Issuu

A NEW SCHOOL FOR AND BY FIRST LeadershipNATIONSprograms for: - Elected officials Chiefs/Grand Chiefs, Vice-Chiefs and board presidents : Next cohort starts November 2022 Councillor/Chiefs and board administrators : Next cohort starts December 7, 2022 - Entrepreneurs Next cohort starts November 28, 2022 - Managers Next cohort starts November 16, 2022 - Women and leadership Program starts October 30, 2022 *Places are limited FOUNDING MEMBER WITH THE PARTICIPATIONFINANCIALOF PARTNERENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS fnee.ca/programsTOFIND-OUTMORE AND SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION GO TO: FOLLOW US OUR PARTNERS SDG-26613

EDITORIAL Watch your tongue NEWS Gold StudyingdiggersLaGrande Alliance FEATURESBRIEFS Reviving a tradition Fishing for sustainability Curtain call Green mining REZPUZZLESNOTES The simple life seems to win UTNS Say meegwetch for public health 262524222116109654 CONT ENTS Protecting populationsfish16 22 MistissiniVisiting Point Ouje-Bougoumou members return to an old gathering site 10 1 800 361-2965 1 800 661-5850 ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ Nunavik Starts Here RESERVATIONS 1 800 361-2965 ᖃᖓᑦᑕᔫᓂᒃ ᐊᑦᑕᑐᐊᖃᕐᓂᖅ CHARTERS 1 800 661-5850 ᐅᕙᓂ ᐱᒋᐊᕐᐳᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒃ Nunavik Starts Here FP Fest film awards ceremony20 Events Business

4 the Nation September 9, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

Taken from Canadian Party of Quebec website

Now the law of the land, this legisla tion purportedly seeks to protect French by limiting the use of other languages in public life. As the StatsCan data showed, it’s unnecessary – unless Quebec intends to send language police into private homes to ensure everyone speaks French.

But federal and provincial elections are always fun to observe if you remem ber not to take them too seriously. You see, a victorious candidate can’t always keep their promises to their voters as they must toe the party line or find themselves with very little power to affect anything. They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions and to many that seems to be the path politicians take.

But don’t expect those views to get much airplay. Sadly, critical thinking among Quebec’s chattering class takes second place to the Chicken Littles of language politics. BOARD L. Stewart, W. Nicholls, M. Siberok, Mr. N. Diamond, E. Webb EDITOR IN Linda Ludwick Lyle Stewart, Martin Siberok PRODUCTION COORDINATOR AND MANAGING EDITOR Randy Mayer

Watch your tongue

CHIEF Will Nicholls DIRECTOR OF FINANCES

Since his party was founded June 15, Standish said language, minority and Indigenous rights would be a key compo nent of CaPQ’s platform as well as bilin gualism, religious freedom and national unity. Guess who doesn’t like Bill 96?

Cree politics is tame by comparison, but we seem to be catching up, judging by the snide remarks and unproven state ments made behind opponents’ backs.

the Nation is published every two weeks by Beesum Communications EDITORIAL

very four years politicians must bend the knee and pretend they are ser vants to the communities they repre sent. Of course, when the voting is over a newly elected party usually enjoys a hon eymoon period when they are not judged too harshly… in most cases.

EDITORS

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS X. Kataquapit, S. Orr, P. Quinn, B. Powless, J. Janke DESIGN Matthew Dessner SALES AND ADVERTISING Danielle Valade, Donna Malthouse 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 | facebook.com/NATIONnewsmagazine | Twitter: @creenation_news CMC A AUDITED Editorial

CaPQ isn’t alone. Both the Cree Board of Health and Social Services and the Cree School Board say it would affect the Cree of James Bay. Other First Nations have expressed concern as well. Quebec ignored them.

A new player in this provincial elec tion is the oddly named Canadian Party of Quebec. Leader Colin Standish threw his hat into the ring with a bit of political blasphemy, saying the French language doesn’t need to be protected and isn’t threatened in Quebec. He observes, quite rightly, that recently published data by Statistics Canada does not show a gen eral decline in the use of French in the province.TheStatsCan survey did demonstrate a decrease in the number of people who predominantly speak French at home, however. That’s certainly due to the very low birth rate among francophones here, and the fact that the proportion of allo phones is increasing due to immigration –without which Quebec’s population would be in free fall, along with its economy. Despite that, the study showed that more people than ever use French in public life.

by Will Nicholls

That means that the French language is not declining; in fact, it’s thriving. The real worry, it appears, is ethnic. As a demographic group, the number of peo ple in Quebec whose mother tongue is French is in decline. That hasn’t stopped French-language media from engaging in linguistic sleight of hand, though, with constant coverage about the disappear ing language of Molière.

Harder to ignore are the nearly 160 CEOs and top executives at Quebec busi nesses who say the bill will not only make it harder to recruit needed talent but cause enormous damage to Quebec’s economy. Premier François Legault responded by saying the government must balance eco nomic growth with protecting Quebec’s culture and language.

The company is focused on finishing its economic evaluation by early 2023 to determine what kinds of mining are viable – underground versus open-pit. “Where we are in that section of Quebec, there’s lots of swamp ground so it’s easier to go underground. Less impact,” MacDonald said.He said that even if Wallbridge does open-pit mining, they would be able to send acid-generating tailings to other underground mines they would be operating and cement it underground. MacDonald said that most of the ore is embedded in non-acid-generating rocks, one of the main environmental concerns with gold mining.

