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Wearing a mask is mandatory aboard all public transit. bus metro train ferry taxi carpooling Let’s keep at it. Let’s continue to protect ourselves. Québec.ca/mask 1 877 644-4545

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CONTENTS EDITORIAL For the children

NEWS

Phase 3 deconfinement

Emergency loans

Play ball!

Bridging the gap

IN BRIEF

FEATURES A tale of two communities 10 Pandemic exiles

CNG tackles overcrowding

Statues of limitation

PUZZLES REZ NOTES

20 21

Summer update

T&B

Tripping triggers

A tale of two communities

22 We can gradually restart normal activities while protecting ourselves! Information and advice inside.

Politics

Community

Photo by Ndiamon

Students stay south

Subsidizing private homes

Colonial legacies

www.nationnews.ca July 17, 2020 the the Nation Nation 3 3

Editorial

For the children by Will Nicholls

Editorial

he federal law that recognizes the inherent right of Indigenous nations to oversee child welfare services – officially known as An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families – took effect on New Year’s Day this year. Given that there are more Indigenous children in the system than at the height of the residential school era, it is overdue. By about a century. Typical of the Justin Trudeau government, it looks great on paper and in the photo ops. In the details? Not so much. Though it has been the law of the land for over six months, there wasn’t any funding or even a timeline attached to it. This apparently changed July 7 with the signing of a protocol agreement by the Assembly of First Nations and Indigenous Services Canada. Again, not so much. The agreement is vague, saying that an eventual budget will be determined, though communities and organizations must first take the steps to create their own programs. The lack of timetables and funding commitments in the agreement has many worried. First Nations child welfare advocate Cindy Blackstock says that without targeted funding for Indigenous communities to protect their children, the law and signed protocol are essentially meaningless. The feds, she says, are just paying lip service to First Nations concerns.

The 40,000 or so children in the system currently will have to wait for the politicians to stop talking and actually start doing what’s right for them

While Indigenous children make up about 8% of Canada’s youth, they represent over 50% of those in the child welfare system. Blackstock said the previous Conservative government ignored or fought the accusation of not taking Indigenous child welfare seriously and the Liberal government simply wants to look good while following the same essential policies. There are signs that the current situation won’t see a resolution any time soon. Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller blames the Covid-19 pandemic for slowing things down. He added, ominously,

that talks and negotiations to create a First Nations child welfare system acceptable to the Indigenous communities will take “many years.” Meanwhile, the 40,000 or so children currently in the system will have to wait for the politicians to stop talking and start doing what’s right for them. Blackstock notes the protocol is not legally binding and calls it a “kind of paper tiger.” But that paper tiger will make a few lawyers rich as the kids continue to suffer. The provinces fund these services for the children living off-reserve and many First Nations and organizations want to control

Indigenous welfare services for children regardless of where they live. Miller said this would require a mixture of federal and provincial funding, which the provinces don’t like. Indeed, Quebec has already challenged the law on constitutional grounds, arguing that the law violates provincial jurisdiction. In Canada everyone says the number of Indigenous children in the child welfare system is unacceptable, but there is no end in sight. We need a new way to pressure all levels of Canadian politicians, federal and provincial, to help our children.

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 Dan Isaac CONTRIBUTING WRITERS M. Labrecque, S. Orr, P. Quinn, B. Powless DESIGN Matthew Dessner SALES AND ADVERTISING Danielle Valade, Donna Malthouse, Melissa Juliette THANKS TO: Air Creebec CONTACT US: The Nation, 4529 CLARK, #403, Montreal, QC., H2T 2T3 EDITORIAL & ADS: Tel.: 514-272-3077, Fax: 514-278-9914 HEAD OFFICE: P.O. Box 151, Chisasibi, QC. J0M 1E0 www.nationnews.ca EDITORIAL: will@nationnews.ca news@ nationnews.ca ADS: Danielle Valade: ads@nationnews.ca; Donna Malthouse: donna@beesum.com SUBSCRIPTIONS: $60 plus taxes, US: $90, Abroad: $110, Payable to beesum communications, all rights reserved, publication mail #40015005, issn #1206-2642 The Nation is a member of: The James Bay Cree Communications Society, Circle Of Aboriginal Controlled Publishers, Magazines Canada Quebec Community Newspaper Assn. Canadian Newspapers Assn. Les Hebdos Sélect Du Québec. Funded [in part] by the Government of Canada. | www.nationnews.ca |

