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CONTENTS EDITORIAL

Bill 96 Protesting the controversial language law

Community

The sound of jackboots

Numbers finally drop

No fixed address

NEWS

BRIEFS FEATURES

Legislating unilingualism

Hockey history

Let the building begin

On the big stage

PUZZLES REZ NOTES

Making sense of the data

UTNS

Historic recognition for Beaverhouse 26

New social housing project

Arts

16 Cree Nation Bears

ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ Nunavik Starts Here Nunavik Starts Here

ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ Nunavik Startsᓄᓇᕕᒃ Here Canadian Starts Here 22Nunavik Music Week

Photo provided by: Gracie Diabo

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ᖃᖓᑦᑕᔫᓂᒃ ᐊᑦᑕᑐᐊᖃᕐᓂᖅ CHARTERS 1 800 661-5850 ᖃᖓᑦᑕᔫᓂᒃ ᐊᑦᑕᑐᐊᖃᕐᓂᖅ CHARTERS

Editorial

The sound of jackboots by Will Nicholls

wonder exactly when it was that denying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms became so popular in Quebec. Make no mistake. It’s now evidently a politically astute move, as evidenced by the National Assembly’s adoption of Bill 96, our new language law, in a vote of 78-29. The bill limits the use of English in the courts and public services. It imposes draconian language requirements on businesses and municipalities. It limits the number of students able to attend English-language CEGEPs and requires those lucky enough to get in to pass an increased number of French courses in order to graduate. Immigrants have six months to learn enough French to be able receive assistance in justice and health care, after which they will no longer be eligible to receive essential services in English. You’re a small-business owner? Well, the new law allows agents of the state – in this case the Office québécois de la langue française – to search your business for any reason without a warrant. You’d think we were in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall. How is this possible in 2022? Because Premier François Legault invoked the notwithstanding clause to protect Bill 96 from constitutional challenges based on the Charter. In Quebec, as he did with Bill 21 to enforce clothing requirements on female teachers, the constitution does not apply when our Dear Leader invokes the notwithstanding clause. Legault is showing us that he will do anything to deprive us of human rights. Indigenous leaders across Quebec requested their members be exempted from some provisions, saying they harmed

Protecting your language shouldn’t be about destroying other languages and cultures

their communities, language, rights, and was an act of cultural genocide. Many pointed out that the original language law increased dropout rates among First Nation students. To no avail. French Language Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette said the law must apply to everyone without exception. Kahnawá:ke Elder Kevin Deer said the Two Row Wampum Belt represented the basis for all agreements and treaties with the European newcomers that follow principles of friendship, peace and respects. He rightly felt this had been forgotten or ignored by present-day peoples. While Cree communities will be exempt, that is only in the communities themselves. We can all wonder at what it will mean for Cree businesses, such as Cree Construction, Air Creebec or Tawich, which have offices or holdings outside of the communities. What about Grand Council offices in Quebec and Montreal? Cree School

Board students may be forced to attend postsecondary schools outside Quebec. Legal proceedings only in French pose problems for many Indigenous people. Cree Justice Director Donald Nicholls said it can make a fair and just trial difficult for First Nations people as they do not fully understand what is going on and how it can influence them. This might be an indicator of why Indigenous people who represent 4% of the population form more than 30% of the prison population. With the new language law, the rates can be expected to increase. Protecting your language shouldn’t be about destroying other languages and cultures. Some of our biggest advances in the world have been because of the diversity of languages and culture. Other minority languages have thrived without imposing any restrictions on anyone else. Surely there are lessons there for the protection and enhancement of the French language and culture.

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 June 3, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

CMCA AUDITED

C O V I D - 1 9 U P D AT E

by Ben Powless, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Numbers finally drop

Covid cases and hospitalizations also declining across province

ccording to the Cree Health Board, Covid19 cases have dramatically declined in recent weeks across Eeyou Istchee, with only 49 active cases reported as of May 20. However, one more person died from the virus, bringing the number of deceased to 12 since the beginning of the pandemic. Health authorities cautioned that the virus is still circulating, with all Cree communities reporting at least one case – Mistissini had 10 active cases, for instance, while OujeBougoumou had only one. Ouje-Bougoumou’s CMC was still operating with reduced services due to the recent outbreak, while the CMC and MSDC in both Wemindji and Whapmagoostui were likewise operating with reduced services. Waswanipi’s CMC Awash and Robin’s Nest also had reduced capacity. The CHB said home delivery service for medication in Mistissini and Chisasibi would end June 22 but may be reinstated if necessary. Dr. Luc Boileau, Quebec’s interim public health director, said that third doses were recommended for all adults, including healthcare workers and pregnant women, as well as teenagers aged 12-17 at risk of complications or living in congregate settings. However, Boileau said fourth doses were currently only recommended for those at the highest risk, including immunocompromised individuals, those living in seniors’ homes and long-term care homes, people over 80 and those living with seniors or vulnerable individuals. Across Quebec, Covid cases and hospitalizations continued to decline, even after the province lifted the mask mandate in most locations. However, Quebec’s order of pharmacists urged people to continue wearing masks at pharmacies to protect vulnerable individuals. Montreal ended the Covid state of emergency it declared in December at the beginning of the most recent wave, saying it no longer needed the emergency powers as cases declined.