Editorial News

If the economics add up, the compa ny can begin moving into the extractive phase. “In a gold mine, you have a fiveyear plan and you’re always adding to that,” MacDonald said.

allbridge Mining Company signed a pre-development agreement (PDA) with the Cree Nation Government, Grand Council of the Crees, Waskaganish and Washaw Sibi in Gatineau August 3, paving the way for the company to develop gold mines through out northern WallbridgeQuebec.hasidentified up to 3.6 mil lion ounces of gold valued at over $8 billion at two mining sites about 150km south of Waskaganish. The centre of the Fenelon claim is near the Kawadjiwag Rapids off Highway 810, west of Matagami. The company has another project at the near by Martinière property, for a total of 910 square kilometres of mining rights.

Wallbridge says it has met weekly with local First Nations leaders and tally men, conducted site visits, and provided project update bulletins. They also con sulted with the Algonquin community of Pikogan (Abitibiwinni), which is located near the proposed mine.

by Ben Powless, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | Photo provided by Wallbridge Mining Company

Bob MacDonald, General Manager of Mining Operations for Wallbridge, said the company’s philosophy is to employ local Indigenous workers as much as possible, while developing equitable rela tionships with local communities.

The PDA means that the signatories agreed to “promote a cooperative and mutually respectful relationship concern ing the exploration and pre-development activities of Wallbridge,” according to a statement. The agreement claims it pro vides for “enhanced Cree participation in business and employment opportunities” while promising an awareness program and cultural centre to educate workers about Indigenous culture and realities.

“This agreement demonstrates what can be achieved by mining companies through meaningful engagement and collaboration with Cree communities,” Waskaganish Chief Clarke Shecapio stat ed. “It also highlights the milestones that can be reached when two Cree First Nations work together to protect and advance Cree interests on our territory.”

Wallbridge inks agreement with Cree communities for mine project

Another mining company nearby, Detour Gold, began its operations 40 years ago, he said. “When they started up, they had something similar – they kept building onto it and adding.”

www.nationnews.ca September 9, 2022 the Nation 5

He said the company updates commu nity leaders on what is currently happen ing at the project, requirements for work ers, how work is progressing, and any

Shecapio added, “Our relationship with Wallbridge and the Cree Nation of Washaw Sibi has not only generated sub stantial economic benefits, but has also allowed for the inclusion of important Cree environmental and conservation concerns into the way in which mining operations are carried out.”

Gold diggers

thing that needs to be improved. He said they involve tallymen in permit reviews and how to cut new drill pads.

The parties also agreed to cooperate in all social and environmental impact studies while it “contemplates” an Impact and Benefit Agreement once the econom ic viability of the project can be demon strated.

MacDonald said the cultural centre being built will have three rooms, each to be decorated by the three First Nations communities to share their history.

• Vote with a voting team that will visit your area. If necessary, you can register on the list of electors or change your entry at the same time.

1-888-ELECTION (1-888-353-2846) www.elections.quebec/closetohome

Provincial election2022

• Vote by mail.

t a recent Annual General Assembly in Mistissini, Grande Alliance propo nents made several announcements regarding the massive infrastructure project.

On October 3, let’s reverse the trend. Let’s all vote.

The first phase of the 30-year proposed project would see a new railway corridor along the Billy Diamond Highway from Matagami to the Rupert River, as well as returning ser vice to Grevet and Chapais. There would also be road paving and upgrades to reach communities along the Billy Diamond Highway, including to Waskaganish, Eastmain, Wemindji, and a second road access to Nemaska from Route-du-Nord. Phases 2 and 3 envision the extension of the railway along the Billy Diamond Highway from km 257 to km 544, and eventually, all the way to Whapmagoostui. A new road from Chisasibi to Whapmagoostui would be built as well. Highway 167 would be extended to the Trans-Taiga Highway, and the highway would be upgraded from Mistissini to near Lac Albanel. Lastly, a deep-sea port is planned for Whapmagoostui, allowing for larger barges to dock in the community.MarcBeauregard, an economist with Vision Eeyou Istchee Systra, which is administering Phase I, said during the AGA that studies have been commissioned to complete planning for Phase I. These include a market survey, which will combine with Phases 2 and 3; a technical feasibility study; a socio-environmental feasibility study; contingency and mitigation planning; and a final draft of the design with costBeauregardevaluations.clarified the structure of La Grande Alliance’s governance, saying there are Community Information Officers

Are you in a remote or isolated area?

Good news: have solutions to make your vote easier!

If you are in a remote area or an isolated community, you may be able to:

6 the Nation September 9, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

Past and present dates for com munity information sessions about the Grande Alliance include August 16-18 for Whapmagoostui, August 22-24 for Wemindji, August 16-18 for Eastmain, September 20-22 for Waskaganish, and September 13-15 for Nemaska. No dates were yet confirmed for Chisasibi, OujeBougoumou, Waswanipi and Washaw Sibi.Beauregard said that the team works to engage community members by pre senting at local AGAs, presenting at local councils when asked, engaging land users of impacted traplines, following up with land users, validation of informa tion received, encouraging land users to participate in field work, workshops and focus groups interested parties, and engagement tools specific to each terri tory, e.g., radio.

Surveys conducted by La Grande Alliance show that about 16% of respon dents were still unfamiliar with the proj ect, while only 50% consider themselves well-informed or generally informed about it. As of January 2022, 86% said they hadn’t participated in any engagement process, though 54% said they were inter ested in participating in some form, and 26% were unsure.

