Issuu 33-01 by nationmag

Celebrating the amazing journey of the Eeyouch and Eenouch of Eeyou Istchee as well as 50 years of partnership since the signing of the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. Join us as we continue to shape the future together.

www.hydroquebec.com/indigenous-relations/indigenous-portal/

In the next issue of the Nation, we will be bringing you articles celebrating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement on November 11, 1975. Several of the Cree who were part of the process to create the first modern treaty have agreed to share their memories and thoughts.

I heard that Grand Chief Paul John Murdoch and other dignitaries will be marking the 50 years of the JBNQA in Chisasibi. I also heard that Mistissini will be holding its own celebration. Not surprising given that the first meeting to discuss the La Grande Project by all the Cree leaders was held in Mistissini on June 29,1971.

They talked about how Mistissini and Chisasibi traplines would be affected. As well moving Fort George from its beloved island to its present-day Chisasibi location. I think it was the first time they had gotten together on any issue as large as this one.

Celebrating 50 years

Given that new communities such as Ouje-Bougoumou and Nemaska were created from the JBNQA and the first Grand Chief Billy Diamond came from Waskaganish, the event should be a Cree Nation-wide celebration.

Every Cree community celebrate those who did the work that went into the JBNQA. It wasn’t just one community, but all of them together. Perhaps all the communities could agree on specific times to allow every Chief and past leader to livestream their local celebrations and share them with the other communities.

This way every Cree would have the chance to honour the JBNQA and what it means to the Cree people today. After all, every Cree is part of the JBNQA and receives the benefits and rights from this constitutionally protected agreement.

There have been subsequent agreements, but the JBNQA was the first; it determined what the Cree people have achieved and continue to achieve to this day.

In short, the past 50 years since the signing of the JBNQA should be celebrated and acknowledged by all the Cree, no matter which community they live in.

It determined what the Cree people have achieved and continue to achieve to this day

DIRECTOR OF FINANCES

Lyle

Kataquapit, P. Quinn, X. Gransden // 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 // ONLINE AT: www.nationnews.ca | facebook.com/NATIONnewsmagazine | Twitter: @creenation_news

the Nation is published every two weeks by Beesum Communications // EDITORIAL BOARD L. Stewart, W. Nicholls,

Siberok, Mr. N. Diamond, E. Webb // EDITOR IN CHIEF Will Nicholls //

Linda Ludwick // EDITORS

Stewart, Martin Siberok // STORY COORDINATOR Patrick Quinn // CONTRIBUTING WRITERS X.

A Different Direction

On September 18, the Cree Nation of Wemindji elected Frank Atsynia as Chief, overcoming former Chief Christina Gilpin with 56% of votes cast. Atsynia thanked his predecessor for her eight years of dedicated service and promised to stand firmly on the values that have always brought the community together – unity, inclusion and progress.

With a lifetime of leadership experience in the community’s business sector, social development and sports departments, this was Atsynia’s third time running for Chief. He served as Deputy Chief from 2013 to 2017. His election campaign was described as one of listening, ensuring that no one gets left behind.

"I felt it was time for a different direction," Atsynia told the Nation. "I worked in all types of fields and was able to get understanding of how all these departments work. Some things I encountered, I thought if I was in charge I’d do it differently."

With this transition, Atsynia is relinquishing his presidential roles at Tawich Construction, VCC General Contractor and Wemindji Paving. However, he plans to maintain his inclusive leadership style, creating a stronger sense of community ownership so everyone is empowered to play a role in its collective progress.

"I’ve allowed our staff to spread their wings and find their full potential," asserted Atsynia. "Anywhere I’ve worked, I’ve always felt I’m at the same level as anyone else, part of a team. You have to respect people to gain people’s respect."

Growing up on the land surrounded by caring grandparents and other Elders, Atsynia became known for playing and coaching minor hockey and other sports. Alluding to personal struggles that forced him to change his lifestyle, Atsynia said he made a choice to break the cycle of intergenerational impacts so his children wouldn’t be affected.

"All the things I did not like when I was brought up, I try to take away," he said. "Nobody can help you unless you help yourself first. Forgiveness is not for them – it’s for you to continue moving forward in your life."

Pledging to establish a youth advisory council, Atsynia insisted that young people need to be more involved in community planning. As perhaps Wemindji’s first youth chief, he worked to create its youth council. He wants to expand education and mentorship opportunities, along with initiatives like the recent 11-day youth experience trip to Alberta, funded by Apatisiiwin Skills Development.

