everyone. That means handwashing, cleaning surfaces, following distancing requirements – especially for adults,” explained Kim Quinn, Director of School Operations for the Cree School Board. The CSB has prepared for three different scenarios, depending on the risk at any given time. Educators are currently preparing for the first scenario, in which

there is a low risk of infection. This would see kids return to schools with several changes implemented – including those outlined by Quinn – as well as daily health questionnaires and a goal to have a maximum of 15 students in a classroom at once. Other measures include reducing the amount of foot traffic within the school by keeping children in the same room all day – instead moving teachers. Masks will also be required for teachers and support staff who are unable to distance. As well, more support staff will be hired to clean surfaces and monitor school entrances. In a medium-risk situation, schools would remain open, but with more restrictions that may include stricter distancing requirements and other unannounced measures. In a scenario of high infection risk, schools would close. Studies would take place online, with

Schools prepare for both in-person and online learning teachers playing a virtual role while potentially dropping off materials at students’ homes. “If we get a situation like we had in March, we need to be prepared to work with an online platform, especially for our Secondary 4-5 students,” Quinn told the Nation. She added that they still needed to figure out how to prepare students to use this technology, including learning how to use email and other apps and programs, but what they’ve seen so far is that students are engaging with an online approach. An update released by the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) stated that the CSB has ordered 900 laptops for both youth and adults. Discussions about partnering with tech companies to secure more resources to ensure all kids have online access are taking place, added Quinn. Quinn noted the CSB was able to loan laptops to Secondary 4-5 students when classes were initially

Our guiding principles are to ensure the health and safety of everyone - Kim Quinn, Director of School Operations for the Cree School Board.

interrupted, and they’ll be looking to see what they can do for other students. Angela Bearskin-Gates, Interim Director of Education Services for the CSB, says that as a mother herself, she understands that some parents are uneasy with sending their kids back to school. That’s why the CSB will continue to develop online learning platforms for parents who may want to educate their children from home at the start of the school year. The school board will also be looking to connect with parents via a general survey, or at community or regional meetings to communicate

more detail about possible scenarios. The talks would also provide a sense about how people are feeling, if they have any questions or concerns, and if they’re comfortable with assisting with online learning. Bearskin-Gates noted that the CSB is considering other ways of learning. “I’ve reached out to our cultural department about maybe having some of our Secondary 4-5 students out learning with Elders,” she mentioned. Quinn says that it’s still unclear how each school will achieve a maximum of 15 students per class, but that each school and each commu-

nity will be responding differently. For instance, in Chisasibi, which has 1,400 students in two schools, alternative classroom space may be required. After schools open in August, online vocational training courses in adult education programs are set to begin September 8. Post-Secondary Student Services is working to support university and college students who study from their home community or return to their schools in the fall. The Cree Teacher Training program is also set to resume in the fall.

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I WISH YOU A GREAT SUMMER while still following these instructions.

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In Brief Bear sports Cree syllabics Edmonton Oiler defenseman Ethan Bear paid homage to his Cree roots in his team’s pre-postseason exhibition game July 28. Bear, who hails from the Ochapowace Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, donned the Cree syllabics of his name on his jersey during the game versus the Calgary Flames. “I will be wearing it for all those Indigenous players who came before me and those Indigenous kids dreaming of play in the NHL,” Bear said in a tweet from the Edmonton Oilers Twitter account. At press time, Bear had yet to find the score sheet in his team’s first two games in the qualifying round against the Chicago Blackhawks. However, fellow Indigenous player Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens shined in his first three outings against the heavily favourite Pittsburgh Penguins, earning a 2-1 record while stopping 104 of 111 shots fired his way.

Chaakapesh gets digital premier The feature documentary, chronicling the touring Thompson Highway opera, Chaakapesh: The Trickster’s Quest, as it moves through the Innu,

Inuit, and Cree communities of norther Quebec will be available through video on demand platforms August 9. The film, which premiered in October 2019 at the Festival du nouveau cinema de Montréal, will be accessible online exclusively through the Cogeco, Bell Fibe, and iTunes platforms.

Election called in Chisassibi An election has been called in Chisasibi for the positions of chief, deputy chief and 11 councillors. And while the nominations for chief and deputy have been decided, at press time the nomination process for councillors remained open until August 11. Accepting their nominations for chief were Daisy House Lameboy, Pauline Lameboy and Christopher Napash. Accepted nominations for deputy chief include Keith Bearskin, Daisy House Lameboy, Pauline Lameboy and Paula Napash. Notably, Daisy House Lameboy and Pauline Lameboy will be on the ballot for both deputy chief and chief positions. Who won’t be on the ballot is just as noteworthy, however. Incumbent chief Davey Bobbish has decided not to run for re-election. In the event one of the candidates running for both positions wins both elections (with over 50% of the vote),

they will be allowed to choose which position to take and a run-off will be held for the other position, between the two candidates with the next most votes. Advance polls for chief and deputy chief open August 14 from 9 am to 6 pm at the community youth centre. General voting will commence August 17 and run until August 21 at the youth centre from 9 am to 6 pm. Advance polls for the councillors will open August 24, with the general election commencing August 25-31, again, at the youth centre from 9 am to 6 pm.