Part of the work engaging with tal lymen is to ask about activities happen ing on any given trapline that could be impacted.WSPis a global professional services firm that will conduct pre-feasibility stud ies for Phases 2 and 3. Joany DesaulniersLandry, Social Studies Advisor for WSP, said that for Phase 1, none of three trapline users were engaged in Wemindji, one of three in Eastmain, four of four in Waskaganish, six of six in Nemaska, 13 of 17 in Waswanipi, one of two in Ouje-Bougoumou, and zero out of four in Washaw Sibi.

A final report with the result of all of the studies conducted was to be available by December 15 of this year, according to Beauregard. However, before it could be released, the team had to finish Cree land use surveys, geotechnical surveys, archaeological surveys, water sampling, and integrating Cree cultural data into a design model and risk analysis model.

www.nationnews.ca September 9, 2022 the Nation 7

She said those interviews helped to determine where roads could go to have the least impact on land users, as well as to identify sensitive areas and concerns about animals in the area.

(CIO) from every community, in addition to a project management team governed by the Cree Nation Government and their consulting firm, that works with Vision Eeyou Istchee and WSP.

WSP Project Director Pierre Therrien said that Phase 1 involved some field work and desktop work. Therrien added that Cree land user surveys and community interviews need to be completed before studies for later phases can begin.

When it was first announced, around 900 people signed a petition started by Cree youth against the project, criticizing the lack of consultation between the Cree and Quebec.

StudyingLaGrande Alliance

by Ben Powless, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

New highways, railways, port inch closer to reality

SINCEEEYOUCREESTOOFPROVIDERTRUSTEDANEWSTHEOFISTCHEE1993

As the former chair is hailed

with solutions and how we can work together and reducing these crimes that have been happening over the summer months,” he Petawabanosaid. said that the police were working with other stakeholders, including the youth council, the clinic, and other frontline services to try to prevent these types of crimes. “It’s going to be a process but we’re working together to come up with solu tions so we can reduce or eliminate as much as we can this problem we’re having in the community,” he added.

He said the victim is aged 19 but did not disclose his name. Beaulieu said the inves tigation is ongoing, and that he was aware of one person, aged 16, being arrested but was unaware of what charges had been Petawabanofiled. said that inci dents like these are an ongo ing concern for the community. “We’ve been in contact with the local government, chief and council, and a lot of times we talk and we try to come up

Gordon Blackned’s four years serving as Chair of the Eeyou Marine Region Wildlife Board (EMRWB) was highlighted by his hard work, milestone accomplishments, and dedi cation to Cree communities. Now, as his term comes to an end this summer, his mean ingful contributions are being applauded.

Tomatuk, who was nominated by his fel low members to replace Gordon Blackned, will provide “a clear sense of direction and leadership”

ing served the Cree Trappers’ Association for over 32 years, including four years as presi dentKnown2017-2021.asa father, grand father, region.jectsmanagingbeboard’sgrowthTomatukknowledgegreat-grandfather,holderandhunter,lookstocontinuetheandfulfillmentofthemandate.HisplatewillfulloverthenextfouryearsenvironmentalprointheEeyouIstchee

Lieutenant Robbie Petawabano said the inci dent occurred in a residential driveway and involved sever al people. Two suspects, both minors, were arrested and detained. They were to have had a court appearance the followingPetawabanoweek. said the inci dent was then handed over to the Sûreté du Québec’s major crimes division. Hugues Beaulieu, a spokesperson for the SQ, said the incident occurred around 6am in the community, as part of a fight involving young men.

Appointed by the GCC(EI) as a new board member in 2016, Blackned served the EMRWB for nearly seven years, making him the long est-standing member to date. He was chosen as Chairperson in 2018 and throughout his four-year tenure, the Wildlife Board achieved multiple mile stones, such as the opening of its office in Waskaganish, the hiring of the current Wildlife Management Director and a second Management Biologist, and the launch of the EMRWB Research Fund. Through the sharing of his personal knowledge and expe rience in the Eeyou Marine Region, as well as his com mitment to voicing support for new environmental research projects, Blackned will be remembered for ensuring that Cree interests and environ mental concerns remained at the Alongforefront.with his work for the EMRWB, Blackned has held the position of Director General (1995-2006) – and later Chairperson (2005-2011) – of the Cree School Board, and is a current member of the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement Implementation Committee. Brief

New EMRWB appointedchairperson

- The Eeyou Marine Region Wildlife Board

Man stabbed in Mistissini

www.nationnews.ca September 9, 2022 the Nation 9

The Eeyou Marine Region Wildlife Board (EMRWB) has appointed Fred L. Tomatuk as its new Chairperson. Tomatuk, who was nominated by his fellow members to replace Gordon Blackned, will provide “a clear sense of direction and leadership,” according to the board’s inofwillprioritiesingplayedEMRWBhasnityHailingannouncement.fromthecommuofEastmain,Tomatukbeenamemberofthesince2017andhasakeyroleinadvocatforCreewildliferesearchsincehisarrival.Hebringwithhimawealthknowledgeandexperiencewildlifemanagement,hav

Police responded to a stab bing incident August 19 in Mistissini involving one victim who had to be medevacked to Montreal with non-life-threat eningEeyouinjuries.Eenou Police

While the event used to be almost entirely attended by Elders, Ouje-Bougoumou’s Wellness Department and cultural coordinator have been working to bring youth out to the camp to partake in the traditional activities. Bosum estimates a few dozen attended this year, a number partial ly hindered by a lack of tents, meaning people couldn’t stay the night.

