Issuu

ᐋ ᒥᑯᔖᒌᔑᑳᔨᒡ ᐋ ᒋᔥᒍᒫᑭᓂᐎᒡ ᐄᔨᔨᐅᒡ ᔕᔥ ᒥᓐ ᐹᓲᓈᑯᓐ ᒑ ᒥᑯᔖᒋᔑᑳᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒫᒥᐦᒑᓐ ᐊᓐ ᓈᔥᒡ ᐋ ᒋᔅᑕᔨᐦᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᐊᓐ ᐋᑏᐦᑐᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᒫᓐ ᐊᓂᑎᐦ ᐊᑎ ᐹᐦᐹᔨᑯᑖᐅᓯᔨᐦᒄ ᐋ ᐸᒋ ᐊᔅᒋᐱᔨᒡ᙮ ᐊᑎ ᒫᒃ ᐊᓐ ᐅᑕᐦ ᐃᔑ ᐸᒋ ᐅᑖᐦᒡ ᐋᑳ ᐅᐦᒋ ᒋ ᐃᔑ ᒧᒋᑭᐦᑖᔨᐦᒄ ᒫᓐ ᐆ ᐙᑎᐦᒋᐱᔨᒡ ᐊᓐ ᑳ ᐊᑏᐦᑐᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᒫᓐ ᐊᓂᑎᐦ ᐃᔑ ᐅᐦᑖᐦᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒫᒃ ᐊᓐ ᑳ ᐃᔑ ᐱᑯᓵᔨᐦᑎᒥᐦᒄ, ᔕᔥ ᒫᒃ ᒥᓐ ᒋᑭ ᒌᐦ ᒧᒋᒑᔨᐦᑖᓈᓂᐤ ᐊᓐ ᒑ ᐃᔑ ᒦᔻᔨᐦᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᐅ ᒥᓐ ᐋ ᐅᑎᐦᒋᐱᔨᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒑ ᐄᔮᒀᒥᓯᔨᐦᒃ ᐄᔮᐱᒡ ᐊᔅᑯ, ᐋᐱᒀᔨᐦᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᐅ ᒥᓐ ᒑ ᐅᑎᐦᒋᐱᔨᒡ ᐋ ᐅᔥᒋᐱᐳᐦᒡ᙮ ᐋ ᐱᒫᑎᓰᓈᓂᐅᒡ, ᓂᔮᓂᑯᑐᓐ ᐋ ᐎᓈᐦᐄᑯᔨᐦᒄ ᐊᓐ ᒑᒀᓐ ᐊᑏᔅᐱᔨᒡ ᐊᓂᑎᐦ ᐋᐦᑖᔨᐦᒄ ᑯᓂᒋᔅᒋᓈᓂᐤ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᒥᔻᔨᐦᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᐊᓂᐦᐄ ᒑᒀᓂᐦᐄ ᐋ ᐙᐦᑎᒡ ᐋ ᐄᐦᑐᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᐱᑯᓂᒑᐦ ᐋ ᒥᒫᐦᑖᐅᓈᑯᐦᐋᑭᓂᐅᑦ ᒥᑯᔖᒋᔑᑭᓐ ᒥᔅᑎᒄᐦ, ᐋ ᓯᐦᑎᔅᑳᑐᓈᓂᐅᒡ ᐊᓂᑎᐦ ᐋ ᐹᔨᑯᑖᐅᓯᓈᓂᐅᒡ ᐊᓂᑎᐦ ᐊᓐ ᓈᔥᒡ ᐋ ᒥᔻᔨᐦᑖᑯᐦᒡ ᐋ ᓈᓈᑭᒋᐦᑖᑭᓂᐅᒡ ᐋ ᑎᑳᔅᑖᐱᔨᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒫᒃ ᐋ ᐊᔅᑯᔅᑐᐙᑭᓂᐅᑦ ᐋᔨᐦᑯᓈᔥ ᐲᐦᒑᒥᑭᓐ ᒋᓵᔨᐤ᙮ ᐋ ᒥᑯᔖᒋᔑᑳᒡ ᑳ ᐋᐙᓯᐎᔨᐦᒄ ᐋᐅᒄ ᒑᔅᒋᔨᐦᒄ ᒥᓯᐙᐦ ᒋᔮᓂᐤ᙮ ᐊᑎ ᒫᒃ ᐆ ᐅᑎᐦᒋᐱᔨᒡ ᒑ ᒧᒋᒑᔨᐦᑖᑭᓂᐅᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒑ ᒥᔻᔨᐦᑎᒧᐙᑯᐱᓈᐦ ᒥᐦᒑᑐ, ᐋ ᒥᑯᔖᒋᔑᑳᒡ ᐱᔥᒡ ᐅ ᒋᔮᓃᐤ ᒋᑎᐊᔨᒥᑯᓈᓂᐅᒡ ᐋ ᒌ ᐎᓂᐦᐄᑯᒡ ᐊᓂᒌ ᑳᓵᒋᐦᐄᑯᒡ᙮ ᐊᓂᔮᔨᐤ ᐋᑳ ᑖᒡ ᐊᓂᑎᐦ ᒥᔮᒧᐎᓈᓂᐎᔨᒡ ᐋᑎ ᐹᐦᐹᔨᑯᑖᐅᓯᓈᓂᐎᔨᒡ ᒥᒄ ᒫᒃ ᒋᔅᒋᔨᑎᐙᑖᐎᓂᒡ ᐄᔮᐱᒡ ᒫᒀᒡ ᐊᑏᐦᑐᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᐊᓐ ᑳ ᒥᔻᔨᐦᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᐋᐦᑐᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᐋᔮᓲᐙᓈᐦ᙮ ᒋᐦᑖᑯᐦᐆᑯᓅᒡ ᒋᐱᒫᑎᓯᐎᓈᐦᒡ ᐋ ᒌ ᒥᔪᑐᑖᑎᐦᑯᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒋᔅᑎᒫᒑᔨᐦᑎᒧᐙᐎᓂᐦᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒋᒋᐦᑳᓲᑭᓅᒡ ᓵᒋᐦᐄᐙᐎᓐ ᐙᔅᑖᐎᓂᔨᐤ ᒥᓯᐙ ᐅᑎᐦ ᐋᐦᑖᐅᐦᒄ᙮ ᐋᑯᑎᐦ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᐅᐦᑎᓂᒥᒄ ᒋᔮᒫᔨᐦᑎᒧᐎᓐ ᑖᓐ ᑳ ᐃᔑ ᑖᑯᐦᐆᑎᐦᑯᒡ ᒋᐱᒫᑎᓯᐎᓈᐦᒡ ᐊᑎᑎᐤ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᒥᔪᐱᔨᐦᐅᒄ᙮ ᐋ ᒥᑯᔖᒋᔑᑳᒡ ᐊᑯᑎᐦ ᐃᔮᐱᒡ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᐅᑎᓂᒥᐦᒄ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᓂᓈᔅᑯᒧᔨᐦᒄ᙮ ᑎᑯᓐ ᒥᓐ ᐋ ᐅᔅᑳᒡ ᐱᒫᑎᓯᐎᓐᐦ ᐅᑎᐦ ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᐋ ᐄᑎᔅᑳᓈᓯᔨᐦᒄ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᓯᒋᔮᓯᔨᐦᒄ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒫᒃ ᐊᓐ ᒧᔮᒻ ᐋ ᒥᑯᔖᒋᔑᑳᒡ ᑎᐹᒋᒧᐎᓐ, ᐋ ᒧᒋᒑᔨᐦᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᐋ ᒌ ᐃᔨᔨᐅᑦ ᐋᐙᔥ ᐋ ᓅᑯᐦᒡ ᐋ ᐅᔅᑳᒡ ᒥᓐ ᐋ ᐅᐦᒋᒋᐦᒋᐱᔨᓈᓂᐅᒡ ᐋᑳ ᐄᔅᒀᔮᐦᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒫᒃ ᐱᑯᓵᔨᐦᑎᒧᐎᓐ ᐊᓐ ᒑ ᑎᑯᐦᒡ ᐅᑖᐦ ᐃᔑ ᓂᔅᑖᒥᐦᒡ᙮ ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᑎᐹᔨᐦᒋᒑᓯᐤ ᒋᐱᑯᓵᔨᒥᑯᐙᐤ ᒥᓯᐙ ᐄᔨᔨᐅᒡ ᐅᑎᐦ ᐄᔨᔨᐤ ᐊᔅᒌᐦᒡ ᐆ ᒑ ᐊᑎ ᒥᑯᓵᒋᔑᑳᒡ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᓵᑭᔅᒋᓈᐦᒡ ᒋᔮᒫᔨᐦᑎᒧᐎᓐᐦ, ᒧᒋᒑᔨᐦᑎᒧᐎᓐ ᑭᔮᐦ ᓵᒋᐦᐄᐙᐎᓐᐦ᙮ ᒑ ᒥᔪᒥᑯᔖᒋᔑᑳᓂᐦᑖᔮᒄᐦ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒑ ᒥᔪᐎᔅᒋᐱᐳᓂᐦᑖᔮᒄᐦ

