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CONTENTS EDITORIAL

10 Discussing the universe Laurie Rousseau-Nepton discusses tradition, astrophysics and beyond

16 Miyupimaatisiiun

Our beds are burning

Cultural safety ignored

On the firing line

NEWS

BRIEFS FEATURES

On being stardust

Solidarity of being well

Halloween magic

Taking back the mines

20 22

Trials by fire

PUZZLES REZ NOTES Eye on the profits

Community

T&B #SearchTheLandfill

24 25 26

Politics

A spooky experience

Cleaning up the mine sites

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Editorial

Our beds are burning by Will Nicholls

t is with delight we see that the Cree Nation Government, Cree Trappers’ Association, communities and other entities will create a “Cree Cabin Damage Assessment Registry.” Cree land users will be asked to fill out a form by November 1 to describe the damage the fires have caused to their camps. We all know that some camps can have as many 10 cabins, though in some perhaps only one is insured. According to the CNG, only 262 cabins in Eeyou Istchee are insured. We can’t even guess how many aren’t covered by insurance. Let’s hope the 10-cabin example wasn’t the norm. There are also cultural camps that were affected and the losses there were high both in material and heritage items. If you have a camp, don’t forget to fill out a form. Call your CTA office, band office, or the CNG. Or simply go online and search for it yourself. Many memories and heirlooms were lost but we live on as a survival-oriented culture. It is welcome to see that our leadership understands this. The Cree way of life includes taking care of each other in hard times such as this summer. Despite this, the Quebec government is patting itself on the back for sending firefighters to help in the west while our beds were burning. The inability of CAQ Premier François Legault to prioritize fighting the inferno that blazed through Cree lands in northern Quebec is sad. Not concentrating on the four million hectares that went up in flames in Eeyou Istchee reflects how this government views the regions that Quebec was gifted by the federal government under the 1898 and 1912 Boundaries Extension Acts.

Follow the advice in the Midnight Oil song: “A fact’s a fact. It belongs to them. Let’s give it back”

The law wasn’t respected in the first place as Quebec began building the La Grande Complex without first obtaining the consent of the Indigenous population living there. This affected the Cree and the Inuit, but those matters are seen as being mostly resolved. The claims of Algonquins and other Indigenous nations within the boundaries of an extended Quebec have not been resolved but that’s another issue that they are dealing with as best they can. We know they have had similar experiences and appreciate how they reached out to us in so many ways especially during the evacuations. Many Cree are dealing with the wildfires and Quebec’s response with anger, disappointment and hope. Help may come for some, but Quebec ignores one very important thing, and that is the Cree con-

nection to the land. We are part of it as much as the animals and plants. That is why “our beds are burning” refers to more than people losing or being dispossessed of their homes – as the band Midnight Oil sang of 35 years ago in its anthem about Aboriginal Australians. I use it here to refer to Eeyou Istchee and all its inhabitants, human or not, including the land itself. If Quebec can’t prioritize the worst of the natural disasters on territories it obtained relatively recently and which it loves to exploit for its natural resources, then it does not have effective control of Eeyou Istchee. If Quebec cannot handle the heat of the wildfires in Eeyou Istchee, then it should follow the advice in the Midnight Oil song: “A fact’s a fact. It belongs to them. Let’s give it back.”

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 S. Orr, M. Labrecque-Saganash, P. Quinn, J. Janke, A. Nambiar, S. Hossain, R. Mair DESIGN Matthew Dessner SALES AND ADVERTISING Danielle Valade, Donna Malthouse THANKS TO: Air Creebec CONTACT US: The Nation News, 918-4200 St. Laurent, Montreal, QC., H2W 2R2 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

the Nation October 6, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

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Editorial News

Cultural safety ignored Joyce’s Principle Office dissatisfied with Quebec’s Indigenous healthcare bill by Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Photo provided by Joyce’s Priniciple Office

hree years after the death of Atikamekw mother Joyce Echaquan, First Nations groups are critical of Quebec’s Bill 32, which aims to respond to Indigenous inequality by creating a “cultural safety approach” in the province’s health network. Developed shortly after Echaquan died in a Joliette hospital amid racist insults from staff, Joyce’s Principle provides measures aimed at ensuring Indigenous people receive the highest standard of care, free from discrimination, along with the right to traditional medicines and health practices. Quebec has yet to adopt Joyce’s Principle or recognize the existence of systemic racism. The Joyce’s Principle Office delegation walked out of a public hearing in Quebec City September 13 after its executive director Jennifer PetiquayDufresne condemned the government’s “colonial practices” even as it expressed a willingness to “do things differently, respectfully.” “We don’t share the Quebec government’s definition of cultural safety,” Petiquay-Dufresne told the Nation. “The government is still ignoring our recommendations and showing its inconsistency by drawing inspiration from Joyce’s Principle while still refusing to adopt it, like it was decoration. We need to be fully participative in our process for wellbeing.” Petiquay-Dufresne believes the bill cannot be effective without recognizing the health and social services network has been designed without consideration of Indigenous realities and unique health determinants. She’s disappointed with how Bill 32 was drafted and said the government should change how it works alongside Indigenous people.

