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CONTENTS EDITORIAL 4

Pope for hope?

NEWS

Neil Blacksmith conquers triathlon

Weathering the storm

School sovereignty

BRIEFS FEATURES

Ironman

10 16

Ironman 70.3 Challenge in Mont-Tremblant

Community

Chief Curtis Bosum

20 22

PUZZLES REZ NOTES

Surviving in changing times

T&B 26

Allak

Mianscum invited to Habs development camp

Meet Your Chiefs!

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Editorial

Pope for hope? by Will Nicholls

irst Nations have great expectations for the visit of Pope Francis to Canada July 24-29. Many want to see his apology last April to Indigenous leaders repeated with a little more meat on the bone. Back then, the Pope didn’t have the Church take responsibility for the actions of its priests, monks and nuns – actions repeated in every region of the country for more than a century with the knowledge of the Vatican – instead largely laying the blame on individuals. His visit comes after the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves at residential schools run by religious groups on behalf of the Canadian government – the program designed to eliminate Indigenous culture, language and identity. Most schools were run by the Catholic Church. According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 2015 report, it was a system of cultural genocide. More than 150,000 Indigenous children were forced into these schools from the 1870s to 1990s. And for thousands, it was more than cultural genocide, it was the real thing. The Commission called for a Papal apology. But many Indigenous people want more than an apology. They demand that the Catholic Church release all records from residential schools it ran to the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. There is hope. The Pope called his journey to Canada a “pilgrimage of penance.” Still, in one weekly address in St. Peter’s Square, Francis said, “Unfortunately, in Canada, many Christians, including some members of religious orders, contributed to the policies of cultural assimilation that in the past gravely damaged native populations in various ways.”

This would seem to indicate the Church’s acceptance of responsibility for its decades-long administration of a genocidal program is lukewarm. It’s not the first time the Pope has stepped up to the plate to atone for the Church’s past atrocities. In 2015, he travelled to Bolivia to beg forgiveness for crimes against Natives during colonial times. We did notice that the Church did not return any of the gold or other resources they plundered from Latin America. And in Ireland, Francis offered a sweeping apology for the many abuses women and children suffered in the care of the Church. Abuse is nothing new for those who attended Canada’s residential school system. But receiving justice would be a relatively new experience. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has a list of over 3,000 alleged abusers and requested they testify at the hearings. None did. Neither did Canadian police forces investigate their alleged crimes. Inuit people will ask the Pope to assist in returning a retired Roman Catholic priest to Canada to face charges of sexual abuse. The priest lives comfortably in France. Canada has declined to say if there is an extradition request in his case. Thus, many Indigenous people question

whether the Church will allow or assist in the prosecution of its agents in serious crimes. Finally, there is compensation. All other churches involved in the residential school system have paid the amount they agreed to. Not the richest one, however – the Catholic Church. Despite agreeing to a specific compensation, the Church has never met its obligations. It is clearly in conflict with the philosophy of Christianity. After all, there cannot be any doubt that the holdings of the Catholic Church include incredible amounts of land, priceless art, gold and investments that make it one of the wealthiest institutions in the world. Still, if they must fundraise to meet their obligations, we have a couple ideas. For instance, “Pope on a Rope” soap, for those times when you must shower after being a bad boy or girl. And we once saw a toy goat that when pressed it would bellow. Squeezing a Pope toy, perhaps His Holiness would cry out, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” That would appeal to survivors. Who knows, after hearing the Pope scream “sorry” a few hundred times they may start to believe it. Perhaps then the Pope of hope would justify some hope for the Pope.

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 M. Labrecque-Sagasnash, S. Orr, J. Janke, 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

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Weathering the storm Air Creebec celebrates 40 years in the skies after navigating the pandemic by Ben Powless, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

our decades ago, Quebec Premier René Lévesque was skeptical of the idea of Crees running their own airline, telling the late Cree Grand Chief Billy Diamond that airlines already served Cree communities. But in the end, the province had no say: the Cree Nation, using capital from the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), went on to build Air Creebec. Now the airline is celebrating its 40th anniversary. It started out as a partnership with family-run Austin Airways, with the Crees owning 51%. In 1988, the Cree Nation bought out Austin Airways, and Air Creebec has been 100% Cree-owned ever since. After the JBNQA signing in 1975, the Cree held a planning session on how to invest and grow their capital. “One of the first things that came up was an airline,” said current Air Creebec President Matthew Happyjack, noting that most communities had no road access, and the only way to get down south was by plane. Diamond knew the family that ran Austin Airways and negotiated an agreement with them. The rest, as they say, is history. Happyjack said that the airline service was something special before roads connected most of the communities. “When the airplane came in, everyone would gather and watch it,” he recounted. “They’d watch the people getting on and leaving. Even today it’s still like this; the Elders still watch the planes coming in.” The fledgling airline began with Twin Otters, before moving on to Beechcraft 1900s, which are 19-passenger turboprops. Then the company turned to Dash 8s, eventually buying 16 of them, which is now used for all its passenger services. “They’re good planes for the North, efficient,” Happyjack adds, noting that they work well for shorter runways up North. The company also uses two Hawker Siddeley HS 748s for cargo.