A Christmas Message to the Nation

The Christmas season is upon us again, and many cherished family traditions come with it. While in recent years we might not have been able to celebrate the season how we had wished or been accustomed to, we can once again celebrate together the joy of the season while continuing to keep safe, looking forward to the year to come. In life, we sometimes get preoccupied with the world around us and forget to enjoy the simple things like decorating the Christmas tree, snuggling up with family for that beloved holiday movie or leaving cookies for Santa. Christmas speaks to the child within us all. Even though it is a time of great cheer and happiness for many, Christmas can be hard for those of us who have lost loved ones. Their absence will be felt at family get togethers but let us also remember them in each cherished tradition. They have touched our lives with goodness and compassion and shined a loving light on those of us around them. We can draw comfort in knowing how they have greatly affected our lives for the better. Christmas is also a time for being thankful. We have new births in the Cree Nation to be grateful for and, like the Christmas story, we celebrate the birth of a child representing a new beginning with endless possibilities and hope for the future. The Cree Nation Government wishes everyone across Eeyou Istchee a Christmas full of peace, joy, and love. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ᒪᓐᑏ ᑲᓪ-ᒫᔅᑏ ᒋᔖᐅᒋᒫᐦᑳᓐ/ᑳ ᓃᑳᓂᐱᔥᑎᐦᒃ

Mandy Gull-Masty Grand Chief/Chairperson

ᐧᓈᕐᒥᓐ ᐧᐋᐹᒌ ᑎᔮᐦᒋᔥᑭᐧᐋᑦ ᒋᔖᐅᒋᒫᐦᑳᓐᐦ/ᑎᔮᐦᒋᔥᑭᐧᐋᑦ ᑳ ᓃᑳᓂᐱᔥᑎᒥᔨᒡᐦ

Norman A. Wapachee Deputy Grand Chief/Vice-Chairperson

CONTENTS 10 The Canadian Rangers

EDITORIAL The year that wasn’t

Empowering Indigenous victims

A courageous ruling

NEWS

BRIEFS FEATURES

Northern eyes & ears

Tackling the climate crisis 16 Training sessions in various Cree communities

Royal ascent

PUZZLES REZ NOTES

Tis the season of cash registers Community

T&B We owe Gaza an apology

16 COP28 in Dubai

ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ Celebrating 20Nunavik ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ Startsᓄᓇᕕᒃ Here a new princess Nunavik Starts Here

25 26

Photo provided by Pixabay CC

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

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Editorial

The year that wasn’t by Lyle Stewart

t’s a strange thing to look back on a year’s events as if a period of 365.25 days is a self-contained phenomenon. As if human history in each January-toDecember trip around the sun wasn’t part of a longer continuum of related events and evolution. On the last point, however, it’s not hard to see that the past year showed unmistakable signs of devolution. I remember friends of mine calling 2016 “the worst year ever!” Largely because several of their favourite celebrities died that year. I did shed a few tears over the passing of David Bowie, admittedly. That year we also lost Muhammed Ali, Prince and Leonard Cohen. I am an admirer of each of those people. They led full lives, and they continue to live on in our collective memory for their accomplishments, for reaching the pinnacle of cool, and of course for their art. Unlike losing – for me (apologies to Wham! fans) – George Michael, who also died seven years ago. But, geez, talk about first-world worries. In hindsight, that year was not that bad at all. Indeed, it pales in comparison to 2023. This year featured war, a climate apocalypse, a shaky recovery from a world-changing pandemic, increasingly triumphant authoritarianism and hatred, and even more war. Those are the horrific elements of our time that vastly out-trump (so to speak) the concerns of only a few years ago. In Quebec, Premier François Legault continued to deny any evidence of systemic discrimination. This, despite his government’s explicit legislative agenda to diminish every minority culture here as