During the unforgettable trip, youth experienced canoeing on Banff’s Lake Louise, guided museum and university tours, and the National Indigenous Cultural Expo in Edmonton. As the current leadership ends its mandate with Youth Chief Drayden Mistacheesick being elected to band council, youth elections were held October 28.

When Wemindji hosted the Cree Nation Youth Council’s annual general assembly in September, it included the first ever traditional inauguration

for Youth Grand Chief Jade Mukash and Deputy Darius Neacappo-Pelchat. Former Grand Chief Matthew Mukash and Danielle Mukash hosted a pipe ceremony and quilts symbolizing protection and responsibility were bestowed on the new leaders, who held the original CNYC feather while stating their commitment.

Atsynia plans to invest in cultural and mental wellness services that support Wemindji’s families, creating stable local jobs and improving housing availability. With ongoing rental inspections of rental units to plan necessary renovations, the community is hosting a housing symposium November 17-19.

"I worked in building houses and the price of materials has had about an 80% increase," said Atsynia. "I used to pay $2.95 for a 2x4 and now it’s $13.95. I think the Cree Nation can unite to control the supply chain. We have to work as a whole to control the costs."

With a new riverside hiking trail and growing infrastructure, Atsynia is committed to building the local economy while protecting the land and culture. He’s proud that the community’s own companies have been central to its growth, generating wealth and giving Wemindji members the opportunity to work and gain skills.

"At the end of the day, it’s making sure everyone has an opportunity to contribute to the growth," said Atsynia. "People probably haven’t heard of me because I’m very reserved and respectful. I like to share with everybody in accomplishments – that’s the key to success in life."

STributes to Chief Davey Bobbish

hortly after the signing of our Treaty –the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement – a number of Cree people made the life-altering decision to move to Vald’Or, which was the original and primary location of the Grand Council of the Crees in the late 1970s, in order to take on the huge challenges associated with the implementation of the Agreement, and taking the first steps in the building of the modern Cree Nation.

Among these early pioneers were Billy Diamond, Albert Diamond, Ted Moses, Philip Awashish, my own family, and many others. They made their move to Val-d’Or along with their families, and we all developed a small community of Cree families who were involved in the early days.

I first met Davey’s parents, Charles and Annie Bobbish at that time. Both Charles and Annie accepted the calling that spoke to many of us. Charles was engaged to head the department which addressed the questions surrounding the “Eligibility” section, Chapter 3, of the JBNQA. It was then that I first met Davey when he was still quite young.

It became apparent to me that Davey came from a good family where Cree values and the importance of education were always present. Most of Davey’s skills, aptitude and orientation came from his upbringing – an upbringing which emphasized our Cree values and stressed the importance of expressing our Cree values in a contemporary context.

To no one’s surprise, Davey became a leader at a young age after completing his studies, and he became a prominent youth and leader in his home community of Chisasibi. He developed the skills and training to become a talented financial administrator, and then eventually, and again to no one’s surprise, became Chief of Chisasibi.

When the search for an Executive Director of the Grand Council of the Crees/ Cree Nation Government became open, there was no doubt among those who were tasked with the responsibility of selecting a new Executive Director, that Davey was the most qualified candidate.

I remember, at the time, looking around at the young Cree Chiefs – people like Davey and my son Curtis, as well as others – and I realized then that the Cree Nation had a good future with such young people stepping forward to become the future leaders of our

Cree Nation. During my tenure as Grand Chief, I placed the highest importance on developing the capacity of our young people to carry our Cree Nation forward, and Davey was the proof of the wisdom of that priority.

What I saw in Davey at the time was not just the depth of professional skills and talents that he would bring to the position of Executive Director, but also – and perhaps most importantly – I saw those values that Davey was exposed to in his earliest years which came from his parents and which he grew up with. Those values came to be at the heart of his own family which he and his wife, Bella, brought to their children. Working as a team, Davey and Bella instilled in their children the values of discipline, the treasure of our Cree values, and the importance of education.

Everyone who knew him also knew that Davey carried his Cree values with him wherever he went, and he brought those values to every situation he was in. Who can ever forget the kindness, the gentleness, and the respect he brought to every professional encounter, to every personal encounter, and to every individual he met?