At the beginning, Air Creebec ran a strictly passenger service. However, over the past 25 years, they’ve expanded to serve cargo and charter flights, particularly for medical services and mining companies. “During the pandemic, most of our service was medical shuttles,” Happyjack noted. The company operates three planes that fill medical roles in between the communities. The hangar in Montreal, operated outside of the main Montreal terminal, allows passengers to avoid long airport security lineups, which Happyjack says is particularly helpful for medical passengers. The 40 years of service have been enough to bring the province around to see the benefits of a Cree-owned airline. During a recent presentation at an aviation summit, Happyjack said government officials told him they were happy to see Air Creebec is thriving, since they serve non-Cree communities as well, including Val-d’Or, Rouyn-Noranda, Moosonee and Timmins. To mark the anniversary, Happyjack joined other officials in touring the communities served by the airline, between June 29 and July 7. “We were there to promote Air Creebec’s 40 years, thank the customers – individuals and companies – and we had snacks, a 40th anniversary cake, and we had a draw,” Happyjack said. He estimates there were at least 50 people at each of the community celebrations. As for Air Creebec’s future, Happyjack says the airline will go where the demand is, as it always has. “At the beginning, it was for the first 15 years more passengers. Then came

along charters,” Happyjack explained. “Then after the demand came, we bought more Dash 8s. It was easier financially for them; we saw the demand was there. We built a hangar in Montreal.” Like all airlines, Air Creebec was drastically affected by the pandemic, saying it will take five years to get back to 2019 levels. Happyjack is optimistic, however, noting the airline is slowly picking up more passengers every month. The company hopes to go back to offering service six days a week soon if there’s demand. While they’ve been affected by some of the delays affecting all airlines, they’ve been able to avoid others entirely. As headlines broke about staff shortages and baggage delays at airports across the world, Air Creebec has been able to keep up with demand by controlling all its systems, especially by not outsourcing baggage handling. However, other delays proved impossible to avoid, including recent construction at Montreal’s Trudeau International Airport closed one landing strip entirely. “There’s lots of planes waiting in Montreal, but we advise our customers,” Happyjack said. Overall, Happyjack is happy with where the company is. Despite a deficit in 2020, he says the company recovered in 2021, and is “doing good” in 2022. “Our passenger service is picking up. We’re satisfied where we are. We knew it would be ‘slowly but surely’. We’ve managed to weather the storm.”

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five-year, $1.1 billion regional agreement announced July 14 between the First Nations Education Council (FNEC) and the federal government will give 22 First Nations in Quebec financial control over their own education systems. This agreement is based on a funding formula designed by and for FNEC members over 10 years through a collective process of community self-evaluation. The funding will ensure that the education needs of about 5,800 students from kindergarten to Grade 12 are met based on community models, priorities and realities. “It’s always better when it comes from the base, when it comes from our roots,” said FNEC Director General Denis Gros-Louis. “There is no one to tell our chiefs and councils what to do in their own community. They have taken charge by signing the agreement. We want to decolonize the way we are teaching.” Gros-Louis said cultural practices would drive curriculum development, helping youth strengthen their language outside the classroom. The agreement also improves funding for school transportation, specialized resources and the recruitment and retention of teachers. “History has shown us the many broken promises of governments,” said Gros-Louis. “The assumption of responsibility for education by and for the First Nations that we are celebrating today is our promise to ourselves, to our young people.” A signing ceremony in Kahnawake began with a speech in Kanien’kéha by the granddaughter of the community’s former director of education, the late Eddie Cross, who tirelessly advocated for Mohawk language and immersion programs, special education policies and school access. “It couldn’t be more fitting to hold this event today at the Kahnawake Survival School,” said Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador Chief Ghislain Picard. “I remember back in the 1970s when your kids here marched from Châteauguay to say it’s time to take control of our own education. I certainly appreciate the federal minister was

School sovereignty Quebec First Nations sign historic education agreement with Ottawa by Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

very receptive to stand with First Nations on this important issue but there are more challenges ahead.” Established in 1978 to protest Bill 101, the school is once again a hub for demonstrations in the wake of Bill 96, Quebec’s controversial legislation that restricts languages other than French in the province. At the press conference, concerns about how this law disadvantages First Nations quickly overshadowed the funding agreement. “For 40 years, we’ve been confronted with linguistic laws and had students unable to graduate with the credits they need,” said Gesgapegiag Chief John Martin. “Bill 96 raises the wall even higher. I’m no lawyer, but it seems to me if Quebec can use the notwithstanding clause within the constitution, why would we as First Nations not have the same right to protect our languages?” As a former language teacher who struggled to develop materials despite severe underfunding, Martin said communities will now have resources that are closer the provincial average. He called on Ottawa to “stand and support us” in further protecting Indigenous language rights. Federal Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu repeatedly defended those rights and said she has shared her concerns with the minister responsible in Quebec. “I was concerned to hear about the chiefs’ perceptions on how provincial legislation might impact their rights to educate their children in the language