Legault’s brand of politics is on the march around the world. At its most extreme, it is genocidal

a way of exalting white, old-stock Catholic francophones. As the year ends with hundreds of thousands of public-sector workers on strike, the CAQ government’s policies on language, immigration and education demonstrate a clear program of xenophobia. Legault’s brand of politics is on the march around the world. At its most extreme, it is genocidal; Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s campaign to wipe Ukraine off the map is a prime example. “Ukraine does not exist,” he famously said before launching his war of extermination almost two years ago. Both sides of the conflict in Gaza are led by a similar vision. Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu’s government was trying to cripple an independent judiciary while leading a steady campaign of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank before October 7. Then Hamas, the death cult that rules Gaza, launched its suicidal war to cleanse the region of Jews, “from the river to the sea.” Netanyahu is happily granting Hamas’ wish for self-destruction.

Meanwhile, the planet is burning. As global warming speeds up our own self-destructive tendencies by destroying forests across the north, people across North America were coughing up a lung from the smoke that blanketed the planet. In Eeyou Istchee, where people had been largely confined to their communities because of Covid, this year they were forced to flee their communities because of wildfires. Similar fires destroyed an entire city in Hawaii and razed several towns to the ground in Western Canada. The Cree response to both Covid and the wildfires is perhaps one of the few bright spots of the past couple years. Crees have demonstrated an admirable capacity to organize to protect public safety in the face of dire adversity. While other societies are tearing themselves apart, Eeyou Istchee is growing more progressive and becoming stronger as a result. Dare I say it, it leaves one with a spark of hope for humanity.

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, S. Hossain, J. Janke, A. Nambiar 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 December 15, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

CMCA AUDITED

Empowering Indigenous victims

Editorial News

Quebec’s CAVAC unveils a culturally adapted guide by Sakib Hossain

uebec’s Crime Victims Assistance Centre (CAVAC) has unveiled a groundbreaking guide tailored specifically to offering culturally safe services to Indigenous individuals. The development of this guide marks a significant step forward in acknowledging and addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by Indigenous communities within the legal framework. Developed through a collaborative effort between CAVAC and Indigenous representatives across Quebec, the guide is a step toward more inclusive justice practices. Huron-Wendat Grand Chief Rémy Vincent hailed the guide’s credibility, attributing its effectiveness to the direct involvement of Indigenous experts in its creation. “It’s culturally adapted to the First Nation,” Vincent stated, highlighting the importance of including Indigenous perspectives. Kathleen Dufour, the executive director of CAVAC Outaouais, said the guide was the result of 18 months of efforts to improve services for Indigenous victims of

crime. Dufour stressed the critical nature of the project, citing the dearth of prior research in understanding the journey of Indigenous victims through the justice system. The guide offers tailored advice to help Indigenous individuals understand the legal process and prepare for courtroom experiences. Vincent expressed confidence in the guide’s potential to address community needs and foster trust. He underscored the necessity of trust in facilitating smoother interactions between Indigenous people and the justice system. Marjolaine Étienne, the head of Quebec Native Women, applauded the guide’s approach, acknowledging the inherent challenges faced by Indigenous women appearing in court as witnesses against their abusers. Étienne emphasized the importance of preparation, support and expectations, especially for these individuals, reaffirming the guide’s critical role. The guide’s focus on cultural sensitivity, respect and a non-judgmental

approach underlines a fundamental shift in how victims are supported within the justice system. CAVAC’s efforts to involve over 20 Indigenous case workers ensure a more secure and accommodating environment for Indigenous victims, fostering a sense of confidence and security during interactions with CAVAC employees. The overarching goal is to welcome First Nations victims with dignity, ensuring their traditional skills and values are respected and utilized to navigate the complexities of the justice system. Through this guide, CAVAC aims to facilitate a more supportive and comprehensible process for Indigenous victims, acknowledging their rights and empowering them to make informed decisions that affect their lives. In the end, the guide is one attempt to build a more inclusive and respectful justice system – one that values diversity, acknowledges historical context, and paves the way for a more equitable future.

www.nationnews.ca December 15, 2023

the Nation

Wishing you

SAFE HOLIDAY TRAVELS AND MANY JOYFUL MOMENTS

N TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE 2024 AN AMAZING YEAR FOR CREE TOURISM!

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Bring Your

the Nation December 15, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

ovember 15 marked the 50th anniversary of the Malouf decision, which recognized existing Cree and Inuit rights in northern Quebec. It was the first explicit judicial recognition of Indigenous rights in Canadian history. Quebec Superior Court Judge Albert Malouf’s ruling in Chief Robert Kanatewat et al. versus James Bay Development Corporation et al. granted an injunction to stop work on the James Bay hydroelectric project, which eventually led to the James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA). After learning of Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa’s “project of the century” in 1971, Cree leadership met with the Indians of Quebec Association, who supported their battle as a focal point for all Indigenous rights. Billy Diamond, Philip Awashish, Peter Gull and other young leaders asked Chiefs and tallymen throughout Eeyou Istchee to testify in court proceedings. Before deciding whether to go to court, a last meeting was held in October 1972 between Bourassa and Billy’s father, Malcolm Diamond. When Bourassa abruptly left without waiting for a translation, Malcolm Diamond told his son to “use the white man’s law to stop this hydro project” – and lawyer James O’Reilly was instructed to take the case to court. “I left a large firm because I believed in the fight for the Crees,” O’Reilly told the Nation. “The issue was a fight for survival – the Cree people could not conceive of how they could continue with their way of life.” Fort George Chief Robert Kanatewat was a key figure in this opposition, working very closely with Billy Diamond and hosting several meetings in what is now Chisasibi. While the northern Cree would be most impacted by the proposed project to flood over 1,000 square miles of land, the southern Cree strongly backed Kanatewat’s decisions. “Everywhere we went, it was the same thing: ‘We’re going to do whatever the Fort George people say,’” Kanatewat later recalled. “But even the Fort George people didn’t know what to do – and I was their Chief. The old people wouldn’t believe [damming the river] could be done. Every time I had to ask myself: Am I doing the right thing?”