Jesse Wente to lead Canada Council Anishinaabe broadcaster, writer and speaker Jesse Wente has been appointed as the chair of the Canada Council for the Arts. The announcement was made July 28. Through Wente has been a board member of the council since 2017, he is the first Indigenous person to chair the arts funding organization in its 63-year history. He also served as the director of the Indigenous Screen Office since its inception in 2018. “I’m very honoured and thankful and appreciative of being given the appointment,” Wente told APTN. “I look at it as a real obligation to serve artists and the culture of Canada but

certainly, very specifically, the broader Indigenous community. I think it’s important that we take on roles like this and try to bring about the change we need for our communities.” He takes over the position as Canadian artists find themselves in a time of great need. The Covid-19 pandemic has derailed countless shows, festivals and other income-generating opportunities for artists of every discipline. “In these moments of trauma, as it has been for so many, there is an opportunity to reprioritize, reorient and really understand what is important,” said Wente. The Canada Council for the Arts is a federally funded agency that supports Canadian artists through grants and boasts a $308 million budget.

The First Peoples Fest perseveres In a year that’s seen summer festivals of all kinds cancelled, Montreal’s First Peoples Festival is soldiering on. The festival announced its “evolving” line-up July 31 and will begin with film screenings at the Cinéma du Musée nightly at 8 pm from August 7-13. Under the banner of “Nomade Land”, the festival’s initial plans include events and exhibits in city’s Quartier des spectacles and an online concert entitled Trancestral streaming on presenceautochtone.ca. The festival is scheduled to carry on until November, with additional programming and events to be announced in the coming weeks. “The caravan gets organized as it moves forward,” said artistic director André Dudemaine.

www.nationnews.ca August 14, 2020 the Nation 9

Features

10 10 the the Nation Nation August 14, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

“Rita, we need you. A teacher just fled the community. Please say yes”

ladder of success

Up the

Rita Jonah McLeod: the Cree principal

Photos and story by Ndiamon

ita Jonah McLeod’s vocation as an educator began at the lowest rung of the ladder. In the beginning, her feet weren’t even on that proverbial ladder – she was cleaning it. One can imagine the scene: Rita is mopping the hallway floor at the school in Waskaganish when the principal calls her into his office. “Rita, we need you. A teacher just fled the community. Please say yes.” “I started substituting for Grade 3 French – so I had two jobs,” says Rita. “They were a tough group.” Rita is at her cookhouse near the Rupert River plucking and roasting duck meat for her husband Alan and I on a warm spring afternoon. She was set to retire officially in a few weeks, but as the pandemic has ended the semester, she’s retiring early. Rita entered a teacher-training program in Waskaganish in 1989. As a backup, she also applied to be a police officer. In 1991, she attended university in Chicoutimi for a year and started teaching full-time during the 1992-93 school year in Grades 1 and 2 in the Cree literacy program. In the mid-1990s, she taught Grades 1 to 6. In 2009, Rita moved to the James Bay Eeyou School in Chisasibi and worked as vice principal and eventually the interim principal for a year. “Alan and I were happy there. The secondary students were happy to see a Cree principal. I used to receive notes with complaints about teachers and the way students were treated. Students would come into my

www.nationnews.ca August 14, 2020 the Nation 11

office – they would call me grandma,” says Rita, chuckling at the memory. Rita Frances Jonah was born at home to Stewart and Clara Jonah in Waskaganish in late April 1960. “There were lots of geese flying,” she says. At two years of age, she was hospitalized for tuberculosis in Moose Factory. Rita began day school in English and then in French at the Roman Catholic mission in Waskaganish. When she turned eight, Rita was sent to the Ste-Thérèse-del’Enfant-Jésus residential school on Fort George Island until 1973. Then she attended school in Val-d’Or until she turned 16. She lived on a trapline near La Sarre with her parents. She surprised the French people in town when they discovered she could speak their language. “They would visit and give me books in case I got bored,” she recalls. Rita also made some money selling them her arts and crafts. “Then I met a man,” she laughs, gesturing towards a bashful Alan. In 1979, their first daughter Stephanie was born. They were married at the school she was to work at in 1981. Today they have four sons, two daughters and 17 grandchildren. Even after all those of years working in education, Rita doesn’t know the meaning of retirement. Today, Rita is still busy and involved in trying to raise funds for a new Anglican church to replace the crumbling St. Peter’s Church in Waskaganish. “The old one looks poor. There’s no running water, no heating, no bell and it’s mouldy,” she laments. The congregation, which holds services only once a year, has wanted to renovate the church since the 1980s. The new St. Peter’s would stand beside the wellness centre just across the road from the old church. They started raising funds in 2017 by approaching the band council, businesses and private individuals. Asked what she planned for her semi-retirement, Rita said she would travel and “enjoy life on the land and be a great Elder.”