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CMCA AUDITED

News

Play ball! Sports, children’s activities, church gatherings can resume with some restrictions

resh off the recent announcement to move the communities of Eeyou Istchee into Phase 3 of deconfinement, the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) took another step to relax pandemic-related restrictions July 7. The move reflects the board’s confidence that existing isolation measures have been effective – with no new cases of Covid-19 in Eeyou Istchee since May. The biggest changes now allow for up to 10 households to meet outdoors, and for members of up to five households to meet indoors. Sports facilities, daycares, summer camps and other facilities are also now able to open. Members of different households will still be required to practice physical distancing during their gatherings. This includes activities on the land, such as bush camps, hunting or fishing, as well as activities in communities, such as playgrounds and beaches. Indoor gatherings are still at higher risk than outdoor gatherings, which is why gatherings of up to five will be permitted, up from two. This

will apply to places like churches, workshops and support groups. Individuals are still expected to avoid all direct contact such as handshakes and hugs or sharing food and utensils. Indoor spaces should be well ventilated and have enough room for distancing. Indoor sports facilities, including gyms, arenas and swimming pools, can also reopen providing the previous provisions are followed. Team sports, both indoors and outdoors, are free to resume. Activities for children and youth, including summer camps and school activities, are likewise now permitted. However, those centres are asked to aim for a maximum 75% occupancy during this phase. Childcare centres are currently operating at 40% capacity, with the goal of operating at 50% capacity by July 20, 75% by August 3, and 100% by August 16. Caregivers are still asked to keep groups to no more than 10 people, including caregivers. They will also be asked to keep a registry on which students and caregivers are present every day.

Children under the age of 12 will be allowed to play with each other without following physical distancing rules, though they are still encouraged to stay apart a metre if possible. Children 12 and above are still to observe physical distancing protocols. Outdoor activities are preferred over indoor activities. Summer classes are scheduled to begin July 13. Summer school teachers arrived last month and have been in isolation since then. Cree School Board offices in Eeyou Istchee are set to reopen with rotating schedules, while offices in Montreal and Ottawa remain closed, with their staff members working remotely. Eeyou Istchee has conducted more than 600 tests for Covid-19 among community members, with only four people awaiting results. Since testing began, 586 tested negative for the virus. The last of the 10 positive results came in May. Of the 579 frontline workers tested, 573 were negative while six are still waiting for results. Outside of Eeyou Istchee, there have been recently confirmed cases in Region 8 (Abitibi-Témiscamingue)

by Ben Powless

and Region 2 (Saguenay–Lac-SaintJean). This means that travel to Region 8 should be avoided until at least July 14 if no other cases are detected. A determination of Region 2 has yet to be completed. Anyone who travels outside of Eeyou Istchee, Nunavik or Region 10 (Nord-du-Québec) are required to self-isolate for 14 days upon returning. The CBHSSJB included this reminder in their update: “It is extremely important to practice physical distancing and precautionary measures. Everyone must do what they can to protect fellow community members. People might be comfortable with accepting a certain level of risk, but you must give thought to those vulnerable people at home which you might be bringing something back to.” Across Quebec, there have been roughly 56,000 reported Covid-19 cases, though the rate of new cases is now less than 100 per day. That’s a dramatic decline from the past few months, where daily new cases often surpassed 1,000.

www.nationnews.ca July 17, 2020 the Nation 5

ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ Nunavik Starts Here

JOB OPPORTUNITY 2nd Posting (Internal & External)

JOB TITLE: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO) DATE OF POSTING: July 20, 2020 END OF POSTING: August 7, 2020 at 5:00 pm JOB SUMMARY Under the immediate supervision and direction of the Board of Directors, more specifically the President, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is responsible for the day-to-day functions of the operations and administration of Chisasibi Business Development Group Inc. and its subsidiaries, and working with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) on financial projections. As a key member of the senior management team, the COO establishes operating policies and procedures that promote company culture and values. Visit our facebook page at Chisasibi Business & Development Group Inc. to view the COO posting and details regarding the main responsibilities, employment requirements and conditions.

ᐃᓂᓕᐅᕐᓃᑦ RESERVATIONS 1 800 361-2965

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For more inquiries, please contact Wabigwan Polson, Director of Human Resources at (819) 855-2977 ext. 349 or by email at wabigwan.polson@cbdgi.ca

I WISH YOU A GREAT SUMMER while still following these instructions.

Denis Lamothe MNA for Ungava 418 748-6046 (Chibougamau) 819 755-2506 (Lebel-sur-Quévillon) denis.lamothe.unga@assnat.qc.ca

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Bridging the gap by Patrick Quinn

Indigenous businesses are accessing emergency loans from Aboriginal financial institutions

he global economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is catastrophic, with trade upended and countless businesses forced to close indefinitely. A recent survey led by the Indigenous Business Covid-19 Response Taskforce found that nearly half were likely to fail after three to six months if they didn’t receive support. In late April, the Canadian government announced $307 million in funding for Indigenous businesses during the pandemic as a “first step” to addressing this concern. This included $204 million for an Emergency Loan Program (ELP) to be administered by the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association (NACCA). Previous emergency wage subsidy legislation was criticized for not addressing an estimated 30,000 Indigenous companies, which often operate with a limited partnership model that isn’t eligible within the subsidy criteria. This federal funding is intended to give access to short-term, interest-free loans and non-repayable grants. It is distributed by Aboriginal Financial Institutions (AFI), which offers financial logistical support for First Nations, Inuit and Métis businesses across Canada. Many businesses have already begun accessing the economic relief. “This initiative is very useful, and we are grateful to the federal government,” stated Jean Vincent, Chair of NACCA’s Board and CEO of the Société de crédit commercial autoch-

tone, an AFI located in Wendake, Quebec. NACCA is a not-for-profit organization established in 1997 to support the economic inclusion of Indigenous peoples in Canada. It advocates on behalf of AFIs to build their capacity and to increase self-reliance and sustainability of Indigenous ventures. Since receiving the emergency loan funds in late May, NACCA has allocated $123 million for delivery by over 30 AFIs. The Tale’awtxw Aboriginal Capital Corporation, the first AFI to provide support under