A courageous ruling Honouring 50th anniversary of Justice Malouf’s historic Kanatewat decision by Patrick Quinn | Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

O’Reilly believes Kanatewat was “a leader’s leader” who never received the credit he deserved in this struggle. He said Kanatewat was militant and aggressive, and perfectly complemented Diamond’s political skills. The legal strategy was to demonstrate how the Crees and Inuit occupied all the territory with a viable way of life that would be considerably damaged by the James Bay project. Over 30 representative Cree and Inuit witnesses emphasized their cultural practices and profound spiritual connection with their ancestral lands. During 71 court days spanning more than a year and a half, Justice Malouf heard 167 witnesses and was presented with 312 exhibits. While a wide range of experts – including John Spence, Alan Penn and Harvey Feit – testified on behalf of the Crees, O’Reilly said HydroQuébec’s experts countered with the project’s importance for the province, arguing that there would be “minimal damages to the Crees and in any event they have no rights.” While Justice Malouf’s initial analysis of the legal arguments suggested the Cree people had apparent rights, his final judgment sent shock waves through the system. He studied various constitutional texts, treaties and previous decisions involving Indigenous peoples to find that Cree and Inuit rights to these lands had clearly never been extinguished. “He was a very courageous judge,” asserted O’Reilly. “We were concerned that very few judges would have done this – maybe one out of 100, but we found that

one. We never knew during the whole hearing. We called him the Sphinx. No expression, he treated everybody equally.” Coming a few years after the federal government’s infamous “White Paper,” which explicitly aimed to officially assimilate all Indigenous people, Malouf dismissed spurious arguments the Cree were a warlike people who subsisted mainly on store-bought food. Noting the irreparable damage to wildlife and vegetation, Malouf concluded that the area’s entire ecosystem would be destroyed. “This land had the status the old trappers had claimed it had,” declared Malouf. “It was their garden, which had provided them with their livelihood for longer than history could record.” With no environmental impact studies besides hasty work by an inexperienced task force after the decision had been undertaken, subsequent researchers observed Bourassa’s project lacked basic preparation. With projected costs and resulting jobs having no apparent factual basis, Malouf found more than sufficient grounds for an interlocutory injunction. “This judgment was a landmark in the whole development of Aboriginal rights and real progress for the environment,” O’Reilly explained. “In the 1960s, Indians were a bit of an irritant but not an obstacle. The James Bay decision was the first time they came up against a real challenge.” The decision made front-page news across Quebec as the project’s workers returned south. Malouf’s carefully considered judgment was suspended a

mere week later and later overturned by the Quebec Court of Appeal based only on an argument that the greater public’s convenience overruled the relative few in the North. Despite this reversal by what O’Reilly calls “a very conservative court,” the Kanatewat decision marked a pivotal turning point in the relations between Indigenous peoples and governments across Canada. Malouf’s judgment was logically so strong that Indigenous rights could no longer be ignored without risking projects being blocked. “There was a far greater concern on the part of Quebec and Canada there would be a final judgment that would strongly reinforce the rights recognized by Justice Malouf,” said O’Reilly. “That was the impetus for them to try to resolve the land-claims settlement.” It was only after further court battles dragged on and the James Bay project continued to advance that the Crees agreed to negotiate what became the JBNQA. With environmental rights, income security and governance mechanisms unrivalled to this day, the JBNQA would have been impossible without the Malouf decision asserting strong Cree rights. “A hundred agreements later, it all adds up to a special constitutional regime for the Crees of Eeyou Istchee,” concluded O’Reilly. “That special constitutional regime is there in Section 35 of [Canada’s] Constitution Act. All that goes back to one courageous judge who called it the way he saw it based on his conscience.”

www.nationnews.ca December 15, 2023

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May the Peace and Joy of the holiday season be with you throughout the coming year. Merry Christmas from all of us at the Cree Trappers’ Association. ᑭᒫ ᒋᔮᒫᐅᐙᔨᐦᑎᒫᒄ ᑭᔮ ᒥᔻᔨᐦᑎᒫᒄ ᐆ ᒑ ᒥᑯᔖᒌᔑᑳᒡ ᑭᔮ ᐆ ᒑ ᐅᔅᒋᐱᐳᐦᒡ᙮ ᒑ ᒥᔪᒥᑯᔖᒌᔑᑭᓂᐦᑖᔮᒄ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐅᑖ ᓂᔮᓐ Cree Trappers’ Association. 819-977-2165

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In Brief

“It was a really beautiful building that made the people from the community proud and they lost that”

Whapmagoostui court burns down Flames consumed the Whapmagoostui courthouse November 28. With the facility that served the justice system for both the Cree and the Inuit community of Kuujjuarapik going up in smoke, locals will endure increasingly severe legal delays. According to Nunavik police investigator Patrice Abel, the source of the incident is still unknown. No one was harmed in the fire. “There were two detainees with three guards from Quebec correctional services, but they had time to go out,” Abel told CBC News. Still, the loss of the courthouse marks a major blow to an already backlogged docket. This past year, procedural delays forced courts in northern Quebec to abandon a slew of criminal cases. In September, the Crown Prosecutor’s Office reported that 126 criminal cases had been dropped in AbitibiTémiscamingue and Nunavik. Of these, 99 stemmed from a traveling court in the James Bay and Nunavik regions. This itinerant court used to visit the community seven or eight times a year. In 2023, however, they conducted only three visits. The fire is expect-

ed to further bog down the judicial process. “There are people who are detained at the moment, and they were expecting to have their trial this week or to settle their files and get sentenced,” Julia Blais-Quintal, a defence lawyer who worked at the courthouse, told the CBC. “There are also victims who were expecting to come testify for the trials that were fixed for this week, and all of this was cancelled.” Files belonging to defence lawyers and the Crown were destroyed by the fire. BlaisQuintal claims that only part of the evidence and documents had digital backups. The courthouse building was also an important community space for traditional activities and projects. “It was a really beautiful building that made the people from the community proud and they lost that,” said Blais-Quintal.