12 the Nation August 14, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

Rita also “It was amazing to made some pull up and see money selling them looking out the window because they themdidn’ther arts know what was happening at first. and crafts. I thought that was “Then I met really special, just personal touches a man,” she every school leader brought to laughs, gesturtheir students” ing towards a bashful Alan - Alan McLeod, pictured right with Rita

www.nationnews.ca August 14, 2020 the Nation 13

Wear a mask

Wash your hands

Keep your distance

The virus is primarily transmitted from person to person by contact with contaminated droplets released into the air when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes. These contaminated droplets can travel up to two metres and reach people nearby.

The virus can also be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Droplets expelled by an infected person can land on surfaces, and the virus can survive there anywhere from several hours to several days. An infected person can also contaminate their hands by touching their face, thereby increasing the risk of contaminating surfaces they touch. Other people who touch these surfaces or objects can contaminate their hands. And if they then bring them to their face, they can infect themselves. By staying two metres away from others at all times, washing your hands often and wearing a mask, we can reduce the risk of contamination.

Letâ€™s continue to protect ourselves. QuĂŠbec.ca/coronavirus 1 877 644-4545

First drive-in concert brings live music to Chisasibi

bout 9km outside Chisasibi sits an evacuation site known as “High Ground”, where residents can flee to in the unlikely event that the dam upstream bursts. On July 26, it provided a different kind of refuge for music lovers – Eeyou Istchee’s first major concert since the pandemic brought live music and other gatherings to a halt in March. In late June, the community’s social distancing committee received permission from the emergency operations committee to hold an outdoor concert after a talent show was ruled out because of concerns about sharing microphones. The Fort George Rockers headlined the gig following drumming group Heart of the Land and fellow rockers Cree Rising. “The whole show was memorable,” said Oliver Rupert, the Rockers’ rhythm guitarist and vocalist. “We’ve done a lot of things throughout the years but this was our first drive-in concert. It was totally different. You could hear people honking in their vehicles after each song.” Organizers limited attendance to 105 tickets to prevent overcrowding, which were given away free to community members. Attendees were provided with two parking spots – one for their vehicle and a second called their “zone”, where they could watch the show from lawn chairs or dance at a safe distance from others. “It’s a different reality holding an event when we have to follow all these protocols,” said Nellie Bobbish, programs administrator at Brighter Futures, one of the organizing groups. “We had rules that we attached to

the tickets that everybody followed. It was a good hot day too – the weather was perfect. There were people of all ages. It was exciting.” To better ensure proper distancing and other safety precautions, the road to High Ground was blocked before the concert and a combination of security staff and first responders were on site. It was the first time a show had been held there and it took two days to transport the stage from the arena and assemble it. While the pandemic has been particularly devastating to the concert industry, drive-in concerts have

years, well known for their timeless mix of Rolling Stones and CCR covers. “They have a real long history,” said film producer and Nation co-founder Ernest Webb. “Back at Fort George Island they used to play the community hall. The only light would be one bare red lightbulb. They have a real following around the bay – I was probably 10 years old (the first time I saw them play).” Webb has floated the idea of making a movie about their legendary 1974 tour of Cree communities by canoe. Then known as Red Cloud, they piled their entourage and equip-

“We’ve done a lot of things throughout the years but this was our first drive-in concert. It was totally different. You could hear people honking in their vehicles after each song” - Oliver Rupert, Rockers’ rhythm guitarist and vocalist

emerged as a popular solution to sustaining live music across the continent. Public safety measures have hindered not only performances but also the ability of musicians to rehearse together. “We only got together three days before the show and sat far apart when we rehearsed,” Rupert told the Nation. “It was kind of strange. Even on stage we marked the spot we would sit or stand.” Although the Fort George Rockers hadn’t rehearsed since January, months after the passing of lead guitarist and vocalist Roger House, their long history together enables them to quickly brush off the cobwebs and get rocking. They have been a fixture of the local music scene for nearly 50

16 the Nation August 14, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

ment into three 24-foot canoes for an ambitious two-week tour of Wemindji, Eastmain and Waskaganish. “When they first left Chisasibi, they came across a big rain storm,” Webb recalled. “When the rain subsided, they stopped at an island out on the bay and took apart their guitars to dry them off. They continued onto Wemindji, pulled up their canoes, went straight to the community hall and plugged in, playing music in their hip waders.” Rupert calls the tour an experience he will never forget, remembering one day paddling towards Eastmain when a storm’s updraft forced them to spend the night on the shoreline of another island.