Metatawin added. They include the remoteness of many communities, impediments in the Indian Act, and poor socio-economic conditions. NACCA began seeking a Covid19 response tailored to the needs of Indigenous entrepreneurs when the crisis first hit in March. Working with Indigenous Services Canada, the association put forward a plan to help Indigenous businesses survive and recover. “When events like Covid-19 happen, it has a dramatic effect on family income and on Indigenous communi-

“Indigenous-specific supports are so important to protecting First Nations, Métis and Inuit businesses impacted by COVID-19 - Shannin Metatawabin, NACCA CEO

the program, has now issued over 80 loans to Indigenous entrepreneurs in British Columbia. “Indigenous-specific supports are so important to protecting First Nations, Métis and Inuit businesses impacted by Covid-19,” said NACCA CEO Shannin Metatawabin. “Disproportionate numbers operate in sectors that are heavily affected by social distancing measures.” Many Indigenous businesses face barriers to accessing mainstream loan and government support,

ties in general,” stated Matt Tapper of the Ulnooweg Development Group, an AFI in the Maritimes. “The ELP is going to be another support that Ulnooweg’s clients can lean on in these unprecedented times.” Many Indigenous businesses across the country are sole proprietors and employ their families, often operating with low liquidity and facing difficulties accessing private credit. NACCA has struggled to meet growing demand for loan capital from ever increasing numbers of Indigenous

entrepreneurs and has long advocated for further investments in business development. Over 30 years, AFIs have delivered more than 47,000 loans totalling $2.7 billion, with a 97.5% repayment rate. Each year, they make over $120 million in loans to roughly 500 Indigenous-owned start-ups and 750 existing businesses. Businesses applying for ELP support may receive a $30,000 loan and a $10,000 non-repayable contribution. These loans are filling a gap for many companies that don’t qualify for the Canada Emergency Business Account program. “The ELP is providing small businesses with the capital they need to cover operating costs while restructuring their business to align with Covid-19 safety measures and, in many cases, transition their business to e-commerce,” said Pam Larson, CEO of the Clarence Campeau Development Fund in Saskatchewan. Last month, the federal government announced a further $133 million to help Indigenous businesses, comprising $117 million for small and community-owned enterprises and $16 million for the tourism sector. “Indigenous businesses are the driving force of many local economies,” said Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller. “With this additional support, Indigenous communities and businesses will have the flexibility they need to respond to their unique economic needs through this difficult time.”

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In Brief Photo by Ancita Allain

AFN signs agreement on C-92 The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) signed a protocol agreement with the federal government July 7 in order to make progress on Bill C-92 – An Act Respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families. The bill recognizes First Nations jurisdiction over child and family services. Signing the agreement were AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde and Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller. And while Bill C-92 came into effect this year, language regarding funding in the law was sparse. The agreement establishes that the AFN and federal government will meet regularly to discuss how First Nations will be funded as they take over child welfare and family services. The cost is estimated at $3.5 billion over five years. However, Quebec has launched a constitutional challenge to the law on the grounds that the social services outlined in the bill are the responsibility of the provinces. “I’d prefer to be in a discussion about who is doing the best job by Indigenous children, and not who has the right to be doing a miserable job — which is what we’ve been doing up to now,” Miller told the CBC regarding the provincial challenge. The agreement has also been criticized by Indigenous child advocate Cindy Blackstock, who believes it will

provide little more than lip service and is equally vague on funding. “It’s really unclear to me what this actually is going to mean on the ground,” said Blackstock. “How is it going to be different from the countless other memorandums of understanding and other documents the federal government has signed over the years?”

Eeyou Istchee’s first Pride March When Ancita Allain moved to OujeBougoumou from Chisasibi, she noticed a lot of “rainbows”. So much so that she decided to start a chat group for two-spirited people in the community which she is calling the LGBTQ2S Rainbows. In late June, she was approached by a Youth councillor about holding a Pride March. “They wanted to do something to celebrate Pride month,” Allain told the Nation. “But there was too little time, so I made the poster and we held it two days later on July 1.” The Pride March started at the band office at 3 pm and circled the community. It was the first of its kind in Eeyou Istchee – but both OujeBougoumou Youth Chief Mathias Bosum and Allain hope it catches on in other communities. “While we were marching, a lot of the kids in the community came out

to march and support us,” explained Mathias. “Many of the people who marched that day didn’t even identify as two-spirited.” According to Allain, there were close to 50 people walking by the end of the inaugural march. The expectation now is to make it an annual event, with plans to include a barbeque at the end of the next year’s march. “It’s important to let people know we’re here and it’s okay to be who you are,” Mathias said. “It meant a lot for everyone to feel accepted like that.” Ouje-Bougoumou Chief Curtis Bosum fully supports the initiative. “Everyone has a right to their own lifestyle,” he said. “And everybody should feel supported by their community in being who they truly are.” “At the end of the event I told the youth to be prepared for positive and negative feedback,” Allain added. “I told them that, no matter what happens, don’t go into hiding, don’t take steps back. We’ve done something important, and we were

the first. Besides, there are no closets in teepees.”