Ontario’s online miners meet FN opposition Northwestern Ontario is witnessing a seismic clash as Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay First Nation) sounds an alarm against the mining claims threatening their ancestral lands and treaty rights. Located on the shores of Lake Nipigon, Gull Bay is fighting to protect the rights established in the RobinsonSuperior Treaty of 1850. Their lands are being targeted in the rush to access minerals for the electric vehicle industry – a rush exacerbated by Ontario’s online staking system, a mechanism enabling individuals or companies to lay claim to land without being present at the site. This system allows global prospectors to stake a claim via the internet. Thus, individuals or entities – be they from New York or Hong Kong – can

swiftly secure mineral rights over specific areas of Crown land within the province. However, this free-entry system fails to adequately inform prospectors about the lands regarding ongoing Indigenous claims or rights. It operates independently of the obligation to consult with and obtain consent from Indigenous communities or acknowledge pre-existing claims or treaties. As Gull Bay Chief Wilfred King asked: “How can you extend your boundary when these lands are already taken up by mining claims?” Martin-Joe Ezeudu, a law professor at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, said Ontario’s modernized mining laws favour the free-entry system to attract prospectors. But he underscored the government’s duty to consult with Indigenous communities to honour treaty obligations. Despite assurances of open consultations by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, tangible action to address First Nations’ apprehensions remain elusive. Chief King reaffirmed his readiness to explore all legal avenues and potential protests to protect his people’s ancestral lands.

www.nationnews.ca December 15, 2023

In Brief

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Features

Canadian Rangers train ing expands in Eeyou Istchee

Northern eyes & ears by Patrick Quinn | Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

he Canadian Rangers Patrol Group visited Cree communities in November to conduct several training sessions. Following a week of exercises in Nemaska, there was an opening ceremony and basic military indoctrination for the organization’s 29th patrol in Ouje-Bougoumou. Quebec’s Canadian Ranger program was first established in 1997, consisting largely of Indigenous members, to provide a military presence in the North for sovereignty protection and emergency preparedness. “I’m the sergeant in [Nemaska] and we try to get as many Rangers as are available,” said Clarence Jason Jolly. “I like that they integrate our traditional knowledge and practices into the training. Ice rescue training to save someone from hypothermia was especially beneficial to refresh our knowledge and skills.” The Nemaska patrol group began in 2019, following the establishment of patrols in the four Cree coastal communities. While the Canadian Rangers originated from the Second World War as the armed forces’ “eyes and ears” in isolated areas, it evolved over the years to leverage local knowledge and cultural pride across northern communities. In the 1980s, Inuit Rangers reported the presence of submarines on several occasions and participated in military exercises. Seeking to expand operations into Eeyou Istchee, seven Crees were recruited into a mixed Cree-Inuit patrol in Kuujjuarapik-Whapmagoostui in 1996. The benefits of the Junior Rangers program for youth aged 12-18 were an important motivation for Cree communities to support the organization. A patrol was established in Waskaganish in 1999, followed by Whapmagoostui in 2001, Wemindji and Eastmain in 2002, and Chisasibi in 2009. Ranger training during an average of 12 to 20 days each year has become a way to transfer survival skills adapted to local realities, and to complement first-responder techniques. Training in Nemaska included communication with all types of radios, first aid, and searchand-rescue scenarios. During the ice rescue, their instructor went through the ice in a wet suit for demonstration purposes. The Rangers learned not to panic as they practiced survival protocols to prevent hypothermia. “We were doing search and rescue, learning how to work with a compass, using a map to follow the grid’s numbers,” explained Terrance Wapachee. “We have to be ready – you never know

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when it could happen. Sometimes we get called from other communities like Waskaganish or Wemindji.” Wapachee has worked with the fire department for nine years. He said Ranger techniques helped him fight wildfires with SOPFEU this summer. Canadian Rangers were deployed to support evacuations in various Cree communities. Nemaska Rangers participated in search-and-rescue exercises that were shared in a social media video, using radios and GPS tracking to locate a missing person. Since 2009, Rangers across Canada have averaged 14 search oper-

ations annually, often in harsh winter conditions. “We always go as a team, turning back if someone got stuck,” said Wapachee. “We’re planning in February to do another training with the Rangers from Waskaganish. We’ll be heading to a coordination in Old Nemaska using snowmobiles.” Waskaganish was the starting point for Exercise AQIKGIK in 2017, which involved patrolling by snowmobile over 3,700 km. That year, Waskaganish’s Rangers also participated in the first search for bodies. Their courage was highlighted by a

the Nation December 15, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

Canadian Joint Operations Command unit commendation. In 2015, 19 Rangers from four Ontario Cree communities completed a trek by snowmobile across James Bay to Waskaganish, challenging their navigation skills in frigid white-out conditions. Waskaganish Rangers greeted the team at the border with a feast. “We’ll be meeting up with the Waskaganish patrol in Old Nemaska and doing some exercises,” Jolly told the Nation. “We set up a bivouac camp area, then we follow formations, driving an hour on snowmobiles. We also make air strips out on the lakes using GPS and set

up flags or markers for a plane to land for emergency evacuations.” Jolly emphasized the valuable support that the Canadian Rangers provide the community. The Armed Forces supply tents, stoves and rescue equipment. “If equipment is needed, it’s the Rangers’ personal equipment that gets rented,” said Jolly. “The best part (of training) is the target shooting. That’s fun because we get C-19 rifles, and all our Rangers get one after we finish our rifle training.” Sandra Trapper appreciated the teamwork and first aid training, especially useful with accidents in her work in

carpentry and construction. She believes every community should have this program. Trapper said there are more than 40 Rangers in Nemaska. She’s trying to expand the platoon by encouraging family members to register. As master corporal of the Junior Rangers, she hopes to get her younger sister involved. “After the holidays, I’m going to try to do more activities with the Juniors in the evening,” said Trapper. “We’re supposed to be doing activities for them or sports, take them partridge hunting or snaring. There are maybe 20 in the program.”