“Our most vulnerable populations continue to be at risk of catching the Covid-19 virus” - CHB’s Public Health Department

www.nationnews.ca June 3, 2022

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Department of Justice and Correctional Services ᐧᐃᔮᔅᑯᓂᒑᐧᐃᓐ ᑭᔮ ᑯᔨᔅᑯᓂᐧᐋᐧᐃᓐ ᐋᐱᑎᓰᐧᐃᓐ ᐋ ᐅᐦᒋ ᓈᓈᑭᒋᐦᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ

ᐃᔨᔨᐤ CAVAC ᐋ ᐱᒥᐱᔨᐦᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ (ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᐦᑑᑎᐧᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᐧᐋᓂᒌ ᐋ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ) 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 ᐋᐦᑯᐦᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ᙮ ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᑑᑖᑯᔨᓈ ᓈᔥᑦ ᐋᒌ ᐧᐋᐱᐦᑎᒥᓐ ᐋ ᐲᑯᓂᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐧᐃᔨᔑᐧᐋᐧᐃᓐ, ᓃᔑᓐᐦ ᐃᔨᔨᐤ CAVAC ᐋ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐋᐱᑎᓰᔥᑎᐧᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐃᔨᔨᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᓂᑖ ᐃᔨᔨᐤ ᐊᔅᒌᐦᒡ᙮ ᓂᓈᐦᑭᐤ ᐃᔑ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᐧᐋᔨᐤᐦ ᐊᓂᒌ CAVAC ᐋᐱᑎᓰᓯᐧᐃ, ᒋᒡ: ᐋᐦᐧᑳᒡ ᐋᒌ ᐃᔅᐱᔨᑦ ᐊᐧᐋᓐ ᐊᓂᑖ ᐹᒋ ᑭᔮ ᒥᑐᓈᔨᐦᒋᑭᓐ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐄᑯᓯᐧᐃᓐ ᐋ ᓂᑎᐧᐃᒋᔅᒑᔨᒫᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᓂᑎᐧᐋᔑᐦᑎᐦᒡ ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᑑᐧᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐋ ᒋᔅᒑᔨᐦᑎᒥᐦᐄᐧᐋᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᐃᔮᒡ ᑭᔅᒋᐦᐆᐧᐃᓐᐦ ᑳ ᐧᐃᓇᑑᐧᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᑭᔮ ᑖᓐ ᒑᒌ ᐃᔑ ᐧᐋᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐋᐧᐃᒄ ᑭᔮ ᐅᔥᑭᒡ ᐋ ᐊᑎ ᐱᒥᐱᔨᒡ ᐋ ᑎᐹᔅᑯᓂᒑᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᓂᓈᐦᑭᐤ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐄᐧᐋᐧᐃᓐ ᒑᒌ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᑑᐧᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᒑᒌ ᐃᐦᑑᑎᐦᒃ ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᓂᑎᐧᐋᔨᐦᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᔨᒡ ᒥᓯᓂᐄᑭᓐᐦ ᐋ ᐧᐄᐦᑎᒧᐧᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᑑᐧᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᑖᓂᑖ ᒑᒌ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ 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 ᐋ ᐧᐄᒑᐧᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᑦ ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᑑᐧᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᒫᐧᑳᒡ ᐋ ᓂᒋᔥᑭᐦᒡ ᓂᑐᐦᑯᔨᓐ ᐋᐱᑎᓰᐧᐃᓂᔨᐤ ᑭᔮ ᐋ ᐃᐦᑎᑯᓂᔨᒡ ᒑᐧᑳᔨᐤ ᒑ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐄᑯᑦ ᐊᓂᑖ ᐃᐦᑖᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ ᑭᔮ ᒑ ᔒᑐᔥᑯᐧᐋᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᒫᐧᑳᒡ ᐋ ᐱᒥᐱᔨᔨᒡ ᐋ ᑎᐹᔅᑯᓂᒑᓂᐧᐃᔨᒡ ᐃᔥᑯᑎᒃ ᐋ ᒋᐦᒋᐱᔨᔨᒡ ᓂᒧᔨ ᑎᐱᐦᐄᒑᓂᐧᐃᐤ ᑭᔮ ᒥᓯᐧᐋ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ ᒋᑭ ᑯᔨᔅᒃ ᑭᓂᐧᐋᔨᐦᑖᑭᓂᐧᐃᐤ ᑖᓐ ᒑ ᐃᔑ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐄᑯᔨᓐ᙮

CREE CAVAC SERVICES

(Crime Victims Assistance Centre) CAVAC or crime victims assistance centre, have 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. CAVAC officers provide a wide range of assistance services, including: POST-TRAUMA AND PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION, to assess the needs of victims of crime INFORMATION ON THE RIGHTS CRIME VICTIMS HAVE AND THE REMEDIES 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 Our front-line services are free of charge and strictly confidential with you. Community

Toll Free Number

Whapmagoostui, Wemindji / ᐧᐋᐱᒫᑯᔥᑐᐃ, ᐧᐄᒥᓂᒌ Chisasibi / ᒋᓵᓰᐲ Waskaganish, Eastmain, Nemaska / ᐧᐋᔅᑳᐦᐃᑭᓂᔥ,