and culture of their choice,” said Hajdu. “Today’s agreement strengthens their capacity to do that from a financial and self-governance perspective. We can’t be putting barriers in the way of children reaching their full potential.” Admitting that Canada hasn’t been a good partner over the years, Hajdu expressed admiration for the determination of Indigenous peoples at the negotiating table. She promised the government is committed to long-term and sustainable funding, adding she would work with communities not represented by the FNEC to close education gaps. “You’ve always known how to teach your children,” Hajdu asserted. “You’ve always known how to lead your communities, and you’ve had so much interference through a colonial partner that has not lived up to its commitments over generations. And our government wants to change that.” The deal enables communities to fully administer their school systems, increase staffing and improve teacher capacity for classroom technology integration. Objectives include enhancing student success, retention and graduation rates. Through Indigenous Services Canada, $310.6 million in new funding was announced in this year’s federal budget, complementing approximately $790 million coming through existing education funding streams. “This is a major step forward for our people, and an honour to have signed this monumental agreement in Kahnawake Mohawk Territory,” stated Kahnawake

Grand Chief Kahsennénhawe Sky-Deer. “This agreement will provide Kahnawake with the funding and assistance required for the next five years to ensure our children and young adults get an education that embodies our roots, language and culture.” FNEC’s 22 member communities include Gesgapegiag, Gespeg, Kahnawake, Kanesatake, Kebaowek, Kitcisakik, Kitigan Zibi, Lac Simon, Listuguj, Long Point, Manawan, Mashteuiatsh, Odanak, Opitciwan, Abitibiwinni, Rapid Lake, Timiskaming, Wemotaci, Wendake, Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk, Wolf Lake and Wôlinak. Created in 1985, FNEC was one of the first community-based Indigenous organizations in Quebec to pursue educational autonomy. Since Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government promised to lift a 2% annual cap on First Nations budgets in 2016, a needs-based approach was gradually developed to provide predictable core funding. Indigenous leaders are now aiming for similar recognition from Quebec. Picard suggested “it’s almost written in the sky” what will happen after the provincial election October 3, and called on “our most precious ally, the federal government, to stand with us on this key issue.” “We haven’t closed the door on potential options to intervene on [Bill] 96,” Picard said. “But we understand it’s a very important file, very demanding in terms of how leadership will position itself. It’s still very much in the minds of many chiefs.”

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In Brief A seventh Quebec and the rest of the world are in a seventh Covid wave, fueled by the most transmissible variant yet, BA.5. The new variant – along with another, BA.4 – has circulated since the winter. Both are believed to evade immunity from previous vaccines and infections. In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that BA.5 makes up almost 78% of cases in the country. In Eeyou Istchee, Cree health authorities say the virus is present in all communities. They urge people to wear masks when recommended, keep vaccinations up to date, stay home if you’re sick, and to get tested if you have symptoms or travel. As of July 15, there were 58 active cases across Eeyou Istchee, with four people hospitalized. Due to staff shortages, Mistissini’s CMC was operating with reduced services, while Waskaganish’s walk-in clinic had service suspended June 27 until further notice. This mirrors situations across the country. Quebec’s Health Department said July 19 that 6,967 healthcare workers were sidelined by Covid infections. Five hospital ERs in Quebec City were also closed due to staff shortages. The new variants do not appear to cause severe illness in most patients. Symptoms commonly include fever, runny nose, sore throat, fatigue, aches, muscle pain and coughing, but not the loss of taste and smell or gastrointestinal symptoms seen with other variants. Pfizer and Moderna announced they were working

on new booster vaccines that would target various strains of Omicron. Meanwhile, Health Canada approved the Moderna vaccine for children between six months and five years of age.

Remembering Walter Hester Jr. Waskaganish lost an important member June 11, when Walter Hester Jr. passed away in Montreal with his family by his side. He had been fighting kidney disease and other health issues. Hester leaves a strong legacy in his community and across Eeyou Istchee for his work developing a regional communications service. A radio pioneer, Hester was one of the first in the region to be trained in broadcasting. His influential voice played an important role in the development of the Cree Radio Network, and in the licensing of other stations throughout the territory. From 1999, Hester worked for the James Bay Cree Communications Society (JBCCS) for 20 years, servicing all nine communities of Eeyou Istchee. Hester will be highly missed at the JBCCS; he was the organization’s secretary-treasurer (2002-2002 and 2005-2011), vice president (2002-2004), and their presi-

dent for 10 years (2011-2021). His dedication and passion for communications and the Cree Nation serve as a benchmark for the organization’s values today and his legacy will have a long and lasting impact. Hester’s life was one filled with strong connections and meaningful contributions in and around his community. His life will be celebrated and remembered by Crees across Eeyou Istchee. The Nation offers its condolences to his family, community and to all he touched with a life well-lived.

Record attendance at After a two-year pandemic hiatus, Kahnawake’s Echoes of a Proud Nation Pow Wow celebrated its 30th anniversary July 9-10 with a record-setting crowd. Held on Tekakwitha Island, the weekend attendance exceeded 15,000 people. “I think people were just hungry for this,” Kahnawake Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer said in a statement. “People needed to get together and see their friends again. It’s an opportunity for us to share our culture, share our songs and educate people.” Kahnawake’s powwow first began in 1991 after the Oka Crisis the previous year and now represents the province’s largest annual event.