Meeting with Davey, even in the context of addressing very difficult problems and very challenging issues that needed to be discussed, was never acrimonious or heated. In the way that Davey carried himself, it was as if Davey was saying to us with a wisdom beyond his years: “Yes, we have difficult problems to resolve, but what is most important is that we maintain respect for one another, and that we treat each other kindly, and that we try to understand each other’s positions. That’s how we will get through this while ensuring that our relationships with each other remain intact and that is how we can keep working together for a better Cree Nation.”

The ability to bring our Cree values to our contemporary reality in the fields of governance, economic development, education, health and other areas, will be the lasting legacy that Davey has left to us all. Although we will all miss him terribly, we are all better people for having known him and worked with him.

May his memory continue to be a blessing and a source of comfort for his family, his community, his Nation, and for all that knew him.

The passing of my friend and colleague

Chief Davey Bobbish deeply saddened me. My condolences to Bella, his wife, his children and his grandchildren, who he was so proud of. And to the Chisasibi people and the Cree Nation as a whole. And to his friends and colleagues at the Cree Nation Government.

I’ve known him and seen his development from a young leader to a Cree Nation leader. He was a favourite son of Chisasibi and of the Cree Nation. He was a force in Chisasibi, a community of 5,000, dealing with and coming to terms with its, at times, challenging transformation from Fort George to Chisasibi. He was part of and a proud and inclusive leader of the Chisasibi generation.

I was honoured that he was my successor as the Executive Director of the Cree Nation Government, the highest civil service position in the Cree Nation. He held that office with pride and dignity. He will be greatly missed. May he rest in Peace.

A funeral for former Cree Construction (CCDC) president Robert Baribeau was held in Mistissini on October 18. The beloved son of Henri Baribeau and Maryann Rabbitskin passed away on October 6 at age 55.

Remembered for his generosity, humour and trips on his beloved Harley-Davidson motorcycle, Baribeau studied industrial mechanics before starting with Cree Construction in 2001 and rapidly rising its ranks. He became director general in 2005, then was named president seven years later.

As the first completely Cree-owned enterprise, Cree Construction has grown to become one of Quebec’s largest and most successful construction companies. Although the company had $20 million debt when Baribeau stepped into the position, it was erased in about five years and remained profitable until his departure in 2022.

Diagnosed with type-2 diabetes when he was 32 and weighing about 360 pounds, Baribeau appeared fit in his final years. In 2018, doctors amputated his right leg below the knee following a series of complications after his other foot had broken. He adapted to this sudden loss with characteristic good spirits.

“I guess I never see the dark side of things," Baribeau had told the Nation. "Maybe

I’m a little ignorant that way. I don’t panic. I just try to see how to solve the problem.”

He is survived by his spouse Nancy Voyageur; ex-wife Mary Petawabano; children Sonia, Nikki, Bruno, Henri-Jo, Siibii and MarieEve; brothers Andy, Eric and Gilbert; 22 grandchildren and his great-grandson.

"You told me to look at life’s gifts and focus on what it had to bless me with," daughter Siibii Petawabano shared. "Lifting my spirit with your wit and humour. You saved me –thank you for reminding me no one can take my power from me. No matter what happened, you will always be my best friend."

hybrid vehicle batteries, energy storage systems and other emerging technologies.

In the next two months, the company will submit its feasibility study and environmental and social impact assessment to the federal government for final authorizations before beginning extraction. CEO Ken Brinsden said the company has been consulting with community members every three months.

Potential environmental impacts include reduced air quality, loss of habitat and access to traditional activities, noise for fish and migratory birds, and damage to archaeological sites. The initial phase would involve open-pit mining and underground operations. About 20% of the jobs will be designated to Cree employees.

opening of the latest Downie Wenjack Fund legacy space.

The fund is intended to honour the memory and legacy of Chanie Wenjack, a 12-year-old who died of hunger and exposure after escaping the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School in Kenora in October 1966.

In his final years before passing in 2017, Downie worked closely with the Wenjack family to create the “Secret Path” project, which shared Wenjack's story through music, a graphic novel and a film. This year alone, over 9,500 Legacy Schools are engaging with “Secret Path” in classrooms throughout the country.

Community consultations about the Shaakichiuwaanaan lithium project were held in Chisasibi October 22-23 to discuss its impacts and opportunities. PMET Resources is proposing building a mine about 330 km east of Chisasibi and Wemindji, which it said would be the second largest globally if in production today.