“We’re hoping in the future it’s going to be more. We want to introduce the young people to learn about the history,” she said.

“It’s a friendly way of going back to the old time – the stories are told by Elders who remember the history of Ouje-Bougoumou at Mistissini Point,” she said. “Everyone was happy, every Elder in the camp started to cook, preparing different meals.”

by Ben Powless, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

nna Bosum still remembers the last time she visited Mistissini Point as a child of five or six, around 1970. The location, across from Mistissini, was a place Ouje-Bougoumou members would travel to in August before heading to their bush camps by canoe.

They used the opportunity to mend rela tionships between members of the two com munities, many of whom remember each other from time spent at residential schools. Bosum’s friend and some pastors helped to organize forgiveness rituals, including washing each other’sBosumfeet.said

members of both Ouje-Bougoumou and Mistissini come to participate in traditional activities. Bosum says that when they gath er, they fish, sew, tan moose hides, carve paddles, make tents, cook and tell stories.

It was also a healing occasion. Bosum says the next day, a member of the Smith and Gunner families snowshoed across the lake to ask to meet her in the middle of the lake. They met and prayed together, where he asked for forgiveness for the bad treatment that some Mistissini members gave to the travelling Ouje-Bougoumou members of that era.Now, eight years later, the annual August progression has become a two-week event when

In 2014, she and others who fondly recall those days got together to remember history and pass it down to future generations. She talked to the com munity’s cultural coordinator, Daniel Bosum, and a tradition was reborn.

“We started cultural activities there, before we started to move there. My friend Dinah and I snowshoed across the lake before the camps were there. We went with Eddie Joly,” she said. “We set up a tent right in the middle of where the camp is.”

“During that time when they’d go to get goods in August, everyone would come to live across from Lake Mistassini. That’s where we grew up,” she said. “My grandfather Charlie Bosum, his burial ground is across from Mistissini because he got sick Bosumthere.”says that John Bosum, an archeologist, was doing some digs and making findings on the camping grounds before it was fixed up. Then they brought over tent frames to get things ready to make a more permanent return to the land.

Nationalexpedition Features

Ouje-Bougoumou members return to a gathering site near Mistissini

The event used to be just one week, but one Elder said it was too short, so this year they lengthened it to two weeks (August 1-14) and finished the event with a big feast. “We started having Mistissini people come across to visit us,” Bosum said. “They really enjoyed it.”

Ouje-Bougoumou Chief Curtis Bosum attended, along with the deputy chief and councillors, while newly elected Mistissini Deputy Chief John S. Matoush also showed up. There was a bus every day to transport commu nity members who wanted to visit.

10 the Nation September 9, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

“In 2014, we called the cultural department and said we wanted to go back to where our grandpar ents were staying,” Bosum said. After winter, they would return in springtime and stay at Story Lake or Swampy Lake.

expedition

TraditionReviving a

Then she added, “People had such a quiet time there, they slept good. Plus, it was nice seeing how big Mistissini is now with all the lights.”

For next year, Bosum says their mandate is to get more camps, and to contin ue to work with the Cultural Department and the Wellness Department to get more youth to attend. She says they have yet to formally work with Mistissini, but that many people from Mistissini are eager to participate.

Bosum says she’s happy to return to the land. “I would never want my grand children and my children to forget where we came from, how we did things the way we did, and our parents. The most important thing is to keep our culture and language alive. That’s the main reason why we return.”

Get weather forecasts from DarkSky™ THE NATION WEBSITE HAS MONTHLY 10,000 READERS SPACEAGETWEBNOW

checklist

Stay home if you are sick

Isolate and trace your contacts if you are positive

Test and isolate if you are exposed

Schedule routine immunization visits

Call your

the BACK TO SCHOOL

Wear a mask when recommended (snugly over nose and mouth)

CMCfor details of thenext vaccinationCOVID-19clinic creehealth.org/covid

Complete your COVID-19 vaccination (and get a booster if eligible)

FishingAn advanced genetic research project aims to protect fish populations forsustainability

The project began in 2018 in sev eral Indigenous communities across northernDylanCanada.Fraser,a biology professor who runs the Fraser Lab, said the goal is to “facilitate the develop ment and monitoring and sustain able management of fisheries where Indigenous communities are pres ent. It aims to promote a strong pres ence of Indigenous-led conservation and Indigenous-knowledge input in how fisheries are run and managed.”

The project benefits from local ecological knowledge of Cree fish ers. Partners received online train ing during the pandemic to enable the launch of the research before returning to in-person field work. Fraser is optimistic it will aid local conservation of species diversity as

atalya Assance was browsing a Facebook page for biology jobs when she found an offer for a summer position as an Indigenous field research assistant to monitor fish populations, no experience required.

“It was my first time fishing,” Assance noted with a laugh. “By the end I was getting better at casting; before, it wouldn’t go very far. It would take me a whole day to catch a Assancefish.”found the communi ty very welcoming; people were encouraged to see an Indigenous woman engaged in research. “They told me to come back, now I know it’s a cool little community I can come visit when I want to go fishing.”The research is a collabora tive project between Mistissini, Concordia University’s Fraser Lab, and the FISHES (Fostering Indigenous Small-scale fisheries for Health, Economy and food Security) project run by Genome Canada.