Name games In a long overdue move, the National Football League’s Washington Redskins team is in the process of changing its name. Though the NFL franchise has been under pressure for decades to drop the racial slur “redskin” from their brand, the added scrutiny created by the Black Lives Matter movement and focus on racial injustice in the United States has forced the hand of team-owner Dan Snyder. Snyder stated in 2013 the team would “never” change the name under his leadership – but the threat of losing major sponsorships has caused him to backstep those remarks. FedEx, which owns the naming rights to the team’s stadium – as well as Pepsi and Nike – requested the team change its name in late June. Nike then removed the franchise’s merchandise from its website July 2. The team announced that it would be conducting a thorough review of its name the following day. In the days after the announcement, Washington head coach Ron Rivera, who is Puerto-Rican and Mexican, said he hopes the team’s name is changed before the opening of the NFL season in September. Rivera, who was hired at the end of last season, also said that he had been working with ownership on a name change for more than a month.

www.nationnews.ca July 17, 2020 the Nation 9

Features

How local teams in Waskaganish and Wemindji managed the Covid crisis by Patrick Quinn | Photo by Ndiamon

s Eeyou Istchee transitions into Phase 3 of its deconfinement plan, life is slowly but steadily returning to normal. While people are enjoying the warm weather and stable pandemic situation, however, local CMC teams remain hard at work to ensure the public’s health and safety. In Waskaganish, a pandemic plan was rapidly developed, and a committee formed with representatives from public health, the local Community Miyupimaatisiiun Centre (CMC), Eeyou Eenou Police Force, the school board, the Elders’ Council and Youth Council. With travel restrictions limiting the flow of people and goods, the local emergency management task force also helped businesses develop continuity plans. “I believe we were the first community to come up with this inter-community travel protocol,” said the Waskaganish task force coordinator, Ryan Erless. “In Phase 1, people were getting anxious to see family members from other communities. We had public-safety officers review the request forms. If they met the criteria, they could pass the checkpoints.” During the initial outbreak, public-safety employees occupying these checkpoints worked 73 days straight to limit the risk of community exposure. While this relentless workload has abated, it demonstrates the dedication with which healthcare workers have handled the crisis. Clinics have set aside “red zones” to confine those with Covid symptoms and are still asking patients to call ahead before showing up, even for medication refills. Besides ensuring visitors answer pre-triage questions and wear a mask,

healthcare workers are prioritized for testing. “We compiled a list of all the high-risk people working on the frontlines and sent it to public health,” Erless told the Nation. “They determine who should be tested. I believe they do 20 tests per cycle in the Cree Nation. At first, testing would take us maybe a week and now it’s just a few days – that service is remarkable.” As healthcare services slowly return to normal, more patients and escorts are travelling south for appointments that had been postponed. However, the Cree Health Board has a serious problem with no-shows on charter flights, which are limited to 10 passengers due to distancing requirements. To increase patient capacity, they have started using buses for transportation. On the first weekend of July, there were 14 no-shows, taking away valuable seats from people trying to return home or travel to an urgent appointment. The CHB has begun calling people to confirm their flights and ask that anyone choosing not to use their seat inform their CMC in advance. “I’m pretty sure a lot of people want to go but don’t want to isolate coming back,” said Laurie Ann Georgekish Hester, one of Wemindji’s Covid communications leads. “Especially the patients who have to go for an appointment, they cancel because they don’t want to isolate after.” Georgekish Hester recently went on community radio to clarify the mandatory self-isolation law. She said some people didn’t realize that those isolating are still allowed to go outside. Her department has been checking in with patients in isolation by telephone so they don’t feel alone.

10 the Nation July 17, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

A Tale of Two

Communities “I messaged one person who can’t see her kids or grandkids,” Georgekish Hester told the Nation. “She sees them through the window. Most are just anxious that their isolation will be done. It’s challenging for people in the mine who have to isolate when they come back – I know some go to Montreal or Val-d’Or for their holidays.” While people have generally adapted, there are growing frustrations with restricted liberty. In Waskaganish, police issued 231 tickets at house parties between April 5 to June 6. With household gatherings banned, more youth in all communities can be seen drinking outdoors. There are many more people involved in healthy outdoor activities, such as a walking challenge organized by public health. Participants received free shirts that state “walking alone” and posted weekly selfies of themselves walking with the hashtag “StaySafe”. Walking-out ceremonies and other outdoor gatherings have resumed with precautionary measures and limited numbers. A clergy group in Waskaganish recently organized an outdoor gospel jamboree on the church lawn. Public safety has helped navigate some of the challenges that these distanced events can pose. “We just had a funeral for one of our Elders who passed away,” said Erless. “We had to do the funeral service out-

side by the graveyard. It went well, but it was kind of hot. We created a temporary shelter, had a microphone with speakers, conducted a small service then they did the committal after that. We provided masks, gloves and water. The public could go but had to stand at a distance.” With many businesses slow to open, Erless’ team is helping manage the distancing requirements. A temporary drivethru was established to help the popular frozen meat company, Distribution Dany Gauthier, deliver orders in the community. Online sales have also been booming, with longer lines at the post office than at the height of the Christmas season. Private food sales on social media that have been discontinued since March are set to reopen shortly. Erless has been coordinating training for a food safety handling course in a post-pandemic context. “A lot of people are asking if they can do private takeout and food sales,” explained Erless. “Local restaurants are overwhelmed sometimes with the number of orders they have to process. If you order a cheeseburger, you have to wait two hours.” Erless recognizes the sacrifices people have made these past months. “I want to personally thank everyone who respected the protocols,” he said. “They’re role models – children see what they do and then do what they do.”

