Issue 32-23

CONTENTS 10 Eeyou Istchee Launches Rocket Starsailor student-built rocket launches from Mistissini

Opinion

14

EDITORIAL

NEWS

Reconnecting With Identity

5

Financial Sovereignty

6

BRIEFS FEATURES

10

Ideas That Can’t Miss

14

PUZZLES UTNS

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Chikabesh Reaches for Space

Business Summit

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Editorial

UNDRIP Again

by Will Nicholls

T

hough the United Nations adopted the Declaration in 2007, it’s been slow to be implemented in Canada. Perhaps former NDP MP Romeo Saganash can tell you of his frustration to even get it acknowledged by Canada in any meaningful way.

In the past, Canada was one of its early supporters but later became one of the last countries to sign the Declaration, leaving many countries they had convinced to question the real commitment of Canada.

Saganash’s private member’s bill to make the UNDRIP law (only Canada did that in the end) made Canada champions of Indigenous rights. But as with anything, governments are slow when it suits their purposes and that includes enacting the UNDRIP. That’s why Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak released the following statement reacting to UNDRIP’s fourth Canadian report. “Today’s report is itself a call to action – for Canada to improve its efforts to work alongside First Nations to build true Nation-to-Nation partnerships so we can accelerate progress on the UN Declaration,” said Woodhouse Nepinak.

She added, “We appreciate the increased level of detail and transparency in this report compared to previous years, but it still reveals an ongoing lack of meaningful measures to ensure Canada’s policies, legislation, consultation processes and mandates are aligned with the spirit and intent of the Declaration. Action will be especially important as Canada is aiming to advance major infrastructure projects

and build a stronger economy. Respect and real partnership will be key to progress.”

In addition, BC Regional Chief Terry Teegee said, “After four years of slow, incremental progress in implementing the UNDA, First Nations continue to advocate for stronger commitments and decisive, transformative actions that recognize and implement First Nations’ sovereignty, nationhood, inherent rights and title and our right to free, prior and informed consent.”

Perhaps one of the biggest concerns was that the AFN and First Nations across Canada felt the feds haven’t consulted with First Nations on the One Canadian Economy Act (Bill C-5). It’s felt that it’s a return to colonial practices that don’t respect the first inhabitants of this land.

First Nations are starting to think that the UNDRIP is nothing more than a symbolic gesture rather than a real framework that would include First Nations being a part of decisions affecting them at all levels of government.

Canada’s Justice Minister and Attorney General Sean Fraser has said the report contains 181 measures the government is committed to. For example, the government said there is an embedded a non-derogation clause into the federal Interpretation Act to ensure the interpretation of all federal laws in a way that affirms Aboriginal and treaty rights as recognized in s. 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

As may be expected there are a lot of ups and downs when it comes to acknowledging, respecting, honouring or even practicing a law that has

been enacted concerning Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty said, “The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act is vital in protecting the rights and dignity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples. This fourth annual report demonstrates the collaborative work we are doing together, to build a more equitable and inclusive future. The Government of Canada will continue on the path of reconciliation through honesty, partnership and action grounded in the values of the Act.” As someone who has looked at the way governments do things, I would have to say this report is one of the most transparent ones I have ever seen and that alone gives me hope.

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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 MANAGING EDITOR Randy Mayer STORY COORDINATOR Patrick Quinn CONTRIBUTING WRITERS X. Kataquapit, P. Quinn, N. Fedosieieva DESIGN Matthew Dessner SALES AND ADVERTISING Donna Malthouse THANKS TO: Air Creebec CONTACT US: The Nation News, 918-4200 St. Laurent, Montreal, QC., H2W 2R2 EDITORIAL & ADS: 514-272-3077 / ads@nationnews.ca / 514-943-6191 HEAD OFFICE: P.O. Box 151, Chisasibi, QC. J0M 1E0 www.nationnews.ca EDITORIAL: will@nationnews.ca news@nationnews.ca ADS: Donna Malthouse: donna@beesum.com SUBSCRIPTIONS: $60 plus taxes, US: $90, Abroad: $110, Payable to beesum communications, all rights reserved, publication mail #40015005, issn #1206-2642 The Nation is a member of: The James Bay Cree Communications Society, Circle Of Aboriginal Controlled Publishers, Magazines Canada Quebec Community Newspaper Assn. Canadian Newspapers Assn. Les Hebdos Sélect Du Québec. Funded [in part] by the Government of Canada. | www.nationnews.ca | facebook.com/NATIONnewsmagazine | Twitter: @creenation_news

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With the financial support of

CMCA AUDITED

Editorial News

Reconnecting With Identity

Cree language revitalization in schools

by Natalia Fedosieieva Photos courtesy of Deborah House-Cox

T

he Cree School Board (CSB) is launching a Grade 1 Cree language pilot program for the new school

year.