Quebec Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière disputed allegations about a lack of consultation, arguing he can’t share a proposed bill before it’s tabled in the National Assembly. “Before sitting here today, I toured all 55 communities and met with 13 groups before even thinking about drafting legislation,” he said at the public hearing. “Consulting is not enough,” responded Petiquay-Dufresne. “I was in my community when he came for consultations and most of the time it was only his voice we heard, so I don’t know how people can really express their concerns or ideas. I think we must go into a relationship based on co-construction, respect and equality.” She was “shocked” by the way Lafrenière referred to Echaquan in his opening remarks, “objectifying her cause for his political agenda” without taking sufficient steps to change the system. Petiquay-Dufresne denounced the proposed law as “too light” with a focus on healthcare practitioners undergoing sensitivity training without measures that ensure a new approach. While certain initiatives have been introduced since Echaquan’s death, the Office stated results are too often superficial with power imbalances remaining and traditional knowledge trivialized. Quebec’s College of Physicians also criticized the government’s approach as “paternalistic” and said the bill should be broadened to include all vulnerable groups. “Our brief contains 13 recommendations on how the bill can go further than this first step,” said Mauril Gaudreault, the college’s president. “First, the future law must be drafted with the First Nations,

not in their place. Otherwise it’s colonialism.” Joyce’s Principle Office submitted 12 recommendations related to Bill 32 based on concerns from practitioners and community members. The draft states that many Atikamekw are still hesitant to request provincial healthcare services, with distrust exacerbated by the reemployment of an employee involved in the Echaquan incident. “One of our recommendations was the need for an ombudsman for Indigenous rights,” said Petiquay-Dufresne. “Right now, Indigenous people don’t use the process of complaints because they don’t trust them. If they make a complaint, they never feel like they’re listened to [or they’re told] ’We’ll try to do better next time’.” With widespread public support, Joyce’s Principle Office has been amplifying its message as it helps community health departments to implement their vision of cultural safety. PetiquayDufresne said they have “more faith and hope in the population of Quebec than its government.” At the hearing, Innu surgeon Dr. Stanley Vollant spoke about his experiences with racism in his studies and work, noting that healthcare inequalities haven’t improved over the years. While suggesting the bill was a step in the right direction, he observed it is too focused on individuals and not the institutions in which they operate. “There are people in Pessamit, from Uashat, from Manawan, who are afraid of going to the hospital because they don’t feel understood, respected – they feel like they’re teated differently,” Vollant explained. “They’re even afraid to die.”

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s still smouldering fires are left for the changing seasons to extinguish, Indigenous firefighters and emergency coordinators across Canada are looking back at this summer’s disastrous wildfires to improve future responses. These discussions were a focus at this year’s Indigenous Public Safety Conference, held September 14-15 in Montreal. It was organized by the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council, which was created last year to support the development of safety measures and resiliency in Indigenous communities. At the conference, Cree Nation regional fire marshal Lee-Roy Blacksmith spoke with Quebec’s Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière about how fires impacted Eeyou Istchee. Blacksmith suggested that the initial response was hindered by poor communication, which improved after a core working group was established. “Day one of the inland fires, the communication part wasn’t really there,” explained Blacksmith. “We had two or three firms having their own meetings about tactics. When we requested to have one core working group, we were all on the same page. It was good to meet them face-to-face finally.” In the coming weeks, Blacksmith will meet with fire chiefs from across the Cree Nation to begin planning for next year. Following the integration of several Cree firefighters with SOPFEU units this summer, they will discuss expanding training before next summer. “If SOPFEU can’t do it, we’ll probably look into other forest fire agencies across Canada,” said Blacksmith. “SOPFEU used to put first response equipment on the towers along the highway or Chisasibi access road. They would notify the community you can pick up the water pump or hoses. That’s a communication I’ll be having with SOPFEU [to reconsider] down the road.” Conference speakers shared emerging tools for mitigating blazes, the roles of various organizations and strategic safety measures. Anthony Jumeau spoke about building sustainable capacity for prevention and protection techniques like drones and sprinkler systems.

On the firing line Indigenous fire safety conference sparks calls for national strategy by Patrick Quinn, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Photo provided by Elaine (E-buzz) Trudeau

“We’re trying to get structure specialists that understand mitigation yearround,” Jumeau told the Nation. “When there’s no pre-plans, you can’t expect a fire department that shows up out of nowhere to understand exactly what’s going on. It all starts with assessing your community’s priorities to protect and how to do that.” Jumeau emphasized that the results justify the costs of loss reduction assessments. For example, analysis of Alberta’s 2016 wildfire in Fort McMurray, the costliest Canadian disaster ever at nearly $10 billion, found that about three-quarters of the damages could have been avoided by having prevention methods in place. Existing programs can simplify this capacity building. A not-for-profit agency called Project Safe Canada offers advanced drone licensing to Indigenous communities, which can help map community surroundings to identify vulnerable areas and vegetation. Jumeau suggested that removing low brush for fire breaks can be coordinated with ecological conservation. “It has to be holistic, done simultaneously with the right people,” asserted Jumeau. “Everyone’s doing their part – you’ve got industry, community, emergency preparation specialists, the parks. From that point, there’s a plan with realistic timelines. Maybe it’s feasible that within a year we can have a risk reduction plan to help mitigate the next wildfire.” Jumeau a network of mitigation specialists who work between communities could reduce the need to call in

the military or international firefighters. When thousands of recruits arrived from around the world this summer, Indigenous firefighters like Elaine (E-buzz) Trudeau wondered why they weren’t called first. “We never went out at all this year even though we’re trained and ready to go,” said Trudeau. “I wrote a 15-page letter to the Minister of Natural Resources, then had a meeting with her, advocating for Indigenous firefighters to fight these fires in Ontario and out of province but nothing’s come out of it.” As wildfire risk increases across the country, the crew leader from Wiikwemkoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island hopes to begin training sessions earlier in the season and have firefighting equipment closer at hand instead of bringing it from Thunder Bay. With particularly high interest in refresher courses this year, locals were eager for the call. “Is it because we’re Indigenous?” asked Trudeau. “I get it, there are a lot of Indigenous people who have addictions, and some are heavy-set. Being out on the land 14 days keeps them away from their addictions, motivated to do something. I feel it gives them that sense of belonging, of being human. I’m thinking of writing another letter to the ministry.” Jeremy Shanush, Eastmain’s firefighting team leader, said many Cree forest firefighters were asking similar questions: “We’re here, this is our backyard – why don’t you ask us for help?” According to Jennifer Kamau, communications manager for the Canadian Interagency Fire Fighting Centre, “the discussion around utilizing existing

