The Nation | Vol. 28, No. 22 by nationmag

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CONTENTS EDITORIAL

Election season is upon us

NEWS

Montreal’s First Peoples Festival A“daily occupation” of the Place des Festivals in downtown Montreal

Reflecting on his legacy

Sports

Nadnemskawanoo

Back to school

IN BRIEF

FEATURES The art of resistance

Building the foundation

Climate code red

Waswanipi Derby casts off

An empowering ‘princess’

PUZZLES REZ NOTES

32 33

The hard lessons

UTNS

28 24

UN report highlights dangers for Cree territory

Fishing season continues

Take back your life

Community

A unique role model Photo by Lori Calman

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Editorial

Election season is upon us by Will Nicholls

t’s always interesting to see what the different candidates have to offer when an election is called. How many promises will be made? How many will be kept, compromised in the name of pragmatism or how many will simply disappear, never to be seen again even if the candidate making them is elected? Will a particular candidate appeal to you, will your vote simply be a choice of the lesser evils, or are you tied to a particular party no matter what? Hopefully, the past will mean something to Cree, Inuit and Anishinaabe voters in the Abitibi– Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou riding. Bloc Québécois MP Sylvie Bérubé hasn’t been seen much less heard from during her term, though she is still hoping to continue representing Quebec’s largest riding in terms of land area. Bérubé is known for keeping a low profile, and her lack of English proficiency may account for that when dealing with the mainly English-speaking Indigenous population. She feels that Justin Trudeau’s election call is irresponsible during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Justin Trudeau’s Liberals are pinning their hopes on Lise Kistabish, who has worked with the Assembly of First Nations and has experience in both federal and provincial politics. Kistabish is currently the director of employment and social development for the Abitibiwinni First

Nation of Pikogan, and is hoping to follow Romeo Saganash’s past success and ride the large Indigenous vote to victory. In the 2008 federal election, Kistabish vied unsuccessfully to represent the Conservative Party then led by former Prime Minister Stephen Harper in the Abitibi–Témiscamingue riding. It’s a choice she now regrets. “The Conservative Party treated Aboriginal issues with indifference,” she says now. “He did not represent my values. The Liberals are closer in terms of inclusion, diversity, listening and action.” The Conservative flag will be waved in this election by Steve Corriveau of Vald’Or. Corriveau has hit the ground running, multiplying his visits to different parts of the territory well before the election call to get a jump on the other candidates. Corriveau says his teenage political hero was Guy St-Julien, the riding’s Conservative MP under Brian Mulroney, the prime minister from 1984-1993. His website states, “I am a man for whom teamwork is essential and my unifying qualities will allow me, I firmly believe, to become a devoted Member of Parliament, appreciated and attentive to the needs of citizens regardless of their origins. Caucasian, Cree, Algonquin or Inuit.” The Greens are a young party and going that route in Abitibi–Baie-James– Nunavik–Eeyou. Green Party candidate

Didier Pilon of Chibougamau is only 18 years old. Pilon wants to make sure that social and environmental issues are an important part of the riding’s future. But he has a lot of ground to make up as the Green Party only received 3.5% of the vote in the last election. Pilon plans to use social networks to offset this and show people that “there are still good people involved in politics. We must inspire them and regain their confidence.” At press time the New Democratic Party had not nominated a candidate, which is a sad state of affairs in a riding once represented by someone of the stature of Romeo Saganash who even ran for the NDP leadership. Well, here are your choices so far. No concrete or detailed issues, ideas, plans for the riding have been presented, but the next issue will have more. After all, in these times, more than ever, we need to have a say in our future. A vote may be a small thing, but with the growth of our Indigenous populations we can make a difference. We have in the past and it’s time to do it once again. Pay attention to what is said, promised and commented on as we all want to leave a better world for the next generations.

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 Randy Mayer CONTRIBUTING WRITERS X. Kataquapit, S. Orr, P. Quinn, B. Powless DESIGN Matthew Dessner SALES AND ADVERTISING Danielle Valade, Donna Malthouse 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 | facebook.com/NATIONnewsmagazine | Twitter: @creenation_news

4 the Nation August 27, 2021 www.nationnews.ca

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Editorial News

Nadnemskawanoo

Hundreds gathered on Nemaska’s traditional territory for two-week event by Ben Powless

or longer than anyone can remember, the Nemaskau Eenouch have gathered every summer around Nemaskau Sagaheegan – “the lake where fish are plentiful,” now known as Nemaska Lake – to catch, smoke and preserve sturgeon, whitefish and other fish. Eventually the Hudson’s Bay Company built permanent facilities on the shores of the lake, starting in the early 1900s, with the first houses being built in the 1950s. The location was a source of stability for a few short years, even while families continued to live elsewhere in the winter. Then, in 1968, a government representative informed the community that they would have to relocate because of a planned dam that would flood the land, leaving only the Hudson’s Bay Company and the graveyard. The settlement was abandoned in 1970, with the Nemaskau Eenouch relocating to Mistissini and Waskaganish. But the dam and floods never came. The community ended up moving to the site of modern-day Nemaska on Champion

Lake. For the past 35 years, community members make an annual pilgrimage to the old Nemaska post during the “Nadnemskawanoo Days” event. This year’s Old Nemaska Gathering was held July 26-August 8, bringing out about 500 people by boat to the traditional territory. After decades of use, and people taking it upon themselves to restore the site, those who return now stay in cabins, tents, tent frames and teepees for the duration of the event. According to John Paul Wapachee, Nemaska’s Interim Cultural Coordinator and coordinator for the Old Nemaska Gathering, it’s important to “bond with the lake, fishing, passing along traditional knowledge and skills from Elders and trappers to the youth and anyone who comes.” He says that there is no running water, electricity or distractions. “Everyone is enjoying their time relaxing,” Wapachee said. “You can visit anyone just like that. It’s very peaceful, Elders are sharing stories. It’s a return to a simpler time.”

This year, there were five days dedicated to traditional workshops led by James Wapachee Sr. and William Wapachee, and five days of traditional cooking lessons given by Harriet Wapachee. Other activities included wood carving, walking-out ceremonies, fishing, as well as heated competition in games of cribbage, poker, checkers, bucksaw, bingo, capture the flag and basketball. Another big hit every year is the jamboree night, which includes a big feast – burgers and hot dogs for kids, and bear, moose and other traditional foods for older generations. After a local band performs, the jamboree turns into an open mic. “It’s pretty eclectic, usually amateurs,” Wapachee shares with a laugh. Wapachee expressed thanks to God, the chief and council, and all the individual departments in Nemaska that helped to make the event happen and a success this year – particularly the environmental department, which keeps the island clean for next time. “It’s a real community effort.”

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espite a difficult experience since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, Cree School Board Chairperson Sarah Pash is confident that Eeyou Istchee is ready for a return to almost-normal classroom activities. “We can’t say the past year has been easy – it has been quite challenging – but I’m so proud of the way our teachers and staff rose to the challenges and spent all their energy on students and putting students first,” Pash told the Nation. Pash acknowledges the toll that the past academic year took its toll on staff, parents and students. “We’re dealing with Covid fatigue. Our staff went through a very trying period and had to adapt in ways they didn’t envision before; they were very dedicated and showed a lot of love and care for the students. Students also had to adapt; they were very resilient, and they were able to pretty much get through anything that was thrown at them,” Pash said. The CSB will address mental health and well-being for all stakeholders. Stress, anxiety and isolation have impacted all involved, and the lack of contact with teachers and their interpersonal instruction mean that many students haven’t progressed as they would have in a classroom setting. The CSB will prioritize keeping children in schools as much as possible, beginning with a return under Schedule A – the least restrictive that schools can be right now. As during the past year, students will have stable class groups, extended to socially distanced bus seating. Secondary students will continue to wear masks in most indoor areas, though not in classes. Pash said that parents are a key factor in the success of students, with many working full-time while lending support to their children. “The thing we learned as parents – and I’m including myself – is how difficult it can be during periods of online learning, when you’re trying to do your own work, and manage home life, that you’re there to support your child while they’re learning online.” The CSB will continue to ensure every secondary student is provided with a laptop in case they are needed for online learning, but the goal is to keep that as a last-resort option. “Last year was a year where we prepared ourselves and figured out what needed to get done, where we looked at online scenarios, and this year we’re ready to go with it. We’re hoping it doesn’t happen, but we are prepared,” said Pash.