Rolling out in Chisasibi, Mistissini, Waswanipi, Waskaganish, and Whapmagoostui, the initiative builds on earlier Cree language mentorship efforts in Pre-K and Kindergarten, emphasizing oral communication while integrating Cree into core subjects.

Deborah House-Cox, Deputy Director General of Pedagogy, said the CSB acted after a 2019-2022 study showed Cree youth were rapidly losing their mother tongue. Although the assessment was limited to students in Grade 2, Grade 6 and Secondary 2 within Cree communities, the results raised concerns, HouseCox said.

To support less fluent pre-K teachers, the CSB paired them with retired Cree educators to guide lessons and ensure students speak Cree, House-Cox said.

“We had to develop the curriculum, the methods and the language learning strategies that we would use at those levels,” she explained. “So, we consult our former teachers who might have ideas on how to strengthen our language use.”

House-Cox said the program uses a neurolinguistic, culturally rooted approach, teaching students to use Cree in real-life situations.

“It’s learning the actions within the context of where you are going to use that language, and how it has to be appropriate,” she said.

She mentioned that the engagement sessions across nine Cree communities

earlier this year allowed families to help shape the program.

“We want to give a choice to the parents,” she said. “They decide which language their child is taught in.”

Cree is one of Canada’s most widely spoken Indigenous languages with over 86,000 speakers in 2021. But it is in decline, having lost 6.1% of speakers since 2016.

At the same time, House-Cox emphasized that this pilot program is about more than just language skills. “It’s very important because in order to keep the culture alive, each student needs to have a strong sense of identity,” she stated.

Noting that many young people have lost their connection to Cree culture, caused in part by technology, House-Cox believes the program fulfills the CSB’s promise of education rooted in Cree identity.

Pearl Weistche, Coordinator of iiyiyiu Chiskutimaaschaawin, has been closely involved in the development of Cree language curricula.

She recalls early 1990s programs once taught children Cree. However, limited hours, outdated materials and English dominance, accelerated by technology and the pandemic, have since reduced fluency.

Now, as part of a renewed effort, Weistche is helping lead the Grade 1 Cree pilot program, aiming to restore the language’s presence in classrooms.

She warns the Cree language is in decline and without immediate action, it could be lost entirely.

“I’m probably the last generation of fluent speakers,” she stated. “If young parents keep on using English, Cree is going to be lost.”

Weistche emphasized the program’s foundation in oral learning, where knowledge was passed down through everyday life.

“In a traditional dwelling, that was the classroom,” she explained. “When a hunter brought home a beaver, the mother prepared it while the children observed, and the father taught the language of the land. There was geography, history and stories, all taught through language.”

For Angela Gates, Director of iiyiyiuiyuhtwin Research and Development, it is important to revive the Cree language among children.

“Our goal is to strengthen, to maintain, to bring it back, and to reconnect students with their identity,” she said.

“It really depends on the student,” Gates added. “Some may no longer know the language at all, others understand parts of it, and a few can still speak.”

According to her, a decade ago, Cree was common among children at play, but today those conversations are rare.

As Gates points out, the importance of the program goes far beyond language proficiency. She states the Cree language reconnects children with their identity and gives them strength and confidence.

“By making them know who they are, it will give them that self-confidence to go out into the world and become who they want to become.”

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The

Road to

Financial Sovereignty

W

ith booming demand in Indigenous communities for new business loans, the First Nations Bank of Canada (FNBC) is making major strides towards its goal of raising $50 million in new equity financing before the end of this year.

On August 22, FNBC announced a $10 million equity investment from the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. The Nation and its economic development arm, Tano T’enneh Enterprises, acquired a 4.32% ownership interest in the bank.

Earlier in the month, five other Indigenous groups across Canada invested an additional $9 million.

FNBC president and CEO Bill Lomax celebrated the news in Prince George, BC, not far from his home community in the Gitxsan Nation. Lomax said returning to the region for this milestone represented professional momentum and a commitment to strengthening Indigenous economies.

“This investment is a powerful statement of confidence in the future of FNBC,” said Lomax. “The money that we get, we will put to work very easily over the next 18 to 24 months.

Then we might have to get out there again just because the demand is so high.”

With so many First Nations looking to start businesses, acquire existing operations and build infrastructure, FNBC is facing a backlog of loan applications. Through partnerships with the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), raising $50 million Could facilitate loans totalling $500 million or more to Indigenous communities across Canada.

Projects long delayed by funding challenges have been given new life by the CIB-partnered Indigenous Land Development Loan Program, which began financing essential infrastructure projects earlier this year. Doig River First Nation in northern BC said the program has been “game-changing” in making its new eight-acre economic hub, called Naache Commons, a reality.

As Indigenous communities grapple with a $300 billion infrastructure gap, Lomax said CIB’s collaboration helps the bank stretch financing to more Indigenous projects than traditional grants or government capital funding could accomplish.