By welcoming thousands of participants and spectators from different regions and backgrounds, the powwow builds and renews relationships through dance, music, food and laughter. Tahatie Montour, from the Kanien kehá ka (Mohawk) Nation, participated alongside his six-year-old son, Tahoe, who was dancing in his first competition. “It’s important we keep our traditions and our songs and our dances going,” said Montour, wearing a traditional Kahstowa headdress he made himself. “We have to remember where we’re from and where we’re going in the future — and not just for us, but for seven generations in the future, just as our ancestors did for us.” The competition categories were traditional, fancy, jingle, grass and smoke dance with children (6-11), juniors (12-17), seniors (18-44), elders (45-59), and golden age (60+) – each competing separately. Traditional powwow cuisine was also a highlight, with 26 Indigenous food vendors serving up the likes of frybread, walleye nuggets, Indian tacos and strawberry juice throughout the weekend. “They say every day is a proud day to be Indigenous but there is just something about the powwow that brings it out even more,” said Chief SkyDeer.

In Brief

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Features

Neil Blacksmith conquers 113km triathlon in Mont-Tremblant by Joshua Janke | Photos priovided by Neil Blacksmith

fter years of intense training and support from his community and family, Neil Blacksmith has finally done what he set out to do. On June 26, the triathlete from the Cree Nation of Mistissini completed his first-ever Ironman 70.3 Challenge in MontTremblant, finishing the grueling course with a time of 5:58:22. “I feel great about the end result,” Blacksmith told the Nation. “I never thought I could have completed the race in under six hours.”He placed

750th out of 1774 participants, and 79th in his age division. Described as a “world-class triathlon experience” and set in the heart of Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains, the Subaru Half Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant is known as one of the world’s best Ironman destinations. To begin the race, Blacksmith and the other competitors leapt into the cold blue waters of Lac Tremblant and swam 1.9km to their waiting bikes.

“I swim around four hours per week, every week,” he said. “Each session is around 30-45 minutes.” Blacksmith completed the swimming section in 38:39. This was followed by cycling a hilly 90km distance winding down Route 117 which he completed in 2:50:11. “Biking is my favourite sport,” he said. “It’s a great cardiovascular workout that burns large amounts of fat and calories without any impact.”

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- Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty

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“It is much tougher, but I love the challenge” In a final test of endurance, Blacksmith completed the 21.1km run in 2:16:58. “It was a long tough race in the heat,” he stated, explaining how his thoughts during the competition were focused on staying hydrated, listening to his body and keeping a good pace. “You just have to know what your body can do and not force it. It’s all about keeping going and not giving up.” Although the race itself was the final test for the Cree Ironman, Blacksmith’s endurance was tried even before the race began. “I have been trying to attend this event since 2019 but due to Covid-19, both the 2020 and 2021 events were shut down.” Blacksmith began running in triathlons five years ago and now, as a father of four, he looks back on how his own father, George, introduced him to the sport. “I watched him compete in the Annual Cree Nation Fitness Challenge for 10 years. Triathlon and endurance sports are a big part of the Mistissini community. Being a triathlete means everything to me.” Starting in 1996, the Annual Cree Nation Fitness Challenge

began with the intention of creating a new sporting event for Eeyou Istchee, one that would promote health and fitness while bringing the region closer together. The event itself is a pentathlon, meaning the competitors swim, cycle, canoe, portage and run. “It is much tougher, but I love the challenge,” Blacksmith stated, explaining the difference between a triathlon and the Cree Nation’s pentathlon. “You have to be good at portaging and canoeing. Without practicing those, it would be very difficult to even finish the race.” According to the event website, the race is intended for only “the top athlete from each community [so that] it would be the best of the best…the first athletes to cross the finish line are crowned the fittest in the Cree Nation.” Following in his father’s footsteps, Blacksmith will represent Mistissini in this year’s event in Nemaska August 6-7. Community and family are what got Blacksmith into the sport and now, as an established athlete, he says they are what keeps him going, both in training and when he’s on the course. “My spouse, Charity Longchap, is my number one supporter in all my events. I would also like to thank the entire Cree Nation of Mistissini, my community sponsors, CINI-FM, my parents George and Laurie, and my whole family for all their support and help,” Blacksmith concluded.