Indigenous firefighting power would have to be initiated by the federal, provincial and territorial governments.” Canada’s recently appointed minister of emergency preparedness, Harjit Singh Sajjan, told the Nation that he wants to leverage Indigenous knowledge and firefighting capacity to mobilize immediate emergency response. He said over 125 Indigenous fire guardians have been hired and trained, combining fire prevention with forest management. “As this emergency season dies down, it will hopefully allow us to start identifying folks and which system to put them into,” said Sajjan. “Where do they reside, how do they get called up, who will be responsible for that. When your community is not under threat and others are, you can go help one another.” Sajjan said it’s crucial that these training systems are standardized so crew additions can “plug and play” quickly. While forest and fire management are provincially controlled, this year’s extraordinary blazes prompted calls for a national firefighting service – and greater management by the First Nations who have been disproportionately impacted by wildfires. “Hopefully our leadership sits down with SOPFEU to maybe have a branch that protects people’s bush camps,” said Shanush. “Maybe things will change after this year. Sometimes you need that scare.”

www.nationnews.ca October 6, 2023

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Human Behaviour

in Fires

In Brief Tracking the White Bear Scientists and the Cree have joined forces to study polar bears living on the southern margins of Hudson Bay. The results, published recently in Canada’s FACETS science journal, demonstrate that non-invasive methods are viable to track this understudied, endangered species. The non-invasive study found that diminishing sea ice threatens the bears’ ability to find food, and mates. Plus, shifting weather conditions may drive these carnivorous creatures closer to human settlements. In the past, the James Bay Cree protested efforts to study the bears because many monitoring methods, such as chemical immobilization, deploying biologging devices and live-capturing animals, were highly invasive. Compared to other Arctic habitats, the Bay has fewer polar bears, and a more challenging coastal terrain. Plus, Arctic environments are often remote,

lacking in infrastructure and people. Invasive research practices can be complicated, costly and demanding for the research teams. For all these reasons, polar bears are an understudied group. Out of 19 subpopulations, researchers marked 16 as “data-deficient.” This means there’s little insight into how those populations are adapting to climate change.

McGill Powwow Hosted by the First Peoples’ House, the Annual McGill University Powwow featured a day of dancing, drum circles, art vendors and delicious food. Students were able to hear the drumbeat from inside their classes, with many heading to the powwow site to lunch on fresh Indigenous cuisine. This year’s event had a national feel, with participants from across Canada. This year’s lineup included a Smoke Dance exhibition, Inuit throat singing, Métis Jiggers (Prairie Fire style) and a hoop dance demonstration.

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Gunsmith on location

The powwow is a focal point of McGill’s Indigenous Awareness Week, which ran September 18-30. Organizers hope “the two-week celebration will encourage a greater understanding of Indigenous peoples among students, staff and faculty at McGill.” Associate Provost Celeste Pedri-Spade said that the week “is a great opportunity for the McGill community to learn about Indigenous perspectives, to listen to Indigenous voices, and to connect with Indigenous people here at the university – be they students, staff or academics.”

This year’s lineup included a Smoke Dance exhibition, Inuit throat singing, Métis Jiggers (Prairie Fire style) and a hoop dance demonstration

Mamu Nikantetau March The Puamun Meshkenu organization held this year’s Mamu Nikantetau March. The 300-kilometre journey spanning eight days started September 23 in Pessamit and ended September 30 in Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam. This march traversed the ancestral Innu territory of Nitassinan. Mamu Nikantetau, which translates as “Let’s move forward together,” is a call for unity and engagement. It follows last year’s march that coincided with the Pope’s visit to Quebec. Led by Dr. Stanley Vollant, the marches are a platform for Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants to share messages of hope, healing, respect and reconciliation. A group of 15 walkers braved the entire route, while others joined along the way for specific sections. “The path to reconciliation is a long portage, one we must commit to heal the wounds of the past and envision a shared future for our nations,” said Vollant. September 30 was the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

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Features

On Being

STARDUST STARDUST

Innu astronomer Laurie Rousseau-Nepton discusses the universe by Avanti Nambiar

the Nation October 6, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

aurie Rousseau-Nepton, the first Indigenous woman in Canada to gain a PhD in astrophysics, is the subject of the 2023 docu-series North Star. Consisting of five short episodes, the series covers Rousseau-Nepton’s journey from the Ashuapmushuan wildlife reserve to an observatory atop a Hawaiian mountain. In an interview with the Nation, the trailblazing Innu astronomer discussed

her path into science, her unique outlook, and her aspirations for women in research. Rousseau-Nepton is the principal investigator for SIGNALS, a survey program which aims to observe over 50,000 star-forming regions. Translation: Rousseau-Nepton studies the birth of stars, and collects stunning photographs of nearby galaxies. She speculates that

this research could produce technologies with applications on earth. However, she stressed that the core goal of the program is to understand how and why stars are born. Rousseau-Nepton says she is motivated by her curiosity to understand “our place in the universe.” She notes our solar system, and all the atoms of our bodies, were once in the “hearts of stars.”