“We’re just trying to keep up with the pace of Indigenous business,” said Jed Johns, FNBC chief marketing officer. “If there’s a Nation looking to get an infrastructure piece, they should be coming to us because we’re able to expand our

Chief Dolleen Logan

News

First Nations Bank expands financing for Indigenous projects

by Patrick Quinn Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

loan capacity now in a way that we haven’t been able to in the last few years.”

The financial sophistication of First Nations has evolved dramatically in recent years. A $100 million business acquisition program announced with the BDC in June responds to a wave of business owners retiring just as Indigenous entrepreneurs are expected to grow by 23% in the coming decade.

“What’s great about that is when they buy a business, it becomes an Indigenous-owned business which gives access to other procurement opportunities and another edge in operating,” Johns told the Nation. “It brings in another revenue stream for the Nation without having to put up their own capital or taking money from their trust.”

With Canada aiming to boost major projects in response to US tariffs, First Nations could play a role in enabling many of these activities to proceed. One of Mark Carney’s first acts as Prime Minister was to double a pot for federal loan guarantees to Indigenous groups to $10 billion.

Johns suggested that Carney is supportive of economic reconciliation and thinks we’ll see more Nations develop projects. It aligns with Lomax’s vision for accelerating growth opportunities since taking the helm of FNBC in 2023.

While FNBC’s commercial banking division has been growing at about 10% in new loans issued over the past several years, this year it’s expected to grow between 20% and 25%. With that pace of growth, other initiatives such as guiding

clients’ retirement savings plans have been put on the backburner.

Founded in 1996 as a strategic alliance between First Nations in Saskatchewan and TD Bank, which originally owned 80%, the latter divested by 2012 as other First Nations became shareholders.

Today, FNBC is 88% Indigenous owned.

The James Bay Cree were an early supporter and eventually became one of its largest shareholders. Former president Keith Martell told the Nation in 2019 that the Cree had discussed founding their own bank at that time but decided to partner with FNBC. Martell said Chisasibi members were unhappy with their existing bank, which had literature only in French and lacked cultural understanding. In 1998, FNBC’s second branch after Saskatoon opened in Chisasibi. Nemaska and Whapmagoostui have since opened smaller FNBC community banking centres.

“In Indigenous communities, faceto-face banking with that personal touch still matters,” asserted Johns. “That’s where we have connection with community. This capital raise will support the construction and operation of the bank to open more branches.”

Former Cree Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come served on the original board of directors, where CNG executive director Davey Bobbish currently sits. Bill Namagoose retired last year after 12 years as chairperson of the bank. He noted that 70% of its over 130 employees are Indigenous.

“It was a nation-building concept back then and still is,” said Namagoose.

“It’s a flagship in the financial industry.

The other big banks service the North remotely – First Nations Bank creates jobs for Indigenous people within their community rather than in large non-Native centres.”

Johns presented at the Cree Nation’s inaugural business summit last year and believes its road to relative financial sovereignty is a story that should be more widely known. With new Grand Chief Paul John Murdoch recently observing that bigger banks exacerbate the housing crisis through obstacles like counter-guarantees from the band, Johns suggested FNBC can help deliver solutions.

“We’ve been involved in [housing] projects before,” said Johns. “Those that run between $5 to $50 million is a sweet spot for us. We’re able to provide below-market rates, anywhere down to almost 1%, and an infrastructure project becomes a lot more affordable.”

Contending that the FNBC is less interested in the bottom line than working in the best interest of First Nations, Johns mentioned cases where they’ve earned less loan income because they recommended communities secure available grants and not borrow more than they needed to.

“It’s important we reflect back on the communities we serve,” said Johns.

“Other banks don’t have the same relationship focus that we have. That’s a key difference – we want the Nations to be successful no matter what.”

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Welcome

ᒋᐙᒋᔦᒥᑎᓈᓐ BACK TO ᒥᓯᐌ ᒦᓐ ᐁ Bonne SCHOOL! ᐯᒋ ᒋᔅᑯᑕᒫᓲᔦᒄ RENTRÉE! Wishing all students, families, teachers,

ᒥᓯᐌ ᓐ ᓂᐐ ᐙᒋᔦᒫᓈᓂᒡ ᒋᔅᑯᑕᒸᑲᓂᒡ ᐁ

Nous souhaitons à tous les élèves, aux

and school staff the very best for the

ᐯᔭᑯᑌᐅᓰᑣᐤ ᒋᔅᑯᑕᒫᒉᓲᒡ ᑲᔦᐦ

familles, aux enseignants et à l’ensemble du

new school year! Let’s make it the best

ᒋᔅᑯᑕᒫᒉᐅᑲᒥᒄ ᐋᐸᑎᓰᓲᒡ ᒉᐐ ᒥᔫᐸᔨᑣᐤ

personnel une excellente rentrée scolaire !

one yet!