www.nationnews.ca July 17, 2020 the Nation 11

PUBLIC CONSULTATION

on the use of a mobile application for notification of exposure to the coronavirus The Gouvernement du Québec is assessing the possibility of providing a mobile application for intelligent phones, that could be used to inform users if they are exposed to the virus. Objectives of the application: •

Inform users by means of an alert if they have been near an individual who has received a positive COVID-19 result.

•

Protect others, in the event of a positive COVID-19 result, by anonymously notifying users whom they met over the previous 14 days.

The scenario being examined is that of a FREE, ANONYMOUS, SAFE, CONFIDENTIAL application WITHOUT GEOLOCATION or TRACING.

It would be up to each citizen to decide whether to install the application. It would also be possible to deactivate it at any time, or to completely erase it. The effectiveness of this application will depend on the uptake rate among the population. Before considering the use of the application, the Gouvernement du QuĂŠbec considers it essential for citizens to be able to express themselves on this issue. This consultation will make it possible to inform the population and gauge their interest in such an application, and to properly identify their concerns.

TAKE PART IN THE CONSULTATION TODAY!

consultation.quebec.ca Until August 2, 2020

by Ben Powless

Pandemic While some returned home, hundreds of Cree students stayed south to study

hen the coronavirus hit and travel restrictions began this spring, hundreds of Cree students were already out of the communities in schools, Cégeps, colleges and universities across the south. The Cree School Board (CSB) has continued to support these students – and their dependents – throughout this tough time. The Nation talked with Pauline Trapper-Hester, Director of Post-Secondary Student

14 the Nation July 17, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

Services for the CSB, to find out how those students are doing. “We did a survey in the midst of the pandemic where we asked students to see how they were doing and follow up on their well-being,” Trapper-Hester explained. “Most said that because of safety reasons they wanted to stay where they were, many also mentioned concerns about housing shortages, and they didn’t want to risk any transmis-

sion of Covid back into the communities.” The CSB offices tracks where students are and if they’re staying down south or returning to Eeyou Istchee. At the beginning of the Winter 2020 term, 385 students were registered for post-secondary studies down south, along with 277 dependents – usually their children. Of that, 177 decided to return home when Covid hit, either because they were

exiles finishing their program, or they decided to study remotely from their community. However, according to TrapperHester, 207 students decided to stay in their place of study, along with their dependents, mostly in Montreal, Ottawa/Gatineau or North Bay. She says that many students are currently taking summer courses or are registered to continue studies in the fall. Normally, the CSB only supports students until the end of April or May, or September for summer students, but it

continues to provide a living allowance for students whose courses have gone online. Other groups also stepped in. Trapper-Hester says that a group of Indigenous support workers from various colleges are working together to ensure that all the Indigenous students at those institutions weren’t abandoned. If not, she said, the CSB would be searching for other resources to fill this gap.

“They’re being well taken care of in their place of study,” Trapper-Hester said. “We haven’t heard of any difficulties they’ve had during the virus.” Trapper-Hester says that she’s not too worried about their situation in the fall – outside of concerns for Covid still being prevalent in Montreal – knowing that most institutions will be moving to online learning. “With fall coming, we’re preparing to continue to support them – online, full

time, partial or returning to their place of study.” Students will be able to access financial support even if they stay down south or return to their community. She also had a message for students: “My greetings, I hope all of you are well. I look forward to you continuing your education in the fall, we’ll always be there to support you through everything.”

www.nationnews.ca July 17, 2020 the Nation 15

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Community

CNG tackles overcrowding Program will subsidize construction costs, support home ownership by Ben Powless

he Cree Nation Government (CNG) announced in June a $100 million fund to subsidize construction of new homes in Eeyou Istchee in order to ease overcrowding and enable Crees to own their homes. With overcrowding affecting around one in five Cree households, an estimated 4,500 new homes are needed by 2021. Just as a global pandemic has highlighted overcrowded conditions, there are hopes that this initiative could alleviate some of that pressure. “We have a housing crisis that’s going to get worse if we do nothing,” CNG Executive Director Bill Namagoose told the Nation. “There’s no program from the feds or Quebec that will solve it, so the only way we can do it is unlocking the value that exists in Cree housing by changing the land regime and giving Crees perpetual rights and access to lots – overcoming the Indian Act legacy of not being able to own land or property.” In 2018, the CNG was able to remove a provision from the governance agreement that limited leases on residential lands to 75 years. With this unprecedented change to Indian Act governance, the CNG believes this will unlock the value in Cree lands and homes, which can be leveraged into loans from banks, for instance. The plan allows for homes that are owned to be sold to other Cree as well. Namagoose says that the lots cannot be taken away by either the