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Gunsmith on location

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Mistissini’s Israel Mianscum invited to Habs development camp by Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

ike most young hockey players in Quebec, Israel Mianscum grew up dreaming of one day wearing a Montreal Canadiens jersey. He recently experienced the next best thing when he was invited to the team’s development camp, held July 10-13 in Brossard. “It was really special for my family and me,” Mianscum told the Nation. “To get the call and them telling me I deserved a spot meant a lot. They took me for a reason, so I was just trying to soak it all in, have fun and play my game.” Although Mianscum wasn’t selected in the NHL’s July 8 entry draft, the 19-year-old received the invitation less than an hour after it finished. He was in Gatineau at the time, playing in a tournament with friends on the Waswanipi Chiefs, when his parents were alerted that someone was trying to reach him. “Two minutes after receiving the message, that’s when he received the call,” recalled his father, Louie Mianscum. “That was something. I tried to be as calm as possible, but I was just waiting for his reaction. I knew that it was the call – it was surreal. Then he started getting more phone calls. The excitement was amazing.” With social media accounts across the Cree Nation buzzing with the news, Israel’s parents and several members of his extended family made the trip to Brossard to cheer him on. The trip from Gatineau provided an opportunity to reflect on where his hockey journey has taken him and where it could go next. “I told him all that hard work is starting to pay off,” said Louie. “Before he left Mistissini, he had a backyard rink and that’s where it all started. As a kid that’s all he did – he never went anywhere without his stick or equipment. That’s what I remember most.” Skating since the age of two, Israel’s coaches have always been impressed by his advanced level of discipline and work ethic. He first left home at age 11 to play with the Cree Nation Bears in OujeBougoumou, overcoming homesickness

to excel with the Bears and later teams in Rouyn-Noranda and Amos. In 2019, Israel played for Team Canada at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge and made his debut with the Sherbrooke Phoenix in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). During this summer’s off-season, he has been training in Châteauguay while recovering from a hamstring strain, which kept him off the ice for the first day of the Canadiens’ development camp. Among the 40 players participating at the camp, Mianscum was one of seven prospects invited on a try-out basis. Brossard’s Bell Sports Complex was packed with fans taking in the fast-paced drills and catching their first glimpse of new first-round picks Juraj Slafkovsky and Filip Mesar. “They’re all stars on their own teams,” Israel noted. “It’s a big step up. I was just a sponge, learning as much as I can there. A lot of timing, spacing, finding the opening, trying to be dangerous without the puck, the way you shoot – small tactics I can add to my game.” The director of the Cree Nation Bears program, Charly Washipabano, was also invited to this year’s camp as a guest coach. Humbled by this unique opportunity, he also tried to absorb as much as possible to share with the next generation of rising talent in Eeyou Istchee. “There’s no way anyone in my shoes would turn that chance down,” Washipabano told the Nation. “It was inspiring and educational. We now clearly see what it takes to make it to the next level. I’m sitting down now and rewriting some of the drills I saw – the biggest influence I took away was creating habits that will help them in the long run.” Along with the innovative exercises introduced by new director of hockey development Adam Nicholas, Washipabano was inspired by the office workshops. Seminars covered topics such as sports psychology, sports science and fitness. Former NHL player

Sheldon Kennedy also spoke to the players as part of the Respect and Consent program. “It’s not only the physical preparation but the mental aspect as well,” said Washipabano. “As far as the Bears program, that’s one of the biggest things where we need to step our own game up. I’m not saying I’m going to bring the Habs system to the Cree Nation Bears, but there are certain aspects that we could bring to even the young ages.” Attending the camp with another familiar face from the Cree Nation made the experience particularly special for both Mianscum and Washipabano. Of course, wearing the Habs jersey made it even more meaningful for lifelong fans like Israel and his father. Israel’s mother Tiffany Neeposh Mianscum had always been a Pittsburgh Penguins fan, but her family says “she’s coming around” since his invitation. She proudly wore a Habs sweater to cheer on her son. “We remember around three years ago when we passed that building in Brossard and he said, ‘Someday I’ll skate with the Habs’,” recalled Louie. “And it happened. A door was opened, and it was an awesome experience. I just loved the weekend. We were only supposed to stay until Sunday and come back to work, but we couldn’t miss watching him skate around in that jersey – it’s still surreal.” For Israel, the camp represented “a good first step” towards his dream of playing in the NHL. While he’s thankful for the support he’s received from everyone in the Cree Nation, he has little time for social media distractions now that he understands better than ever what it will take to reach the big league. “It’s a great feeling to have my community and the Cree Nation behind my back,” Israel acknowledged. “I can’t focus too much on what’s going on around me. I have to just focus on myself and one day I know it’s going to come. I’ve just got to be patient and keep on believing.”

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Meet Your Chiefs!

Ouje-Bougoumou Chief Curtis Bosum

Ouje-Bougoumou Chief

Curtis Bosum by Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

- Re-elected for second term: 2019-2023 - Annual salary: $133,309 Name three achievements that stand out? I think the greatest achievement for all the Cree communities has been our ability to get through the Covid pandemic relatively okay. Of course, we mourn those tragically lost and continue to heal from the holes left in our hearts, but we fared much better than many other places. We have many people to thank for this achievement but perhaps most importantly it’s the people themselves, who understood their personal sacrifices were a small price to ensure the well-being of everyone else. It has been our people’s faith in leadership, both at the regional and local level, for which I have been extremely grateful. I know I can never take that for granted – respect is earned and doesn’t come automatically. As we prepare for the future after Covid-19, we’ve ensured the community’s economy and living conditions continue to improve. We set aside $3.5 million to construct several duplexes to alleviate our housing shortage. We have also secured $1.4 million to construct a local commercial centre. We’ve had discussions with Quebec regarding the restoration and rehabilitation of the old Principale Mine site, which operated when the mining industry had few environmental guidelines and left a legacy of serious contamina-

Members of the IPRF

tion in our lakes. We’ve worked closely with Quebec to develop an effective plan to bring that site back to its original state as much as possible, positioning our contractors to benefit from the restoration work. I hope this becomes a model for restoring old mining sites throughout Eeyou Istchee.

community member needs. Some things we were not in a position to act upon, and that is a real regret. I’m hopeful that in the coming years we can make up for lost time.