ᐆᔫ ᒦᓐ ᐁ ᒋᔅᑯᑕᒫᓲᓈᓅᔨᒡ᙮ ᒥᓯᐌ ᐁᑎᐦᑑ

Que cette nouvelle année soit la plus belle

ᐐ ᒥᔫᐸᔨᑖᐤ ᐆ ᒉ ᐱᐳᐦᒡ᙮

et la plus réussie de toutes !

Former Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty speaks at the Chamber of Commerce

Briefs

Quebec ministers meet AFNQL over forestry tensions After months of protests culminated in a tense confrontation between Atikamekw protesters and loggers, the Quebec ministers of Indigenous Relations and Natural Resources interrupted their vacations this week to meet with Regional Chief François Verreault-Paul and other leaders of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL).

The meetings follow faceto-face confrontations between non-Indigenous loggers and land defenders from the MAMO First Nations group and an instance of what appeared to be a logger driving a heavy truck very slowly towards a land defender standing in the vehicle’s way.

Resistance has mounted across the province since Bill 97 was introduced in April, which proposes sweeping changes to the way forestry is organized in Quebec. With Indigenous opponents arguing it threatens to privatize their ancestral land, the AFNQL had previously suspended discussions with the government over the issue.

The AFNQL had called Quebec leaders back to the table “to take responsibility” for the deteriorating situation and “establish the conditions of a genuine and constructive dialogue.” Ministers and the Council of the Atikamekw Nation suggested initial meetings were constructive.

The Council stated that all parties agreed to amend Bill 97 to “achieve true social and political

acceptability.” It also announced the implementation of a pilot project between the Atikamekw Nation and forestry companies to “experiment with new forestry practices that respect Atikamekw values.”

Absent from the meetings was the MAMO First Nations organization, which unites self-identified land defenders and territorial chiefs from Atikamekw and Innu communities. MAMO spokesperson André Pikutelekan said the organization would have existed with or without Bill 97.

“For us, it’s about keeping our trees, keeping a healthy forest,” Pikutelekan told APTN. “There is no negotiation. If we talk about negotiation, it is so that the territory is not affected. Our main and almost sole goal is to protect the forest of the territorial chiefs.”

Minister Gull-Masty in Val-d’Or After a whirlwind beginning to her tenure as Indigenous Services Minister for the federal government, Mandy Gull-Masty was back in more familiar territory to host the Liberal summer caucus retreat in Val-d’Or. The Cree Nation’s former Grand Chief spoke at the Chamber of Commerce, visit-

ed a local medical centre and attended an event at the Val-d’Or Indigenous Friendship Centre, accompanied by the city’s mayor, Céline Brindamour.

“The Quebec Liberal Caucus had the opportunity to explore our diverse industries and oneof-a-kind culture,” Gull-Masty said. “This has been a critical reminder that Abitibi matters, that we are on the map, and that great things are happening right here at home.”

On August 25, Gull-Masty was joined by MPs Claude Guay and Carlos Leitão to announce a $2.5 million investment in five innovative companies in the Abitibi: Arkys Web Software, Techni-Lab S.G.B, ASDR Canada, Usinage Marcotte and HydroTech Mining.

“Your work represents the future of a more innovative and inclusive economy in our region,” said Gull-Masty. “I look forward to seeing the transformative impact of your technological advancements in the years to come.”

Gull-Masty also attended the seventh edition of the Val-d’Or Community Supper, which she called a tradition that’s becoming “a cornerstone of the community, an opportunity for people to come together, share a meal, and connect on a deeper level.”

Earlier in the month, GullMasty met with First Nations

evacuees from wildfires in Manitoba, announced advances for Métis entrepreneurs, and spoke at the inaugural Global Indigenous Languages Summit in Ottawa. The minister was looking forward to a well-deserved summer holiday back home in Waswanipi before the parliamentary fall session commences.

Mailasi Music Festival rocks Chisasibi More than 30 artists performed over three evenings at Chisasibi’s third annual Mailasi Music Festival August 7-9. The free event was moved from the community ball field to Job’s Memorial Gardens due to weather conditions.

Cree band Miikun headlined the final night, following sets by Quimutjajit, Eeyou-Innu Rock Band, Swamp Rockers, and Vern Cheechoo and Lawrence Martin. Other highlights included Crystal Shawanda, Into Overdrive, Peyakutenuu and the Fort George Rockers. The majority of performers were local talent playing 15-minute sets.

“To our incredible attendees, your energy and enthusiasm lit up the festival grounds, creating memories that will resonate for years to come,” shared festival organizers. “Your love for music brought our vision to life!”