Every summer, Junior Rangers are invited to Camp Okpiapik for paid leadership training. In Valcartier this year, they participated in canoeing, treetop adventures, rappel towers, traditional activities and survival lessons. For Trapper, joining the Rangers has been a profound experience. “It makes me feel like I’m somebody else, helping the community and not just hanging out and working,” said Trapper. “It’s fun and hard too. You can’t predict the weather. You get to learn new things. It’s an adventure.”

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Tackling First Nations highlight climate solutions at COP28 in Dubai

by Patrick Quinn | Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

any Indigenous groups brought their voices to the largest ever climate gathering, COP28, which was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12. About 84,000 people were registered for the annual Conference of the Parties (COP), nearly triple last year’s numbers. While there were a record number of Indigenous attendees at the conference, that fell far short of the 2,456 fossil fuel lobbyists registered. COP28 president Sultan Al-Jaber, who is also head of the UAE’s national oil company, caused some controversy by arguing fossil fuel companies must be involved in reducing greenhouse emissions. Against the backdrop of the hottest year on record, countries tentatively agreed to create the world’s first climate damage fund, helping developing countries cope with impacts like floods, drought and rising sea levels. Amidst various pledges to reduce harmful emissions and expand renewable energy, many leaders emphasized inclusive action that empowers Indigenous peoples on the frontlines of climate change. The Assembly of First Nations presented its national climate strategy, which connects self-determination with revitalizing the deep reciprocal relationship with land and water. As global warming is magnified in Canada, especially in the North, a growing number of First Nations have declared climate emergencies.

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“Climate change is a global challenge, but it also manifests itself locally,” said Grand Chief Judy Wilson, who led AFN’s delegation. “Canada’s record-breaking fire season this summer, over 15 million hectares have burned affecting First Nations from coast to coast to coast, highlights the urgent need for action.” With wildfire risk continuing to rise, the Haisla Nation in northern British Columbia completed a fire guard around their community earlier this year. Haisla environmental manager Candice Wilson told the Nation that this safety precaution was a priority and urged other communities not to wait for outside funding. Wilson is part of BC’s Indigenous Climate Adaptation Working Group and the First Nations Climate Initiative (FNCI), which includes members from the Haisla, Nisga’a, Metlakatla and Halfway River First Nations. Connecting decarbonization with decolonization, the FNCI aimed to build on its participation at last year’s COP27 to present its vision for a just energy transition. “I presented on nature-based solutions and will be doing an update in Dubai, highlighting the work we’ve done in the last year,” said Wilson. “Our focus is on restoration of the streams in our traditional territories and improved forest management practices.” Wilson’s presentation features pictures of salmon hanging in her smokehouse, a longstanding tradition in which all the family’s women

the Climate C r i s i s participate. The Haisla Nation’s restoration project has planted spruce trees to mitigate riverbank erosion. With the FNCI, they’re working on a carbon offset project that facilitates investment in ecosystem restoration. “Our traditions are driving the process,” Wilson asserted. “We’ve been working with the provincial government on their forest carbon offset policy. If our carbon credit can go towards the compliance market, there could be an economic benefit and aid projects in our traditional territories.” To advance both economic and environmental reconciliation, the FNCI has been pursuing renewable energy infrastructure and decarbonized fuel production facilities with emerging alternatives like ammonia, hydrogen and methanol. It recently supported a new collective between 11 Northern BC First Nations communities called K’uul Power, which means “coming together as one” in the Tsimshian language. As it explores the development of fuels with either zero or negative emissions, the latter withdrawing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during manufacture, the FNCI is supporting a project near the quickly growing Port of Prince Rupert, providing decarbonized fuels in marine-based transportation. “The Nations want to position themselves to actually own the core infrastructure of the economy, in addition to recovering the ecosystems that provide for tradition and culture,” explained FNCI facilitator Alex Grzybowski. As FNCI’s Haisla and Nisga’a Nations are building net-zero liquid

natural gas (LNG) projects, its latest research report assesses the commercial prospects for exporting to Asia. While some see LNG’s methane emissions as worse than coal, others see an opportunity for global decarbonization. “Our communities need this development to help us alleviate the poverty that has plagued our people,” stated Nisg’a president Eva Clayton. “This report has identified the pathways to help Asia decarbonize using our low carbon LNG.” Ozawa Bineshi Albert, the Anishinaabe and Yuchi co-executive director of Climate Justice Alliance, was dismayed that nuclear energy was often touted as a clean alternative, demonstrating the complexity of reaching a consensus among so many divergent interests. While most agree that wealthy countries should be paying for climate impacts in the Global South, some question why dispossessed Indigenous communities don’t see these funds. “Where are we going to see those kind of climate reparations and restitution for the damages that we are facing from the climate crisis?” asked Eriel Deranger, the Athabasca Chipewyan executive director of Indigenous Climate Action. Although some Indigenous delegates are discouraged by prevailing power imbalances that sideline them from key discussions, many have been inspired by the unprecedented number of Indigenous voices at the summit. The Indigenous Peoples Caucus delivered a two-minute statement at the COP28 opening ceremony and sever-

al roundtables highlighted Indigenous issues. The AFN delegation had high-level meetings with key government officials, both federally and internationally, working on creating concrete opportunities for First Nations people to demonstrate climate leadership. Besides ending fossil fuel reliance, Indigenous advocates wanted traditional knowledge to be highlighted as a climate solution and to ensure their rights are upheld. While some have raised concerns that green energy developments and conservation deals are creating conflict in Indigenous territories around the world, an initiative called Act30 intends to partner with Indigenous peoples to support the 190 countries that have committed to conserving 30% of their area by 2030, under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework created in December 2022. Launched at COP28 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) and mapping-tech company Esri, Act30 brings together a wide network of scientific experts and Indigenous representatives to help governments chart an effective and fair route to conserving their biodiverse regions. “It will be Indigenous peoples, local communities, women and youth who are the real changemakers,” said Lucy Mulenkei, the Kenyan co-chair of IIFB. “If governments work with us, we will make progress in fulfilling the Global Biodiversity Framework target.”

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. ᒥᓯᐙ ᒑ ᒥᔻᔨᐦᑎᒫᒄ ᒑ ᒥᑯᔖᒌᔑᑳᒡ ᑭᔮ ᒑ ᐅᔅᒋᐱᐳᐦᒡ᙮ Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année à tous. On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the Board of Compensation, CREECO and its subsidiaries I wish you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous New Year filled with blessings. De la part du conseil d'administration et du personnel du Bureau d’Indemnité, de CREECO et de ses filiales, je vous souhaite de joyeuses fêtes et une nouvelle année prospère et remplie de bénédictions.