Name one disappointment during your term?

We’ve been focusing on coming back from the pandemic stronger and more vibrant than ever. We’ve had consultations about our community’s priorities, creating opportunities to understand

During pandemic restrictions, it was frustrating to not be able to address all

20 the Nation July 29, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

Where do you see the community going under your leadership?

How is a typical workday for you? I have been blessed to grow up in a family that modeled service – to family, community and our Cree Nation. Both my parents were always actively involved in working toward justice and improving the lives of Indigenous people everywhere while always finding a balance between family and work life. They transmitted their passion for social justice to their children. They also modeled a strong sense of integrity, which I always try to reflect in my own behaviour. I’ve come to fully appreciate the depth of their commitment and willingness to make personal sacrifices to fulfill their honourable vision. I think of that and try to be that every day.

became Chief, I realized I can’t do it all myself ” members’ concerns and aspirations. We’ll be redoubling our efforts in housing, employment, mental health services and the preservation and promotion of our Cree language and culture. When our community was being planned, we were guided by a certain vision that combined our traditional values with contemporary technology. Now that we have got through the pandemic, I believe it’s time to recommit ourselves to that original vision that inspires us to be a model of what an Indigenous community can achieve. To achieve such an honourable vision, we need to provide the resources that support our members to be the best they can be. This is what inspires me to get up every day and work for the benefit of my community. What do you think the community will look like in 5 or 10 years? Our community population will have expanded and the needs for housing,

What is your team-player philosophy or motto?

employment and cultural and recreational programs will all significantly increase. I hope we have a community filled with youth inspired to contribute, adults actively pursuing fulfilling and rewarding careers, people with the resources to live traditional ways of life and motivated to leave our community better than when they found it. How is a typical workday for you? Anything can come up on any given day, from a municipal infrastructure emergency to urgent funding requests, natural disasters, human resources issues or serious concerns from community members. All these issues make the job very interesting but also challenging. Everything that makes up the job of Chief provides an opportunity for personal growth and for a deeper understanding of the needs of our community. I love it all and I wouldn’t expect it to be different.

When I first became Chief, I realized I can’t do it all myself. I can only be successful if my staff is provided with the necessary tools, training and resources. If a staff member appears not to be performing well, I won’t rush to judge but will try to address any underlying issues. Empathy and compassion are the best starting points to develop a solid administration. Empower all those around you to be the best they can be. We all benefit. Anything else you’d like to add? As many people in Eeyou Istchee are aware, the last six months have been extremely difficult for our family. So many people reached out to express their sympathies, love and admiration for my mother, Sophie. Their messages were extremely kind and helpful to us in coping with our loss. They made us feel less lonely in our grieving and provided considerable comfort, knowing that my mother had touched so many people and was a positive influence in their lives. Mista-miigwetch to you all.

www.nationnews.ca July 29, 2022

the Nation 21

Community

Fire keepers bring back cultural burning traditions

he First Nation tradition of cultural burnings was outlawed in British Columbia over a century ago, putting an end to a practice that helped Indigenous communities manage forests and forest fires for thousands of years. Now, the practice is being brought back by the Salish Fire Keepers Society, part of a growing movement across North America focused on restoring centuries-old knowledge about the role of fire in a healthy ecological balance. Its proponents claim it as a right, one supported by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. “The right to burn, to steward the land, to maintain safety around communities – it has to come back,” stated Fire Keeper Joe Gilchrist (Skeetchestn Indian Band). “We call it cultural burning, it’s used to maintain the land in a good way, so that medicines and our forage needs – berries and that kind of stuff – are there.” Gilchrist says cultural burning practices were passed to each generation even after it was made illegal, and that people started discussing bringing it back as early as the 1980s. After many years of work, their group met all the legal hurdles and reignited the tradition about five years ago, but only on the reserve.

“We had a collective memory that fire, that cultural burning, has to come back for various reasons – with climate change and the dangers of wildfires getting worse and worse,” he added. “Cultural burning – taking away the fuels around the communities – was a practice over thousands of years.” He says wildfires are growing so big today is partly because fuels such as kindling such as dry grass is allowed to accumulate. This became apparent when record-breaking wildfires engulfed huge areas of BC last year, culminating in the complete destruction

22 the Nation July 29, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

of Lytton shortly after recording a temperature of 49.6 degrees Celsius. Another member, Marsha Spinks, says the connected impacts of climate change are driving the damage they’re seeing. “The water impacts the land, the land is impacted by the lack of trees, it impacts the wildlife, we lose one species, we get overgrown in another, it impacts what we can harvest,” she explained. “That’s basically the teaching of our ancestors and how we should be maintaining and monitoring the forest, water, fish and animals.”