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Back to school Preparing for a less restrictive school year by Ben Powless | Photo provided by the CSB

However, the technology for online learning has also opened new possibilities. Pash says that the CSB is considering offering advanced courses in math and science, which would allow students to gain prerequisites for high-demand post-secondary programs, such as health sciences. Pash said that another lesson learned during the pandemic is the importance of

plement the work parents and caretakers have done to focus on what’s important for students and to make sure their needs are met.” The pandemic also affected adult education by reducing class sizes, noted CSB Adult Education Director Nian Matoush. “We were quite impacted in the number of students we could accommodate, so I can only imagine how frustrating that

“I’m so proud of the way our teachers and staff rose to the challenges and spent all their energy on students and putting students first - Sarah Pash, CSB Chairperson collaboration at a local and regional level, including local public health officials and parents. Graduation ceremonies are currently being planned for students from the past year, and information should be released within each community in the coming weeks. Plans are for in-person events, but that will be determined locally. “For the students in our schools now, we can only see great things in their future, and we need to nurture those strengths and ensure their needs are met, and their goals and dreams remain viable,” Pash shared. “We also need to com-

must have been for those students intent on completing their courses,” Matoush told the Nation. Matoush said facilities are often rented in communities and aren’t standardized. So, to accommodate social distancing, they were forced to limit the number of students. In response, some of the curriculum moved online so students could finish course assignments at home while attending class part-time. “It was positively received because it was more flexible. Since our students are often parents and have other responsibil-

ities, they could do coursework outside of usual hours,” Matoush said. Sabtuan Adult Education Services also focused on acquiring laptops for students, and even provided quality internet connections for those who needed it. Nevertheless, Matoush says that the return to classes will be “quite different,” with a mix of online and in-person learning. Several vocational training programs that were shut down entirely will be brought back in the fall. New programs to be offered will be based on community feedback, which indicated a desire for more culturally based programs. To that end, Sabtuan will introduce a program in protection and development of wildlife habitats, starting in Mistissini in the winter. Right now, they are connecting with local Elders and defining the needs for training and manpower that exist in this field. Another new program will focus on refrigeration, now in high demand for communities that rely on outside expertise to service equipment in arenas. One new program is a 300-hour-long course on starting a business that can be combined with a vocational skill to help establish new entrepreneurs in Cree communities. The CSB recently held an online Adult Learner Day to acknowledge and celebrate student efforts. Students sent in photos and videos showcasing their creative projects, allowing educators and students from across Eeyou Istchee to participate together for the first time. “People were so happy to have that connection. We found this one moment to celebrate student success,” Matoush shared.

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In Brief Gespe’gewa’gi returns for 2nd season The Indigenous fishers of Listuguj will have a bigger platform for telling their stories in the second season of Gespe’gewa’gi: The Last Land. Rezolution Pictures announced that APTN had greenlit a second season of 10 half-hour episodes, co-directed and executive produced by Chisasibi’s Ernest Webb as well as Greg Lawrence. The series provides a valuable Indigenous perspective of the commercial fishing industry in the beautiful Gaspé Peninsula, following largerthan-life characters as they hit the water in search of crab, lobster, shrimp and salmon. The exciting show demonstrates how taking control of their own fishing has strengthened the Mi’kmaq community’s traditions and members. This subject became more topical over the last year when conflicts between Nova Scotia’s Mi’kmaq and non-Indigenous commercial fishers gained national attention. British Columbia Court of Appeal then upheld parts of a lower court ruling that Canada’s regulation and management of commercial fisheries unjustifiably infringed on the First Nations fishers’ rights to harvest and sell fish. Season two will remain anchored in Listuguj while travelling to other Indigenous fisheries in Mi’kmaq territory, such as Gesgapegiag (Quebec), Eel River Bar (New Brunswick) and Sipekne’katik (Nova Scotia). It will continue to showcase life on the water, the science and conservation efforts being put forward, and the history, culture and community of the Mi’gmagi.

Pre-production is scheduled to begin in August with shooting to commence throughout the autumn and into next summer. First broadcast last winter, the first season is currently re-running on APTN along with its streaming service, lumi. Webb was also in the area this summer for another upcoming APTN series called Lands Enchanted.

Youth Chief Gunner The new Youth Grand Chief is Adrian N. Gunner of Waswanipi, who was elected in first-round voting for the Cree Nation Youth Council August 17 with 54% of ballots cast in a three-person race. Gunner is a social work technician at the Cree School Board who graduated in Justice Studies from Algonquin College. In second was Heather House at 23.4%, followed by Stacy Anderson with 22.6%. The Youth Deputy Grand Chief will be Jordan Masty of Whapmagoostui, who captured 52.3% of first-round votes, while Andrea McLeod took 36.3%, and Nikita Mayappo had 11.4%.

Nishnawbe Aski Nation chooses Fox The Nishnawbe Aski Nation, which represents 49 First

Nations in northern Ontario, has elected a new grand chief. Derek Fox, of Bearskin Lake First Nation, replaces outgoing Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler, who has led the organization since 2015. Unofficial results have Fox winning by only 30 votes. The term is for three years Fox has served two terms as the organization’s deputy grand chief.

Trudeau calls federal election Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met newly installed Governor General Mary Simon August 15 to trigger a snap election set for September 20, just 36 days of campaigning. Opposition parties are critical of Trudeau’s decision, arguing that it is a public health threat to hold an election while the fourth wave of the coronavirus is gaining strength.

Trudeau hopes to win a majority in Parliament, though polls showed Trudeau’s Liberals are vulnerable. Currently, the Liberal Party holds 155 seats in the House of Commons, the Conservatives 119, the Bloc Québécois 32, the New Democratic Party 24 and the Green Party has two, with five seats held by independents. A minimum of 170 seats are needed to form a majority government. Sylvie Bérubé of the Bloc Québécois is the current MP for Abitibi–Baie-James– Nunavik–Eeyou, the third largest riding in the country after Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Bérubé was elected in 2019, replacing the NDP’s Romeo Saganash. She is being challenged by Lise Kistabish for the Liberal Party and Steve Corriveau for the Conservatives. The NDP has not announced a candidate for the riding.

In Brief

Les membres du conseil d’administration et toute l’équipe de la Société de développement de la Baie-James souhaitent offrir leurs plus sincères félicitations à madame Mandy Gull-Masty pour son élection comme grande chef du Grand Conseil des Cris. Nous lui assurons notre entière collaboration et sommes convaincus qu'elle réalisera de grandes choses pour la population d'Eeyou Istchee Baie-James. The board members and the whole team of the Société de développement de la Baie-James offer their most sincere congratulations to Madame Mandy Gull-Masty for her election to become the Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee). We assure her our full collaboration and we are convinced that she will achieve great things for the population of Eeyou Istchee James Bay.

sdbj.gouv.qc.ca

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Features

M Montreal’s First Peoples Festival provides Indigenous artists a platform on the world’s stage

ontreal’s First Peoples Festival once again delivered an impressive array of Indigenous films, live concerts, theatre and visual arts after going mostly virtual last year. The festival, which ran August 3-11, included a “daily occupation” of the Place des Festivals for five memorable evenings. Every afternoon during the festival, the Buffalo Hat Singers and Northern Voice traditional music groups gave impromptu performances, while the NuestraAmericana parade on Saturday afternoon offered an opportunity for Indigenous cultures from countries like Mexico and Colombia to

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display traditional cultural dances and regalia. “In the 21st century, we open our minds and hearts to our Indigenous brothers and sisters all around the world,” festival director André Dudemaine told CBC. “The best ambassadors for a nation are the artists because they have a language that everybody will automatically connect to.” The first night of concerts was a daring collaborative experiment, with Nouvel Ensemble Moderne and Forestare providing a contemporary classical backdrop for rising stars Laura Niquay, Anachnid and Q052. Pikogan rapper Samian launched his album on August 6, while Mike Paul and

The art of

resistance by Patrick Quinn | Photos by Lori Calman

Gator Beaulieu gave rootsy performances the following night. After a year of pandemic-enforced online shows, Twin Flames began their show by remarking, “Wow, real people!” The award-winning band delivered energy and showmanship with songs in English, French and Inuktitut, including their powerful Indigenized cover of the Tragically Hip’s “Grace Too”. On August 8 and 9, Véronique Basile Hébert presented Notcimik (Where Our Blood Comes From), poetic experimental theatre that honoured Nitaskinan, the ancestral territory of the Atikamekw. Aligned with her culture’s tradition, the

playwright explored the sources of her belonging by equating Nitaskinan’s land and rivers with flesh and blood. On August 9, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, Eruoma Awashish launched her new book as her illustrations were presented on giant downtown panels. The artists who created L’enclos de Wabush, a play by LouisKarl Sioui that was webcast in June, also participated in a screening followed by a meeting with the public. Over 60 films were screened in competition for the coveted Mattiusi awards, with Brazil’s Luiz Bolognesi winning the Teueikan Prize for A ultima floresta (The