855-603-6136 855-603-0009 855-603-6168

Mistissini / ᒥᔅᑎᓯᓃ Ouje-Bougoumou, Waswanipi / ᐅᒋᐳᑭᒨ, ᐧᐋᐧᓵᓂᐲ

855-603-6137 855-603-0044

ᐄᐦᑖᐧᐃᓐᐦ

ᓇᒧᔨ ᑎᐸᐦᐄᑲᓂᐧᐃᐤ

ᐄᓯᒫᓐ, ᓂᒫᔅᑳᐤ

cavacinfo@creejustice.ca

www.creejustice.ca

6 the Nation June 3, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

by Ben Powless, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

new study highlights on the disproportionate impacts of public health violation tickets across Quebec – especially on Indigenous people. The report looked at 31,845 tickets issued by police in Quebec for public health violations and found that there were higher numbers of fines in some areas of Montreal, as well as entire regions, such as Abitibi-Témiscamingue. The report found an average of 326.5 tickets issued per 100,000 people in Quebec overall, while Indigenous individuals were handed 377 tickets proportionally. That number rises in certain regions, from 479 in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and skyrocketing to 1,173 in the upscale Montreal borough of Outrement. The authors noted that 84% of all tickets were issued to homeless individuals who gave a shelter as their address, though others who gave a friend or relative’s address would be left out of those statistics. Although Indigenous people are less than 1% of the population of Montreal, they make up 4% of the homeless population. The report was issued May 18 by La Ligue des droits et libertés, le Réseau d’aide aux personnes seules et itinérantes de Montréal, la Clinique Droits Devant, la Clinique Droit de cité and COCQ-SIDA. A 2021 report from the same groups looked at the larger trend of the increasing criminalization of homelessness. The authors show that, in 1994, there were just over 1,000 tickets issued to homeless people in Montreal, but by 2018, that number grew by over 800%, to 8,493 tickets. A similar study from 2016 in Val-d’Or showed that 76% of the 3,087 tickets issued there between 2012 and 2015 went to Indigenous people, though they represented less than 10% of the population.

Editorial News

No fixed address New study reveals how being homeless in Quebec is fast becoming a crime

Marie-Ève Sylvestre, the Dean of the Faculty of Law (Civil Law Section) at the University of Ottawa and one of the authors of the three reports, said that the criminalization of homelessness has been going on for years, and “it’s wrong on so many levels”. “To punish and issue statements of offense against individuals trying to survive or use public spaces for reasons that are a direct result of racism, discrimination, colonialism, bad social policies, trauma – it seems unfair and discriminatory and perpetuating harms that those policies caused in the first place. It’s also very inefficient,” Sylvestre said, noting that homelessness has not decreased as a result of these enforcement measures. “Secondly, the fact they are issued a ticket means they have to pay a fine. In many cases, they don’t have the means to pay a fine,” she added. “It perpetuates this cycle of exclusion and poverty. It’s not helping the issues of why people are using the streets in the first place.” Sylvestre said the data showed what people were receiving tickets for, like consuming alcohol in public spaces, being intoxicated in public, or entering the metro without paying.

“All these offences are banal and linked to survival in public spaces, to poverty, to necessity,” she emphasized. “It’s not because they are posing dangerous threats.” The 2021 report issued 12 recommendations to decrease the criminalization of homelessness, including a moratorium on tickets for homeless people, and to collect ethnic/racial data so police forces can track if their actions are affecting certain groups. In 2020, the Montreal police announced changes to its street-check policies after it was shown they were four to five times more likely to perform street checks on Indigenous and Black people compared to the general population. Sylvestre said that instead of resources going towards police officers, they could be directed towards social workers and health services, while looking to support people who need housing, food, health services, and warmth. She pointed to the housing crisis in Montreal, noting that many people face evictions and end up living in public spaces without any alternative. The Montreal police declined a request for an interview but issued a statement. “Since the start of the pandemic our police officers have always

been instructed to exercise judgment, discernment, compassion and tolerance. Moreover, in certain circumstances, officers themselves have transported homeless people to emergency shelters,” it stated. “In the specific case of the Covid19 curfew, our operating philosophy was based on collaboration with our partners and intervention in accompaniment mode – referral to community resources. For each direct intervention, police officers had to assess the circumstances and manage on a case-by-case basis (mental health, referral to community resources, etc.), because each situation is unique and must be dealt within its context,” the statement continued. “As a police organization, it is essential to question the multiple impacts of an officer’s intervention on a homeless person. We did not want to unnecessarily [criminalize] homeless people with regard to the curfew, especially if there was no availability in the emergency shelters. Only extreme cases were to lead to the issuance of statements of offence: violence, flagrant lack of consideration for health measures or non-collaboration with specialized resources,” the police force stated.

www.nationnews.ca June 3, 2022

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E-mail: youceflarbi@creenet.com

In Brief Innu Council denounces caribou commission The Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam (ITUM) Council says it will not participate in the Quebec government’s so-called independent commission on woodland and mountain caribou. ITUM asserted that the commission’s mandate lacks credibility and legitimacy. “For ITUM, Quebec’s decision to create an ‘independent’ commission is just one more event demonstrating that Quebec prefers the protection of forestry and employment companies, to the detriment of the preservation of atiku [caribou],” stated ITUM Chief Mike Mckenzie. Despite the alarming population decline across Nitassinan, the traditional territory of the Innu, and the forestry industry’s decimation of its habitat, the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune, et des Parcs (MFFP) postponed protections for woodland and mountain caribou until 2024. Instead, it created a commission that is proceeding with public hearings. The Innu say the commission doesn’t include representatives of the Indigenous communities concerned, nor any other expert in caribou protection. They allege that

the commission’s mandate is primarily to avoid impacts on the forestry industry and that Quebec is ignoring its constitutional duty to consult Indigenous communities. Several other First Nations previously denounced the commission as way to legitimize provincial inaction. The AFNQL argued that the commission’s “no impact on the forest industry” option is a plan to abandon the three caribou herds of Val-d’Or, Charlevoix and the Gaspé Peninsula. “The health of the atiku is essential to maintaining our traditional way of life on the Nitassinan as well as the survival of our ancestral knowledge,” added Chief Mckenzie. “Non-Natives must understand, before it is too late, that the permanent disappearance of an iconic species of Canada is upon us. Is this the bet that Quebec wants to make to promote an unviable economic industry?” Ahead of an expected visit by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, ITUM reiterated the federal government’s responsibility to protect this at-risk species. and is reaching out to both federal and provincial governments to negotiate a collaborative agreement with Indigenous Peoples that quickly implements a strategy for the protection and restoration of caribou habitat.

“The health of the atiku is essential to maintaining our traditional way of life” - ITUM Chief Mike Mckenzie.