“My Elder told me when I was young that water is a cleanser for human Mother Earth” - Fire Keeper Joe Gilchrist

She also recommends preventative measures beyond burning. “Lots of trees we have in BC are invasive species. Replanting isn’t starting as it should be – off the bat.” Spinks points to delays in getting authorization from other levels of government as preventing immediate action. But she acknowledges that many people fear fire, rather than seeing it as a tool. Gilchrist says that maybe half the community is in favour, but that education efforts are needed to sell the public on the idea that fires aren’t always bad, and sometimes necessary. “A message has to be given that fire has to happen. The land here has been burned so much that the trees and other plants are needing fire to be healthy and it’s not happening. If we don’t burn it, it will burn at some point. Nobody wants to see wildfires in the summer.” The crew typically burns in the spring when the ground is still moist from snow melt, or in the fall, when there’s more precipitation. They start by burning small fuels

such as grass, pine needles and anything already dry on the ground. “If you burn it in sections, you control how hot the fire gets,” Gilchrist said. “When it’s all done, it looks like everything is burned black but within a few weeks, everything comes back healthier.” They try to make a “blackline” of burned-out areas as wide as the fireline, then begin layering back to burn out more areas. With this method, Gilchrist alone can burn about 250 hectares in a day. But he says the reality is there needs to be hundreds of thousands of hectares burned. The Salish Fire Keepers Society is hoping that a return to a traditional form of forest management is reclaimed, including in places like Eeyou Istchee. Gilchrist said during a time fighting fires in Quebec that he was told of traditional fire-keeping methods around the tundra. “My Elder told me when I was young that water is a cleanser for human beings and fire for Mother Earth.” the Nation 23

Puzzles

Crossword

10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 Word with "task" 14 15 16 or "air" 19 17 18 6 Nit-pick 10 Difficult position 21 22 23 20 14 Pertaining to birds 24 25 26 27 15 Leave out 32 28 29 30 31 16 Apiece 17 Mercury in 33 34 35 36 37 ______ 38 39 40 41 19 Prefix with body or freeze 45 42 43 44 20 Deletion 46 47 48 21 Bud holder? 23 Mother ___ 51 49 50 24 Birthday buy 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 26 Official emissary 52 28 Arm waver's 62 63 60 61 shout 32 Now partner 65 66 64 33 Go to and fro 68 69 67 34 Type of tennis stroke Copyright 2022 by The Puzzle Syndicate 38 Run off together 40 SNL network 65 Corn units 10 Coral or Caspian 36 Ultimatum word 41 Maria of "Coyote 66 Facial features 11 Spare change 37 Morse code Ugly" 67 ___ of Capri seeker symbols 42 Representative 68 "Fiddlesticks!" 12 Duo quadrupled 39 Plumed wading group 69 HS students 13 Yours, in old bird 45 Take a breather days 43 Type of name 46 Dinghy pair DOWN 18 "Good ___!" 44 Part of USNA 47 Bad way to be 1 Meter reading 22 Detox locale 48 "As if that ___ caught 2 Word after 25 Element No. 65 enough...." 49 They might be "bowl" or "brim" 27 Biological 49 Suspect's out acute or obtuse 3 Comic Rudner classes 50 Dressed to the 51 "Get a ___ on!" 4 Benjamin Orr 28 Newspaper _____ 52 52, in old Rome vehicles? piece 54 Wild pig 53 Soaking spot 5 Ample 29 Low-lying area 56 Sneaker, e.g. 55 Matt Dillon, e.g. 6 Head position 30 Environment57 Water carrier 60 Mark of a ruler 7 Mia in "Pulp related 58 Prayer ending 62 Dwelling in a Fiction" 31 Nullify, as a law 59 Amount to make park, often 8 Potatoes, maybe 35 Janet Yellen, do with 64 Mr. Bridges 9 Kind of US e.g. 61 Old TV knob bomber 63 Bikini part

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:

Solution to Crossword:

2 3 1

Previous solution - Tough

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

6 9 4 5 5

4 7

www.str8ts.com

8 6 7 9 2 3 4 1 5

7 6 5 1 4 3 2

6 9 8 7 5 1 2 4 3

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

9 6 8

SUDOKU Medium

No. 605

Medium

5 4

4 7 9 2 6 1 3 8 5

7 8 4 3 9

1 6 4

7 1 3

8 2 7 6

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 July 29, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

Previous solution - Easy

9 2 1 4

STR8TS No. 605

3 4

by Margie E. Burke 1

2 8 3 7 5 9 1 4 6

6 5 1 8 3 4 7 2 9

3 9 7 5 8 6 4 1 2

1 6 5 3 4 2 8 9 7

8 4 2 1 9 7 5 6 3

9 3 4 6 7 8 2 5 1

7 1 8 9 2 5 6 3 4

5 2 6 4 1 3 9 7 8

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.