Translated as "climbing hills together," Shaakichiuwaanaan would be the third lithium mine in Eeyou Istchee, following the Whabouchi Project east of Nemaska and the Moblan Project northwest of Mistissini. Lithium is a key component in electric and

“Whenever there's construction around a certain area where people go to hunt, there are impacts through practicing your culture," PMET liaison coordinator Edward Bearskin told the CBC. “There will also be a lot of civil works that will need to be done. I hope to see a lot of people getting their licences for heavy trucks."

The room in Amherstview's recreation centre, just west of Kingston, is equipped with books, paintings and information about Wenjack and his story. The fund has opened over 100 spaces across Canada, mostly in schools, libraries and hospitals.

"I think he knew that this was going to be important and was going to outlive him, so yeah, he would be very proud,” said Gord's brother Mike Downie. He said when Gord knew his time was short with brain cancer, he wanted to draw greater attention to reconciliation and residential school experiences.

Family members of the late Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie joined a gathering in Amherstview, Ontario on October 20 to celebrate the

Local Anishinaabe Elder Judi Montgomery told APTN News that the recreation centre was an ideal space for people to learn more about the issue "and we’re here to help open people’s eyes.”

Vic Linklater, a Cree musician from Moose Factory, who serves as an ambassador for the Downie Wenjack Fund and fronts a Tragically Hip cover band called The Poets, said Downie's commitment to Indigenous issues lives on.

If you are a Cree beneficiary, the Cree Nation Government (CNG) can help you to fill out the record suspension application and if you qualify for financial assistance, the CNG may pay the costs associated with the application.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL REINTEGRATION OFFICER ON HOW TO APPLY: Chisasibi: Eastmain: Mistissini: Nemaska: Ouje-bougoumou: Waskaganish: Waswanipi: Wemindji: Whapmagoostui: WE CAN HELP YOU!

For ALL WOMEN who are 50-74 years old

Wachiyeh Niichisaniskwem!

CLARABUS will be coming soon

to offer breast cancer screening in Waswanipi, Oujé-Bougoumou and Mistissini.

to offer breast cancer screening in Waswanipi, Oujé-Bougoumou and Mistissini. You will receive a letter from the Public Health Department.

You will receive a letter from the Public Health Department.

GETTING SCREENED FOR BREAST

For women aged 40-49 years old

If you have a biological family history of breast cancer, check with your doctor for more information about the best time to get screened.

CLARABUS 2025 Inland Tour Dates

MISTISSINI

WASWANIPI

OUJÉ-BOUGOUMOU

Tuesday November 11 to Wednesday November 19

Monday, November 24 to Thursday, November 27

Thursday November 20 to Saturday November 22

CMC: (418) 923-3376

Harriet Linton Ext. 42706 or Ext. 42701

PCCRs: (819) 753-2511

Rita Trapper Ext. 44030

Leonda Otter Ext. 44085

Georgia Dixon Ext. 44024

CMC (418) 745-2208

Kiona Simard Ext. 43001

CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Aviral video of a young man being brutally beaten by several minors in Waskaganish has drawn renewed attention to the rise of youth violence in Cree communities. While some are calling for a boycott of Waskaganish tournaments, others are denouncing the community’s growing reputation as an unsafe environment.

The brazen gang assault at the community’s Gathering Place has raised questions about appropriate legal and community responses, the responsibility of parents in their children’s behaviour and a perceived impression of impunity among perpetrators. A widely shared post from community member Nisa Hannah Mary Jolly criticized dismissals of the attack as "kids making mistakes."

"When violence like this happens publicly, it shakes people’s trust and sense of safety," Jolly told the Nation. "We’ve already lost some people to this kind of violence. Their families deserve closure and justice – we can’t pretend everything is fine. These incidents should be a wake-up call for everyone."

Noting that this wasn’t an isolated incident, Jolly mentioned two recent murders by minors and an adult attacked by teens who bragged that police and parents wouldn’t do anything. While acknowledging that many youth are lacking purpose and identity, she asserted that violent acts must face legal consequences under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).

"Justice systems, parents and leadership must work together to ensure consequences are

clear and consistent," said Jolly. "Change begins when we stop staying silent, when we start holding people accountable, and when we choose compassion over violence. Healing will not come from hiding our problems."