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Community

Royal ascent Eeyou Istchee celebrates a new princess by Avanti Nambiar

iane Coon Come of Mistissini was crowned princess of Eeyou Istchee November 18 as the winner of the 2023 Miss Eeyou Eenou Iskwaau pageant. The biennial pageant held since 2017 celebrates the young women of the Cree Nation. The Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association (CWEIA) says the program is intended to empower young women. CWIEA President Charlotte Ottereyes Ratt gave an emotional speech during the closing remarks of the pageant. “Don’t give up, keep striving, keep moving forward,” she told contestants. “You are the future.” Ratt acknowledged the familial support directed towards the contestants, noting some family members had traveled long distances to attend the pageant, and showed her pride for the young contestants. “You’re all our Miss Eeyou,” she declared. “I would like to crown everyone one of you.” The event centred on Cree culture in contests such as the traditional attire presentation. The nine finalists also were asked to give insight into the occasions, significance and style methods associated with their outfits. A talent competition focused on traditional singing, dancing and storytelling. Finally, contestants’ public speaking abilities, discussing their culture and community, were demonstrated for a panel of judges. Dressed in blue and

yellow, Coon Come stepped away from the podium and delivered her speech in Cree. Her presentation style lent itself to a more direct and intimate connection with the audience. Coon Come was congratulated by the Grand Council of the Crees, as well as by first runner-up Jade Mukash of Whapmagoostui and second runner-up Stormie Diamond of Waskaganish. Despite the celebratory mood, the pageant was not without criticism. Geraldine Shecapio, the 2021 pageant winner recently stated that she had negative experiences from the organization’s leadership, due to her identity as a two-spirited person.

the Nation December 15, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

Shecapio claimed one board member suggested she attend “conversion therapy,” and that another member didn’t “agree with [her] lifestyle.” She also pointed to exclusionary language in the pageant’s eligibility criterion. Shecapio said she wanted to step down from the princess role, but chose to stay because she didn’t want to be bullied out of the position. In response, the CWEIA stated in a press release that the wording of the eligibility criteria was based on a “misunderstanding”, adding the language had been corrected to make the contest more open towards two-spirited peoples.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. ᒥᓯᐙ ᒑ ᒥᔻᔨᐦᑎᒫᒄ ᒑ ᒥᑯᔖᒌᔑᑳᒡ ᑭᔮ ᒑ ᐅᔅᒋᐱᐳᐦᒡ᙮

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In light of Bill C-18, the Online News Act and the recent Canada-wide news block on FACEBOOK & META PLATFORMS

the Nation You may have noticed Bill C-18 has affected our ability to get the most important news from Eeyou Istchee to you on Facebook & Meta Platforms. While you might not see us on social media, you can always count on us being online at www.nationnews.ca or every two weeks in your community, as we have been since 1993. We want to thank our dedicated readers for continuing to read the print version of the Nation, and counting on us to keep you informed. www.nationnews.ca December 15, 2023

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Puzzles

Crossword

by Margie E. Burke

10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 Type of bonding 14 15 16 5 Martini base 19 17 18 10 Gravy holder 14 Xerox competi21 22 20 tor, once 15 Ear-related 23 24 25 16 Writer Quindlen 29 30 31 26 27 28 17 Steinbeck's "The Winter of 32 33 34 35 36 37 Our _____" 38 39 40 19 Organ knob 20 Like some jokes 41 42 43 or jobs 44 45 21 Military lockup 23 Takes a 49 50 51 46 47 48 breather 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 25 Social outcast 26 "Thunderstruck" 60 61 59 band 29 Beginning 63 64 62 32 Socrates, for 66 67 65 one 35 Non-___ (food Copyright 2023 by The Puzzle Syndicate label) 38 More than a few 64 Mortar ingredient 9 Type of sax 40 Audience's 39 Trappings of 65 Downhill racer 10 Cager's target approval royalty 66 Hero pilot played 11 Like draft beer 43 Military bigwig 41 Poetic by Hanks 12 Positive pole 44 Bungled, with contraction 67 Storm centers 13 Slender candle "up" 42 "Spellbound" 18 Laudatory lines 46 Signs of actor 22 Ordained ones spoilage 44 Type of voyage DOWN 24 Hand-____ 47 Weak 45 Potpie 1 Skirt length leather 48 Short-winded ingredients 2 Comparable (to) 26 Church nook 50 Piggy-bank item 46 Frequently 3 Tax write-off 27 "Silkwood" star 51 Come-go link 49 Himalayan nation 4 Completely 28 Shabby joint 53 Says in a post52 Horse surround 30 Royal seat script maneuvering 5 Windmill parts 31 Fortune teller 54 Wise one 55 Make possible 6 Umpire's call 33 Eyes and ears 56 Donkey's call 59 Dinghy pair 7 Prepare for a 34 Hindu garment 57 Diane of 2020's 60 "Rio" singers formal 35 Singing group "Let Him Go" 62 Court order? 8 German philoso- 36 Flaky rock 58 Culminates 63 Shower feature pher Immanuel 37 Hardwood trees 61 Feel poorly 1

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

8 8 3 5

Previous solution - Medium

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

4 7 2

4 5

9 3

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

1 2

1 9 3 6 7

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

4 2 1 5 6 3

No. 678

9 1 2 8 7

Tough

6 7

Previous solution - Medium

9 1 3 8 4 6 5 7 2

4 2 8

8 6

3 4

9 6 8 5

6 5

9 3

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.