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The notion that we are all made from stardust – remnants of those twinkling pinpricks in the sky – could be overwhelming to some people. Yet to Rousseau-Nepton, the thought is a source of profound beauty. In Innu traditional beliefs, humans came from the stars, and will return to them. The faith system claims that the stars are the ancestors of human beings, and as such, are a part of us. RousseauNepton holds this faith system in her own life. “Having a little piece of those stars inside of us, is the same as having a little piece of our ancestors inside,” she said. “In some ways, they’re influencing what’s happening right now, even though they have passed away. And it’s the same for the stars. I find it very peaceful when I think about it like that.” It was at Université Laval that Rousseau-Nepton helped develop the SITELLE instrument, a powerful astronomical tool. She would later use the instrument to study stars in Hawaii for six years. The docu-series covers RousseauNepton’s time as a resident astronomer at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope.

The observatory rests near the summit of Mauna Kea mountain on Hawaii Island. Perched above the clouds, so high that it leaves visitors short of breath, this remote telescope is surrounded by flat, windless land. The setting, in North Star, appears almost otherworldly. RousseauNepton confesses that “the place has a lot of hazards,” due to the lack of oxygen and the risk of storms. Still, the lack of light pollution, wind and clouds allows for crystal-clear images of the night sky. Researchers sometimes struggle to effectively communicate dense, dry information to lay people. But RousseauNepton translates academic concepts into relatable language, easy for everyone to grasp. This is due to her skills as a communicator. “The very reason why I’m doing science is to increase everybody’s knowledge,” she explained. “If what I learned cannot be transmitted to other people, what’s the point?” And North Star is is filled with wonder: full of visuals of distant galaxies and unique environments on earth. In the series, Rousseau-Nepton and her intern Justine Giroux discuss galaxies having

the Nation October 6, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

unique “personalities.” The pair address regions where stars are born as “stellar nurseries.” Rousseau-Nepton says that when she studies star formations, “we often talk about different generations of stars.” Early in the universe, an older generation burnt out, pushing their fire into space. This, according to Rousseau-Nepton, enriched the next generation of stars, allowing them to form. “This cycle of forming stars has been happening for billions of years,” she concludes. “And now we are part of this, we have some of this in our body.” She compares this process to the creation of human beings, through generations of families and communities. Rousseau-Nepton pointed out that other women had helped her gain a place in science, by making the field more welcoming, and “enabling us to contribute.” As a student, she felt pressure to represent Indigenous women in science. She was hard on herself, suspecting that if she were to fail in her studies, “it would be worse than just my personal failure.” When she finally received her PhD in astrophysics, however, Rousseau-Nepton was shocked to learn from a journalist

that she was the first Indigenous woman in Canada to obtain such a degree. She wondered, how it could be, that in the year 2000, she could be the first to reach this goal post. The revelation angered her, and drove her to try to change the field. She aims to make her discipline more welcoming to women, as well as the Indigenous community. Besides striving for gender parity on her own research project, she works to mentor young Indigenous women from Quebec. To women aspiring to enter the STEM fields, Rousseau-Nepton advises, “trust your guts.” She encourages women to ignore naysayers, including their own internal voices of doubt. She also implores the friends and family of such women, to show encouragement. After all, it was the encouragement of her father, and friends, which helped Rousseau-Nepton feel confident in her career. While mentoring Indigenous women, Rousseau-Nepton emphasizes traditional Innu astronomical knowledge. Through oral records, the Innu have passed down information on eclipses, constellations and more. Northern Indigenous commu-

nities have historically used the stars as a tool to track seasons, time and location. This insight formed the foundation for spiritual beliefs. It also helped the Innu peoples to hunt, navigate and survive in difficult climate conditions. By researching these traditions, Rousseau-Nepton can help Indigenous students understand their scientific heritage. The North Star series begins in the Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve, where Rousseau-Nepton hunted with her father as a child. It was here that she first developed her interest in science, and honed her observational skills. She was also exposed to the clear, dark night sky, where she could watch shooting stars, or the aurora borealis. With both her parents involved in civil engineering, RousseauNepton was exposed to mathematics through her mother, and hands-on building activities through her father. These skills carried through to her university education, where she had direct experience developing the SITELLE instrument. In the competitive world of academia, some scientists guard their data fiercely. Yet, Rousseau-Nepton prefers a more collaborative approach. The results of

her SIGNALS project are open source, and her team of some 60 international researchers is half female. She believes that adding more perspectives will help us uncover discoveries more rapidly and hopes that within our lifetimes, we learn more about the universe expanding, dark energy, and dark matter. As an Innu with a deep respect of nature, it’s no surprise that RousseauNepton contemplates the environmental impact of space studies and exploration. She’s concerned about Starlink satellites overpopulating the night sky, and the accumulation of space debris. She considers the ecological footprint of running observatories, or using her computer. Though humankind is able to see billions of galaxies, and billions of stars within our own galaxy, we have yet to find a planet quite like Earth. Rousseau-Nepton points out that “just knowing how unique” our home is, should motivate us to “figure out ways to protect it.” The North Star docu-series is available

for free on the NFB website.

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The Solidarity of Being Well

New Community Miyupimaatisiiun Committee partnership will support grassroots issues by Patrick Quinn,

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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partnership agreement signed September 21 between the Cree Nation Government, Cree health and school boards and the nine Cree First Nations aims to support miyupimaatisiiun: the physical, spiritual, mental and emotional health and well-being of the people of Eeyou Istchee.