Surviving in changing times

Rez Notes

by Sonny Orr

y skin feels like it’s going to burn as I weave from shadow to shadow, dodging the sun’s harmful rays and avoiding burning exposed flesh that hasn’t seen the sun since last summer. It was a cold summer start and then a blast from a solar flare touched down on earth, making everyone head to the beach. After a quick look at online media à, it’s clear that summer has finally arrived in Eeyou Istchee. Aside from the fires out west, the skies red from the setting sun, there is some beauty to savour for those not affected by the flames of forests that plague the North. Aside from the intense heat, at least for the last few days, the welcoming night leaves little room for comfort as air conditioning units blast frigid air into our hotel room, making for extremes in temperatures that our Northern bodies feel that winter is indeed a good season. There is no satisfying everyone when it comes to summer or winter climes. Travel is on the rise, as flight schedules try to keep up with everyone’s need to escape small-town woes and head south where prices comfort our wallets and purses. But fuel costs greatly offset those savings as the economy teeters on the edge of recession, a nasty word for businesspeople and customers alike. As I near my business destination, it’s back to the corporate world of making decisions to improve our growing economy. I think back to the days when life was simpler and the decisions that needed to be made were whether to spend hard-

Maybe one day we will think back and say to ourselves that moderation is the key earned interest dollars from our collective investment fund on creating wealth or covering expenses. As it turned out, we could afford both. Today, with interest rates hovering around 2%, much lower than inflation, the monies that we depended on to carry us through recessions are dwindling. Now, investing in our future depends on whether some country on the other side of the world has a good day or not. The cost of living used to be offset by our traditional activities – hunting, fishing and trapping. Now these are also affected by the amount of money we need to fill the tank of our snowmobile, ATV, outboard motor and vehicle. Today, as I drive south, my need to get to my destination in record time is replaced by the need to make it as far as possible with that full tank of 87 octane. I happen to own a diesel vehicle, a heavy duty 350, which costs $350 to fill up. So, my truck waits for some surplus in my bank account before it sees much of the road. I think I’ll use my ATV, with its 500cc engine, that I can fill for about $40 – it makes more sense.

As it turns out, driving slower than usual to save money saved our lives when a young moose loomed out of the dark and into my headlights. Reacting by reflex, I swerved out of the way, thankful that no vehicle was coming my way on that side of the highway. A minute later, my adrenaline kicked in as I realized that the moose and I could have met our makers way too early. I rubbed my weary eyes and carried on with sweaty palms and a more alert frame of mind and made it to our destination intact. At my meeting, we wonder when this threat to our economy will become something that we cannot comfortably live with. The future seems uncertain. But we carry on with the need to grow our economy and contribute to our overall wellbeing by creating jobs and businesses. Maybe one day we will think back and say to ourselves that moderation is the key to development and risky business ideas will have to wait until we can afford to lose a little. So, be stringent with your money people, as it may be the only way to survive.

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www.nationnews.ca July 29, 2022

the Nation 25

Tea

Bannock &Allak

by Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash

spent most of July in the Arctic, away from the heatwaves. I’ve been waking up to foggy mornings along the Hudson Bay coast and falling asleep to gloaming midnight skies. I was looking forward to getting back here, especially after the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi peoples renewed their collaborative relationship through a memorandum of understanding back in April. I love that I experience Nunavik in a genuine way as an allak, which translates to “writing”. Inuit use that word to describe Crees because we adopted the syllabics system before they did. Introducing myself as allak sets me apart from non-Natives. It situates me in a different socio-historical context, and it usually shows in the way people interact with me. People here are always eager to show me around and share stories around a traditional meal. Even though we’re under the same treaty, my beneficiary number doesn’t apply to the airlines in Nunavik, and vice-versa. Expensive flights get in the way when we try to build significant relationships between our communities. I want my Cree kin to see the beauty of this land and meet the people who mastered the art of occupying it. Most importantly, I wish I could show my community to the Inuit who welcomed me into their home during the past few years. I have always naturally supported the Inuit struggle for self-determination and a better quality of life. But spending time in Nunavik made me realize how important it is to broadcast their voices. Without minimizing the challenges that I face at home, my life in Waswanipi seems comfortable

I wish I could show my community to the Inuit who welcomed me into their home compared to what Inuit go through every day. In Waswanipi, I don’t have to plan my tasks according to the amount of water I have in my tank or if my sewage has been picked up or not. For several days in Inukjuak, the town was out of diesel while waiting for the fuel boat to arrive. Both the water and sewage trucks were broken so people couldn’t shower, do laundry, or even flush. Right now, there is one water truck for the whole community. Stories like these are common up North. That’s why I think it’s our respon-

26 the Nation July 29, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

sibility support and amplify Inuit voices in their fight for human rights. Through this MOU, I hope we create more opportunities for both of our nations to work together and join our efforts against oppressive systems. I also hope we find easier ways to connect on a regular basis, because it always breaks my heart not knowing when I’ll see my Inuit friends again. Every time they take me out on the land, the first thought that comes to my mind is: “I wish my community could see what I’m seeing.”

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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