Flooding hits central Quebec Route 167 between Chibougamau and Quebec City was closed due to flooding May 18, at approximately kilometre 134. The warning issued by Quebec’s Ministry of Transport was later rescinded. Dozens of residences near Eaux vives, l’Écluse and Joseph-Eugène à Albanel were evacuated because of flooding from the Mistassini River. Power outages also affected the region, with nearly 1,500 homes without electricity at one point.

Leaders use royal visit to push for apology During a visit to Canada by Prince Charles, next in line

to inherit the British crown, Indigenous leaders made a call for Queen Elizabeth II to apologize for the legacy of “assimilation and genocide” brought about by the residential school system. Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald said she asked for an apology from the Queen regarding both the residential school system and the “failures of the Crown” to uphold the relationship that was created through treaties. She said Prince Charles did not apologize though he did acknowledge the failures of the Canadian government in handling the relationship between the Crown and Indigenous Peoples. On the first day of his cross-country tour, he pledged to listen and learn from Indigenous communities. Charles ended his tour in Yellowknife, where he urged Canadians to listen to the experience of Indigenous Peoples after meeting with residential school survivors in the First Nations community of Dettah. “On behalf of my wife and myself, I want to acknowledge their suffering and to say how much our hearts go out to them and their families,” he said in a speech.

www.nationnews.ca June 3, 2022

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Features

10 the Nation June 3, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

Legislating Unilingualism

B I L L

Indigenous groups to fight law that seeks to eliminate languages other than French in public sphere

9 6 by Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Photos provided by Gracie Diabo

espite growing protests, the National Assembly adopted Bill 96 in a 78-29 vote May 24. The controversial language law reforms the Charter of French Language in all spheres of society, imposing heavier French requirements in the workplace, education and government services. It is now the Act respecting French, the official and common language of Quebec. “The National Assembly is taking a major step backwards, putting reconciliation with First Nations on hold with a questionable future,” declared Ghislain Picard, Chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL). “To deny the rights of others to assert one’s own, to brutally assert one’s supremacy over other nations that share the same territory, is unworthy of a government that respects itself.” After its proposed amendments were rejected, the AFNQL called for a “total and resolute” exemption from Bill 96. Most disturbing for Indigenous leaders are new barriers to the education system, including requirements for CEGEP students to take at least five courses in French. “The cultural genocide that this legislation is putting forward will not work because we will not stand for it,” stated Denis Gros-Louis, director general of the First Nations Education Council of Quebec. “When [Indigenous students] are forced to be assessed in their third language, it makes them drop out because they won’t be able to continue, even though they are A-plus students.” The law limits admissions to English-language CEGEPs and requires those without English eligibility to pass a mandatory French exit exam to graduate. Curriculum changes will take effect in Fall 2024. Leaders fear the legislation will impact graduation rates and force an exodus of students to schools outside of Quebec. “As much as I appreciate Quebec’s position to protect their language, it cannot be done in a manner that has a negative impact on Indigenous groups,” said Cree Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty. “It perpetuates the barriers for Cree students, who are already leaving their community and having culture shock.” www.nationnews.ca June 3, 2022

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Gull-Masty told the Nation she wrote the Quebec government to express CNG concerns and discussed the bill’s potential impacts with the Cree school and health boards. While services in Eeyou Istchee won’t be affected, she is concerned about potential barriers for Crees seeking education, health or legal services outside the territory. “I’m really disappointed to see this government did not consult with Indigenous groups to see what the impact would be,” said Gull-Masty. “It will extend the gap for Indigenous people who do not speak French fluently. It’s very clear this will have a harmful effect on Indigenous groups.” Protesting students worry the new law could lower their grade scores and hinder university applications, while also limiting possibilities to access professional orders and other employment opportunities. “Indigenous students often already have to take remedial courses to catch up when entering CEGEP to graduate within the regular two years,” explained Kahnawake student Gracie Diabo, vice-president of John Abbott College’s student union. “Indigenous youth are already on a difficult path of reconnecting with our language. Having to prioritize French can further the endangerment of our language.” Diabo told the Nation that additional French requirements inhibit the freedom of CEGEP students to change programs or explore their interests before university. With enrolment now permanently capped at 2019 levels, there will be less access to English-language CEGEPs for all students – and even more so for francophones. “Even French friends I have go to English CEGEP to broaden their worldview and learn other languages to be able to participate in more career aspects than Quebec,” said Diabo. “This would inhibit that potential to go to an English university.” Besides organizing protests at her CEGEP, Diabo was part of a significant Indigenous contingent at a large demonstration May 14 in downtown Montreal. Protesters agreed with the need to protect French in Quebec, but denounced the increased restrictions to education, healthcare and justice services for those whose first language isn’t French. Tightened eligibility to English schooling could exclude an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 English-speakers not deemed to

be “historic anglos.” Refugees and new immigrants may receive public services in English or another language for six months following their arrival, after which all communications must be exclusively in French unless “health, public safety or the principles of natural justice” require otherwise. In addition, new measures discourage making bilingualism a hiring qualification in all workplaces, including for judges. Certain court documents will no longer be offered in English. Francization requirements now apply to companies with 25 or more employees, instead of the previous 50. The law may complicate access to necessary services, for instance, by adding translation fees in order to contest child welfare cases. A precedent-setting change now allows officers of the Quebec government to enter workplaces – without a warrant – to seize documents, cellphone records and private emails. While Bill 96 has been criticized as unconstitutional on several fronts, the government’s application of the notwithstanding clause makes it virtually immune to legal challenges based on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Depending on how this legislation is implemented, however, the federal government hasn’t ruled out a legal challenge – despite the use of the notwithstanding clause. “This battle will not be over until the highest courts internationally have spoken,” commented civil rights lawyer Julius Grey. Economic analysts believe it will become more difficult to develop on-reserve business partnerships because of increased requirements for contracts and other affairs to be conducted in French. “It’s going to pose future hurdles for us to be able to engage with the outside business communities at fundamental levels. We view that as one issue in terms of affecting economy on reserve,” said Michael Delisle, Jr., who manages economic development for the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake. Among numerous protests held by the community, dozens of youth from Kahnawake stopped traffic on the Honoré Mercier Bridge May 21 to hand out pamphlets explaining their position. Delisle warned of a “hot and uncomfortable summer” ahead if the province continues to ignore their realities.