Jody House was a last-minute addition as emcee while CHFG Radio broadcast the festival’s music. Originally initiated by Makivik’s council in Chisasibi, led

by Raymond Menarick, Mailasi is Chisasibi’s name in Inuit.

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Features

A

by Patrick Quinn Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Photos provided by Oleg Khalimonov

Starsailor student-built rocket launches from Mistissini

t 5:34am on August 15, a Starsailor rocket blasted off from a base camp 250 km north of Mistissini and soared into dawn’s early light. Despite a premature end just short of outer space, the team from Concordia University was thrilled to have launched the largest student-built rocket ever flown.

“It puts a lot of wind in our sails,” said Oleg Khalimonov, director of the Starsailor program.

“Had it gone another four seconds, it would have made it to space. Now the team knows we can do it – it sounds funny, but we didn’t even know if it would fly.”

As the first attempted space launch in Canada since 1998 and

C

E R BO

S A E KH

I C HA E R

the first ever in Quebec, Starsailor’s success marks a pivotal moment in the country’s cosmic ambitions. That it was accomplished by a group of engineering students in collaboration with the Cree Nation of Mistissini is all the more impressive.

The project began seven years ago among friends building much smaller rockets for university competitions.

When a million-dollar contest for sending a rocket to space fizzled out due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the team pressed on anyways, quarantining together in a remote house for eight months and continuing experiments in farmers’ fields and bathtubs.

“It was way harder than we thought,” admitted Khalimonov. “We had to build a launch tower, the engine, the test stand.

On our first engine test, everything blew

H A SP

F

up and we have no idea why. It took us another year and it blew up again.”

Eventually a sufficiently reliable engine was developed using a volatile mixture of kerosene and liquid oxygen fuel, powering the 13-metre Starsailor rocket similarly to how companies like SpaceX launch satellites. It’s the most powerful student-built rocket engine ever recorded. About 700 students overall contributed to the project’s countless testing and component redesigning.

“We’re trying to prove that students can also do hard things,” said Simon Randy, president of student group Space Concordia. “It’s not just companies or large government organizations. It’s really people who have the drive and the grit to work on these large projects.”

Seeking a remote base camp that’s accessible by road, Space Concordia contacted Mistissini in January to explore possibilities. After careful deliberation and contingent on the necessary authorizations, Cree tallyman Harry Coonishish and the company holding the land lease approved a site formerly used as a mining company’s airstrip.

“Never before had anyone even thought of doing this here,” Khalimonov

S

E C

said. “The fact we could do this in our own backyard was a cool opportunity – we don’t have to go to NASA or even Nova Scotia. It feels special to do this here. The kids here are like, this is amazing.”

While livestream meetings with Chief and Council shared the team’s progress, anticipation built as approvals arrived from Transport Canada and SOPFEU, reassuring community members there was a low safety risk. With the Coonishish family building lodging and kitchen areas, the rocket’s components were transported north in wooden crates.

Canada and Quebec were represented on two of the rocket’s sides while the third was emblazoned in Cree syllabics. This was inspired by attempts to translate Starsailor into Cree. Someone suggested the Cree mythological character Chikabesh, or Starboy, whose myth cycle usually ends with him travelling to the moon.

“The students were more than willing to put Chikabesh in Cree syllabics with a picture of a beaver, because it’s in our community logo,” explained Council member Pamela MacLeod, who helped link the team with the right people. “Elders would ask in Cree, ‘So what happened with Chikabesh – did it fly yet?’”

In the weeks before lift-off, Space Concordia made a community presentation and engaged in numerous activities at the youth centre. Curious community members came to marvel at the rocket site. When MacLeod visited on the Sunday before launch, there were 65

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current and former Space Concordia members camped out.

Waiting out more than a week of freezing rain and other unfavourable weather conditions, Khalimonov would call Transport Canada at 4am each morning to inform them whether a launch would happen during the brief daily window before air traffic and air currents picked up. Conditions were finally perfect on that Friday morning.

“My experience was wow,” said the tallyman’s granddaughter Esther Coonishish, who witnessed the event from the launch site. “I was with my parents and my grandpa and our foster boy. We were all in shock when we saw it.”

With a perfect lift-off, the Starsailor ascended in a flash of light for 23 seconds until reaching peak aerodynamic pressure about three times the speed of sound, known as MaxQ, when the nose cone separated earlier than expected. Designed to release a parachute for post-flight recovery, it was recognized as one of the rocket’s weakest links.

“A rocket works kind of like a baseball,” Khalimonov explained. “The entire time the baseball is in the player’s hand it’s going faster and faster, putting all their energy into their throw. That’s only a very short time so when the engine cuts off it keeps flying all the way up. It was in that period of full acceleration that it broke.”

With a Chibougamau seaplane, the team recovered the flight computer along with half the rocket nearly intact, among other debris that help tell the trajectory’s story. Optimistic that “there’s one little problem left to solve,” Khalimonov said the team already has a second design that could be built relatively quickly to give it another shot.