Since Lake Mistassini is so large, there are distinctions within fish spe cies. For instance, pike from the north end of the lake may look quite different from those at the south. Fraser the study showed that a large percentage of speckled trout in Lake Mistassini come from the Papas River on the northern shore. That information helped the community ensure that forestry wasn’t harming spawning grounds.

by Ben Powless, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

www.nationnews.ca September 9, 2022 the Nation 17

“I was super excited for it,” Assance said. “And I got the Shejob!”trained at Montreal’s Concordia University for before travelling to Mistissini with the rest of her team, her first time that far from home. Once in the community, Assance spent seven to eight hours a day on Lake Mistassini catching fish, taking measurements and collecting parts of the fins for genetic analysis – extracting the DNA to determine relationships between fish and where they spawned.Afterreturning to their base at Osprey Lodge each evening, her team would measure fish that guides had caught during the day.

it provides Mistissini with the data needed to set quotas and manage an important tourism and food fishery.

Mistissini Environment Administrator Pamela Macleod said the community has participated in other fish studies, but emphasized that this one is much bigger, involv ing several universities as well as Waswanipi.Thedata is useful from a food-se curity perspective, said Macleod, and is crucial for managing com mercial, recreational and Aboriginal fisheries.“Our people rely on it for live lihood and culture,” she said. “Knowing the overall health status of these populations is one thing and being able to manage it and protect it isSheanother.”emphasized that the impor tance of knowledge contributed by Elders, tallymen and other land users helped resolve an issue that emerged in 2015, when scientists observed declining sizes of walleye. The community initiated a six-year monitoring program, asking tallymen to observe spawning grounds and refrain from taking fish of certain sizes.Aside from helping the popula tion rebound, they discovered that harvesting pressure had induced a genetic response in some fish to become smaller as a survival response.Nowthat the four-year program is nearly complete, Macleod is antic ipating the final report to see how research observations measure up with local knowledge holders. “It will be curious to see how different land users and Elders and tallymen respond to that.”

The genetic information researchers gather helps under stand how fish survive rising water temperatures, evolving food sourc es, and changing ice break-ups. It also tells them where various fish populations are spawning.

Assance, from the Beausoleil First Nation in Ontario, had recently grad uated from the Ecosystem Management Technician pro gram at Fleming College. She applied right away.

It’s meant to help Indigenous communities manage conservation efforts and comes as the Cree begin managing Quebec’s largest wildlife reserve through Nibiischii. “It really is a critical step towards Indigenousled conservation in the province, and recognizing Indigenous sovereignty over lands,” he explained.

FOR MORE 18tcrSRP@ssss.gouv.qc.cacreehealth.org/SRPINFORMATION: To create Miyupimâtisîun reﬂective of Nishîyû, we need to hear your voice! SCAN QRthisCode PLEASE COMPLETE OUR ONLINE SURVEY creehealth.org/SRP VISIT websitethis or

nationnews.ca WE GIVE TO THE NATIONVOICECREE

Inuk-Haitian-Taíno filmmaker Siku Allooloo won the Main Film International award for an emerging talent for Spirit Emulsion, a film about the connection between mother, daughter and the spirit world.“It is so appreciated to have my work held up to the world in this way,” Allooloo shared.

Bolivian film Utama won the grand Teueikan Prize, which is awarded to the overall best cinematic creation. Centred on a Quechua family whose homeland is strick en by drought, Utama deals with themes of change, the passing of time, and the dilem mas of climate change from an Indigenous perspective.“Itisa great honour [to receive the award] and we would like to thank the entire festival for their contributions. It was a great pleasure and our entire team is very proud of our work,” said director Alejandro Loayza Grisi in his acceptance speech.

“Sharing Inuit culture is very important to us,” said co-producer Flaherty. “We are happy to have our work recognized and we will work hard to continue promoting Inuit content.”Josué

“It is important for us to speak out about the violence against women in Mexico. Thank you to the First Peoples Festival and all the organizers, it has been an hon our,” stated director Mariana Xochiquétzal Rivera.

Bolivian cinema also took home the Best Cinematography award for Kiro Russo’s El Gran Movimiento, an 85-minute film with remarkable shots of the country’s mountain ous terrain and the capital city of La Paz.

Montreal First Peoples’ Festival closes with an evening of film awards by Joshua Janke | Photos provided by Joshua Janke

Events

Bretten Hannam, a two-spirit, L’nu (Mi’kmaq) director, won the APTN Award – given to the Indigenous filmmaker who distinguished themselves over the past year – with their critically-acclaimed Wildhood. Co-producer Gharrett Patrick Paon accepted the award, stating that work ing alongside Hannam over the past five years “produced some of the most beautiful moments of my life…it was a great chance to showcase an experience that is seldom shown on screen.”

Germaine Arnattaujuq, Neil Christopher and Louise Flaherty won the Best Canadian Short Film award for their animated film Chanson de l’Arctique, a beautifully illustrat ed encounter with Inuit creation stories.

Best Documentary went to Paraguayan director Arami Ullón’s Apenas el sol (Nothing but the Sun), which follows the journey of Mateo Sobode Chiqueno as he preserves the culture of the Ayoreo people through his recordings of their stories, songs and testimonies.“Weworked for over seven years to find the voices that would carry this story in the best way. This award encourages Ayoreo to continue their fight, both with dignity and growing strength, and will allow their story to be heard around the world,” said Ullon.

Vergara’s Flores de la Llanura took the Best International Short Film. Shot in Ñomndaa, an Indigenous language of Mexico also known as Amuzgo, the film deals with the issues of femicide and gen dered violence.