Reflecting on the recent surge of violence and vandalism, the Chisasibi band council issued a statement calling for a stand against normalizing destructive behaviour. Emphasizing the crucial guiding role of parents, mentors and regional entities, the community suggested that local events, mentorship programs and open dialogues can foster positive engagement.

"Let’s empower our youth to make choices that uplift rather than damage," stated the Chisasibi council. "Together, we can show them that their actions matter and that they have the power to contribute positively to our respective communities."

The Cree Justice Department operates a range of prevention programs in schools and communities, such as SNAP (Stop Now And Plan), which helps younger children deal with conflict, anger and anxiety. In collaboration with the Cree School Board and Child Development Institute, numerous classroom workshops reach nearly a thousand children annually.

"SNAP is a mentorship and intervention program," explained Waswanipi teacher Freddie Dixon. "The justice department provides different scenarios, teaching about body cues, communicating with respect and using Cree values to react in a healthy way."

Dixon said workshops provided by the local wellness department integrate cultural values as they teach traditional skills like crafts and cooking. He cited intergenerational trauma and social media as factors influencing youth violence, including a recent eight-on-one incident in Waswanipi.

The Eeyou Eenou Police Force (EEPF) has been alerting the public to arrests related to seizures of illegal narcotics,

alcohol and firearms through regular press releases. Community members can now report drug trafficking and other crimes anonymously in Cree with the introduction of a new Eeyou Intelligence hotline, 1-833-EI-DRUGS (1-833-3437847).

When EEPF director Shannon Nakogee saw footage of the Waskaganish attack, he couldn’t help reacting as any concerned parent. He said the police will be taking the time to identify all parties involved, looking into their roles in the violence and laying charges as necessary.

"It’s obviously disturbing," said Nakogee. "It’s nothing you’d want to see for anyone’s child. We see the frustration from people, wanting to know what’s being done about it. Investigators are taking action on it and people who need to be arrested will get arrested."

Nakogee was named EEPF director three years ago after starting his policing career on patrol in Waswanipi in 2008. Building a solid team around him, the organization released a strategic plan last year and recently established a drug task force. He said there will be far more announcements of drug seizures and arrests to come.

"We want to eliminate that from our territory," Nakogee asserted. "We’ve got to hit hard to discourage it. One of the main targets is organized crime that wants to send their products up to the Cree Nation – they can more than triple their money easily."

Communities are taking new steps to address these social issues. In addition to a youth curfew and limited availability to alcohol, Mistissini established a team of peace guards this summer to support community safety. Working night shifts alongside the EEPF, they discouraged problematic hangouts and reported crimes that police may have missed.

"Mistissini did a very good job in paving the way for other communities to follow," said Nakogee. "There’s more eyes on the field, so people don’t act silly.

Chisasibi is considering implementing a similar program but why not have the police lead it?"

There are discussions about funding a cadet program throughout Eeyou Istchee to discourage violence and increase visibility. With the EEPF facing continuous recruitment challenges, Nakogee suggested becoming a cadet could be an ideal "first taste" of policing for some.

While Sûreté du Québec officers helped overcome a major staffing shortfall when Nakogee became director, the EEPF is looking to update its recruitment programs to address remaining gaps. Finding that its demanding physical testing was discouraging many recruits, they now have the option of completing their field training alongside a special constable.

Police equipment has evolved with an officer safety package and body cameras aiming to mitigate conflicts during interventions. While the EEPF has been developing a social action plan in collaboration with various Cree entities, Nakogee admitted that frequent delays in the courts impacts public confidence in policing.

"When the court process doesn’t come to the satisfaction of the person involved, it reflects on us," said Nakogee. "We don’t want to be victimizing a victim twice if their file falls through because of time delays. It takes a very long time to regain someone’s trust again."

As First Nations across the country grapple with chronic underfunding and limited services, Eeyou Istchee has relatively enviable resources and innovative justice programs. While there has been much talk about growing social issues, Nakogee said there must be a shift towards introducing solutions.

"The Cree Nation has built so much infrastructure, but we forgot to build our people," Nakogee suggested. "We have a crisis in our territory, and we have to give as much as we can to prevent the trend of crimes."

Was your First Nations Child or Grandchild removed from your care?

You may be eligible for compensation. Help is a phone call away.