Last Forest). The Rigoberta Menchú Award went to the Mexican production ¿Qué les pasó a las abejas? by Adriana Otero and Robin Canul, with Carol Kunnuk’s Ataguttaaluk taking second prize. Kim Obomsawin won the APTN award for her meditative film Joséphine Bacon: I am Human, with special mention for Tracey Deer’s Beans. Best documentary went to Roberto de la Puente’s Quchiwato maldito while Roxann Whitebean won the Main Film International Aboriginal Achievement Award for her first feature, Haudenosonee Canoe Journey. “It was very exciting to be selected as an international emerging filmmaker,”

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On August 8 and 9, Véronique Basile Hébert (pictured left) presented Notcimik (Where Our Blood Comes From), poetic experimental theatre that honoured Nitaskinan, the ancestral territory of the Atikamekw Whitebean told the Nation. “It’s very encouraging for me as an artist. I liked how the audience responded in the Q&A, interested in how we battled the elements. A lot of people tell you it’s difficult to work with children, animals and on water – I did all three.” Screened at the Cinéma du Musée during the festival, Whitebean’s documentary follows Hickory Edwards and his fiveyear-old daughter Ellirose as they traverse traditional water routes long forgotten by their people. Whitebean said she had romanticized how it would be, before quickly realizing how the land had been impacted by colonization as much as her people in Kahnawake. “We lost our connection to our land due to colonization,” said Whitebean. “I thought this is a positive Indigenous role model and an important story. Every year the canoe journey grows – there were a lot of people who participated this year because they became interested in the story and experiencing the ancient waterways of the Haudenosaunee people.” Among the other film winners was Jarret Twoyoungmen, who took Best Canadian Short Film for Nâdu, which documents the importance of hair in Nakoda cultural traditions. He was inspired by Badria Abubaker’s short film Black Hair, which similarly seeks to educate non-Native people about cultural aspects that are often misunderstood. “I do it for education purposes for non-Native people and other youth who don’t know anything about traditional cultures,” Twoyoungmen told the Nation from his home in Morley, Alberta. “Abubaker taught me that films should be used to educate other people. Now I’m making one about teepees. It’s weird winning something – hopefully it’ll inspire other filmmakers and rez kids.” Back on the opening night of the First Peoples Festival, the films Ashes and Embers by Alix Van der Donckt-Ferrand, written and narrated by Floyd Favel, and Ataatatsiaq (Grandfather) by Lisa

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Koperkualuk were presented at the Imperial Cinema in the presence of the three documentary filmmakers. Favel, who is Cree from the Poundmaker First Nation, said he was impressed by the festival’s knowledgeable staff and the high production quality of this year’s films. “Because they invited us all this way, in brotherhood and sisterhood we thought we should try to take in as many events as we were able to while we’re here,” Favel said. “The whole purpose of festivals is to network and support each other. It’s also the ongoing development of our own film and cultural industry. We need that alongside working with the mainstream cultural and film industry.”

Ashes and Embers documents a residential school near his First Nation that was burned down by students in 1948 “in an act of resistance and liberation.” Favel said the sophisticated storytelling in the Brazilian films he watched was a learning experience for him to continue developing and challenging his own work. “The downtown festival venue is the perfect place,” Favel commented. “It reintroduces Indigenous cultures back to that historic area that was a major trading centre before colonization. Tribes were always there with their songs, dances and art. It’s good to see it as strong as ever, giving us a platform to show to the world our contemporary and traditional art.” www.nationnews.ca August 27, 2021

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sum

For WOMEN who are 50-69 years old

ᐋᒋᔦᐦ ᓃᒋᓴᓂᔅᐧᑫᒻ Wachiyeh Niichisaniskwem!

ᓵᔅ ᐧᐄᐸᒡ ᒋᑲ ᐹᐸᔫ ᑲᓓᕌ ᑑᐲᔥ ᒋᑎᐦᑖᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ ᒉᒌ ᓂᑑ ᒋᔅᒉᔨᒫᑲᓄᔨᐧᑖᐤᐦ ᐃᔅᐧᑫᐅᒡ ᐅᒎᒎᔑᒧᐧᐋᐤᐦ ᐁ ᐃᑕᑯᓂᔨᐧᑫ ᑳ ᒧᐧᐁᔨᒡ ᐋᐦᑯᓱᐧᐃᓂᔫ ᐊᓂᑌᐦ Sâs wîpach chika pâpayû Clara tûpîsh chitihtâwinihch chechî nitû chischeyimâkanuyitwâuh iskweuch uchûchûshimuwâuh e itakuniyikwe kâ muweyich âhkusuwiniyû aniteh

will be coming soon to offer breast cancer screening in Nemaska and Waskaganish You will receive a letter from the Public Health Department

ᒋᔭ ᐁ ᐯᔭᑯᓯᔨᓐ ᒋᑲ ᐧᐃᔦᔨᐦᑌᓐ ᒉᒌ ᓂᑑᒋᔅᒉᔨᒥᑯᔨᓐ ᐁ ᐃᐦᑕᑯᓂᐧᑫ ᑳ ᒧᐧᐁᒡ ᐋᐦᑯᓲᓐ ᒋᒎᔑᒥᐦᒡ Chiya e peyakusiyin chika wiyeyihten chechî nitûchischeyimikuyin e ihtakunikwe kâ muwech âhkusûn chichûshimihch

GETTING SCREENED FOR BREAST CANCER IS YOUR CHOICE! For women aged 35-49 years old:

If you have a biological family history of breast or ovarian cancer, check with your doctor for more information about the best time to get screened

Tour Dates NEMASKA

WASKAGANISH

Wednesday, September 8 to Friday, September 10

Monday, September 13 to Monday, September 20

Crystal Herodier (819) 673-2511 Ext. 41312

Tina House (819) 895-8833 Ext. 25206

To learn more : creehealth.org/services/breast-cancer-screening Facebook: Cree Health - Breast Cancer Screening

By CBHSSJB Public Health Chishaayiyuu Department

Should I be screened for breast cancer? Clara Bus, which brings a mobile mammogram machine to Eeyou Istchee, will be coming in September to visit Nemaska and Waskaganish to offer breast cancer screening. Every 2 years, women aged 50 – 69 receive a letter from the Public Health Department of Cree Health Board, inviting them to be screened for breast cancer. Some of you ladies may be wondering:

What is breast cancer screening and why might it be important for me? Breast cancer screening is a test that checks for hidden signs of breast cancer before any symptoms – like a lump in the breast - appear. A mammogram machine takes X-ray images of different angles of your breast. A radiologist will look at these images and determine if you need follow up testing.

will need follow up testing that is not necessary. These false alarms can lead to unnecessary travel, tests, stress and anxiety. This happened to Nancy Voyageur, from Mistissini, who needed to take sick leave from work due to stress while waiting for her results. On the other hand, Georgina McLeod from Mistissini was able to detect breast cancer early, before she had any signs or symptoms, by getting screened. Her cancer was then treated successfully. When looking at both pros and cons, experts agree that breast cancer screening is a good choice for women between 50-69 years old. The Public Health Department of the Cree Health Board recommends that all women between ages 50-69 be screened. If you are between the ages of 35 and 49 and have a family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer, ask your doctor about the best screening options for you.

If the doctor decides that follow up is needed, you will be sent to Val-D’Or Hospital for a few days for more testing. These tests may include another mammogram, an ultrasound, or an invasive biopsy (sample of tissue) to determine if cancer is really there.

If you would like to be screened but will be out of town or unable to make your appointment with Clara Bus, please inform your local Chishaayiyuu CHR to make other arrangements.

Deciding to participate in breast cancer screening is a personal choice and it’s important to have all the information you need to make the right decision for you.

For more information, contact your Chishaayiyuu CHR, follow us on Facebook, or check out creehealth.org. On our breast cancer screening webpage, you can watch video testimonials from Nancy and Georgina to learn more about their experiences.

Screening can reduce your chances of dying from breast cancer since it allows you to start treatment as soon as possible. It does this by catching breast cancer early enough before it has a chance to get worse. There are also cons to breast cancer screening that are important for you to know. The mammogram images are not 100% conclusive, meaning that a false alarm is possible. 1 in 4 women who have regular mammograms

Please be assured that we will follow all precautionary measures for COVID-19 to keep you and ourselves safe!

www.nationnews.ca August 27, 2021

the Nation 17

Gettingthrough through Getting pandemic aapandemic takesaagood good takes doseof ofresilience. resilience. dose

And above all, a 2nd dose of vaccine. The combined effect of two doses ensures longer-lasting and better protection against COVID-19.