12 the Nation June 3, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

“It will extend the gap for Indigenous people who do not speak French fluently” - Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty

12 the Nation May April20, 22,2022 2022 www.nationnews.ca www.nationnews.ca

9 6 B I L L

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Photos by Matty Merrill by Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Cree Nation Bears shine at international pee-wee tournament

Hockey History

16 the Nation June 3, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

he Cree Nation Bears impressed at their first appearance at the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in Quebec City May 1-15. The Bears won their first two games at the prestigious tournament before being eliminated by an Italian team. After a two-year break because of the Covid pandemic, one of the largest international minor hockey competitions resumed with 144 teams from Canada, the United States and Europe. While Cree players had previously played in the tournament on other teams, this team of 11-13-yearold all-stars from Eeyou Istchee were pioneers.

“This is the first time a Cree team played an international tournament,” said head coach William Saganash. “It was a real honour for them, and they were happy. We told them you’ll be making history. This is something you can look back on years down the road and say I played in this tournament.” The team was welcomed with a pre-game ceremony attended by Cree Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty, HuronWendat Nation Grand Chief Rémy Vincent, and Quebec’s Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière. Gull-Masty wore the team’s jersey visiting players in the locker room

www.nationnews.ca www.nationnews.ca May June20, 3, 2022 the Nation 17

before they hit the ice and to drop the first puck in a ceremonial face-off. “I’m absolutely thrilled with their performance,” Gull-Masty said. “These kids are excellent athletes and I really believe in sports supporting the development of our children. It was a proud moment for the Cree Nation – it will be a lifelong memory for them.” The Grand Chief showcased their achievements on social media and expressed special pride in female goaltender, Leesha Angie Grant, who delivered a stellar performance in the first game’s come-from-behind victory. “The first period they were nervous,” recalled Saganash. “I said, ‘Boys, calm down now,’ then they started playing some hockey – when they tied it up, they were on the go. They went 3-on-3 in overtime, then won in a shootout. They really put on a show and hit the headline news. The next day they were in the newspapers.” The Bears won their second game against the Saint-Laurent Spartans 3-2, but it came with a cost as Grant left with a severe concussion after getting too many pucks to the head. The tournament doctor recommended she sit out remaining games. “She was a tough little player,” Saganash commented. “I know she’s going to recover but she has to stay away from sports a while on doctor’s orders. I hope she can come back next season.” Grant wants to return to the Bears. She’s also been invited to try out for Team Eastern Door and the North, an elite team based in Kahnawake preparing for a tournament in Manitoba. With her father Lee-Roy Blacksmith, she enjoyed exploring the city’s landmarks – including a statue of goaltender Manon Rhéaume, the first and only woman to play an NHL exhibition game. “It was the best week of my life,” Grant told the Nation, unfazed by the tournament’s tougher competition. “It was better than playing against girls.” Grant’s father and grandfather both played elite hockey as goaltenders. She offers the same advice they gave her: have fun, work hard and listen to your parents. Her favourite experience was trading tournament pin souvenirs with players from other teams – it was so fun she missed a visit from Canada’s Olympic women’s hockey team. Grant moved to play hockey and attend school in Waswanipi this year, though Saganash noted that keeping the team together was complicated by the pandemic. The Cree School Board gave players the option of returning home or staying with the community. 18 the Nation June 3, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

When the team was brought together at the beginning of the season, several players previously knew each other from summertime Triple-A camps in Amos. Each week, they would have extensive ice-time along with office sessions of light weightlifting, running and stretching exercises. “When we first saw them, we thought we had a lot of work to get them to the level they should be playing,” said Saganash. “We saw the difference from the beginning to where they are today in how much they had improved in hockey. We were proud.” The Bears coaching staff include manager Andy Metabie, assistant coaches Silas Mattawashish and John Napash, trainer Kyle Blacksmith and “doctor” Sammy Blacksmith. Their Adidas-sponsored gear included jerseys designed by Cree artist Landen Spencer. Each player’s name was in Cree syllabics and featured colours honouring the “Every Child Matters” and MMIWG movements. In the end, the Bears placed sixth out of 20 teams in the BB division. Saganash hopes their success inspires other young Cree players to try out for the team, which he understands requires a dedicated family support system. “I encourage parents to support their children,” said Saganash. “Taking your child to a different community is tough but sometimes those are the sacrifices you need to take your child to the next level. Those that want to come forward to the Cree Nation Bears, don’t be shy. You’ll have an opportunity to play in these types of tournaments.”

“The first period they were nervous,” I said, ‘Boys, calm down now,’ then they started playing some hockey” - William Saganash., Head coach x

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Community

Let the building begin Cree Nation receives federal funding for new social housing by Ben Powless, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

he Cree Nation Government has received $200 million in federal funding to create 750 units of social housing across the Cree communities. The funding came after repeated CNG proposals to the federal government for a 10-year-commitment to “bridge the gap of social housing.” John Longchap, Director of Capital Works and Services for the CNG, said Ottawa finally offered $200 million to create 750 units in only four years. “We don’t think we’ll be done within four years, but we’ll try our best,” Longchap said. “We’ll see how fast communities can build units when the program starts.” Cree communities would need to begin construction this summer. Longchap said communities build at different speeds, but that if all goes well there should be people moving into units as early as next year. But he can’t predict how many units would be constructed in each of them. The funding was unexpected after years of unsuccessful proposals. “The Crees were surprised to get an offer of this amount – they were hoping to get a long-term agreement to deliver and build 750 units over 10 years.” Longchap said the funding wasn’t made public last summer because the Canadian government “was still working on other programs for other First Nations across Canada and didn’t want

it to jeopardize what they were working towards.” However, he thinks the Cree Nation “got more than our fair share of funding made available to First Nations for housing.” Partly, that’s because the government recognized the Cree Nation already invests in infrastructure – including water, sewage and electricity – that facilitates housing construction. Communities needed plans for units that fit the specifications and costs of the program and for how to do it over a four- or five-year period, he said. “That took a while for communities to come up with.” Partly, because they’re not as