band or the bank, and even a seized home would have to be sold to another Cree. The funding initiative aims to subsidize extra costs beyond what a comparable home might cost in the Abitibi region. That means community members in more remote communities may be able to access more money based on the funding formula, which is based mostly on the size of the home, with the biggest subsidy available for homes in the 2,000-square-foot range. There will be no limits on the funding, which has already begun, though individuals applying will have to meet some criteria, including being eligible for a bank loan and being able to make a down payment. Namagoose says the program aims to provide 1,000 homes in the next 10 to 15 years. However, the CNG is also negotiating with the province and federal governments for money towards social housing. Geared at those who are unable to afford their own home, Namagoose says that this element could still take a few years to finalize. Chisasibi Housing Director Sydney Chewanish says that overcrowding is a big problem in the community of almost 5,000 people, where there are currently only 943 houses.

“We’re using 90 percent local people, from construction workers up to project managers, architects and engineers” - Sydney Chewanish, Chisasibi Housing Director

Given that 1,800 residents are under 20, the problem is certain to grow. “There’s a lot of demand from youth over 18,” Chewanish explained, noting that many young adults are single and would be fine with smaller units. This kind of housing may also be more appropriate for some older people and disabled individuals. A typical house there might cost $300,000 to build. In comparison, a typical 2,000-square-foot home in Montreal is estimated to cost about $200,000. Chewanish says that’s the cost of being up north – including transportation and labour. “We’re using 90% local people, from construction workers up to pro-

ject managers, architects and engineers,” said Chewanish. Namagoose explains that the program doesn’t force Cree to use only Cree labour, as it might be costly. “If you insist on local content, that’s fine for the Cree Nation Government, they can afford that, but for individuals there should be a choice,” he said. He also says that communities should allow Cree from other communities to come in to work in construction as well. “When you only allow local First Nations to work there, you lock out other First Nations.” Namagoose notes that the fund was started with a $100 million investment but that it has already grown to a value of $112 million.

www.nationnews.ca July 17, 2020 the Nation 17

Politics

Statues of limitation Global protest spurs removal of monuments to racism by Patrick Quinn | Photo CC by Saforrest, GFDL/CC-by-SA 3.0

orldwide outrage against police brutality and systemic racism has resulted in protests that are toppling statues of slave traders, imperialists and other infamous figures. The growing movement has reignited discussions about how public monuments may perpetuate the normalization of inequality and structural violence.

Spurred by the police killing of George Floyd, an African-American man in Minnesota, protesters across the United States have vandalized and removed dozens of Confederate monuments since early June. As the movement has rippled throughout the world, pressure has been mounting to confront Canada’s own symbols of colonialism. Two years after a statue of John A. MacDonald was removed in Victoria, BC, a petition to remove his monument in Montreal has gathered over 28,000 signatures. Genocidal policies employed by Canada’s first prime minister included forcing Indigenous peoples onto reserves using starvation, the most oppressive elements of the Indian Act and the creation of the residential school system. “I’m sick of looking at John A. MacDonald,” said Charmaine Nelson, an art historian at McGill University, who is quoted in the petition. “If you want to talk about him, let’s talk about his whole history. Monuments

become a focus of our ire because they’re so emblematic of systemic racism – the landscape is so clearly about white men.” She argues that placing such figures quite literally on a pedestal is a type of “hero worship” and a con-

and Indigenous and Black people have for a long time, is these people didn’t do any good as far as we’re concerned. It’s not that we’re just saying this now, but finally people are listening to us.” Other subjects of controversial

“I don’t think descendants of slaves can walk by a plantation and have no feeling” - Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Head of University of British Columbia’s Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre.

stant reminder of ongoing injustice for Black and Indigenous peoples. Correcting that inequality is an idea whose time has come. “Police brutality is so in our faces that even white people can’t turn away this time,” Nelson told the Nation. “What a lot of us are saying,

18 the Nation July 17, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

statues include James McGill, who not only kept Indigenous and Black slaves but was also an importer of Caribbean goods harvested by enslaved Blacks. As one of only 10 Black professors among the 1,700 permanent faculty members at McGill University, Nelson cringes each time

she passes the McGill statue on campus. Another petition gaining momentum proposes replacing this statue with a tree. “We know he was a slave owner and never intended us to occupy that space, participating in the institution he founded,” Nelson asserted. “Imagine how uncomfortable I feel on a daily basis because people don’t recognize me and my identity as a professor. How do they get away with that lack of inclusivity? They have not had to consider it before because they’ve not had any pressure. That’s why the institution looks the way it does. To me, this is all connected.” Last semester, Nelson began one class about the Black subject in pop culture by reading a list of Black people killed by police, making a connection between these murders and the racist stereotypes that have long dominated media. In these images, as well as the monuments that populate our landscapes, representation is significant – in Nelson’s words, “The