Getting your 2nd dose of vaccine is a must.

Building the foundation by Patrick Quinn

Photo by Ben Powless

Former Grand Chief Abel Bosum reflects on his legacy

any were surprised when Abel Bosum conceded the race for a second term as Grand Chief shortly after seeing the first-round Cree Nation Government election results July 14. However, his decision to forego the run-off vote was characteristic of the respect with which he approached his leadership.

20 the Nation August 27, 2021 www.nationnews.ca

“If I ran again, I felt it would go against the principle I’ve always promoted – unity in the Cree Nation,” Bosum told the Nation. “Looking back, I think I made the right decision. I accepted the fact that those who went to vote wanted the change. As a citizen of the Cree Nation, I need to accept that.” While he was pleased to see more youth get involved this election, Bosum expressed disappointment that voter turnout in the first round was only 35% of eligible voters. He suggested that the Covid pandemic complicated campaign communications, providing little opportunity to share messages outside of social media and local radio. It was also clear that the campaigns of new Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty and Pakesso Mukash resonated with voters. Both were critical of how the Grande Alliance agreement with the Quebec government had been negotiated and communicated with the Cree Nation. Bosum maintains that the multi-billion-dollar infrastructure framework with Quebec is largely misunderstood. “I think it’s a great opportunity for the Cree Nation, once they understand what it is,” Bosum asserted. “It’s about planning our own future, taking the lead and taking the pen to charter where it is we want to go. Once we can do that, then we have to decide how and when we want to implement or if we want to implement anything at all.” Bosum blamed the pandemic for preventing proper community consultation and alleged that “anti-developers” took advantage to manipulate information. While the Grande Alliance had been discussed extensively in council meetings and online communications, perhaps that wasn’t enough. “We talked about the impact that mining would have if we didn’t do anything about infrastructure in the region,” said Bosum. “I think the Chiefs in the communities understood what we were getting ourselves into. It was reported over a three-year period at almost every council meeting and livestream, but it just didn’t reach the people.” While Bosum’s role in securing the “Paix des Braves” and other agreements has earned him a reputation as a master negotiator, some have expressed skepti-

cism about his longstanding relationship with government officials. He responded that establishing committees close to the premier and other government ministers allowed the Cree Nation to address important issues that build upon the intent and spirit of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Bosum pursued ambitious goals since his early career as Ouje-Bougoumou Chief, before there was even a real community to call home. Perceived as squatters on their own land when many lived in tar-paper shacks by the roadside, Bosum said he transformed anger into inspiration. “Our people had nothing, lived in thirdworld conditions,” recalled Bosum. “They believed in where they wanted to go – through hard work and perseverance, we all worked together to make it happen. Building something from nothing to the community it is and the awards it won – it’s certainly something I’m very proud of. To me, it was building something I could go home to.”

“Bringing his people home and building their community of Ouje-Bougoumou is his greatest achievement” - Bill Namagoose, Cree Grand Council Executive Director In the 1980s, Bosum successfully secured both the community’s membership in the JBNQA and its land base by bridging generational differences to unite the community around a common vision for the future. As he exposed the human rights violations his people encountered, Bosum encouraged members to occupy their chosen site and blockade an important access road. “When I was working in Ouje, I had to rely on what were the tools of that day,” Bosum explained. “We had to do the lobbying and blockades to get attention and find ways to bring the issue to light. Once it was there, we had to learn to bring solutions to the table. That’s one of the secrets of success – you have to know what it is you want.” After a productive stint as president of the Aanischaaukamikw Foundation and

Cree Cultural Institute, Bosum accomplished much as Grand Chief despite the personal tragedy of his son Nathaniel’s death in 2018 and the pandemic’s interruption over the past year-and-a-half. He was quick to name the Cree Nation’s effective pandemic response as the highlight of his term as Grand Chief, asserting that saving lives is the most important thing in communities and families. “He led the Cree communities during the Covid pandemic, which saved many Cree lives,” commented Cree Grand Council Executive Director Bill Namagoose, who has known Bosum since the GCC’s early days. “He had a vision on the long-term needs of the Cree Nation then and how to achieve them. I enjoy being a long-time friend and colleague of his and have learned much from him. “Bringing his people home and building their community of Ouje-Bougoumou is his greatest achievement,” Namagoose told the Nation. “He gave them security and a sense of belonging. The Paix des Braves helped to reverse the economic and social downward spiral the Cree Nation was on – the transformative change is apparent in the Cree communities. Although he is not very tall, he is one of the giants in the Cree Nation and in Cree history.” After successfully advocating for his community, Bosum was chosen to represent the Crees in stalled negotiations with Quebec. The Paix des Braves marked a turning point in relations with the province, providing new funding and autonomy in managing JBNQA benefits, allowing the Cree Nation to define its own future. “The Paix des Braves, then the governance agreements that allowed us to extend our role in all of Eeyou Istchee, as opposed to just being on reserves – I would see these as the highlights of my career,” Bosum reflected. “I feel good that I was part of that and the fact I was able to carry the torch from former leaders like Billy Diamond, Ted Moses and others.” Bosum intends to revive his consulting services firm after a well-deserved break with his wife Sophie. Now it is the turn of the next generation. As Abel Bosum embarks upon unfinished business this fall, he hopes that the next leadership can build upon his work.

www.nationnews.ca August 27, 2021

the Nation 21

ᓂᓯᒋᔮᔅᑎᒧᐧᐋᓈᓂᒡ ᒋᔕᐅᒋᒫᐦᑳᓐ ᒪᓐᑏ ᐧᑳᓪ-ᒪᔅᑏ ᑭᔮᐦ ᐊᓂᔮᔨᐤ ᒐ ᑕᒋᔅᑳᑯᑦ ᒋᔕᐅᒋᒫᐦᑳᓐ ᓈᕐᒥᓐ ᐊ᙮ ᐧᐋᐹᒌ᙮

ᐅᒌ ᐅᑎᐦ ᑳ ᒫᒧᐧᐃᔅᑎᐦᒡ ᓂᔅᑭᒧᐧᐃᓐ ᐧᐃᐦᑎᒧᐧᐋᐅᒡ ᐅᔮᔨᐤ ᒑ ᓂᑳᓂᔅᑯᐧᐋᔨᒡ ᑳ ᒫᒧᐱᔨᒡ ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᐅᑎᐦ (ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᐊᔅᒌᐦᒡ) ᑭᔮᐦ ᐊᓂᔮᔨᐤ ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᑎᐹᔨᐦᒋᒑᓯᐤ ᑭᔮᐦ ᐧᐋᒋᔮᒫᐅᒡ ᐅᔭᔨᐤ ᑳ ᐃᔑ ᐧᐃᑎᓂᒥᐦᒡ᙮ ᑭᒫᐦ ᐊᓐ ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᐧᐋᐱᐦᑎᒫᐦᒄ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒫᒃ ᐊᓐ ᐧᐋ ᐃᔑ ᐱᑯᐦᑖᔮᒄᐦ ᒑ ᒌ ᓂᐦᑖᐅᒋᐦᒡ ᐊᓂᑖᐦ ᐃᔑ ᓂᑳᓂᐦᒡ ᒑ ᒌ ᐧᐃᒋᐦᐄᑯᒡ ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᑳ ᐃᑎᔅᑳᓈᓯᔨᒡ᙮ ᒋᐱᑯᓴᔨᒥᑎᓈᓐ ᒑ ᒌ ᒥᔪᐱᔨᔮᒄ ᐋ ᓂᓯᔮᒄᐦ᙮

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FEDERAL ELECTION

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

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• become a Canadian citizen • moved you may need to update your information with Elections Canada.

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If you have tested positive for or have symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been in contact with someone who has the virus, visit elections.ca to apply to vote by mail. You have until Tuesday, September 14, 6:00 p.m., to apply.

Stay safe. Vote safe. Visit elections.ca for the official information on voting and the health and safety measures in place 1-800-463-6868

elections.ca

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Climate‘ Photos and story by Ben Powless

‘code

red‘

climate

24 the Nation

new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has highlighted a “climate code red” for the planet and for humanity. The report, released August 9, is the sixth assessment undertaken by the United Nations body, and compiled the summaries of 14,000 studies. The report’s conclusions are generally dire. The science indicates that even if humanity stopped polluting today, warming would continue for at least 30 years. So far, we’ve seen a 1.1°C increase in average temperatures across the planet, which has already altered weather patterns, leading to heat waves, droughts and floods, forest fires, sea level rise, and more intense storms. The warming is expected to reach at least 1.5°C by 2050, which will trigger even more extreme weather, causing food shortages affecting hundreds of millions of people. It is expected that many species of plants and animals will go extinct.