As part of the First Nations Child and Family Services and Jordan’s Principle Settlement, Caregiving Parents and Caregiving Grandparents of Removed Children are now able to submit a Claim for compensation. This includes the biological and adoptive parents, biological and adoptive grandparents and First Nations Stepparents of a First Nations Child who was removed from their home between April 1, 1991, and March 31, 2022, by Child Welfare Authorities.

You do not need to provide child welfare records or share your story to submit a Claim. And you do not have to work through the Claim Process alone. Free support is available.

Across the country, Claims Helpers are available to help at no cost. They are ready to support you in person, by phone or video call – in both English and French, and also in some Indigenous languages.

Most Claims Helpers are Indigenous and are connected to their communities. They are trained in cultural safety and can help you through your Claim at a pace that works for you.

From Agreement to Action

The Impact of the JBNQA on Health and Social Services

Honouring the people who laid the foundation of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB)...

April 1978 CBHSSJB First Board of Directors

• Edna Awashish - Mistissini

• Edith Ottereyes - Desmaraisville

• Elizabeth Iserhoff - Rupert House

...and those who carry the mandate forward today. Their commitment continues to ensure that every person in Eeyou Istchee receives care that upholds dignity, fosters healing, and supports our future.

• Gordon Mayappo - Eastmain

• Willie Matches - Paint Hills

• James Bobbish - Fort George

• John Masty - Poste-de-la-Baleine

• Caroline Jolly - Rupert House

• Réal Naud - Fort George

• Mary McKee - Fort George

• René Proulx - Fort George

• Diane Therrien - Fort George

• Robert Kanatewat - Fort George

• Hugo Georgekish - Fort George

- Christina Biron, Executive Director (i)

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the AENQ (CSQ) wishes to salute with respect and admiration the Cree Nation for its resilience, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to protecting its territory, culture, and rights.

Since the historic signing of the JBNQA in 1975, you have demonstrated remarkable strength and exemplary determination to make your voice heard, preserve your traditions, and build a future based on autonomy, justice, and mutual respect. This half-century is not only a legal and political milestone, but also an inspiring journey of courage and leadership.

Your contribution to Quebec and Canadian society is invaluable. It reminds us of the importance of listening, dialogue, and reconciliation. In this year of commemoration, we celebrate not only an agreement, but especially the women, men, elders, and youth who have proudly upheld and continue to uphold this vision.

Thank you for your example, your perseverance, and your wisdom. May the next 50 years be marked by even more recognition, prosperity, and collaboration.

Happy 50th anniversary!

P.S. Cree School Board, enough is enough. It’s time to sign.

À l’occasion du 50 e anniversaire de la Convention de la Baie James et du Nord québécois, l’AENQ (CSQ) tient à saluer avec respect et admiration la communauté crie pour sa résilience, sa sagesse et son engagement indéfectible envers la protection de son territoire, de sa culture et de ses droits.

Depuis la signature historique de la CBJNQ en 1975, vous avez démontré une force remarquable et une détermination exemplaire à faire entendre votre voix, à préserver vos traditions et à bâtir un avenir fondé sur l’autonomie, la justice et le respect mutuel. Ce demi-siècle témoigne non seulement d’un jalon juridique et politique, mais aussi d’un parcours inspirant de courage et de leadership.

Votre contribution à la société québécoise et canadienne est précieuse. Elle nous rappelle l’importance de l’écoute, du dialogue et de la réconciliation. En cette année de commémoration, nous célébrons non seulement un accord, mais surtout les femmes, les hommes, les aînés et les jeunes qui ont porté et continuent de porter cette vision avec fierté.

Merci pour votre exemple, votre persévérance et votre sagesse. Que les 50 prochaines années soient marquées par encore plus de reconnaissance, de prospérité et de collaboration.

Joyeux 50e anniversaire!

P.S. La Commission scolaire crie, assez c’est assez. C’est le temps de signer.

When myth &

mushroom align

There are two stories. One is Cree and was told to me by a close friend several winters ago in Waswanipi. The other comes from a mycology book I read at university. Both are about mushrooms. Together, they show how Cree culture and western science can sometimes overlap in ways that aren’t always obvious. They are stories that come from different worlds, but they both highlight the little-know wisdom mushrooms have to offer and share crucial knowledge into the secret relationships that hold our forests together.