20 the Nation June 3, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

big as other social housing units that the CNG has built in the past. Longchap said it took nearly a year to come up with a social housing policy for the program, to get individual communities to sign-off on the policies, and for communities and leadership to approve the deliverables. Now it’s just a matter of starting construction and having the funding transferred as the work progresses. The rental units would be owned by the community, with a focus on those meeting social criteria such as low-income families, those on welfare, or who receive hunting income security assistance.

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On the big stage Cree artists showcase their talent at Canadian Music Week by Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

everal Cree artists will attend this year’s Canadian Music Week (CMW) June 7-10 in Toronto. “Now that things are opening up, let’s bring the artists who may never get a chance like this,” explained David Hodges, the music programming director of inPath, which supports young Indigenous creators. “We took it one step further to put on our own showcase event while we have all these amazing artists in one location. We’re inviting record companies, booking agents, people who have shown interest in some of our other artists like Mattmac.” Funding is by N’we Jinan ArtWorks, the inPath program that originated in Eeyou Istchee in 2014 and has since supported over 900 young Indigenous musicians. A $5 million federal grant or travel and conferences in March 2020 remained unspent after Covid shutdowns. Now they’ve decided to support all their music artists at Canada’s largest annual music industry event, paying for flights, hotels and conference fees while launching a showcase event June 9 at The Painted Lady. This initiative originated with Siibii (aka Angel Baribeau), the Mistissini singer-songwriter who won the grand prize at Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program last November. That led to a showcase performance at CMW along with $20,000 and other benefits. The ArtWorks showcase is a celebration of the program’s entrepreneurial training and an opportunity to bring its artists together for the first time. They include Cree musicians Siibii, Cjay

Griz (Christian-John Monias), Vangorian (Franklin Moar), Slice (Silas Katapatuk) and Jossée Bernier. “I’ll have some new content I’ve been afraid to delve into in previous years,” revealed Siibii. “Watching how media has transformed within the past couple of years has inspired me to pursue a new aesthetic and attitude

22 the Nation June 3, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

towards stage performance. I’m working on further developing my performance skills so I can’t wait to try everything out on the big stage.” Siibii became the first former student inPath’s initial Mikw Chiyâm arts-education cohort to become an artist-in-residence. She was featured on N’we Jinan’s chart-topping 2014 com-

pilation album, inspiring growth as an artist has paralleled that of the inPath organization. “It feels like a loved one,” Siibii told the Nation. “This program received love, sweat and tears of all the cool human beings involved to make it what it is. To know that in a few weeks we’ll all be sharing space somewhere is totally wild. I’ll always be incredibly grateful.” Ahead of their separate CMW showcase event June 8 at Cameron House and other summer gigs such as Pride Winnipeg, Siibii recently had a virtual mentorship session with Sarah McLaughlin as part of the Walk of Fame prize. The meeting was facilitated by George Stroumboulopoulos, who first interviewed Siibii after the N’we Jinan release nearly a decade ago. “The biggest thing that makes me happy about winning the RBC Walk of Fame award is taking up space on the national platform,” said Siibii. “I’ve

always wanted to go to Pride, being a Queer person, but just never made it to any parade. To know that the first Pride I’ll ever go to I’ll be performing at is pretty awesome.” The Cree invitees will choose their own adventures at CMW, including industry panels, networking opportunities and shows around Toronto. As most never imagined they could build their lives around music, this enables them to fully assume the role of artists. “Growing up, I couldn’t see anything musical happening,” shared Bernier. “That mentality stuck with me a long time. I finally feel ready to pursue music more professionally and independently. With the support behind me, now working on an album feels like something I can actually do.” Bernier credits ArtWorks for helping her confidentially step up to a global stage. While the music may be ready, these artists are aiming to be more strategic in finding an audience – which

“Everybody out there who wants to be an artist, start a business or get into any type of field they dream of ” -Christian-John Monias

could be expedited by making connections at CMW. “When the audience is sitting like they’re watching a movie, I want them to give me energy like they’re in this movie,” asserted Moar. “There are Indigenous artists all over the country not getting the attention they deserve. You don’t want to just ask random people ‘check out my music’.” An encounter with Hodges in high school introduced Moar to Mikw Chiyâm, which became such a haven for his creativity that he was reluctant to graduate. Fortunately, inPath’s expanding postsecondary programs enabled artists like Moar continue their development. Moar’s involvement with inPath led to a friendship with fellow Chisasibi resident Monias, who watched Moar’s evolution from local DJ to renowned Electronic Dance Music (EDM) artist Vangorian. Following Moar’s remix of the hit song “Paradise” by Oji-Cree artist Mattmac, Moar and Monias shot a music video together in Winnipeg. “It was the first time for him being out there doing artist things,” Monias said. “Doing a music video in Winnipeg was a big step for me. People kept telling me, ‘You got to be more visual, have more promo behind it’. I used to just drop music and hoped it took off, but you have to put work behind stuff you release, or it will fall flat on its face.” Monias is delighted to participate in Canadian Music Week. While the raw talent was always there, inPath’s programs bow nurture a growing base of world-class artists ready for the spotlight. “I hope their takeaway is there’s plenty of talent in the Cree Nation,” said Monias. “I know when we come back it will feel so unreal that we’ve accomplished this. Everybody out there who wants to be an artist, start a business or get into any type of field they dream of, it’s totally possible now because things are so much accessible.”