If no significant action is taken, the earth could heat up by an average 3°C by the end of the century, with disastrous results. Temperatures tend to rise even quicker at the poles. Jeannine-Marie St-Jacques, Assistant Professor of Geography, Planning and Environment at Concordia University in Montreal, told the Nation that areas such as Eeyou Istchee can “expect to see more warming, shorter winters and a longer growing season. As snow melts out further there’s more warming, since snow reflects a lot of sunlight back into space, while bare ground absorbs sunlight and creates more warming.” St-Jacques said that there may also be more precipitation extremes, as warmer air holds more humidity. “So more heavy snowstorms. Expect probably more snow and more rain. In communities along the coast, there’s sea level rise that will be accelerating, because as the ocean warms, water expands, and sea

levels rise. There’s also melting ice from Greenland, so all that water is going into the ocean.” In Russia, the tundra is shrinking, but St-Jacques says she doesn’t think that’s been detected yet in northern Quebec, though there may be an increase of shrubland in forest ecosystems. “Northern winter is a great disease barrier for humans and animals,” St-Jacques noted, pointing to the rise in Lyme disease as ticks move further north. Pernilla Talec, the Climate Change Coordinator for the Cree Nation Government (CNG), says the IPCC report highlights what Crees and scientists have been saying for years, and shows that we must act now to ensure a best-case scenario for the future of all living species. “Every degree we prevent the earth from warming is extremely important,” she told the Nation. “The Cree culture is intrinsically linked to its environment.

Therefore, climate change has a direct impact on the Cree way of life.” She points to unstable ice conditions, reducing the chance for passing along traditional knowledge, causing anxiety around travel, while impacting endangered and culturally important species. Polar bears are coming closer to communities in search of food. Caribou are being threatened by habitat loss and new species migrate further north. Geese flight patterns are changing. Eelgrass meadows are disappearing, erasing a key food source and habitat for waterfowl. In response, the CNG has hosted a series of forums on climate change which resulted in community adaptation plans through participatory videos. The CNG also hired Talec, with the goal of creating a database and networking platform to coordinate projects in collaboration with community representatives and organizations.

Talec says it’s good that Quebec and Ottawa are making more money available to the Cree Nation for community-based adaptation projects. At the same time, she is calling on the government to take stronger action now to limit the damage and prevent the loss of species. “The current pandemic has shown that we are able to adapt and change rapidly our ways of doing things. The IPCC report should be understood as a wakeup call that it is time to act drastically even if it entails economic and societal sacrifices,” Talec stated. St-Jacques says that communities that maintain traditional skills may be in better shape than most in facing the threats brought on by climate change. But her overall message is that we will all have to work together. “Nobody as an individual will get through this, only strong communities.”

UN report highlights dangers for Cree territory and way of life

the Nation 25

Department of Justice and Correctional Services

≠::ᒡ CAVAC ≠ ::::≠:≠≠≠≠≠ (:≠≠≠≠ ≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠ ≠≠≠≠≠ ≠ ≠≠≠ ≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠

ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᐦᑑᑎᐧᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᐧᐋᓂᒌ ᐋ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᒌ ᐅᔑᐦᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᐤ ᒑᒌ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᓂᒌ ᐊᐧᐋᓂᒌ ᐋᒌ ᐧᐃᓂᑑᐧᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐅᔮᐧᐋᐦᒡ, ᐅᒥᑐᓈᔨᒋᑭᓂᐧᐋᐦᒡ ᑭᔮ ᐅᐱᒫᑎᓯᐧᐃᓂᐧᐋᐦᒡ ᐊᓂᔨᐤ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐋᒌ ᐲᑯᓂᑭᓂᐧᐃᔨᒡ ᐧᐃᔨᔑᐧᐋᐧᐃᓂᔨᐤ ᑭᔮ ᒫᒃ ᐋ ᐊᔨᒦᔥᑎᐧᒫᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐋ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᒑᒌ ᐱᑯᐦᑖᒡ ᒑᐧᑳᔨᐤ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐋᒌ ᐋᐦᑯᐦᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡx ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᑑᑖᑯᔨᓈ ᓈᔥᑦ ᐋᒌ ᐧᐋᐱᐦᑎᒥᓐ ᐋ ᐲᑯᓂᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐧᐃᔨᔑᐧᐋᐧᐃᓐ, ᓃᔑᓐᐦ ᐃᔨᔨᐤ CAVAC ᐋ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐋᐱᑎᓰᔥᑎᐧᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐃᔨᔨᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᓂᑖ ᐃᔨᔨᐤ ᐊᔅᒌᐦᒡx ᓂᓈᐦᑭᐤ ᐃᔑ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᐧᐋᔨᐤᐦ ᐊᓂᒌ CAVAC ᐋᐱᑎᓰᓯᐧᐃ, ᒋᒡ: ≠≠≠:≠ ≠≠ ≠:::: ≠≠≠: ≠≠: :≠ ≠: ::::≠≠≠: ≠≠≠≠≠::≠≠: ᐋ ᓂᑎᐧᐃᒋᔅᒑᔨᒫᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᓂᑎᐧᐋᔑᐦᑎᐦᒡ ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᑑᐧᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ≠ ≠: :≠≠:≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠ ≠ ≠ ≠:≠ ≠:≠≠ ≠≠:≠ : ≠≠ ≠≠:≠≠≠≠≠ ≠: :: ≠ ≠ ≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠ ᐋᐧᐃᒄ ᑭᔮ ᐅᔥᑭᒡ ᐋ ᐊᑎ ᐱᒥᐱᔨᒡ ᐋ ᑎᐹᔅᑯᓂᒑᓂᐧᐃᒡ ≠:≠≠ᒡ ≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠: ᒑᒌ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᑑᐧᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᒑᒌ ᐃᐦᑑᑎᐦᒃ ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᓂᑎᐧᐋᔨᐦᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᔨᒡ ᒥᓯᓂᐄᑭᓐᐦ ≠ ≠≠≠≠ᐦ≠≠≠≠≠≠≠ : ≠≠≠≠≠:≠≠≠≠≠ :≠: ≠ ≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠ ᐱᑯᓂᒑ ᑯᔨᔅᒃ ᒑᒌ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᑑᐧᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᓂᑖ ᐧᐃᔮᑯᓂᒑᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ ᓂᑐᐦᑯᔨᓐ ᐋᐱᑎᓰᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ ᐱᒫᑎᓰᐤᐧᐄᒋᐦᐄᑯᓯᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᐋ ᐃᐦᑎᑯᓂᔨᒡ ᒑᐧᑳᔨᐤ ᒑ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐄᑯᑦ ᐊᓂᑖ ᐃᐦᑖᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ ᒫᐧᑳᒡ ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᓂᒋᔥᑭᐦᒃ ᒑᐧᑳᔨᐤ ᐧᐋᔥᑖᐱᔨᐦᐄᑯᑦ ≠ ≠≠ ≠≠≠≠≠≠: : ≠≠≠≠≠:≠≠≠≠≠ ᒫᐧᑳᒡ ᐋ ᓂᒋᔥᑭᐦᒡ ᓂᑐᐦᑯᔨᓐ ᐋᐱᑎᓰᐧᐃᓂᔨᐤ ᑭᔮ ᐋ ᐃᐦᑎᑯᓂᔨᒡ ᒑᐧᑳᔨᐤ ᒑ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐄᑯᑦ ᐊᓂᑖ ᐃᐦᑖᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ ᑭᔮ ᒑ ᔒᑐᔥᑯᐧᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᒫᐧᑳᒡ ᐋ ᐱᒥᐱᔨᔨᒡ ᐋ ᑎᐹᔅᑯᓂᒑᓂᐧᐃᔨᒡ ᐃᔥᑯᑎᒃ ᐋ ᒋᐦᒋᐱᔨᔨᒡ ≠ᐦ: ≠:≠≠ ≠≠≠ᒡ ≠: ::≠≠ ≠:: ≠≠ :::ᒡ ≠≠≠≠:≠:≠≠≠≠ᒡ :: ≠ ≠≠≠≠≠:::ᒡ ≠::ᒡ ::≠ᒫ≠:≠≠ CAVAC ≠: ≠:≠≠≠≠≠≠≠ ≠ ≠:::≠≠≠≠ : 1 (855≠ 603-6137 M st ss , Oujé-B u um u, W sw p ::≠:ᓃ, ≠≠ᐳ≠ᒨ, ≠≠≠ᓵ≠ᐲ