deck’s loaded against you before you even show up in the room.” Canadian monuments often represent a mythology limited to so-called “Fathers of Confederation” who helped design systems that oppressed Indigenous people and other minorities. Critics say this is a whitewashed narrative that is increasingly out of place in a diverse Canada that professes to value truth and reconciliation. “If Montreal wants to promote human rights, it’s a contradiction to have the statues,” said Eric PouliotThisdale, a Mohawk-Innu genealogist. “We’ll never forget those people, part of the foundation of Canada, but we don’t need to have them in our faces every morning. Everybody is realizing it, but nobody is ready to move yet.” While the city has said it is seeking to address systemic racism, there are no immediate plans to remove the statues. The Black Lives Matter protests have accelerated similar movements in Quebec and throughout the world, demonstrating that when authorities move too slowly to make these changes the people will do it themselves. “All institutions have to address their history,” said Mary Ellen TurpelLafond, head of University of British Columbia’s Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre. “I’m not advocating destruction, but I understand why people do that, because civic authorities won’t engage. Taking down statues is a good step when no one will have that conversation.” The noted lawyer and judge originally from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation is an enthusiastic proponent of this “overdue” movement. She understands the visceral reaction provoked by oppressive symbols, describing the anger she still feels walking down a Vancouver street named after Joseph

Trutch, infamous for his dispossession of Indigenous lands. “I don’t think descendants of slaves can walk by a plantation and have no feeling,” Turpel-Lafond told the Nation. “How oppressive it must be to have no space to have that dialogue. It’s negative to depict this as a destructive movement. It’s actually constructing a more historical narrative based on truth.” Although there are growing calls to revisit our understanding of Canadian history, not everyone agrees that these statues should be torn down. For example, plaques have been affixed beside various offending statues to provide valuable historical context about their controversial nature. “These names provide a reminder of a history that cannot be forgotten, that cannot be repeated, and what we must guard against,” stated David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Metis Federation. “We cannot allow colonial history to merely slink away and escape judgment.” Another more popular solution involves moving these statues to a museum where they can serve as educational tools in a post-colonial setting. Budapest, Hungary, diverted all its Soviet-era statues to a park outside town, where visitors listen to tinny communist anthems over outdoor speakers as children crawl over a giant bust of Lenin, and browse a solid historical museum for context. “Let’s hold them in a museum,” suggested Turpel-Lafond. “These are macabre reminders of a colonial system. Those doors have been slammed shut for years. Now they’re opening, people are listening, things are changing, and it’s needed. It’s exciting times.”

If you need more information or have additional questions, contact our office in Val-d”Or.

By phone: 819-874-2600 By email: justicevaldor@cngov.ca www.nationnews.ca July 17, 2020 the Nation 19

Puzzles

Crossword

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.

SUDOKU No. 256

Medium

1 3 7 5

8 6 9 1 2 5 7 4 3

9 3 6 1 4 8

4 5 1

6 9 4 8 2

are divided by black

with numbers that is a set gaps but can be in ,5]. Clues in black umber as an option umn, and are not part nce at the solution to

7 3 8

8 6

Previous solution - Easy

The solutions will be published here in the next issue.

7 2 3 9 4 8 1 6 5

1 4 5 6 3 7 2 8 9

2 5 8 3 7 9 6 1 4

6 3 1 4 8 2 5 9 7

4 9 7 5 6 1 3 2 8

9 8 6 2 5 3 4 7 1

5 1 2 7 9 4 8 3 6

3 7 4 8 1 6 9 5 2

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.

STR8TS No. 256

Medium

Previous solution - Tough

4 3 2 1

3 4 1 2 8 7 9 6 7 6 5

9 1

9 5

3 6

2 8

2 3 9 2 8 4

6 9

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

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

2 3 4 1 6 8 9 7

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

5 6 7

ACROSS 1 Down in the dumps 5 Acted like 9 Loses color 14 Litter's littlest 15 Quaker's "you" 16 Say "y'all," say 17 Math computation 18 Youngster 19 Firing place 20 Many May babies 22 Wrongdoing 24 Olympic lake in NY 26 ___-Atlantic 27 Small night bird 29 Materials for Renoir 34 Like some music 36 Web developer's concern 37 Kind of sign 38 Playfully shy 39 Acrobat's attire 42 Phone's ABC 43 Anagram for "ruse" 45 Caesar's hello 46 Perfume sampler 48 Superfluous 51 Ball VIP 52 ___ no evil 53 Figure out 55 Field laborer of old 59 Maine capital No. 256 62 Color of honey 63 Right on the map? 65 Diving bird

by Margie E. Burke 1

24 27

43 48

41 46

42 47

54 59

66 67 68 69 70 71

Get a whiff of Smart-___ Surrounded by Astronaut Ride Kin's partner Count (on)

10 Finder of a magic lamp 11 Place to wait 12 Result of honing 13 Farmer's purchase 21 Birth-related DOWN 23 BMW, e.g. 1 Boast 25 Swell, as the 2 Fishing item abdomen 3 Out of work 27 Come to pass 4 Amazon, e.g. 28 Which person's? 5 Room at the top? 30 Shepherd's 6 Prefix with locale "therapy" 31 Annoying 7 Comics shriek 32 Spa handout 8 Consider to be 33 Siesta sound 9 Iran, once 35 Hard to lift

3 4 2 1

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 PREVIOUS complete a ‘straight’. A straight is a set SOLUTION: 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.