www.nationnews.ca June 3, 2022

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Puzzles Crossword

PREVIOUS SOLUTION:

Solution to Crossword: S P A S

T A X I

S C A R

P A C E R

A Q U A

C U P S

I N I T I A T I V E C O S H

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

B O O S T M A R S T E E D

S C E R W O E P A R A T W I I N A M A T E G R A E A S G E D E A D D Y

STR8TS

No. 601

L I B R E T T O N O N F A T

I D E A

N E S T

T R E E

C I T R O N E L L A

H O T E L

N O V A

R A M P

A P S E

Previous solution - Tough

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

3 5 9 4

3 7

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

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

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

9 15

7 9 1 6

43 46

44 47

48 52

51 54

64 66

9 10 11 12 15 18 22 24 26 27 28 29 33 35 36

3 9 8 2

38 Comics page offering 39 "Slow-pitch" sport 42 Corrode 44 Type of exercise 46 Shoot from cover 48 Italian bread 49 Car named for a physicist 50 Fall flower 51 Tree knot 54 Wise one 56 Something in the air 57 Remote button 58 Picnic dish 61 ROFL alternative

Major pipeline Dictatorial Feed, as a fire Aspirations Concerning kidneys Breather URL character Traffic sign Pro's foe Gift toppers Young person Send to a specialist What "x" may mean Flippant "___ who?"

Previous solution - Easy

3 7 9 6 4 1 2 8 5

5 7

7 9 6

34 39

6 3

Medium

1 7

25 29

9 1

7 3 4 9

16 19

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.

24 the Nation June 3, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

No. 601

4 9

SUDOKU

Medium

1 2 3 4 ACROSS 1 Tropical root 13 5 Poison ivy woe 17 18 9 Deep cut 13 Basketball goal 20 14 Bruce Lee flick, "____ the 23 Dragon" 26 27 28 16 Graph or mobile starter 31 17 Trucker's turf 38 19 "That's enough!" 37 20 Hush-hush 41 42 21 James Arness 45 series 23 Pale as a ghost 49 50 25 Royal 53 residences 26 Setting for 59 Sinclair's "The Jungle" 62 30 Animal dwelling 31 Connecting point 65 32 Get together 34 Clothing closures 63 Swashbuckling 37 Afternoon hour Flynn 38 Unlikely to share 64 Speck 40 Kind of party 65 Culturally showy 41 Archipelago part 66 Calm period 43 Showroom 67 Type of sock model 44 Spacious DOWN 45 Rabbit ___ 1 With-ring link 47 Ponders 2 First-rate 49 Winery event 3 Campus mil. 52 Ruckus group 53 Con's plan 4 Run, as a 55 Witches' rides business 59 Hearty dish 5 Setting in part of 60 Former "Ameri"The Notebook" can Idol" judge 6 Aardvark's tidbit 62 Musical Horne 7 For men only 8 In a lather

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.

by Margie E. Burke

1 5 6 8 9 2 7 4 3

2 4 8 3 5 7 1 6 9

9 2 5 4 8 3 6 7 1

6 8 1 9 7 5 4 3 2

7 3 4 2 1 6 5 9 8

5 6 2 7 3 9 8 1 4

8 1 3 5 6 4 9 2 7

4 9 7 1 2 8 3 5 6

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.

Making sense of the data

Rez Notes

by Sonny Orr

or many of us in the professional world, there is nothing like attending annual meetings, regional conferences and other (earthly) events that take place in the world of business. It’s the need to meet-and-greet, schmoozeand-booze and then snooze the following morning during the most important meeting of your life. Yes, travel bans are over, and things are getting “back-to-normal” for the travel agencies. There doesn’t seem to be a need to say “No” to our long-awaited groggy wakeup call from all this Covid hibernation. Now, we can see people in their normal form, with real faces and even stand within their three-foot security zone. Watch out people, you can still be kicked in the shins by a small-statured mall cop at the nearest shopping plaza – everyone is short staffed due to Covid and there’s no one else to fire. I’m back at work and the practice of in-person meetings is back at corporations worldwide. Yes, Quebec Inc. has pulled the strings off the mask in public places but if you feel the need to keep wearing a mask, go right ahead – nothing wrong with being safety conscious during the highest spread of Covid in our territory in the last two and half years. Now that most people have some contact and probably have caught Covid, it’s harder to maintain that negative outlook from your last test. What’s wrong with me, I wail, as my test comes back negative again and again.

“Your conflicts of interest might pop up and slap that smirk right off your face” So, back to work and the need to travel and converse with people in meetings again might take some getting used to. I’ve been to some meetings where coherence wasn’t mandatory, and expressiveness was limited in scope. At one meeting, the chairperson was asked to respond to a presentation and stated very clearly, “You know, like I was saying, there’s a lot of things that need to be said about what is going on. The people need to know what it is that troubles them and it’s like, you know, the way things were handled back in the past, the days when we didn’t have much to talk about, until now, more recently, it seems that there’s a lot more to talk about at these meetings. I also want to share of a story I heard, and it was about something like this, at this meeting, where there was a lot to talk about. The people need to know what is going on, and you know what that guy just said before I said this, that’s what I was going to say and that explains everything.” I admire the need not to hear what the last guy just said all over again and agree that we shouldn’t be tortured in this fash-

ion by other “professionals”. Retaliation can become a nasty habit in the boardroom. The next thing you know, your conflicts of interest might pop up and slap that smirk right off your face. Meanwhile, the backstreet texters and social media mongrels are barking up your alley of urban corporate warfare zones. The next thing you know, it’s thumbs down for you in the virtual world. Then the mongrels get back on track and smooth things out with their damage control, showing the world that there are a lot of nasty people around. Thankfully, there are after-meeting galas that smooth out the rough bumps in corporate life and in the real world where everyone’s face is still recognizable, even with a mask on. Thus, the slow steadiness of live meetings may be moving at a snail’s pace for many today, but it is a vacation from the high-speed madness of trying to make virtual deadlines and completing those PDF fillable forms. Take a break, make that verbal phone call and slow the world down a bit.

