LAND & by Patrick Quinn
A
s spring brings geese back to northern skies, the Cree Trappers’ Association (CTA) is encouraging hunters to remain in Eeyou Istchee to avoid the risk of Covid-19 variants. For the second year in a row, the CTA is administering an emergency fund to help Cree families access their bush camps for Goose Break. Local CTA committees will apply almost $1.8 million provided by the Niskamoon Corporation to existing air and ground transportation programs along with food and gas subsidies. Besides complementing physical distancing measures, the fund is also intended to support safer alternatives to travelling over melting ice. “The best place to be at this time is in the bush,” said recently elected CTA president Thomas Jolly. “The change in the weather was quite quick this year – in some places travelling by skidoo was not safe. Most communities are now in the process of using various subsidies, primarily for gas, transportation and food. A lot of people are using helicopters, and some are travelling by open water.” With everyone in a “mad rush” to get out to the bush, Jolly hasn’t had much opportunity yet to discuss organizational matters with the CTA’s board but there are plans to meet following Goose Break. He is staying closer to home this year to assist his wife’s recovery from recent surgery. As a former Chief of Nemaska, Jolly has witnessed the evolution of many Cree entities over the years, but the CTA has always held a special place in his heart. From its formation three years after the signing of the James Bay and
18 the Nation May 7, 2021 www.nationnews.ca