“We had to stay overnight between Wemindji and Eastmain so we were sitting around outside all night,” said Rupert. “We’d built a temporary teepee. It was getting to dawn in the morning and a beluga whale swam by near the shore. That was most memorable.” With most of this year’s festivities now cancelled or postponed, the Fort George Rockers currently have no plans for upcoming concerts but remain open to potential invitations. According to Cree Rising’s Facebook page, they had “such fun with the legends” that they would love to embark upon a tour of the Cree Nation together. “There’s always a possibility of anything happening,” responded Rupert. “We were thinking if other communities would do the same thing – it would be fun. We asked the other band to come up and play with us at the finale – we completely forgot about the distancing.” While Chisasibi’s social distancing committee had previously held virtual concerts from performers’ homes during the pandemic, they recognize that people are eager to come together and are working on creating future events. For those unable to attend the High Ground concert, a live feed was made available on the local cable channel and Facebook page. “It’s good to see people together but apart,” said Bobbish. “I want to say thank you to all who came. We’re thinking of drive-in movies, just looking to find a permit to do that. We’re looking forward to our next event – we don’t know what that will be yet.”

Photo by Sky Eye Drone Services

Rockers take the

High Ground by Patrick Quinn

the Nation 17

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Politics

Bumpy road ahead Pandemic response dominates discussion at virtual AGA for CreeCo and BOC by André Simoneau

he Board of Compensation (BOC) and CreeCo held their fifth annual general assembly July 29, and for the first time in the organization’s history the event took place entirely online. The day-long AGA was livestreamed on Vimeo, with pre-recorded presentations and annual reports from the BOC and from each of CreeCo’s subsidiary companies. There was also an update from Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) director Bella Petawabano, and musical performances by Norman Ottereyes and Angel Baribeau. While the board of directors had initially considered cancelling the assembly to comply with pandemic response measures, the decision was ultimately made to adapt the proceedings to an online format. “It’s written directly in our mission statement that we’re highly innovative,” said BOC Chairman and CreeCo president Derrick Neeposh. “So we took that to heart and we said we’ll have a virtual annual assembly.” Organizers assembled a work group comprised of CreeCo staff as well as a member of each subsidiary company in order to iron out the details of how the online event would proceed. “We were used to holding virtual meetings even before the pandemic,” noted Neeposh. “But we were looking at the size of the assembly

and we wanted to make sure that our audience was widespread throughout the Cree Nation. So the staff started working on a plan to look at what would be the best platform, what would be the content of presentations, and who would be the speakers.” Nearly 1000 viewers tuned in throughout the day on different platforms, including Vimeo, Facebook and Instagram. “It was a big challenge, especially for our IT department,” Neeposh said. “But we had the right people, with the right expertise. There were a lot of complex issues, but we overcame them by reminding ourselves we have to be creative.” The AGA outlines financial and operational performance over the previous year, as well as a forecast of objectives for the year to come, for staff, shareholders and community members. But it was no surprise that this year’s assembly was overshadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic. “The pandemic itself was definitely one of the highlights of what we wanted to bring to the people in terms of what our response was, and

what the impact will be on a company-by-company basis,” Neeposh explained. CreeCo subsidiaries such as Air Creebec and the Cree Construction and Development Company (CCDC) have seen their business numbers drop considerably due to safety measures to slow the spread of the virus. “Flights will not be back to normal anytime soon,” Neeposh said of Air Creebec’s commercial operations. “Right now, we’re looking at possibly the end of September as a target date, but it all depends on what phase we’re at in a given period.” Meanwhile, the CCDC has seen almost all its operations put on hold until at least the end of the year. “There’s a big loss of revenue for the company,” Neeposh admitted. “We’re still trying to find ways to bounce back from this in a positive way.” To compensate, CreeCo invested just over $1 million at the outset of the pandemic into a one-time relief fund to help employees and their families weather the economic uncertainty.

Yet despite all the obvious and important economic impacts on individuals and businesses, Neeposh stresses that CreeCo’s main focus throughout the pandemic has been on health and safety. “It was about the safety of our people, the safety of our employees, and the safety of the Cree Nation population,” he said. “There’s an impact on every company that’s in CreeCo, but that’s secondary to the safety of our people.” Neeposh – who has a three-yearold son – also notes the positive impact that working from home has had on families. He speculated that some of those habits might carry over into the post-pandemic economy. “More virtual meetings would save time and money, and it doesn’t affect the efficiency of our staff and our organizations. Dealing with this negative situation, you have to look on the bright side as well to see what the advantages are, so you have hope within your organizations. “We will recover, but it will take time.”

www.nationnews.ca August 14, 2020 the Nation 19

info@beesum.com www.beesum.com 514-272-3077 20 the Nation August 14, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

Sports

The Blacksmith Brothers - Sammy Salt Blacksmith, Diom Blacksmith and Donovan Blacksmith; Photo provided by Benny Blacksmith

The fish were jumping

Despite restrictions, OJ walleye derby attracts a crowd by Dan Coyle

here has been no shortage of restrictions placed on summer fun as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to rage around the world and across Quebec.

