IN BRIEF

Cree Secretariat hosts webinar series

The Secretariat to the Cree Nation Abitibi-Témiscamingue Economic Alliance (known by its French acronym SAENCAT) is launching an online webinar series aimed at charting an economic recovery from the pandemic in a northern context. The series will be broadcast in English and French.

Its first instalment is set to take place June 17 and will examine waste management and its solutions. The English-speaking presenters feature Karl Côté, an engineer and business developer, and Élisabeth Morin, an “Écoleader” with SAENCAT.

Then, on June 18, the French portion of the series will focus on energy initiatives of northern Quebec. Leading off will be Université de Sherbrooke lecturer Denis Audette and Isabelle Leblanc, also a SAENCAT Écoleader.

“We are looking at having the French presentations translated into English,” SAENCAT Director General Chantal Hamelin told the Nation. “We won’t be able to do it live, but we’re seeing if we can have the recording translated and put online.”

Hamelin is receiving many suggestions for presentation topics from people within the Cree Nation as she continues to reach out to as many English-speaking presenters as possible. The next round of the webinar series is set to take place in August. Presenters and topics will be announced later.

Call for Inuit women’s shelters

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada, a national not-for-profit representing Inuit woman in Canada, called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau June 2 to implement one of the 46 Inuit-specific recommendations stated in last year’s Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG).

The group is asking that the recommendation to build five new shelters in Inuit Nunangat and in Ottawa be honoured immediately.

The request came days after $100 million was announced in funding for the construction and operation of 12 new Indigenous shelters – but Pauktuutit noted that none of the funding was allocated for Inuitspecific shelters.

“In 2015, Prime Minister Trudeau made a commitment to ensure the equality of all women in Canada. This must include Inuit women,” said Rebecca Kudloo, President of Pauktuutit. “Last week’s announcement is deeply disappointing for Inuit women whose mothers, daughters, grandchildren and friends have been missing or murdered and who live with the fear and devastation of the highest rates of domestic violence in Canada. It’s like Inuit women have again been forgotten and our voices have fallen on deaf ears.”

Pauktuutit is asking the federal government for $20 million to start construction on the new shelters.

CNG announces millions for home ownership

The Cree Nation Government (CNG) has created a $100 million fund to help Cree build homes in Eeyou Istchee. The Private Housing Initiative Fund was announced June 2 and is intended to stimulate the housing market by helping potential homeowners with the added costs of constructing homes in the North.

According to a CNG press release, the Covid-19 pandemic factored into the creation of the fund, as the housing shortage in the Cree nation increased the risks associated with the virus.

“I am grateful that all the Cree Chiefs of Eeyou Istchee unanimously supported the creation of this fund, giving all our community members the opportunity to become proud homeowners and, in turn, free the resources needed to help other families access the appropriate housing to match their income and needs,” said Grand Chief Abel Bosum.

“The fund also represents an opportunity for our young Cree professionals and workers and their families to come home and contribute to their community and find the financial security and growth in family wealth that comes with owning your own home.”

The CNG said the added equity coming from private ownership in Cree communities will also contribute to the recovery of the overall Quebec economy, “while improving the lives of the people of Eeyou Istchee.”

Emma Saganash honoured for journalism

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) bestowed its lifetime achievement award on Waswanipi’s Emma Saganash June 9 for her outstanding contribution to journalism during her 40-year career at CBC North.

“I am thrilled that Emma is being so rightly honoured for her work and leadership,” said RTDNA Canada President Fiona Conway. “Emma’s work is at the very foundation of Indigenous journalism in Canada. Her storytelling was done with a deep humility and a sense of humour, and I am told she is still missed at CBC North since her retirement. Her legacy continues with the many journalists she mentored.”

Saganash retired in 2018, but her contribution to the Cree community as a mentor to young Indigenous people in the field, as well as her role in expanding Indigenous journalism in Canada as a whole, continues to be felt.