The agreement will foster collaboration between local and regional entities, aligning community and regional priorities to support Community Miyupimaatisiiun Committees. The goal is a healthier Cree Nation the developing holistic approaches that address specific Cree health determinants. “We as a Nation have the capacity to address any needs if we unlock the collaboration as a key tool,” said Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty. “We are interconnected, but we know every community also has diverse needs, and it will take the commitment of all entities and organizations to address and work together in implementing solutions.” The partnership is an effort to address layers of intergenerational trauma Crees have experienced since contact. Significant changes in Eeyou Eenou lifestyles during the past five decades have caused major cultural change. Many of these impacts are now found in high rates of addictions, various forms of abuse and other social issues. “The social solidarity agreement provides us the first step into this journey,” stated Bertie Wapachee, chairperson of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay. “It will be followed by a consensus-making process in which we will determine the parameters of our shared responsibilities that will guide the full implementation and operations of all Miyupimaatisiun Committees in Eeyou Istchee.” These committees were implemented in each Cree community over the past few years, composed of local leaders and community members, including representatives of the signing entities who act as liaisons. Mandated to identify up to three grassroots-level health and social priorities, the committees will then propose approaches for dealing with these issues. The partnership builds on a February gathering that worked to finalize its terms and takes place in what has been designated the Year of Social Solidarity for the Cree Nation.

“Our main goal is not just to establish a new level of partnership between Eeyou regional entities and communities, but to become a trauma-informed Nation and society that will ensure a healthy future for ourselves, our families and our Nation,” said Wapachee. “The CBHSSJB is fully committed to this important initiative.” Priorities could range from adolescent mental health to Cree customary adoption to support for individuals with diabetes or other chronic conditions. For the CBHSSJB, the Community Miyupimaatisiiun Committees will be instrumental in ensuring local priorities are integrated into its next strategic regional plan. Cree leaders believe that directly addressing the extent of issues like alcoholism, drug addiction, domestic violence, sexual abuse will raise awareness of their harmful effects and help understand their root causes. “The Miyupimaatisiiun Committees are critical to finding successful solutions that are Cree-driven,” said Gull-Masty. “I look forward to seeing their mandate begin. Everyone will have a role to play in developing a healthy Cree Nation.” The initiative responds to recent causes of mental health issues, such as the Covid pandemic. Last year, the Cree School Board established a pandemic recovery plan that addressed learning gaps through measures related to core subject success and literacy initiatives in Cree, English and French. Where implemented fully, the literacy measures have demonstrated strong improvement with children moving up several levels. Graduation numbers this year returned to pre-pandemic levels despite impacts of this summer’s fires, which altered the normal exam and summer school schedule. The recent CSB Council of Commissioners meeting September 12-13 discussed positive signs of recovery after several difficult years while highlighting a need for mental health initiatives for students. “Enacting a trauma-informed approach to education means that we

empower our future by honouring identity, culture, language and history, and also focus on mental health and well-being of the young people who we serve,” said Sarah Pash, chairperson of the CSB. Developing individual education plans (IEPs) for students with special needs has been a priority over the past year and the CSB hopes to increase adapted IEPs by 83% this year. They are aiming for over 150 on-site neuropsychological and psycho educational assessments, greatly increasing assessment capacity in the communities. Alarming results in Cree language skills led to a new plan for this school year focusing on oral language development beginning in the daycare system. Pash will meet with the Cree Language Commission, the CNG and CBHSSJB to discuss the shared responsibility of developing a nationwide Cree language strategy. Through a new mentorship initiative, veteran Cree language teachers have been assigned to assist with planning and evaluating student progress, and to support oral language development in pre-K and Kindergarten. While these teachers had workshops in activity planning and assessment for Cree language development, support and resource development will also be expanded in other grades from elementary to the end of secondary. A joint board meeting between the CSB and CBHSSJB planned for October 16 will focus on collaboration, mutual support and shared responsibility. The two organizations pledged to work on health and education initiatives related to youth protection, special needs, mental health, sexual health and identity construction, and culturally safe support practices. “The Miyupimaatisiiun Committee model will bring to life our intent to realize our shared responsibility through intensive and targeted partnerships as we value needs and vision at the local level,” said Pash. “The time for meaningful action through effective collaboration is now.”

www.nationnews.ca October 6, 2023

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HALLOWEEN

Magic by Sakib Hossain

A visit to a Spirit Halloween outlet is a spooky experience by Sakib Hossain

s the leaves transform into a vibrant array of autumn colours and a brisk, cool breeze gently embraces us, a singular realization dawns: Halloween is swiftly approaching. For many, this season brings eerie tales, costume creativity and an insatiable sweet tooth. It is also the time when Spirit Halloween, one of the largest Halloween retailers in North America, comes to life in a spectral fashion. So, we ventured into the captivating world of spooky sales, and visited the downtown Montreal location (450 St. Catherine St. W.), where we spoke with store manager Linda. Spirit Halloween is not just a store – it’s an experience. As Linda explained, this will be Spirit’s 40th season of bringing the mystique of Halloween to life, and every year, their stores mysteriously appear in August and vanish again after November 2. The legend of these stores appearing

overnight adds to the enchantment of the Halloween season. Spirit Halloween is a phenomenon that spans Canada and the United States. Linda manages one of the largest locations in downtown Montreal. With over 1,500 job opportunities in Canada alone, the retailer provides employment and Halloween joy to many Canadians. Linda’s journey with the company began last year when she worked as a salesperson at another location. This year, she was called back to serve as the manager of the downtown Montreal store. Her experience and dedication highlight the importance of a passionate team to make each Halloween season unforgettable. One of the most intriguing aspects of Spirit Halloween is its knack for predicting costume trends. According to Linda, this year’s top choices are Barbie and Wednesday from the Addams Family for women, while the classic Ghost Face remains a favourite

among men. These insights give us a glimpse into the Halloween costume landscape in 2023. Spirit Halloween is not just about costumes. It is a place where the spirit of Halloween is alive all year round. From board games like Spirit Halloween Monopoly to accessories and stylish home decor, Spirit Halloween offers more than costumes – it provides a way for super fans to embrace the spooky aesthetic beyond October. With the season in full swing, and the anticipation for the scariest time of the year building, Spirit Halloween stands ready to inspire and delight. With Linda as our guide, we ventured into the heart of this Halloween wonderland, where the magic of the season is brought to life year after year, leaving us with a sense of wonder and excitement that only Halloween can provide.