But the novel coronavirus couldn’t keep the fish from jumping, or avid anglers from making their best efforts to land the big one at the 5th annual Ouje-Bougamou Walleye Fishing Derby July 25-26. While pandemic restrictions limited participation in this year’s event to Cree anglers from Eeyou Istchee, the number of participants still outpaced last year’s total by a wide margin, with 91 teams battling it out for over $40,000 in cash and prizes. According to event organizers, excluding Algonquins and non-Natives from this year’s derby “was a tough decision to make.” In a published statement, organizers expressed their disappointment at having to limit participation, but plans are in the works to reopen the event to other regions once the health crisis has passed. The two-day event on Opemiska Lake featured two categories, with the primary focus on walleye fishing, and over $9,000 in prize money set

aside for the best of the best in pike fishing. Consistency proved to be the key to success for Team Blacksmith, who cast their way to first place in the Walleye division and a $10,000 top prize. Brothers Sammy SaltBlacksmith, Diom Blacksmith and Donovan Blacksmith proved that fishing skill runs in the family, finishing the opening day of the event in second place with a pair of catches weighing in at a combined 5.31 pounds. The Blacksmiths upped their game on Day 2, landing one of just four walleyes topping four pounds. That proved to be good enough to lift them past Team Waswanipi, who claimed an early Day One lead on the strength of their first catch, an impressive 4.23 pounder. The trio of Marvin Trapper, Jacob Gull and Alex Cooper were unable to duplicate that success in Day Two action, with neither of their two registered catches topping 1.6 pounds, but still managed to edge out Team Rookies in the race

for second place to take home a $7,500 cash prize. The Team Rookies lineup of Aaron Blackned, Tyrone Blackned and Darryl Salt secured their third-place finish with the second biggest catch on Day Two, a 3.15-pound walleye that garnered the trio a solid 29.15 points, and gave them a big lift after finishing the opening day well back of the leaders in 12th place. Team Habs paid a loyal tribute to their beloved Montreal Canadiens, finishing the weekend in fourth place, less than a point back of Team Rookies, and claimed a $2,500 prize for their efforts, while Team Beaver River remained steady all weekend, finishing both days in fifth place, and earning a $1,500 prize. Team Relics got the weekend off to a fast start, hooking the biggest walleye of both the first day and the weekend with their first catch, a 4.39-pounder that measured 23.75 inches. While that earned the Chisasibi trio of Robbie Pepabano, John Chiskamish and Brian

Chiskamish a $500 prize for biggest walleye of the day on Day One, and a $1,000 prize for biggest walleye of the weekend, the team struggled to match that first big catch, finishing the weekend in 10th place. Team Lynn, made up of the duo of Lynn Nottaway and Claude Cooper, landed the biggest walleye of Day Two. Measuring 22.5 inches with a weight of 3.84 pounds, the catch earned them the $500 daily prize for biggest walleye and helped propel them to a sixth-place finish on the weekend, and an additional $1,000 in prize money. Over in the Pike competition, Team Get the Net ran away with top spot, landing a massive 21.09-pound catch, and laying claim to the $5,000 first prize. Team Dream Team finished second, edging out Team Rod Squad with a 15.36-pound catch, while Team Walleye McLovin were the only other competitors to reel in a pike weighing more than 10 pounds, and locked up fourth place in the process.

www.nationnews.ca August 14, 2020 the Nation 21

Arts

Viral misinformation

#COVIDCOrreCtIOns

with Anishinaabe comedian, Ryan McMahon

Friendship centres association confronts Covid myths through comedy by Patrick Quinn | Photos provided by the NAFC

riendship centres coast to coast remained busy during the pandemic crisis, providing essential services to communities even when some couldn’t physically open their doors. They have also been more active than ever online, including a recent digital campaign that uses humour to confront common Covid-19 myths and misinformation. The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) partnered with Anishinaabe comedian Ryan McMahon to create a series of videos for the campaign, called “Take Care in Covid”. Each 30-second clip begins with McMahon talking excitedly about popular misconceptions such as mosquitoes or the 5G network spreading the virus until a buzzer announces “FALSE” and the truth is revealed. “Indigenous people are often able to talk about very serious topics using humour,” said NAFC executive director Jocelyn Formsma. “The idea behind it was providing Covid infor-