“We worked for over seven years to find the voices that would carry this story”

Navajo filmmaker Ivey Camille Manybeads Tso picked up the Rigoberta Menchú Award (Communities) with Powerlands, a documentary on the envi ronmental damages and displacement of Indigenous people caused by chemical com panies around the world.

- Arami Ullón

he Montreal First Peoples’ Festival ended with an awards ceremony that celebrated the top Indigenous films shown at this year’s event – “among the best we have ever seen,” according to festival founder André Dudemaine.

Curtain call

www.nationnews.ca September 9, 2022 the Nation 21

t Mistissini’s recent AGA, Sayona Mining Limited argued that their proposed Moblan Lithium mine would be part of efforts to combat glob al warming, as lithium is one of the prin cipal elements in technology like elec tric cars and rechargeable batteries.

Sayona says proposed lithium mine near Mistissini would help fight climate change

mining?Green

22 the Nation September 9, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

by Ben Powless Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Business

“We want to contribute to the fight against climate change,” said Sayona’s Chief Sustainable Development Officer, Cindy Valence. “We want to be the first lithium producer in North America.” She pointed to statements by the Quebec government of its intentions to build a lithium battery supply chain in the province.Theproposed mine lies about 100km north of Chibougamau and about 85km from Mistissini, accessible via the Route-du-Nord. In January 2022, the company acquired 121 claims 3.5km west of the Moblan site, spanning over 6,500 hectares.

Sayona Mining Director Steve Simard also said at the AGA that the company bought a 60% stake in the Moblan project in October 2021. He said the company was working at environ mental restoration at the same time it was doing Valenceexploration.saidthecompany aims to increase its connection with the Crees,

In announcing the findings of its drilling program, Sayona’s Managing Director, Brett Lynch stated: “These latest results are another boost to our emerging lithium hub, demonstrating Moblan’s potential to become a worldclass deposit in a proven lithium region.”

Valence said the company had five projects in the area, including two in Eeyou Istchee and three in AbitibiTémiscamingue, which she said rep resented 25% of the known lithium resources in North America.

and to have Mistissini as a partner in the project. “We also have a good com munication and approach with tallymen. We just hired Darlene Macleod as a liaison officer to do a bridge between the community and our organization,” sheValencesaid. said they would continue discussions with the band council, while

We’ve been here forever and we’re not planning to let any company just exploit the land as they wish

also aiming to put together a stakeholder committee with people from the community. The company is also in talks with the Nibiischii corpora tion. “How can we model this project with all of them to make sure this project will respect the land and the pro tected park?” she asked.

crafts, according to Valence. She said that the company would like to promote local hiring “soon” and contribute to the growth of the econ omy.Representatives for Sayona did not respond to a request for comment.

First Nations in the Abitibi area have been crit ical of Sayona’s practices, with Long Point First Nation calling for more comprehen sive environmental reviews. They say they are concerned about the impact of openpit mining on Lake Simard, which their community depends upon.

www.nationnews.ca September 9, 2022 the Nation 2323

Mistissini Deputy Chief John Matoush declined to comment, saying that as a newly elected chief and council, they were still get

The company supports a woman’s group in the Algonquin community of Pikogan engaged in arts and

ting to know the company and unable to respond as a council.Other

Lithium mines can con sume vast amounts of water while creating millions of cubic metres of waste that can contaminate groundwa ter with antimony and arse nic. Many lithium mines are developed as open-pit mines, which are more environmen tally devastating than other options.

Long Point Chief Steeve Mathias said the mine would impact their way of life, join ing a petition that collect ed over 20,000 signatures to stop Sayona’s proposed lithium mine. “We’re not just going to sit by and let things happen. We’ve been here forever and we’re not planning to let any compa ny just exploit the land as they wish,” Mathias told the Nation in an April interview.

- Chief Steeve Mathias, Long Point

24 the Nation September 9, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

5 Intersection

ACROSS1

9 HershiserBaseball's 13 Back

Crossword by Margie E. Burke Copyright 2022 by The Puzzle Syndicate 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 Here’s another edition of the Nation’s puzzle page. Try your hand at Sudoku or Str8ts or our Crossword, or bet ter 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. Puzzles PREVIOUS SOLUTION:Solution to Crossword: C L A P A B A S E H E A P H O U R R A N K S E L S E A U T O C R A T I C R E I N T R O C H E S P A C E M A N E A S E S P A T E T A P E S T R Y A T O N A L E L I D E R O A D S T E A A G E S R O U T E C A R P M A D B U R R O C H R I S S E A S O N E M P L O Y E E T H O N G S O A P T H E A T E R S I M P O R T A A R P R E C O N S I D E R P U R E U B O A T N O N O S L E D P E T T Y G R O T 972 8934953 344559 8 52873 671© 2022 Syndicated Puzzles51728 96398 34677356 5222864768© 2022 Syndicated Puzzles615274893 278193456 943586712 451638927 792451638 386927145 534769281 127845369 869312574 STR8TS No. 618 Easy 129845 24137586 32165 1354267 7623498 8945637 89543 57863214 457623 987 6512 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 see how ‘straights’ are formed. Previous solution - Medium SUDOKU To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column and 3x3 box contains every number Foruniquely.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.The solutions will be published here in the next issue.You can find more help, tips and hints at www.str8ts.com No. 618 Tough Previous solution - Medium