www.nationnews.ca October 6, 2023

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Politics

Taking back the mines Cleaning up abandoned mine sites is necessary in restoring the land by Joshua Janke

he “Site Characteristic and Cleanup Campaign” Report for 2022 was released to the public in September. Headed by Adario Masty, the campaign report exhaustively details Cree action in environment and ecosystem remedial works. In 2018, a four-party agreement with the Quebec government, the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Regional Government, the Cree Nation Government and the Fonds RestorAction Cri was established, aimed at restoring abandoned mining sites in the territory. In November 2021, the CNG submitted a Clean-up Strategy for 20222026. Headed by its Environment and Remedial Works Department, the goal was simple – clean up and restore as many abandoned mining sites as possible. This included 45 distance-based sites, 67 Mistissini sites, six WaskaganishNemaska sites, and 23 near the communities of Eastmain, Wemindji, Chisasibi and Whapmagoostui. Of these sites, 45 were quickly cleared for characterization by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MERN), making them ideal locations for Masty and crew to launch a pilot cleanup project. It was noted that the logistics of “the 2022-2026 Clean-up Strategy is subject to change as most sites are yet to be characterized.” However, the strategy

“sets an important baseline for future work.” Ten Mistissini sites located along the M16, M17B and M17C traplines were identified as suitable locations. The 2022 report shows that six sites “could be cleaned with land user team”, while four others “required technical expertise for cleanup.” The cleanup campaign worked through eight abandoned mining exploration sites on the northeast side of Mistassini Lake, with all MERN validations completed to ensure that the work was within the scope of the agreement. The pilot project in 2022 consisted of two campaigns – the first from September 9-12 and the second on October 1. The Cree team included Masty, Johnny Matoush, Lindsey Coon, Harry Coonishish, Norman Coonishish, Norman Matoush and Randy Matoush. Additional land users and helicopter pilots as well as boats for water access and a “SkyTrak telehandler” to stack massive steel barrels. Some of the rusted barrels still contained fuel, which the team transferred to new barrels to ensure there was no risk of contamination while restoring the sites. “All materials collected from the sites were stored at the camp and then transported to a recycling and treatment centre in Chibougamau for proper disposal,” Masty stated in a document provided to the Nation.

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The crew ensured that colour photos documented their efforts, and the final report published dramatic images. For instance, hanging from a whirring helicopter, a larger-than-life weight scale was used to weigh all materials hauled out of the abandoned mining sites. The final count of materials removed and properly disposed of includes: • 10 full 45-gallon steel drums (still full of fuel) • 67 empty 45-gallon steel drums • 17 empty 10-gallon steel drums • various metal scraps and garbage. In total, “1,500 pounds of waste have been removed from Eeyou Istchee land thanks to all the individuals who participated in the 2022 pilot project.” Masty stated that while the pilot project was a great success for the number of restored sites restored and amount of waste removed, he says that a key part of the project is in the data gathered. This included “large amounts of important information related to the logistics in sites without road access” and the construction of the three-step process of “validation, characterization, and cleanup” for future sites. The project’s “Clean-up Decision Tree” shows how the team defines what personnel and equipment is required and the expertise and safety precautions needed to complete the job. When arriving on a site, a team undertakes a

three-step analysis to qualify site restoration needs. The first step is analysing the site’s contents by checking if it contains more than 10 barrels, batteries or other tanks such as cooking oil. Next, the crew does a contamination test, reporting “any leakages or stains larger than one square metre,” the report states. “A kick test is used to make an immediate decision on the severity of the contamination…it shows whether or not the staining is present even after the top one inch of the soil has been displaced.” If the team receives a “Yes” during any of these three steps, additional expertise and equipment is needed, due to the dangerous chemicals and possibility of complications created by the contamination’s size and mass to be removed. In the report’s conclusion, Masty laid out the project’s accomplishments and goals for 2023. “The clustering of sites created

in the 2022 pilot project is beneficial as it significantly reduces costs related to future helicopter mobilizations as well as the appropriate disposal of materials which will be found on these sites.” Masty stated that the employment opportunities created in 2022 bolsters hopes for 2023 projections. “The hiring of tallymen for the cleanup process is advantageous as their participation not only is the most efficient mode of labour employment, but also importantly ensures that consent and approval is obtained from residents and land users before the team begins site restoration.” The negative impact that mining has had on the Eeyou Istchee environment and community is evident, and Masty hopes that the clean-up will bring positive change in these abandoned mining sites.

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Community

Trials by fire Resilient Minds offers firefighters mental health workshop at Indigenous Fire Safety Conference by Ramelle Mair

ndigenous firefighters from across Canada gathered at in Montreal for the fourth annual Indigenous Fire Safety Conference September 14-15. Over 200 attendees took part in courses that offered certification in various fields including Auto Extrication, Emergency Operation Centres Essentials and Wildfire Response. However, when Fire Chief Larry Sockabasin of Tobique First Nation, New Brunswick, looked over the courses offered, he opted for Resilient Minds, which focuses on building the psychological strength of Indigenous First Responders. “Mental health goes undetected in our department. I’ve seen firefighters hurting and they didn’t tell me about it until we were off the job. I want to do something more to help,” he said. Sockabasin has been a volunteer firefighter for 11 years and fire chief for the past five years for the Maliseet community of Tobique. He has already reached out to his band council to have the Resilient Minds workshop shared with his firefighters. Sockabasin appreciated the workshop’s effort to reflect Indigenous values. “I’m not a classroom person, but they made the material very relatable. I also liked that they talked about sweats and spiritual sides of healing,” he said. The course was led by 20-year firefighter Steve Fraser, who currently works with the Vancouver Fire Department. Fraser is a fierce advocate of mental

health for firefighters, which is why he helped to create Resilient Minds. The program strives to help firefighters recognize the effects of psychological stress and trauma, and to communicate with people who are struggling. Fraser shared personal stories of suffering and trauma that resonated with the firefighters in the room. More importantly, he explained how to recognize signs of trauma in a fire team. Billy Moffat, the Fire Chief of Kawawachikamach, Quebec, admits he comes from a generation not raised attuned to their emotions. The 62-yearold was surprised by his interest in the course and his own self-realization of a need for self-care. “I was kind of skeptical at first. But after about an hour in, I said, ‘I can relate to this’. I’ve been policing for 42 years and 25 years as a firefighter and I’ve seen every kind of tragedy. And