mation and busting myths in a way that’s accessible and enjoyable. We thought we could appeal to a greater audience – hopefully people will want to watch them because they’re funny.” One video featuring a catchy chant of “Stay away from me, Covid19”, which reminds viewers to take safety precautions at sweat lodges and other ceremonies, has been shared over 80 times. McMahon has been making Indigenous people laugh for decades and is a long-time advocate of the friendship centre movement. “I am so proud to be a part of this campaign and to use my comedy to help deliver useful information about Covid-19 to help keep people safe and healthy as this pandemic continues to evolve,” said McMahon in a statement. “It’s unbelievable to see what’s floating around on the internet and even being shared by friends or even family members. That’s why

22 the Nation August 14, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

there is such a need to get trusted information out there.” While most people might find the myths featured in the videos ridiculous, they all come from common falsehoods and conspiracy theories circulating on social media. Formsma hopes that breaking down the facts into simple and memorable takeaways will help reach people who have unanswered questions about the virus or distrust public safety advice. Particularly serious myths – such as the virus as a hoax or government conspiracy, or that getting tested can cause people to be infected – risk contributing to the pandemic. Taking basic precautions can prevent potential outbreaks of the virus, which she interestingly compares to the trickster in traditional Indigenous tales. “This trickster character can either teach a lesson or give guidance on behaviour in certain circumstances,” Formsma told the Nation. “It’s a different way to view Covid-19

– if we give it a character it helps us navigate our relationship with it. It really is trying to get itself out into the world and it’s up to us to beat the tricks and stop it, so it doesn’t go further and cause chaos and havoc to more people.” To further that conversation about helping people stay safe, McMahon moderated a Facebook Live panel July 22 with Formsma and Dr. Janet Smylie, director of the Indigenous healthcare centre Well Living House. Viewers could ask questions and receive expert medical advice from Dr. Smylie, who used a different analogy to describe the virus. “She talks about it as a tricky relative,” said Formsma. “Sometimes we have this tricky relative who behaves themselves in smaller groups or oneon-one but once we get into large gatherings, they don’t know how to behave. In that situation medically, we have outbreaks and people can get sick.”

“It’s unbelievable to see what’s floating around on the internet and even being shared by friends or even family members” - Ryan McMahon

As this communications campaign winds down, the NAFC is shifting its focus to how it can best support urban Indigenous people in the post-pandemic reality. Friendship centres are community hubs that foster cultural connection while providing transition services, outreach programs and other culturally relevant wellness services for women, youth and vulnerable populations. During the pandemic, many transitioned to virtual programming, but others extended their hours to fill the void from the closure of other urban services, sometimes renting porta-potties and handwashing stations. Centres in British Columbia, for instance, received double the usual demand for domestic violence support. Formsma was encouraged to see the federal government allocate $15 million in April and a further $75 million in May to support urban Indigenous organizations like the NAFC. A first round of funding has already been distributed to local centres and a second will follow shortly. On July 30, Bell Canada launched its Let’s Talk Diversity Fund with $250,000 donations to both the NAFC and the Black Youth Helpline. This new

partnership will help support culturally specific mental health supports in urban Indigenous communities. “The service needs have not declined, and centres are expecting there might be a spike in the early fall,” said Formsma. “As we adjust to a new reality, we think that friendship centres will be central to that. How do we ensure those resources are there, not just for now but in the longer term?” Formsma said that friendship centres will help people get back to work while providing valuable wraparound supports for people in education, childcare service, before- and afterschool programming, and respite care for children and the elderly. As society gradually reopens, the NAFC wants to be part of the conversation about what happens next. “There’s a lot we know friendship centres will be doing and we hope we’re engaged as it moves forward,” said Formsma. “We need to be there as full partners to give those perspectives about what we’re seeing, the impacts on urban Indigenous communities. We think we have essential information and perspective to add to those conversations.”

August 2020 - Issue 2

Puzzles

Crossword

ere’s another edition of the Nation’s puzzle page. Try your hand at Sudoku or Str8ts or our Crossword, or better yet, solve all three and send us a photo! As always, the answers from last issue are here for you to check your work. Happy hunting.

SUDOKU Very Hard

9 8 3

9 1 3 1 6

7 3 2 7

9 8 2

– ngle number can r column. But... are divided by black artments. These with numbers that t’. A straight is a set gaps but can be in ,5]. Clues in black umber as an option umn, and are not part nce at the solution to The solutions will be published here in the next issue. are formed.