fareUnappetizing sign of the neck Kind of code sometimesNewspaper, "Get ___ it!" Pleased look Flower oil wailerLegendary Apropos Pay-stub figure nauticallySheltered, Usurer's offerings Course Arsenal stash Richly decorated "So long!" Bunch of bills Well-known Quaker product Tropical fever Not at sea Talent show Singer Coolidge Cheap ship Corn's core prop Sparkle accommodations Calvin Klein "On the double!" Harp-like Sister of Snow fragrance Husky burden instrument White Audience Internet browser Truth alternative Full vehicle demand Floor model "Prizzi's Honor" Between before Give a facelift to Oscar winner and after Neuter a horse DOWN "Get Shorty" Got 100 on Xbox enthusiast Uppity one novelist Leonard 52 Wetlands plant "___ here" Soft rock? Decrease 53 Minus Take over Like a slap Provide an 54 Revered one Motorcycle 4 ____ non grata address 55 Lavish affection add-on Make a bet 28 Gas additive (on) Vote in again 6 Rap sheet listing 30 Payback Happy as a ___ Go gaga over "Fantasy Island" 31 Demi or Dudley 58 Keyboard goof Dry-as-dust prop 32 On the wagon 61 Serling of Sci-fi Nothing but Qantas critter Mystery TV

Enjoy your autumn!

T T T

Rez Notes

going – my off-grid skills just might come in handy.Back in the day, a sharp axe was all you needed to get by, but sometimes, it’s easier to go the hardware section and buy an axe handle, rather than form it out of some scrap piece of wood or dry tree root. Dry tree roots are great if you want to fashion a hockey stick blade or a primi tive boomerang, but I prefer it for smoking fish or meat. With an axe you could build a simple shelter or a massive log cabin, depending on how much of a logger you are. At the hardware store, you would need massive credit skills to get enough material to build a shack.

The simple life seems to win, the less you have to work with, the more you can get done. I wonder if there’s a comparable parable, just to verify this last statement.

by Sonny Orr

www.nationnews.ca September 9, 2022 the Nation 25

As for berry picking, crouched down low to the ground for endless hours to pick the tiny blueberry from the top of the rocky hills to the grape-sized ones in low hanging bushes in certain areas makes for a nice day outdoors. Only when you get home and lie down on your comfort able king-sized bed do you realize that there are still muscles left to strain in your old body. That doesn’t include, of course, the blood lost to those voracious flies. It’s either that or poisoning yourself with DEET and potentially causing some abnormality in your genes. So be care ful, take care, don’t overdose on insect repellent.Asfor the traditional time to take off work, calendars are being ticked off as we get closer to that time of the year for

the less you have to work with, the more you can get done

ur home is oddly empty… the school bus came by and took those happy children to their first day of school. It’s sunny today and the clouds whisk by on a warm south wind, as if a tropical storm had passed and kept every thing green. Though September is upon us, the hint of fall seems distant.

As for this weekend, friendly festi vals carry out time-honoured traditions of fishing and berry picking. The fishing is a little laidback up North as common fishing spots are anywhere where there’s water. Compared to our southern brethren, who lit out to their secret spot with no concern for speed limits. A 200-aqua-horse-pow ered engine gets you cruising in seconds at 90 kilometres an hour, while up here, we resort to the four-wheeled version of the jet boat to get around.

The simple life seems to win

Yep, this quiet house does have its merit, the time to catch up with what’s happening in the world or just to get out and about. I guess the travel bug has bit ten me a bit too hard as I will be enroute for the next month, but after that, I get a break to go out on the land for a few weeks. I’ve been ignoring my camp and letting things slide, so I guess I’ll be busy when things aren’t flying or lumbering by, to harvest. Maybe I’ll stock up on firewood, just in case of some long-term emergency and the power goes off. At least I’ll have a warm stove to keep life

moose or goose. It’s that instinctive call of the wild that draws everyone out on the land, but for me it’s all about the result – country food on the table. I do enjoy the outdoors and that sort of lifestyle, but it seems that time is speeding by so quickly, that months and years slip by, before you get anything done.

sad news to hear that Uncle Alex had contracted the latest variant of this terrible virus. My father often remarked that among their brothers, Alex was the strongest. It was no wonder that Alex had outlived his younger sib lings including my father Marius and their brothers Gabriel and David as well as their older brothers George, Thomas and Leo. Thankfully we still have my aunt Celine Nakogee who is the last of Alex’s siblings.This pandemic also hit home for myself and my partner Mike. He has a lung con dition and recently we both picked up a virus which was likely Covid-19. He had trouble breathing and, in a panic, we headed to the emergency department late at night in Kirkland Lake. As soon as we arrived, the capable and kind staff made both of us feel safe and comforted. We spent the night in Emergency and in the morning, we met with Dr. McPherson. He was quick, thorough and very kind. He convinced Mike that it would be a good idea to stay in the hospital for a few days so that he could be stabilized and treated. We could not believe how support ive all staff members were during those

Wehavebeenpresent since1939.Allmembers ofthelargeDeshaies' familyarebyyourside todayandwillalsobe forthebetterdaysto Wehavebeenpresent since1939.Allmembers ofthelargeDeshaies' familyarebyyourside todayandwillalsobe forthebetterdaysto come.

ovid-19 is still a prominent part of our lives. As much as we would like to think that this pandemic is coming to an end, it is still a very dangerous peri od for many people.