≠ ≠≠≠:≠≠≠ᓅ≠ ≠ :≠:ᒫ::ᒫ≠ᓅ: ≠≠≠: 819-342-5296

≠::ᒡ ::≠≠ CAVAC ≠: ≠:≠≠≠≠≠≠≠ ≠ ≠:::≠≠≠≠ : 1 (855≠ 603-6168 W sk sh, Nem sk , E stm ≠≠::≠≠≠≠ᔥ, ≠ᒫ::ᒡ, ≠:ᒫ:

≠::ᒡ ≠≠ᒫ::ᒽ ≠: ≠:≠≠≠≠≠≠≠ ≠ ≠:::≠≠≠≠ : 1 (855≠ 603-6136 Wh pm stu , Ch s s b , Wem dj ≠≠:ᒫ:ᔥ:≠, ≠ᓵᓰᐲ, ≠≠:≠≠

ᐋᔥᑎᒥᒄ, ᐸᒋ ᒧᐧᐃᑎᓯᐧᐋᒄ ᐅᑎᐦ ᑎᐹᔅᑯᓂᒑᐅᑭᒥᒄ ᐧᐋᔅᑳᐦᐄᑲᓂᐦᒡ᙮ ᐊᑎᑎᐤ ᒫᒃ ᐧᐃᓂᑐᒋᔅᒑᔨᐦᑎᒥᓈ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ CAVAC ᐅᐦᒋ ᐊᓐ ᒑ ᐊᔨᒥᔨᓐ ᐊᓂᑎᐦ:

CREE CAVAC SERVICES (Crime Victims Assistance Centre) CAVAC or crime victims assistance centre, has been created to help victims overcome the physical, psychological and social consequences of a crime, and to advocate on their behalf to help them obtain compensation for the harm suffered. If you are a victim or witness to a crime, then there are three Cree CAVAC offices that have been established to serve you in the Cree Nation. POST-TRAUMA AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION, to assess the needs of victims of crime INFORMATION ON THE RIGHTS CRIME VICTIMS HAVE AND THE REMEDIES INFORM AVAILABLE TO THEM, which encompasses the main stages of judicial process TECHNICAL SERVICES, to assist crime victims in filling out required forms REFERRING VICTIMS TO SPECIALIZED SERVICES, such as appropriate legal, medical, social and community resources capable of assisting victims as they attempt to deal with problems they face ACCOMPANYING CRIME VICTIMS, through their dealings with medical and community resources, and providing sustained support throughout je judicial process as the case proceeds Sexual Violence Prevention Our front-line services are free of charge 819-342-5296 and strictly confidential with you.

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

Cree N rther CAVAC T ll Free: 1 (855≠ 603-6136 Wh pm stu , Ch s s b , Wem dj

Cree Ce tr l CAVAC T ll Free: 1 (855≠ 603-6168 W sk sh, Nem sk , E stm

Cree S uther CAVAC T ll Free: 1 (855≠ 603-6137 M st ss , Oujé-B u um u, W sw p

Come and visit us at your local justice facility. For any CAVAC requests please contact: cavacinfo@cngov.ca

www.creejustice.ca

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Sports

Waswanipi Derby casts off Fishers competed for $125,000 in prizes for pike and walleye by Ben Powless | Photos by Betsy Shecapio

early 300 people participated in the 25th Waswanipi Old Post Fishing Derby this year August 6-8, taking home over $125,000 in cash prizes. The two biggest prize categories were in the walleye and pike categories, with prizes ranging from $500 to $50,000 in the walleye category and $500 to $20,000 in the pike category. Paul Salt won the biggest walleye of the derby, weighing 10.14 pounds, earning him a $10,000 prize. However, Darren Snowboy earned the most points for total walleye caught, bringing home the $50,000 prize. In the pike category, LilyAnna Icebound won the most points, garnering the $20,000 prize. Derby organizer Steven Blacksmith, Waswanipi’s Natural Resources Director, said that the funds came from the $300 inscription fees as well as from sponsors that included the Cree Nation of Waswanipi, Waswanipi Natural Resources, and private companies such as Waswanipi Mishtuk Corporation and Rona. Planning for this event was made easier by major investments in infrastructure, including three weigh-stations, bathrooms, and a large new parking lot.

Some of the day’s winners

However, there were some challenges this year, including heavy rainfall on the first day. Despite the rain, Blacksmith noted that water levels are low this year, causing some boaters to hit rocks and sandbars, with one person having to be towed. “First time I’ve seen it like this in a long time,” Blacksmith said. “Lots of people say it’s due to climate change.” Blacksmith said big boats were unable to use one of the parking lots because the water level was so low, and even at the other parking lot, seven boats still got stuck. The fishing derby is catch-and-release, in accordance with the community’s commitment to the environment and efforts to preserve natural resources.

LET’S DRIVE!!! LEARN HOW TO DRIVE WITH US

| S TA R T T R A I N I N G I M M E D I AT E LY

Don’t be a backseat driver anymore! Experience the freedom of the road and we’ll make it happen in no time at all. Contact Voyageur Driving School at 418-770-3699 or check out our Facebook page. Still on foot? Then just come and see us at 203 Mistissini Blvd. The course is available for everyone in Mistissini. SO DON’T DELAY! Come and sign up to expand your horizons 28 the Nation August 27, 2021 www.nationnews.ca

Speaking at the awards ceremony August 9, Waswanipi Deputy Chief Ronnie Ottereyes shared a story of a distressed motorist. “My partners and I were jigging and there was this guy who comes in a small boat… and all of a sudden cuts, and hits that sandbar and gets stuck. He was looking around and had a few choice words I won’t repeat,” Ottereyes said with a chuckle. “He got out, the water was up to his ankles, he gets his boat out and takes off. A couple of hours he comes back. I ask him how he did. He said, ‘I hit a couple more sandbars out there, that was the first time I ever walked on water.’”

Community

An empowering ‘princess’ Geraldine Trapper uses Miss Eeyou Eenou title to become a unique role model by Patrick Quinn | Photo provided by Aliyah Stevens

his year’s Miss Eeyou Eenou Iskwaau – Mistissini’s Geraldine Trapper – is using the crown won at last April’s pageant to spread an empowering message of acceptance for the Cree Nation’s non-binary, gender-fluid and LGBTQA2S+ community. A two-spirited woman who uses they/them pronouns, Trapper is a student in Indigenous and justice studies at Algonquin College in Ottawa. “I was proud of myself for overcoming all these hardships and coming to where I am,” Trapper shared with the Nation. “After enduring abuse throughout my life, there were moments I wanted to give up. I felt so much love and support from the other princesses – they encouraged me to finish this. It’s important that I love and accept myself.” Trapper is open about struggles as a survivor of childhood sexual and physical abuse, but equally shares the happiness found this summer while travelling throughout the region and attending many events. They believe that sharing one’s vulnerabilities can be a valuable part of leadership. “It lets other people you know we’re all human,” Trapper said. “There are times we may struggle and there are healthier ways of dealing with whatever issues you may have besides going out to party with drugs and alcohol.” As an introvert, Trapper sometimes finds the public

role a little overwhelming but is making new friends from all walks of life after the isolation of the pandemic. Trapper may never get used to being called “princess” but is appreciative about being a different type of role model. “I’m giving them someone to look up to, someone who is actually working on healing from intergenerational trauma, breaking patterns and having a good lifestyle, who is a lot different from everyone else,” said Trapper. “I’m two-spirited – that made a lot of people who are part of the LGBTQ2S+ community be more proud and open of who they are. More allies are showing up and people are being more supportive of the community. That’s one of the most rewarding things.” The Cree pageant is different from the familiar televised competitions. Rather than seeing each other as adversaries, the contestants encouraged each other as friends, giving Stella Masty Bearskin, president of the Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association, which organized the event, hope that the next generation can overcome the lateral violence of jealousy.