6 1 9 3 7

6 4 1 7 2 3 9 8 5

9 5 2

2 8 9 1 5 4 7 6 3

3 7 5 9 8 6 2 1 4

9 3 8 4 6 2 1 5 7

5 6 4 8 1 7 3 2 9

1 2 7 5 3 9 6 4 8

4 1 3 6 7 5 8 9 2

8 9 2 3 4 1 5 7 6

7 5 6 2 9 8 4 3 1

To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. For many strategies, hints and tips, visit www.sudokuwiki.org If you like Str8ts check out our books, iPhone/iPad Apps and much more on our store.

STR8TS

SUDOKU

No. 258

Medium

7 3

Previous solution - Easy

2 3 4 4 2 3 3 4 1 2 2 3 7 5 5 6 1 7 8 6 7 8 9 6 5 4 9 6 8

8 8 7

6 6

1 8

9 1 3

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 Jazzy Fitzgerald 14 15 16 5 Needed a 17 18 19 massage 10 Going rate 20 21 22 14 Yellow Brick 23 24 Road traveler 15 2% alternative 25 26 27 28 29 30 16 Comply with 17 Random 31 32 33 inspections 35 36 19 High-five sound 34 20 Cellphone button 37 38 39 21 Lacking nothing 42 40 41 23 Pleasant tune 24 October handout 43 44 25 Turn into 45 46 47 48 49 50 28 Supporting structure 51 52 53 31 Run off together 55 56 32 "___ in Toyland" 54 33 Gavel action 57 58 59 34 Up for the job 35 One you might Copyright 2020 by The Puzzle Syndicate not want to meet 36 Circle overhead? 55 Cartoon art 10 Share top billing 35 From the age of 37 Fa follower 56 Implore 11 Wipe out chivalry 38 Discourage 57 Harvard rival 12 Burn a bit 36 Unsophisticated 39 Chopper spinner 58 Biblical outcast 13 Blood 38 Radio feature 40 Like most 59 Grant basis classification 39 Circle arguments 18 Rap sheet entry measurements 42 Sing the blues DOWN 22 Fishing gear 41 Overpower 43 Dennis in the 1 Lioness of film 24 Potato, for one 42 Mitsubishi model 2019 film 2 Loose ones sink 25 Beauty's 44 Ecosystem "Midway" ships beloved 45 Bundle of joy 44 Wished, as a 3 Ransack 26 Macaroni shape 46 Square feet, eg. farewell 4 Range animal 27 Informal, as of 47 Toss, like a coin 45 Trinket 5 For some time language 48 ____ and now 47 Brought to an 6 Pirate's box 28 Kind of bean 49 Leg up Previous solution - Tough No. 258 Very Hard end 7 Take to the 29 Beauty parlor 50 Monopoly card 6 2 3 9 5 1 4 8 7 51 Rainless pawn shop 30 Squash, for one 53 OH to MA 4 8 7 3 6 2 1 9 5 52 Early bicycle 8 Caribou kin 32 Held back, as direction 1 9 5 8 4 7 3 2 6 54 Steady guy 9 Military no-show breath

4 3 6 5

You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com

1 6 4 9 5 8 7

8 9 8 5 7 4 3 2 1 6 7 3 2 5

5 7 6 8 9 2 3 1 4

6 8 9 3 4 2

9 8 3

7 3 2 7

9 1 3 1 6

9 8 2

How to beat Str8ts – Like Sudoku, no single number can repeat in any row or column. But... rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. These PREVIOUS need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set SOLUTION: of numbers with no gaps but can be in any order, eg [4,2,3,5]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to The solutions will be published here in the next issue. see how ‘straights’ are formed.

24 the Nation August 14, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

6 1 9 3 7

7 2 3 9 8 5

9 5 2

Previous solution - Tough

9 5 6 8 7 7 6 8 8 9 2 9 1 2 3 3 4 3 1 2 5 4

No. 258

Easy

by Margie E. Burke

1 5 4 7 6 3

9 8 6 2 1 4

4 6 2 1 5 7

8 1 7 3 2 9

5 3 9 6 4 8

6 7 5 8 9 2

3 4 1 5 7 6

2 9 8 4 3 1

Rez Notes

Back to work by Sonny Orr

trudged back to work. Shaking off my Covid blues, my growing adjustment to wearing a facemask while talking to people made me feel that some measures were working. At least the incredible cleanliness of my workspace benefitted my socks as they picked up nary a speck of dirt, flotsam or jetsam. I think of other cultures, such as the Japanese, who managed dirt like it was totally non-existent. Litter was a very bad word to say out loud. I wonder how clean our air supply is and check out an app for flights only to discover that not too many aircraft are flying around in Canada. South of the border, however, it’s a wonder that they don’t crash into each other. The mask seems to have taken on a culture of its own. Many people are designing and making masks that are tailor-made to suit everyone’s personal style. Feel happy, put on a happy face. Feeling dark and sinister? Well, there seems to be a lot of black masks out there to reflect your outlook. I prefer the non-statement mask, as nothing really makes sense in this situation. The roads have recently reopened, and hordes of shop-happy Cree are flooding the malls in Abitibi.