The project is fully designed for conducting space science, potentially unleashing new accessibility to zero-gravity research at the university level.

It certainly captivated the host community’s imagination once Mistissini Council spread the word that the launch was finally happening.

“It was fascinating for all of us,” said MacLeod.

“A relative said it’s all her eight-year-old son talks about. I wanted to see this happen for our community – I’m happy it turned out so well.”

After pursuing their dream for so long, Space Concordia has no intention of stopping now.

Khalimonov, who has been with the project from the beginning, through graduation and now while working toward a master’s degree, sees it as “seven years of an eight-year project.”

“We’ll remember this experience for the rest of our lives,” Khalimonov said. “This wouldn’t have been possible without [the Cree]. I hope we made at least one astronaut – one kid who’s like, I’m going to space.” www.nationnews.ca September 5, 2025

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Ideas That

Can’t Miss Cree business summit inspires entrepreneurship

by Patrick Quinn | Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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the Nation September 5, 2025 www.nationnews.ca

TT&&BB Photos provided by Shawn Iserhoff

T

he Cree Nation Business Summit returned bigger and better for its second edition, held in Mistissini August 19-21. Building on last year’s successful youth-focused gathering, the Summit welcomed established business owners in addition to the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The three-day youth program, built around the Bear Den Business Case Study Competition, offered participants the chance to compete for $26,000 in prizes while accessing workshops, expert speakers and mentorship opportunities. Youth delegates arriving from each Cree community had free transportation, accommodation and meals.

“The goal was to boost that potential for entrepreneurial spirit and work as a

team,” said Samuel Mcleod, who facilitated the competition. “So many people learned something and thought of entrepreneurship as an ideal path for them.”

Mcleod pitched the idea of a casestudy competition last year to the Department of Commerce and Industry (DCI), which helped organize the inaugural Summit in Chisasibi. For this year’s competition, the seven randomly assigned groups of four or five had additional support and resources to develop their business plans.

“Last year we had teams falling behind, so we had workshops along the way with the Indigenous Prosperity Foundation about public speaking and marketing your brand,” Mcleod explained. “They also assisted with

getting teams thinking about how they wanted to create their video commercials.”

Videographers Jason Swallow and Manuan Lafond worked with teams to create 60- to 90-second commercials of their fictional businesses, which were screened at the final awards gala.

Economic development officers from Cree communities helped coach participants.

Team 3 with Bradley Mianscum, Cain Stewart, Clarissa Happyjack, Sara Dash and Savannah Jolly were the grand prize winners of $10,000 for a Waswanipi strip mall called Clearwater Plaza. Leveraging its highly visible location where traffic has to pass, their pitch was “you can’t miss us.”

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Second prize went to Eeyou and Me Tourism, “where two worlds become one journey,” a Nemaskabased enterprise aiming to connect tourists with translators and ancient wisdom for an immersion in traditional life. Other ideas included a motor sports dealership, event venue, health spa and funeral home. “Shining stars” from each team were awarded iPads.

“It was amazing ideas coming from young people,” said DCI director Anthony MacLeod. “The concepts are realistic, they could happen. Many of them have great ideas for shaping the Eeyou economy and participating in that journey in their vision of entrepreneurship.”

MacLeod estimated the Summit drew nearly 200 participants.

Presenters included Cree entities Apatisiiwin Skills Development, Eeyou Mobility, the Board of Compensation and the Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association. Workshop and presentation topics included e-commerce, artificial intelligence and contracts and procurement.

MacLeod helped facilitate two roundtable discussions for entrepreneurs and leaders. A memorable discussion included former Grand Chief Abel Bosum, who was the Cree Nation’s first economic development director, and Robert Kanatewat, a signatory of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement 50 years ago.

Grand Chief Paul John Murdoch noted that the first businesses started by these founders of the modern Cree Nation, a gas station and restaurant, are still running today. They told the Hudson’s Bay Company that a local family would be taking over gasoline sales.

The Summit was first major event for newly elected Cree leaders Murdoch and Deputy Grand Chief Linden Spencer. Organizers hope their business backgrounds will usher in

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an increased regional focus on entrepreneurship. Asserting that small and medium businesses are the backbone of the economy, Murdoch was excited by the momentum the conference generated.

“We not only celebrate success but recognize the spirit of innovation and creativity that continues to grow across Eeyou Istchee,” said Spencer.

“To our youth delegates, you didn’t just present projects; you showed vision and courage. I see the same determination and hope that has guided me on my own journey.”

In honour of the JBNQA’s 50th anniversary, the DCI paid tribute to the rich history of Eeyou entrepreneurship at the awards gala. Established in 1971, Mistissini’s A.D.E.L.S. Restaurant was the oldest of these foundational enterprises, owned by Annie Brien, Denise Coon-Come, Elizabeth Gunner, Laurie Brien and Sharron Brien.