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now it doesn’t bother me. And I realized during the course, ‘holy shit’ that’s me with all this trauma. And it’s time for me to work on self-care. Not wait for retirement.” Moffat plans to bring the mental health training course to the police, game wardens and firefighters in Kawawachikamach. However, he would like the course to reflect the Naskapi culture. Alexis Beer, a coordinator with Resilient Minds, says they are ready to address this concern. He says their plan is to consult with communities before offering the two-day course. “The intent is for the instructor to learn about the community and find what traditions or cultural components they’d like to incorporate into the program. This includes things such as a blessing from an Elder, a smudge to start the course or a ceremonial fire, sweat or meal.”

Indigenous people across Canada are five times more likely to die in a fire compared to the rest of the population. That number increases to over 10 times for First Nations people living on reserve. Waswanipi Fire Chief Darren Saganash says he would like to bring the course to his fire team but wants to make sure the instructors understand the realities of a firefighter on a reserve versus an urban setting. “You’re going to get a call and the person you’re responding to could be your cousin or your father or mother,” Saganash related. “We know everybody. It’s a small community and 100% of the time you’re going to know the person and that makes it even more difficult as a firefighter.” Saganash described a recent call during which he performed CPR on a fellow firefighter. “We tried to revive him but were unsuccessful and he passed away. He was a member of our fire team. It was very difficult for all of us. It’s something that we will probably never get through.” If your community would like Resilient Minds to hold a workshop, contact Alexis Beer at alexis@firstresponderhealth.ca or 604-798-5122.

Indigenous people across Canada are five times more likely to die in a fire compared to the rest of the population

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Puzzles

Crossword

by Margie E. Burke

10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 Beer ingredient 14 15 16 5 Bushy boundary 18 19 10 Oscar Madison, 17 famously 22 20 21 14 Winglike 23 24 25 15 Put forth effort 16 Corn cake 26 27 28 29 30 31 17 Intro to physics? 18 Make an ______ 32 33 34 35 36 37 (stop by) 38 39 40 41 20 Heavy guns 22 Finishes the 43 44 45 42 lawn 48 49 47 23 Shorthand taker 46 24 Used car 50 51 52 53 54 55 transaction 59 60 56 57 58 26 Some are blind 28 ____ tunnel 63 61 62 syndrome 65 66 64 32 Wise person 35 Cut in half 68 69 67 37 Aviation hero 38 Critters in shells Copyright 2023 by The Puzzle Syndicate 40 Looking closely 42 Notable period 67 Twiggy digs 10 "The Blacklist" 41 Class starter, 43 Pupil protector 68 Post-sneeze star often 45 Till stack word 11 Yearn 44 Tart quencher 46 Get by 69 Give the eye 12 ___ bitten, 47 Surrounded by 48 Model of twice shy 49 Jungle swinger perfection DOWN 13 Honey bunch? 51 Declare void 50 Title for 1 Half a '60s 19 Tell 53 Eagle's nest Flaubert's quartet 21 Cut off, as 54 "Sweet Dreams" Bovary 2 On one's toes branches singer 52 Finish second 3 Caffè ___ 25 Give in 55 One sought for 56 Round trip? 4 Lionel product 27 Minded advice 59 Axon's spot 5 Make good as 29 Liniment target 56 Neighbor of 61 Bouvier, to new 30 Teen's torment Saudi Arabia Jackie Kennedy 6 Mastery 31 Table foursome 57 Speedway 63 "Raid" anagram 7 Make sad 32 Pipe part event 64 Book before 8 ABC series, 33 Special glow 58 Morsels Romans "____ Anatomy" 34 ___ Torino (old 60 November 65 Tax man's task 9 In-flight info, for Ford model) honorees 66 "Come here short 36 Outer layer 62 Apprehend often?," e.g. 39 Papal diplomat

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: M Y T H A R O S E P U P A E U R O C A P E R U S A F S L A T U P P E R C R U S T L E A S E S E N S A T I O N S P E E D S T E L L E R C O L O R S E R I A L O R A T O R D E R N N U N D E S P I S E C A T S P A W A L E L I E D S L I C E S D A N D E R A P A R T P E S T E R L E M O N S O N I C E D E S P E R A T E A G E S A S S I S T A N C E U N D U E C U S P D U E L B A S E D K A T Y S E R E

STR8TS

No. 673

3 3 4

4 7 4

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

9 7 5 8 3 1 4

7 2 You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com

Previous solution - Tough

SUDOKU

Medium

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

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

No. 673

Medium

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

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.

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Previous solution - Easy

3 1 5 8 2 4 9 7 6

2 7 4 1 9 6 5 3 8

6 9 8 5 7 3 2 1 4

1 5 6 3 4 8 7 9 2

8 4 7 2 1 9 6 5 3

9 2 3 6 5 7 8 4 1

5 8 1 9 3 2 4 6 7

7 3 2 4 6 5 1 8 9

4 6 9 7 8 1 3 2 5

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.