This past month, I lost my uncle Elder Alex Kataquapit through complications from the Covid-19 virus. At 89, he was doing well for his age until he contracted the virus, which completely weakened him and sent him to hospital. Older peo ple and those with compromised health issues are most at risk with Covid-19 but many younger people are also having problems with what is known as long Covid.Uncle Alex was a great man. He was part of a generation of Elders who were the last to be born and raised on the land and to live our people’s traditional way of life. He spent his entire life on the banks of the Attawapiskat River where his par ents, James and Janie Kataquapit, were situated.Heand his wife Susan Kataquapit raised a strong and prominent family with many children – Margaret, Helen, Maurice, David, James, Evelyn, Bertha, Roseline and twins John and Janie. My cousins were older than me and I always saw them as siblings who watched out for all of us as we grew up. There was no greater excitement than to run around with my younger cousins on what we saw as the “Kataquapit homestead”.

days in the Kirkland and District Hospital (Blanche River Health). We learned that many frontline hospital workers were not compensated during the pandemic, and they are still not although another wave of Covid is here. All those lab specialists, cleaners, X-ray technicians, respirolo gists and other support staff have to deal with Covid patients during this pandemic and the government has not compensated them. We should be aware of this and hope these people get the support they deserve.Some

Say meegwetch for public health

UTNS

www.underthenorthernsky.com

26 the Nation September 9, 2022 www.nationnews.ca

Under the Northern Sky

Gabriel, his son George and finally Alex. They all had large families. Further down the way my father Marius and their broth er Thomas also raised their families.

by Xavier Kataquapit

Uncle Alex and Aunt Susan’s home was a central place for our entire family, and it always seemed like we ended up in their yard. It was a safe, exciting and fun place for all the children to mix and play games.Itwas

of the people I give thanks to that I met during Mike’s stay, include nurses Fiona, Michelle, Laura, Brianna, Lisa, Affie, Junior, Rachel, Patty, Andrea, Jacob and, of course, Dr. McPherson and Dr. Dozois.People like these healthcare workers are what make our public healthcare system great. We are hearing more about privatization of our public healthcare sys tem, and we need to push back on that strongly.Inour social democracy in Canada, we need to fully fund public healthcare and public education. We need to do our part for all our hospitals and healthcare teams and donate to any of the necessi ties they need. Our nurses and doctors are the ones who help people in crisis like my partner and me or families like my Uncle Alex and his children. In the face of privatization of our healthcare system, we need to do our part to help those who help us the most.

Our grandfather had originally settled in a home on a street in the middle of the village decades ago and from there, his son Leo built a home nearby, then his son

in Whapmagoostui in Chisasibi in Wemindji in Eastmain in Nemaska in Waskaganish in Waswanipi in Oujé-Bougoumou in Mistissini copy of your Nation every two weeks? Let’s cheer these amazing businesses listed below… Nation is available there! Chisasibi Coop | T: 819-855-2828 Retro Daze Café | T: 819-855-1847 BAKECREE | T : 819-855-6344 The Yummy Cook Out | T: 819-855-2241 Eastmain Grocery Store 819-977-0283 Whale Mart Waswanipi Grocery 819-753-2514 Meechum Reg’ T: 418-923-3217 Nemaska Grocery T: 819-673-2525 – Casey’s Depanneur and Gaz T: 418-745-3211 Hill Grocery 819-895-2727 Wemindji Community Store T: 819-978-3656 Always available for download at: nationnews.ca in Whapmagoostui in Chisasibi in Wemindji in Eastmain in Nemaska in Waskaganish in Waswanipi in Oujé-Bougoumou in Mistissini Where can you pick up a fresh copy of your Nation every two weeks? Let’s cheer these amazing businesses listed below… Nation is available there! Chisasibi Coop | T: 819-855-2828 Retro Daze Café | T: 819-855-1847 BAKECREE | T : 819-855-6344 The Yummy Cook Out | T: 819-855-2241 Eastmain Grocery Store T: 819-977-0283 Whale Mart – Waswanipi Grocery T: 819-753-2514 Meechum Reg’ T: 418-923-3217 Nemaska Grocery T: 819-673-2525 – Casey’s Depanneur and Gaz T: 418-745-3211 Smokey Hill Grocery T: 819-895-2727 Wemindji Community Store T: 819-978-3656 nationnews.ca in Whapmagoostui in Chisasibi in Wemindji in Eastmain in Nemaska in Waskaganish in Waswanipi in Oujé-Bougoumou in Mistissini Where can you pick up a fresh copy of your Nation every two weeks? Let’s cheer these amazing businesses listed below… Nation is available there! Chisasibi Coop | T: 819-855-2828 – Retro Daze Café | T: 819-855-1847 BAKECREE | T : 819-855-6344 – The Yummy Cook Out | T: 819-855-2241 Eastmain Grocery Store T: 819-977-0283 Whale Mart Waswanipi Grocery T: 819-753-2514 Meechum Reg’ T: 418-923-3217 Nemaska Grocery T: 819-673-2525 Casey’s Depanneur and Gaz T: 418-745-3211 Smokey Hill Grocery T: 819-895-2727 Wemindji Community Store T: 819-978-3656 Always available for download at: nationnews.ca

Your Northern Airline of Choice

For the latest Air Creebec updates, please visit aircreebec.ca/covid19

Air Creebec is operating by respecting and exceeding the rules with extensive cleaning and disinfecting of the aircraft, social distancing on board and at all service counters. We encourage everyone to respect the rules and to stay safe.