Geraldine Trapper

“It’s important that girls have a healthier relationship with themselves first,” asserted Masty Bearskin. “I think this is what this pageant has taught them – you have that courage to face your fears and just put yourself out there. I only hope more women can model the same kind of advocacy and attitude these girls had.” Although in-person capacity was limited to about 50 at the April 17 event, over 1,200 people tuned in to the livestream online. Trapper’s official crowning ceremony was finally held July 20. While being two-spirited wasn’t a deciding factor in Trapper’s victory, it’s a bonus

for addressing CWEIA’s priorities as it seeks to become more inclusive. “There are no closets in our teepees,” Masty Bearskin remarked. Trapper has a seat on the CWEIA board over her two-year term, gaining professional and personal development opportunities. “We’re hoping that she will be the voice for so many two-spirited people who are still suffering in silence,” said Masty Bearskin. “We haven’t even begun to start that dialogue in Eeyou Istchee. One of our priorities is to have more mental health awareness projects, so youth and women can work with the issues surrounding them, whether it’s domestic family violence or sexuality.”

www.nationnews.ca August 27, 2021

the Nation 29

LET’S DRIVE!!!ᓈᑎᒫᑐᑖᐤ LEARN HOW TO DRIVE WITH US

Naatimaatutaau

| S TA R T T R A I N I N G I M M E D I AT E LY

Don’t be a backseat driver anymore! Experience the freedom of the road and we’ll make it happen in no time at all.

Contact Voyageur Driving School at 418-770-3699 or check out our Facebook page. Still on foot? Then just come and see us at 203 Mistissini Blvd. The course is available for everyone ᐧᐄᐸᒡ ᒋᑲ ᐧᐄᐧᐄᐸᔨᔫᐤ ᑎᐹᒋᒨᓯᓇᐦᐄᑲᓂᔥ! in Mistissini. SO DON’T DELAY! Come and sign up to expand your horizons ᐃᔦᔅᑯᐧᐄᐦ ᒉ ᐊᔨᒥᐦᑖᐃᓐ ᓈᑎᒫᑐᑖᐤ ᑎᐹᒋᒨᓯᓇᐦᐄᑲᓂᔥ!

ᐯᒋ ᓂᑐᐦᑑᓇᓐ ᐅᑌᐦ ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᐊᔨᒨᐧᐁᔮᐲ ᐅ ᒉ ᓂᔮᓈᓀᐅᒌᔅᑯᐧᐁᓰᑦ ᐱᓈᔅᒌᐅᐲᓯᒻ 2021! ᒋᑲᒌ ᓂᑐᐦᑑᐧᐋᐤ ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᒑᐧᐃᓐ ᐁᑎᐹᒋᒨᐧᑖᐤ ᑲᔦᐦ ᒋᑲᒌ ᐱᔅᒋᔮᒉᓐ ᒉᐧᑳᔫᐦ!

COMING SOON! Get ready for our second issue of the CSB Naatimaatutaau newsletter! Join our newsletter launch on JBCCS this September 8, 2021! Listen in to our CSB radio show for short stories and a chance to win some great prizes!

ᐁᑯᑌᐦ ᐆᑌᐦ ᒉᒌ ᐯᒋ ᐲᐦᑌᐸᔪᐦᑖᔭᓐ ᒋᑕᓯᓂᐦᑳᓱᐧᐃᓐ ᒉᒌ ᐊᔨᒥᐦᑖᐃᓐ ᑎᐹᒋᒨᓯᓇᐦᐄᑲᓂᔥ eeyoueducation.ca/newsletter᙮ Subscribe to our newsletter today, at eeyoueducation.ca/newsletter.

NISHIIYUU CULTURAL GATHERING 2021 Honour The Children ᐋᒋᔅᑖᐄᒫᑭᓂᐎᒡ ᐊᐙᔑ”ᒡ

MISTSSINI, QUEBEC September, 8-11, 2021

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

Puzzles Crossword ACROSS 1 February forecast 5 Golf strokes 10 "What are the ___?" 14 Improve, as skills 15 One way to fall 16 Like TV title housewives 17 Thunderous applause 18 Extraordinary 20 Break, as a habit 22 Like fangs 23 Hair stuff 24 Musical conclusion 26 Nautical journal 27 Fuss 29 High male voice 34 Animal track 36 Place for fishing 37 Post Malone's genre 38 Give praise 39 Bake, as eggs 40 Kate of "House of Cards" 41 30-day mo. 42 Like much Cajun cuisine 43 Plane anagram 44 Vatican attraction 46 Hustles 47 Palindromic name 48 Christmas carol 50 What the "Scooby-Doo" gang rode in 53 Cannabis product 57 Way to follow

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.

PREVIOUS SOLUTION: T O U T

P A G E

A W O L

W R E N

S H O V E

U N D E R R A T E T E P E E

B E S P E A K P R E T E N D

S A L S I I N D E E S T H A O C W E T S T Y

A M I S S B A N K D R A F T

L E S T P E T T Y A R I A

E N T E R I T I S I D E A L

R E T R O C R E A T E

G R A P A E R I S P I T R E A M I S S O N O T H E N O C B A R R E N S U A T E M A R K C A N I C O D E B

H E E D

D A Y S S E N T

STR8TS Medium

3 2

4 5 6 7 3 9 8

6 4 4

5 7 2

4 4

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

20 23

25 30

43 46

45 47 54

29 36

24 27

58 61

59 61 62 63 64

Call attention to Sis to Katniss Back end Church leader Rush job notation 65 Verge 66 Out of practice 67 Fit together DOWN 1 "Beats me" gesture 2 Nary a person 3 Crawling, say 4 "The Way We ____" 5 Pirate's pet 6 Flip 7 Flat hat

No. 288

Previous solution - Tough

7 8

8 9 10 11 12 13 19 21 25 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 39

Fairway feature Baby transport Sherbet flavor Balance sheet item Cowgirl Evans Downhill racer Mall booth Computer brand Kind of violet Serling of Sci-fi TV High nest (var.) Set crosswise Mitchell mansion Milky stone Concrete section Bearded Smurf Stylish Old maid

40 R&B's Boyz II ___ 42 Struck down 43 Marco ____ 45 Beckoning words 46 Stuffing ingredient 49 Musical eightsome 51 Assumed name 52 Woodland deity 53 Fabled racer 54 Got a perfect score 55 Heroin, slangily 56 Netflix rival 58 Junk E-mail 60 Commercials

SUDOKU

No. 288

9 2

3 4 2 1 7 6 5 8 9

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

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

6 7 8 4 5 2 3

6 9 8 7 5 1 2 3 4

5 7 6 8 2 1

7 1 4 9

Medium

7 1 4 3 7 2

32 the Nation August 27, 2021 www.nationnews.ca

8 4 7 5 1 2 3 6 9

4 3 7

6 7 9 8 5 8 6 1 7 5

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 need to be filled in with numbers that complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set 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.

2 3 5

Previous solution - Easy

S A S S

by Margie E. Burke

9 6 5 4 3 8 2 7 1

2 1 3 7 9 6 8 5 4

3 9 6 2 4 7 5 1 8

1 5 4 8 6 9 7 3 2

7 2 8 3 5 1 4 9 6

6 8 2 9 7 3 1 4 5

4 7 9 1 2 5 6 8 3

5 3 1 6 8 4 9 2 7

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.

Rez Notes

The hard lessons

by Sonny Orr

t’s been nearly two years since I ventured out by vehicle and I’m expecting a post-apocalyptic scene. The tourism industry was hit hard as hotels and restaurants reopen and ready themselves for the new passport that will enable people to roam freely. The lack of workers is evident, but not the effort of those who are there working for us in the hotel industry. I get to skip the dishes literally. Life goes on albeit with a lot of differences. The past 18 months have made for unsteady decisions and risky financial maneuvering in a daredevil market. Luckily, I don’t tightrope walk with my feet planted on the ground. The best time to rally may be in a moment such as the present, and the common effort unites the people in a shared goal – to keep that nasty virus at bay. But this summer’s nice heat generates the need to stay outdoors, I’ve acquired a tan and it’s evident as I brush back my hair. The rest of the earthlings in my immediate vicinity aren’t complaining as nice weather is what it is – nice. This summer was also celebrated by many people of all callings and commonalities, as a “Welcome Back to the Real World”, a return to what we thought was normal. It seems to be a more cautious world now, with rebels who revel in rousing up anyone who doesn’t care about anything other than themselves. But the world needs rebels to question and keep us on our toes, so not to be caught off guard again. This lesson we learned the hard way and hopefully we learn from this awful experience. Amazingly this problem made some slick moves as it spread

around the world using our highspeed transport systems. I hope we learn how to deal with stuff like this very quickly instead of using shock reactionary moves to contain an outbreak. Real life, not science fiction, is doling out hard lessons so heed the doctors and scientists and get vaccinated. Aside from that, summer is nice to us, with a few thunder-and-lightning shows to make it entertaining. Festivities and fairs are opening before school starts up and according to many people who lined up for a few hours and several kilometres to get on a ride that lasted only minutes is a testimony to people’s determination to have a good time. Yes, but again learn from experience and bring your own lawn chair to sit out the longest line-up ever. The summer might have been a bit on the dry side as the usual berries are coming out later and the annual fishing in the Rupert River is affected too – less water, fewer fish. The nice part of summer does have its dark sides, as you can’t always get too much of a good thing without upsetting the fine balance of what’s good and what’s bad. Then again it may be getting easier to predict the weather, but it sure doesn’t help with the weather either. Unless of course, you are a cloud seeder. Cloud seeding sounds like a great job, dropping silver iodides into the cloud to induce the birth of droplet of water which turns into rain. This is helpful in areas with crops or forests, but we haven’t tried anything like that here. Maybe we should try it once just for the heck of it. Aside from that, I’m becoming reaccustomed to life on the road and hopefully we will cross paths somewhere.