T&B Rez Notes

Eye on the profits by Sonny Orr

t least once a year I venture out of our traditional territory to wreak a little havoc in the lands of our southern brethren, the Hurons. It’s not really to wreak havoc but to learn and trade information for business development, something that’s kept me busy for the last 30 years. This year it’s about the transfer or acquisition of businesses. Sounds a little ho-hum for some but for me, it’s fodder for discussion and argument. Who wants to buy their daddy’s business that he worked on until his dying day? On his death bed, he tells his son you can have this sardine cannery that kept our family alive for the last 10 generations. The son, not too keen about smelling like sardines for the rest of his life, kindly said yes, and then worked on selling the family heirloom business. Lo and behold, it seemed that not too many people think that owning a cannery is such a cool idea. They would rather fish using the latest technology and have their 26-inch prize-winning fish posted on Facebook, rather than having to filet millions of tiny fish barely the size of your middle finger. Aarrgh! Why didn’t daddy own a penthouse condo instead? As my training goes on, it seems that this is now a typical situation. No one really wants to work for a living. Being a business owner doesn’t automatically make you rich, however, unless the tax

man assesses you and declares that you are worth a lot more than you think – so cough up buddy! I often reply, “Tax? What’s that?” Another peeve of mine that has to do with buying out a business, is how is it that this business is worth so much today and a lot more in the future? It’s all about the belief that newer is better. But in the fish business, the same old fish will continue to make do forever, or so it seems. Nothing’s more reliable than having a fish come back to its spawning waters to replenish your bank account. I remember a similar situation when the cod nearly met its demise from overfishing. Being the number one fish for your palate does have its disadvantages. Consider a case study in which you had to buy out an old, oily garage stocked with broken equipment, cases of tire plugs (a staple in communities without pavement) and a 1965 Dodge Charger rusting in the backyard. After analysis by us economic development people, it was revealed that the business was as worthless as the Dodge Charger. According to the valuation, it was fit for the pit. But to my trained eye, the Dodge could be worth $200,000 after restoration costs of 30 grand. So, I would recommend buying all the scrap and garbage for nothing and 10 months later profit from the sale of a shiny classic car. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.

Our big problem up north is that there aren’t many businesses to buy. Maybe there’s a lot of chip stands, as poutine is a major money maker here. So I guess starting a potato farm might be a good idea. If you have a green thumb and enough land that doesn’t have rock or sand to eke out a small plantation from, you should be good in about 20 years. But today no one wants to wait 20 minutes, much less 20 years to make any money. Why bother when getting a job is a lot easier and far more profitable. That is if you are a good money manager or budget conscious enough to know that saving money today is good for tomorrow’s groceries, which is about what a paycheck can cover in these inflationary days. If you want to go into business the easy way, just buy one that’s up for sale,. Once you get tired of it, you can resell it for (most likely a loss) and relive your experience in the bedtime stories you tell your grandchildren. Or tell anyone else who wants to hear the large profit you made in the first three weeks of business before it crashed and before the bank took everything back because you forgot about the deposit for the 20th time. So have fun making a profit this year! Signing off from an informative workshop somewhere in southern Quebec, I remain still somewhat profitable.

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Bannock & #SearchTheLandfill

Tea

by Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash

’ve been spending time in Winnipeg for work, and it has allowed me to check in with the large Indigenous community here. A few steps away from my hotel, at the forks of the Assiniboine and Red rivers, stands Camp Marcedes in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. It’s named after Marcedes Myran, whose remains are believed to be at the Brady Landfill. As political parties campaign for the upcoming elections in Manitoba, family members of Myran, community members and allies keep the sacred fire going every day to protest Progressive Conservative Premier Heather Stefanson’s decision not to search the landfill for the victims of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki. I sit at the fire often to hear songs and talk to the people tending to the camp. Some of them are there because they lost a daughter under mysterious circumstances or due to the opioid crisis raging in the city. Winnipeg is not only jeopardizing the lives of Indigenous women and girls, but the city is also failing the collateral victims in not honouring their dignity – another ongoing cycle of trauma for Indigenous people. During rallies and events in support of the search for Marcedes Myran and Morgan Harris at the Brady Landfill, it hit me: I cannot believe I have to protest the province’s decision to keep dumping garbage on my Indigenous sisters. By attending these events, I find out it’s now an electoral issue. The problem is that governments always act as if it’s an Indigenous claims debate rather than human rights violations that they are responsible to address under Canadian laws and principles. A

dump is not a suitable resting place for anyone. In murder trials, no body means no case. Why is the justice system ready to settle with a trial in which crucial pieces of evidence won’t be available? I know what it feels like not to have closure in a relative’s death nor to have a proper burial site where I can pay my respects. I know how it affects families even years after the events. At the latest rally for MMIWG2S, Tina Fontaine’s sibling was very clear on this issue. Not only did this country fail Tina at several moments in her life, but it keeps failing her family by not thoroughly investigating her death and charging the prime suspect in her case.

As I walk the streets here, I often wonder what healing will look like for the city of Winnipeg. Here, the trauma, the hurt and the consequences of colonization are so obvious it brings nothing but rage to my heart and pure love for my kin. When it becomes unbearable, I go back to the sacred fire at Camp Marcedes and sit there with my thoughts. But mourning the loss of my sisters is not enough; the tragedy of the Brady Landfill serves as a stark reminder that there is much work to be done. It is a call to action, a plea for justice, and a promise that we will not forget the Indigenous lives who have been lost.

MESSAGE TO ALL COMMUNITIES’

2024 Edition

MEMBERS OF EEYOU ISTCHEE

PLEASE CALL US

Meegwetch to inform us of any changes to your contact information for the upcoming James Bay Cree Phone Book.

NOVEMBER 15

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