7 6 2

SUDOKU

Easy

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3 4 9

7 6

STR8TS

No. 678

7 2 8 9 5 3 6 4 1

5 4 6 7 1 2 9 3 8

4 9 2 5 6 1 3 8 7

6 8 5 3 7 4 1 2 9

3 7 1 2 9 8 4 5 6

1 5 4 6 8 7 2 9 3

2 6 7 4 3 9 8 1 5

8 3 9 1 2 5 7 6 4

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

Tis the season of cash registers

Rez Notes

by Sonny Orr

he sound of Christmas and holidays is everywhere, making me wish for things I can’t afford and for time off from the daily workload. But the bells keep chiming (or tolling) to lift my spirits higher than usual. I suspect it’s subliminal uplifting music drifting in and out of my subconsciousness that is driving me to work harder. Okay Santa, you’re the world’s biggest inciter for making the average Joe beg for more work to pay off that battery-run toy for the only child or a huge Lego set you can divide up amongst all the grandchildren. Oh, the logistics of trying to make a seasonal holiday a real holiday. Take for instance, the little-known self-guided flying drone, the toy that no one owned or could call a toy a year ago and that you needed a special operator’s permit just to use. A year later that unobtainable drone toy can now fit into a Christmas stocking. It can be used to video you in a selfie while jumping off cliffs, skydiving or better yet, used as a hunting aid to track that giant bull moose you’ve been trying to bag for the last several years. Today, the drone is everywhere and will soon become an everyday sighting. It’s the latest fad for the millions of kids who still believe in Santa and who are smart enough to know that persistent

pressure on the wage earners in the family will get them a drone sooner than later. Then there’s the stuck-to-the-screen kids, whose world is no longer real unless endorsed by some other kid with 10 million views on TikTok doing a five-second imitation of Lady Gaga. The final game avatar that everyone wants to be now flashes over the screen with a message demanding that a copy of that game be in the email inbox at midnight, Christmas Eve. Of course, the response is that the internet is overloaded with everyone asking billions of questions per second – where’s Santa or where’s that last-minute online purchase? Also, deciding to wait for Boxing Day to return the gifts you wrongfully purchased for that kid who used to be six years old, but now, a year later, is no longer interested in things they absolutely had to have only months ago. The hard part of this annual ritual that heats up the self-serve stations at local shopping malls, is trying to decide which gift is the right one. Can I go against reason this year or do I stick with the tried-and-true method of handing out cash instead of gifts. It would save me from a few visits to the local shrink and begging for them to spare no expense on the medication they hand out to looney tuners like me.

Yep, let the little ones choose for themselves and hopefully it will prepare them for future shopping forays and experience the shock of price stickers. Yes, my little ones, experience the true meaning and bodily aches that accompany this season. Speaking of bodily aches, a trip to the pharmacy gives me great joy when the treatment states “stay off your feet and relax for six hours” while listening to jazzy renditions of Christmas music. If that Christmas wish happens, it will be right up there next to miracle births and moving lights in the skies above. Now, I prepare myself and the elves for the annual trip south where Santa dwells for most of the year. I call the airport to help dig out my shopping vehicle, ready to travel long distances to save a few bucks and endure the tradition of jostling with other Santas and their elves for the last mini-drone so I can check yet another item off my list. Next year, I’m thinking of using a game of chance to help the kids decide what they want for Christmas. I’ll give them a pair of dice and say, “Come up with a pair of sevens and you can have anything you want!” Merry Christmas everyone!

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www.nationnews.ca December 15, 2023

the Nation

Bannock & We owe Gaza an apology Tea

by Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash

truly feel like the Cree Nation has failed Palestinians, especially since October 7. It’s easy to sweep it under the rug that we don’t need to pay attention to what happens thousands of miles away from Eeyou Istchee, but I think it matters. Also, if our leadership can call for the observance of the death of Queen Elizabeth II through a minute of silence, I think it can – and should – position itself against genocide. This is in a context where people in Canada are losing their jobs for saying that Israel is committing genocide for carpet-bombing an entire area surrounded by walls where residents have no freedom of movement whatsoever. So, I think it’s important for our leadership to be honest about those issues and take a stance, considering its privileged position when negotiating with the Canadian government, which sells millions of dollars of weapons to Israel every year. It’s important for me and other Cree voters to know whether our leadership – which was so vocal about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation’s slogan “Every Child Matters” – is fine with the mass killing of Palestinian children in Gaza. Given the fact that we are also a people recovering from genocide, I was expecting we would express more compassion and solidarity.

As I write this, close to 16,000 civilians in Gaza have been killed since October 7

Imperialism and colonization use the same tactics. Much of what Palestinians are enduring today, we endured too – such as the mass killing of children, disease spreading in displaced communities, the erasure, the inter-generational trauma, and the theft of resources. As I write this, close to 16,000 civilians in Gaza have been killed since October 7. Because of the siege enforced by Israel in Gaza and the inability to run hospitals without fuel, food or electricity, the World Health Organization was reporting that “more people will die from diseases than airstrikes” and that they had documented at least 111,000 cases of acute respiratory infections, 12,000 cases of scabies,

75,000 cases of diarrhea (half in children under the age of five), among other health conditions. Where is our compassion? We begged Canadians and the entire world to hear our pleas and recognize the genocide of the Indian residential school system. The Palestinian diaspora in Canada amplified our voices as they could relate to our struggles, so I expect us to do the same for them. Words matter, and taking strong stances matters when we witness genocide. All I want for Christmas is some courage from our leadership as the worst human rights violations unfold in Gaza.

Gunsmith on location

the Nation December 15, 2023 www.nationnews.ca

Winners of the

CMEB Rock Competition 2023!

Shaidean Mianscum-Diamond Basalt (Rusted pillow Lava, Pyrite, Chalco-Pyrite, Magnetite)

Lillian Georgekish

Mafic Lava (Amphibolite)

Jimmy Otter Quartz Vein (Pyrrite, Arseno-Pyrite, Chalco-Pyrite)

Daniel Aquabanaskum Silex or Flint (Hard silicate rock)

Jamie Georgekish Fossiles Sedimentary rock (Lamellibrachia, Bivalve fossils and gastropods about 500 My old)

Edward Georgekish Rusted Foliated basalt

Christine King Fascinating Calcium carbonate

CMEB Rock Competition 2024 | Deadline October 31 Prizes: 1st place $1,500 – 2nd place $1,000 – 3rd place $500

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! ᒑ ᒥᔪᒥᑯᓵᒋᓯᑭᓂᐦᑖᔮᒄ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒑ ᒥᔫᔅᒋᐱᐳᓂᐦᑖᔮᒄ ᒥᓯᐙᐦ ᐋᐦᑎᓯᔮᒄᐦ!