Charlie Brien, who passed away in 2002, started out selling tea, pop and sandwiches to construction workers in the community. With no roads in those days, restaurant equipment and a pool table had to be paddled in from the beach about 16 kilometres away or brought in by winter road.

Also honoured at the gala were Blackned Construction, established in 1975 and owned by James Blackned, Bert Blackned and Emily Hester; Waswanipi Grocery Store, opened by Sandra Happyjack and Delores Gull in 1978; Meechum Reg’d, owned by Beverly Quinn and established in 1982; and Natives Exploration Services, owned by Sam R. Bosum since 1984.

Mistissini Chief Michael Petawabano emphasized that business development must be rooted in building Cree expertise. And he saluted these community pillars as proof of what’s possible “when vision meets hard work and community support.”

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TT&&BB

Earlysummer summerthoughts thoughts Early

RezNotes Notes Rez

by Sonny Orr

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my cigarette near a small outfinally he bee myI should head back spot into ismya priority. office. I My start boots. have The normally soggy caribou to your hunting he little little buzzed pondjust as I’m sitting on a possible spontaplanningwrestle for the next we’veand started bee buzzedby moss crumbles with each step.

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The list includes cleaning up hunter in me. Should I rush out temperature. we bountiful unknowingly as as to arrive. the yard, changing my winter tires, takafter work to get a few hours of hunting I have some summer preparation depend on these last year’s as I lean towards patience and timing, as ing down the remaining Christmas in, or just relax and wait for the weekend work to do. The list includes cleaninglights, up tiny unknowingly insects to we I know this is just the start and other franclean and vacuum my car, oil and grease to arrive. the yard, changing my winter tires, takkeep our natural depend on these ticI lean hunters are patience probablyand having similar kids’the bicycles, change the winter towards timing, as ingthe down remaining Christmas lights,oil garden alive. to tiny insects thoughts. likely, in alland myvacuum vehicles,my and finally, stock up on I know this isMost just the startthis andyear’s other hunting fran- clean car, oil and grease I watch the keep our natural very quick andsimilar getting thewindshield wiperchange fluid. the winter oil ticseason hunterswill arebeprobably having kids’ bicycles, bee as it busigarden alive. out to your is a priority.

Mosthunting likely, spot this year’s huntingMy in all my vehicles, and finally, stock up more on Surprisingly, I don’t need to get ly works thethe tiny thoughts.

I watch season will be very quick and getting windshield wiper fluid. thoughts wrestle with my logic, and I bug sprays as last year’s stock was barely flowers before it bee as it busily heads into works deeper the tiny the underbrush. flowers before Relieved that I’m it heads deeper not a target forThe aCree Cree IELCC Fund The IELCC Fund is is into the underdeadly sting, I conbrush. Relieved designed fund designed toto fund tinue harvesting that I’m notprojects/activities that foster projects/activities that foster the labrador a target for tea, a education, Cree culture Cree culture which onthe deadly I drink sting,the I aeducation, daily basis. harand language, well and language, asas well asas continue The the earthlaband vesting health and wellbeing health and wellbeing ofof moss are very rador tea, whichdry children 0 to 6 and their children 0 to 6 and their and crackle under I drink on a daily my boots.

The families. families. basis. normally soggy The earth caribou mossare just and moss All projects and activities All projects and activities crumbles with very dry and must also ensure that must also ensure that nono each step. under I realize crackle

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children are left behind: children are left behind: activities must accessible activities must bebe accessible children, matter toto allall children, nono matter their level ability special their level ofof ability oror special need. need.

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Puzzles

Crossword

by Margie E. Burke

10 11 12 13 ACROSS 1 Biblical tower 15 16 14 6 Lost traction 18 19 10 Farmiga of film 17 14 Smart speaker 22 20 21 voice 15 Sushi staple 23 24 16 Apt anagram of 25 26 27 28 29 30 vile 17 Exorbitant 32 33 31 18 List 34 35 36 37 20 Bully 22 Strike zones?

39 40 38 23 Doing a wall job 42 43 44 41 25 Vulnerability 28 "____ Game" 45 46 (classic sci-fi 47 48 49 50 51 52 novel) 31 Depression-era 53 55 54 agcy.

57 58 56 32 A quarter of four 60 61 59 33 Masked man with a stick Copyright 2025 by The Puzzle Syndicate 34 Skateboarding tricks 56 Word with arm 8 Accustom 29 Amazon, e.g.