20 the Nation July 17, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

40 In vitro items 41 Fix, as software 44 Monroe's co-star in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" 47 Worldly 49 Almost 50 Child's china 54 Like Rembrandt 55 Mountain route 56 Austen heroine 57 Son of Adam 58 Boat-building wood 60 Work hard 61 Opie's dad 64 Frazier foe

Rez Notes

Summer update by Sonny Orr

his year’s graduates had a different experience. A record number of students graduated while the pandemic was in full swing. A big congratulations to them and the schools, teachers, parents and even the bus drivers, who only had memories and empty seats to fill. To the many other people who had to struggle – and still do – with long lineups, changing rules and laws, constrictions and restrictions, and uncertainty, only time will tell if we can persevere. But one thing for certain, it’s only like this because we followed rules and learned hard lessons. Some semblance of life has returned, but with full cautions in place. Understandably, people feel a sense of relief and might start to flaunt their pale skin at the summer sun, which is recommended. Any closed space is generally a no-no these days. Hopefully everyone will be nice and brown come September. Since no one’s allowed to completely travel freely yet, teams meet via popular video conferencing, which I enjoy immensely. It’s nice being able to get work done quickly and efficiently without having to undertake a long road trip to see someone in person – it’s way better and affordable. It worked for the graduates, so it should work for the job. Physical contact being verboten, the desire to get close and talk quietly has been replaced with louder voices and for me, not hearing a lot due to the distance. It’s easier using a phone, a return to old-school communications. Soon the fax will be back in operation. Hopefully it won’t happen soon as I am quite fond of today’s technology. But it seems that all this new stuff

is taking some time to converge with the old systems – maybe a complete overhaul of everyone’s system is needed and then we can’t complain for at least five years. On another note, the government hand-outs are causing a bit of confusion. But in these uncertain times, it’s something that will sort itself out once this is all over, hopefully by Christmas. It’s a wish that many might have to hope for and for me, it might be online shopping again. I’ve noticed that postal workers are getting somewhat buff and muscular from the tons of online goods that fill our communities’ post-office boxes. Other vices like online gambling have seen some sparks fly in lucky people’s bank accounts, but for many with frozen screens from server meltdowns, it’s frustrating. Bingo players seem to have calmed down a bit. So far, there have been no rallies or public demonstrations showing our public displeasures in not dabbing again. It’s generally cool on the northern front except for the summer heat. As I write, a single angry cloud interrupts the sunny sky with a display of lightning and thunder, 30 seconds of downpour and then sunshine again. At least a little break from the UV rays and time to bring out the insect repellent. I’m hoping that this weather hangs around long enough to keep our outdoor lineups comfortable enough until winter sets in again. For the best health this summer, stay safe, take no risks, don’t be shy to say you don’t know what’s happening. Get in the know and all that other safety stuff. I’ll see y’all online!

I’ve noticed that postal workers are getting somewhat buff and muscular from the tons of online goods that fill our communities’ post-office boxes.

We have been present since 1939. All members of the large Deshaies' family are by your side today and will also be for the better days to come.

www.nationnews.ca July 17, 2020 the Nation 21

Tea Bannock Tripping triggers

by Maïtée Labrecque-Saganash

y newsfeed on Facebook and Instagram have been flooded with testimonies of women, men and non-binary people publicly calling out their abusers. Just like the Me Too movement in 2006 and 2017, survivors have been using social-media platforms to share their stories and seek support. In just a few days, numerous tattoo artists, musicians, singers and public figures in Montreal and Quebec City were outed for their sexual misconducts. The past few days have been rough for me. Not only because I saw a lot of people I know and trusted facing allegations, but also because prior to my sobriety, my life was pretty much a long series of sad events in which I was a victim of sexual misconduct. I know we sometimes struggle to collectively talk about it in our communities, but occasionally I think we should have a dialogue about healthy relationships outside of crisis situations or when we talk about residential schools. Those conversations can protect our youth, give them the right tools to establish their own boundaries and even save lives. Learning how to process and name everything that I experienced set me free and only then I was able to start my healing process. The only instruction about consent in elementary school was a short video in which a young girl would sing something like: “My body is my body and it is not yours. You have yours, so let me mine.” The video then discussed having your period. That’s pretty much all I remember. They never taught me how to feel confident about saying “No”, how to discuss my boundaries or that I could

set boundaries in general. They did not teach young boys not to insist if a girl says “No” or manipulate them into saying “Yes”. Only after it was too late was I taught that consent is freely given, reversible, informed (not drunk), enthusiastic and specific. I know it’s common for men to say that it apparently kills the mood and that argument shows how we don’t put

22 the Nation July 17, 2020 www.nationnews.ca

the right resources for youth out there to learn what is right. The recent wave of testimonies and allegations did trip its fair share of triggers for me, but they also brought closure. Many men who did me wrong reached out to apologize for what they did. That’s also something we should teach more and normalize – introspection, saying sorry and growth.

A lot of our youth lack the proper communications skills to do so. If not taught at home, they should learn it in school or through community initiatives. We already have programs in place that we could strengthen at both the local and regional level. I believe people can change when they seek help and that’s why we should never give up on educating our children.

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