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Under the Northern Sky Historic recognition for Beaverhouse First Nation by Xavier Kataquapit

hief Wayne Wabie called me this past week to share news that his community had officially been acknowledged as a First Nation by the Canadian government. This was a conversation of pure happiness, joy and relief. Other First Nation governments have long recognized Chief Wabie’s community, Beaverhouse First Nation, as part of the family. They have always been seen by Indigenous people as a First Nation. The problem was that the federal government chose not to confer this status on the people of Beaverhouse, denying their rights to the land they inhabited for time immemorial. I have been working with First Nations in Northern Ontario for many years. Beaverhouse was one community that I have had the privilege to follow for a long time. I had a chance to interview the late Chief Roy Meaniss on several occasions about the struggle he and his community faced in seeking formal recognition. In fact, Chief Meaniss was the main advocate in starting this long process in the 1980s. Chief Gloria McKenzie then took up the struggle in the early 2000s and later Chief Sally Susan Mathias-Martel pursued the same struggle. Chief Mathias is more famously known by her previous name Marcia Brown-Martel. She led another fight that is closely associated to the community – the Sixties Scoop, a period in Canadian history that saw the removal of Indigenous children from their families to be placed in non-Indigenous homes away from their communities and their culture. The recent fight for recognition was invigorated by the youthful energy of Chief Wabie, who served under Chief Meaniss

and the other chiefs. Over the years most of those lobbying for First Nation recognition did so on a volunteer basis as there was little funding available. NishnawbeAski Nation (NAN), our regional organization for the Treaty 9 area, provided much-needed assistance along with support by Wabun Tribal Council of which Beaverhouse is a member. Grand Chief Derek Fox was on hand for the historic announcement. Over the years I had the opportunity to interview Elders such as Wayne’s father Tom Wabie. I also worked on stories with the late Clara Mathias and the late Emmaline MacPherson. These wonderful Elders were born into traditional lifestyles on the land, spoke their language and embodied the strong spirit of their people. It was sad, frustrating and difficult to hear the stories they shared of living in a world where they were forgotten and set aside for the simple fact that a government chose to ignore them. In 1905 and 1906, when Treaty 9 was being signed in northern Ontario, the Canadian government worked hand in hand with the Hudson Bay Company to organize adherence by the region’s First Nations to the treaty. The company labelled every new First Nation according to where their trading posts were located. Beaverhouse had the unfortunate distinction of not falling under one of these trading posts and due to the ignorance of a private company, this community was left out of the treaty. Being left out meant that they had no special rights to the land they lived on, no compensation for all the companies that ran across their hunting grounds and no control over what they could or couldn’t

do in the territory they called home. As government and private enterprises made enormous fortunes on Beaverhouse land, the community was left with nothing and no compensation for the land that was taken and the livelihoods they lost. They could not even get jobs. The lack of recognition or a land base meant that they were forced to live in communities where Indigenous people were not welcome. It must have been a difficult space to occupy. On one hand they could not survive on their homelands due to the encroachment of industry and on the other hand they were not welcome to join in the development. Racism was a normal part of life back then and it made an Indigenous person’s life difficult. I can only imagine how much worse it was for the people of Beaverhouse, who had no land and no recognition. The remembrance of this sad and difficult 100-year period for Beaverhouse is what makes the news of the recognition by the government so profound. It now means that the community can begin asserting their rights to the land they were born on and where their ancestors lived for many generations. It is sad to realize that all those Elders who had to deal with such a hard life could not be here today to finally see the fulfillment of their struggle for their homeland. I know in my heart that these ancestors would be so happy to know that future generations have a chance at a brighter and more prosperous future. Nee-nas-koo-min mee-see-way keenee-wah-o oo-chee (I send my praises to all of you).

We have Webeen havepresent been present since 1939. since All 1939. members All members of the large of theDeshaies' large Deshaies' family are family by are yourbyside your side today and today willand alsowill bealso be for thefor better the days bettertodays to come. come.

26 the Nation June 3, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

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WORLD ELDER ABUSE

AWARENESS DAY

June 15, 2022

MESSAGE FROM OUR DEPARTMENT

The teachings and values that have been learned from our relationship with the land and have been passed on by Elders are vital to our current Nation-building process. As we enter a new time in the history of our communities, we need to rely on this knowledge to create a Nation that meets our present and future needs but also represents our distinct culture and way of life. The role that Elders play in the passing on of these values and knowledge is of great importance. We must remember to appreciate and respect our Elders as they carry with them a piece of our history that we need to preserve and protect. It is for this reason that our department has been working hard to establish services, such as our Cree CAVAC, to provide support for any of our Elders that have experienced abuse in their communities. We also have a dedicated Domestic Violence Advisor that will be developing programs for further preventing the victimization of our Elders. Part of this effort involves creating awareness about the issue which is what we hope to do on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. We will be joining events in each of our communities and we invite you to participate in the hope that together we can create safer communities for our Elders.

If you or a loved one has been impacted by ELDER ABUSE call our CREE CAVAC OFFICES for help: Whapmagoostui & Wemindji

Chisasibi

Eastmain, Nemaska, and Waskaganish

Mistissini

Ouje-Bougoumou & Waswanipi

1 (855) 603-6136

1 (855) 603-0009

1 (855) 603-6168

1 (855) 603-6137

1 (855) 603-0044