37 Handwriting or dish 9 Flow stopper 30 Sows a field style 57 Change direction 10 Open-air 35 Infuriates 38 Farm 58 Use the on-ramp porches 36 Shocked cooperative 59 Tribute poems 11 Epic Longfellow 37 Airlines, for 39 Mineo of movies 60 Tosses in poem instance 40 Nancy Drew's 61 September 12 Bar mitzvah, for 39 At a standstill guy bloom one 43 The film industry 41 Quixote pal 13 Pub potables 44 Jacks in a deck Panza DOWN 19 "Sense and 46 Paired up 42 Bounty hunters, 1 Strong fiber Sensibility" 47 El ___, Tex. e.g.

2 Choir voice sister 48 Parched 45 Rat Pack 3 Keg contents 21 2023 Joaquin 50 Puckermember 4 Not subject to, Phoenix title role producing 47 Some chessmen as taxes 24 Manage 51 Place for a 49 Drove away 5 Jacket parts 25 Drooping drapes fringe 53 Pupil of Plato 6 Western hats 26 Puccini work 52 Big game 55 Skirt 7 Semicircular 27 Just about 54 Eggs, in biology window everywhere

H

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

STR8TS

No. 774

4 5

Previous solution - Medium

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

3

7

1 4

8

1 6

3 7

5 1

5

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

20

© 2025 Syndicated Puzzles

4 3

3

4

5

6

SUDOKU

Easy

5 6 4 5 2 8 9

2

2 1 3 7 6

No. 774

3 2 6 1 2 4 3

9 9 8 8 7 9 8

5

2

1 7 2

4 3 6 5

the Nation September 5, 2025 www.nationnews.ca

9 8

3

7 4 3 1 6 8 2 9 5

4

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.

2

8

5

7 6 9 3

9

Previous solution - Medium

9 2

2 8 6 4

8

Tough

1

4

7

© 2025 Syndicated Puzzles

1

5 1 2 3 7 9 4 8 6

6 8 9 4 2 5 7 3 1

8 9 5 2 1 7 3 6 4

2 6 4 9 8 3 5 1 7

1 3 7 5 4 6 8 2 9

3 2 1 7 9 4 6 5 8

4 5 8 6 3 1 9 7 2

9 7 6 8 5 2 1 4 3

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.

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UTNS

Under the Northern Sky

My iron horse keeps me balanced

by Xavier Kataquapit

T

his wave of cold weather reminds me that I don’t have much motorcycle riding time left and that summer will soon turn into fall. Students are heading back to school and some of the birds are already flying south.

I love classic bikes, and I now ride a 2000 BMW R1100R, which features a flat, horizontally opposed twin-cylinder engine, a design this German company has been producing for over a century.

After riding a bike for almost 30 years I feel at one with this magnificent machine.

On a bike I am in deep meditation. I must be 100% aware of my control as I head down the road. I have to be conscious of every bump, twist and turn on the road and keep an eye on my mirrors for any traffic behind me. Up here in northern Ontario I also watch for animals crossing the road. I’ve often had to brake hard or swerve to miss a moose, a bear, fox or beaver.

Motorcycles are not for everyone and I am the first to admit that it’s a dangerous way to get around. However, as part of my sobriety and being clean, I ride with a clear mind and am extremely careful. This is one of the perks of being in recovery for almost 30 years.

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Anyone who has a drinking or drug problem does not ride a motorcycle, or at least they don’t do it for very long. The chance of having an accident if you are drinking or taking drugs is very high when riding a bike.

As a reward for being in recovery I get a natural high full of adrenaline, beauty and an amazing connection to the world around me. I like to ride alone, and I am not comfortable in groups, which I consider dangerous.

For the past few summers, I have not been venturing very far on my bike as my partner Mike is ill with pulmonary fibrosis. He is the one who introduced me to motorcycles and taught me how to ride.

At the time I had just experienced driving cars in the south. But when I discovered motorcycling a whole new world opened up for me.

Mike was the best teacher ever. He was a motorcycle journalist who’d had a long and interesting history in the industry. He passed along many decades of knowledge and helped me find a few bikes that in fact are more like fine pieces of art.

Nothing beats pushing my BMW out of the garage and on to the back lane, doing

the Nation September 5, 2025 www.nationnews.ca

my pre-ride inspection and then firing up this amazing engine. I have several classic bikes now. They are big, but they are also thoroughbreds and handle the road with confidence and style.

My risk taking on the road is always calculated, and I stay on the safe side.

There is this incredible feeling of freedom as I flow down the road with the wind in my face, and a kaleidoscope of forest, lakes and sights in my eyes. This is my high.

With the sound of this amazing engine propelling me down the road, all my trou20-year-old Jo bles, daily worries and challenges are left behind in my wake. The crazy wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the insane need to keep developing industries that cause climate change, the greed, intolerance and racism that are a reality these days are not on my mind when I’m riding my trusty motorcycle.

I return home refreshed, better able to write and push back on the negative things happening in our world with my tiny efforts to help people stay aware, make them think and give thanks to Mother Earth for her beauty and nourishment. My iron horse keeps me balanced.