It seems like the vendors are happy too, but you can’t tell because they’re all wearing masks. The bars opened to a limited group and slap-happy people nearly caused another shutdown in Montreal. But patrons quickly learned their viral lessons, and the happiness is still felt being shared by patrons and bar owners. If only we had bars in the communities – all the mess left over from outdoor parties would most likely disappear along with some of the woes that come from wanton drinking binges. Some things will never change, unless somebody gets the bright idea to legally control alcohol consumption, and for a profit. That would brighten many a social worker’s day, I would think. Now almost the whole summer has slipped by, nearly spoiled except for the exceptional weather patterns that made the North a very sunny place to be. With fall coming, what will happen with the annual hunts? I guess that everyone will head back to the bush and harvest for what might be a strange winter. And what will my mask do at 40 below? Probably prevent frostbite and ward off germs. But do we need to wear a mask in the winter? I wouldn’t worry about it now

as August, the only month without a national holiday, slips by unnoticed. As for my work, I’m gladly taking the time to catch up and carry out various damage control duties, such as postponing everything to next year. Thanks to technology and the internet, meetings are even easier to attend by sitting back in your favourite conference-room armchair. The beauty of all this is that everyone can see if you leave for some reason, so I guess this type of meeting is better. Yeah, who needs a fancy hotel that charges your credit card for every little thing and leaves you without any funds to have fun? I noticed that local sales have skyrocketed because we don’t spend money outside the community. Covid shutdown? What’s that? Nope, the need to spend elsewhere

has people saving for big-ticket items up here in the North. ATVs and vehicles are in demand and waiting for the next cargo shipment is what it’s all about. The post office is doing double duty too, as online shopping in your pajamas is a favourite hobby. Poor delivery people. I hope they don’t vote for another strike and shut us down even more as they struggle to keep up with the demand. Today, the only escape is if you are a patient in need of medical attention. So people are healthier now. Who needs medical leave because of self-inflicted woes? As far as I can see, which is only as far as the neighbours’ house, life is just different. We have adapted and will continue to live our lives, masked or not.

“I prefer the non-statement mask, as nothing really makes sense in this situation”

www.nationnews.ca August 14, 2020 the Nation 25

Tea Bannock In limbo

by Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash

lmost five months into the Covid-19 pandemic, waiting for the second wave to hit feels like we’re collectively in limbo. Just going grocery shopping in Chibougamau has the aura of an epic adventure. I have not worn anything besides sweatpants for the past three weeks. This year is going to be a tough one to process. The good news is that Covid19 did not, so far, spread through our communities. Quebec encouraged the population to spend their summer vacations within the province to limit the spread of Covid-19 and to stimulate the economy. The past few months have been particularly rough for small and medium-sized businesses and pressure was put on the government to deconfine faster for economic reasons. These decisions were made without concrete guidelines. This puzzled the tourism industry, which is seeing a higher demand than usual. That’s totally understandable: on one hand, you don’t want your business to be impacted by the pandemic. On the other, you don’t want to see a spike in cases in your region.

Support your local artists and buy your masks from them!

The concern was the same here in Eeyou Istchee. I’ve seen a lot of people concerned about tourists coming from hot spots to nearby towns where we get our necessities. “We are not allowed to go to the hot spots, but what is preventing the hot spots from coming to us?” So far, so good. No big outbreaks because of tourism yet, even if employees in hotels and tourist information offices in the Gaspé claimed that a lot of people coming from large urban centres were not respecting local guidelines for Covid-19.

People raised another concern: littering. Many folks complained that campers were not picking up their trash on beaches and campsites (both authorized and unauthorized). Melissa Mollen-Dupuis, an Innu from Ekuanitshit, said something spot on about this. “As we see in the Gaspé right now, there is a lack of awareness and responsibility to protect the territory, which is innate for communities that are interdependent with it. The territory is seen as a service.”

If the pandemic lasts longer than expected (some experts predict another two years), this is something we should think of. It always amazes me – in a bad way – how people are still careless about how they dispose of their trash. Confinement has been hard on everyone. I know that most of our measures will be in place until they find a vaccine. Until then, we all should respect the guidelines given by our entities and leadership. Recommendation: Support your local artists and buy your masks from them!

We have been present since 1939. All members of the large Deshaies' family are by your side today and will also be for the better days to come.

26 the Nation August 14, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

Your Northern Airline of Choice

Air Creebec is operating by respecting and exceeding the rules with extensive cleaning and disinfecting of the aircraft, social distancing on board and at all service counters. We encourage everyone to respect the rules and to stay safe.

For the latest Air Creebec updates, please visit aircreebec.ca/covid19