AVIS PUBLIC Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs

PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN THE NORD-DU-QUÉBEC REGION MANAGEMENT UNITS: 026-64 AND 085-51 From August 23 to September 17, 2021, the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP) invites the general public to express their views on the addition of infrastructure in the 026-64 management unit and road improvement in the 085-51 management unit. If you are interested, you may view the said infrastructure and road improvement and submit comments online by visiting the MFFP’s website at mffp.gouv.qc.ca/consultation-plans-damenagement-forestier-integre/. You may also make an appointment with an MFFP representative at any time, from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays), from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Representatives will be able to answer your questions and address any concerns of yours either by phone or by Teams conference call.

Chibougamau Management Unit 624, 3e Rue Chibougamau (Québec) G8P 1P1 Telephone: 418-748-2647 Fax: 418-748-3359 Mont-Plamondon Management Unit 645, 1re Rue Est La Sarre (Québec) J9Z 3P3 Téléphone : 819 339-7623 Télécopieur : 819 339-7696

IMPORTANT: If you would like to receive information on the MFFP’s future public consultations in the Nord-du-Québec region, please contact christine.morin@mffp.gouv.qc.ca and enter Demande d’inscription sur la liste de diffusion in the email subject line.

www.nationnews.ca August 27, 2021

the Nation 33

UTNS

www.underthenorthernsky.com

Under the Northern Sky

Take back your life by Xavier Kataquapit

hen was the last time you went offline and spent time away from the internet and social media? How often do you find yourself checking to see what is happening online during your day? When I am at home in town with a high-speed internet connection that has endless data to stream, I am constantly online. I read news articles, watch YouTube videos, read internet forums, then jump over to social media feeds. That’s only the start of my internet addiction. I watch video streaming services on my TV, and I use various apps on my phone throughout the day. I stream my music anywhere I go. Sometimes I’ll find myself doing multiple things on the internet. I’ll watch a streaming program on my big screen, while scrolling through news stories on my laptop and following social media on my phone. As exciting as I find all this activity and information, often I feel anxious about it all. When I am online, I feel like I am connecting to people. Unfortunately, much of the time, I fall into a rabbit hole that is filled with fear, anger and anxiety. Many studies point out that much of social media is a contrived world of fake users and automated content meant to trigger our worst fears and feelings of anger. These two emotions hit us hard, and they drive us to look longer, respond more often and keep a watchful eye for more content. It is in the interest of all social media to keep us angry and afraid. The more

We should occasionally take time away from the internet. Try it for a day or two negative we feel about everything, the more active we are online to share those emotions with others and increase the popularity of these platforms. Advertising is attracted to where the action is, so social media loves to generate content that gets people involved as that is their business model. To take a break from this endless digital experience, I spent the past week at my remote cottage located just outside the edge of any cellphone signal. I have some options to gain a signal, but it is difficult and unreliable. I only use the internet when I absolutely must, for the most basic tasks, using as little data as possible. I’ve stopped streaming video, I’ve stopped listening to music, and I’ve stopped tapping into social media to see what everyone is doing. For the first day or two, I felt a sense of withdrawal from the world. I constantly felt uneasy at the idea of not being able to go online. Instead, I was forced to just read the books I had with me, talk to my partner in the dim light of the living room, listen to the birds and animals or just stare at the lake, the trees and the endless sky. After a week I started remembering what the world felt like before the internet. I could sit alone quietly and think for myself. I had time to finish dozens of little

projects around the house. I felt my day expand and grow longer as I now had moments to just rest and sit in the sun, take a walk in the forest or cut brush on my land. I was no longer hounded by the endless digital voices that simultaneously make me feel happy, afraid, humoured and angry all at the same time. I also had time to work on a book. It was great to get back to a life that I once had a couple of decades ago when my days were filled with action, exercise, outside work and actually talking with others in real time. I have never been the type to be bored, but I must admit that this addiction to the internet and social media has cost me my health, mindfulness and a general satisfaction with life. We should occasionally take time away from the internet. Try it for a day or two. Do you remember the last time you had a day to yourself, with just your thoughts and the contact of the people around you? As humans, we survived thousands of years without a constant connection to everything. We are all capable of disconnecting from the online world in order to reconnect with ourselves. Otherwise, many of us are going to end up overweight, anxious and depressed. It’s time to take back our lives.

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.

34 the Nation August 27, 2021 www.nationnews.ca

Waskaganish Waskaganish Gathering Place Gathering Place

AUG-SEPT AUG-SEPT

31-2 31-2

Keeping our Keeping our Communities Safe Safe Communities During the the COVID-19 COVID-19 During Pandemic Pandemic

Annual AnnualGeneral General Assembly Assembly

ᒥᔪᓈᑲᑕᐧᐁᔨᒥᑐᑖᐤ ᒥᔪᓈᑲᑕᐧᐁᔨᒥᑐᑖᐤ ᒋᑎᐦᑖᐧᐃᓂᓈᐦᒡ ᒋᑎᐦᑖᐧᐃᓂᓈᐦᒡ ᒣᐧᑳᒡ ᐆ ᐆ ᔦᐦᔦᐅᐧᐋᔅᐱᓂᐧᐃᓐ ᔦᐦᔦᐅᐧᐋᔅᐱᓂᐧᐃᓐ ᒣᐧᑳᒡ ᐁ ᐱᒥᐸᔨᒡ ᐱᒥᐸᔨᒡ ᐁ

ᒣᔑᑯᒥᐱᐳᓐᐦ ᒣᔑᑯᒥᐱᐳᓐᐦ ᐁᐁ ᒫᒨ ᒫᒨ ᓂᔥᑑᐧᐄᓈᓅᒡ ᓂᔥᑑᐧᐄᓈᓅᒡ

Listen On On Listen

AGA

JBCCS at: at: JBCCS listen.streamon.fm/jbccs listen.streamon.fm/jbccs

Event Page Page Event www.cngov.ca/events/aga-2021/ www.cngov.ca/events/aga-2021/

47th 47th

GrandCouncil Councilof ofthe the Crees Crees (Eeyou (Eeyou Istchee) Grand

44th 44th CreeNation NationGovernment Government Cree ᐃᑕᐦᑐᐱᐳᓐᐦᐄᔨᔫ ᐄᔨᔫᑎᐯᔨᐦᒋᒉᓱ ᑎᐯᔨᐦᒋᒉᓱ ᐃᑕᐦᑐᐱᐳᓐᐦ

Event Event Page Page

ᐃᑕᐦᑐᐱᐳᓐᐦᐐᓂᐯᑰᐄᔨᔫᒡ ᐐᓂᐯᑰᐄᔨᔫᒡ ᓅᐦᒋᒦᐅᐄᔨᔫᒡ ᓅᐦᒋᒦᐅᐄᔨᔫᒡ ᐁ ᓈᑕᒫᑐᑣᐤ (ᐄᔨᔫ ᐊᔅᒌ) ᐃᑕᐦᑐᐱᐳᓐᐦ ᐊᔅᒌ)

CURRENTLY OPEN FOR PROJECTS for 2021-2022 ﬁscal year

In partnership with Solidarity Alliances and the Ministère du Travail, de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE To alleviate poverty in Eeyou Istchee, in order to allow all Crees to have the resources, means, choices, and powers necessary to maintain their economic independence, and to be able to participate fully in the development of their Nation.

PRIORITY FUNDING AREAS

Poverty & Exclusion

Health & Nutrition

Education

WHO CAN APPLY? • Local/Regional not-for-profit corporations • Cree Nation Bands and Departments • Local/Regional Aboriginal organizations • Related research organizations • Not-for-profit corporations • Private sector organizations* *Organization must not profit from the program.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

CONTACT

August 31, 2021

Nellie W. Gray, Funding Administrator @: nwapachee@cngov.ca P: 418-923-2330 | F: 418-923-2674

or until all funds have been depleted for approved projects submitted prior to this deadline date.

CREE NATION GOVERNMENT Department of Social and Cultural Development