Story 1

A long time ago, when Cree families still traveled to their traplines in the fall, a hunter got lost looking for bear dens. It was a common practice at the time; they would locate dens before the first snow and come back in the winter to kill the animal if ever they ran out of food.

When the sun went down, the hunter stopped to rest. He knew that if he kept moving, he would just get more lost, so he settled in a nook under a tree and started making a shelter for the night. It was getting cold, and the hunter realized he had no food and no way of staying warm. He started to get scared.

Suddenly, out of the ground, a mushroom appeared, and it was glowing like a nightlight. It started to move, so the hunter followed it. By the time the sun started to rise, he was where he’d started the day before.

The glowing mushroom had saved the hunter.

My friend said this story was told to him by his grandfather. He was very young, and his grandfather caught him crushing mushrooms with his foot. His grandfather told him the story so that in the future he would respect mushrooms; he wanted his grandson to know what they did for the forest. When he finished talking about the hunter, the grandfather offered a crucial lesson: mushrooms can share the light from the sun –with animals, with trees, even with hunters.

“Don’t disturb them,” his grandfather said. “Let them do their work.”

This information, my friend added, can also be found in the Cree word for mushroom. Piisimuhteu ( ) (piishumush ( ) in the northern dialect) is derived from piisim ( ) – the word for sun. According to him, Piisimuhteu might mean “that which distributes the light of the sun.”

The mushrooms we see cover the forest floor in the fall are only the fruiting bodies of larger organisms that live underground, made up of long filaments called hyphae. These hyphae make up a root-like system called mycelium that stays in the soil and absorbs water and nutrients for mushrooms to grow.

Every inch of forest floor is littered with mycelium. It might not always be easily visible, but it is everywhere, patiently waiting to gather enough energy to sprout a new mushroom.

But most of the mycelium doesn’t just float around in the soil. If you look closely, you’ll find it curling up on the roots of the trees that grow around it. This is because many mushrooms are symbiotic – both mushrooms and trees rely on each other to survive.

The mycelium wrapped around these roots forms what is called a mycorrhizal relationship. What it does is very simple: the tree gives the mushroom energy in the form of carbohydrates (sugar), and the mushroom, through its mycelium, provides the tree with water and nutrients, mostly phosphorus and nitrogen. The complex symbiosis between trees and mushrooms is still poorly understood by scientists, and has only been studied since the 1950s.

Now back to the beginning. What can we learn from these two stories?

Lesson 1

Mushrooms do more work for the forests than we think.

Even if you can’t see it with the naked eye, mushrooms are always “working” for themselves as well as for others. Especially in places like northern Quebec, where the soil is very poor, trees are particularly reliant on mushrooms. Indeed, mushrooms have the surprising ability to break down minerals, like sand and rock, and turn them into nutrients plants can absorb. Scientists even believe that lichen, which is a symbiotic relationship between algae and unicellular mushrooms, were the first living organisms to live on land because they didn’t need soil to grow.

Mushrooms carry wisdom.

Story 2 Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Mushrooms can come in handy in times of crisis.

If you include mycelium lodged underground, mushrooms can be massive. In the Strawberry Mountains of eastern Oregon, there is a mushroom colony spanning 3.5 square kilometres and weighing over 35,000 tons. It is said that this mushroom is 8,000 years old, meaning that it was around when the last mammoths were still roaming the earth.

While the Cree have turned to lichen as a starvation food, people elsewhere in the world have turned to mushrooms when food was scarce. For example, during the Irish Potato Famine (1845-1852), families relied on mushrooms as an alternative food source. In many countries during World War II, mushrooms were picked to supplement rations.

Although mushrooms don’t carry a lot of carbohydrates, some store up to 5g of protein for every 100g, which is only a little less than tofu. Also, mushrooms hold a lot of fibre and other important vitamins.

Mushrooms also hold many healing properties, such as the Cinder Conk fungus (Inonotus obliquus), aka chaga, which is used by many Indigenous cultures in North America, and is known by many as a popular alternative medicine. Indigenous peoples of northern Quebec also use the spores of puffballs as a way of stopping nosebleeds and healing wounds.

Lesson 4

Mushrooms carry light.

Tinder Bracket fungus (Fomes fomentarius) has been used all over the world, including Eeyou Istchee, to carry and to start fires when matches weren’t available.

Commonly found growing on birch trees, this mushroom, when dried, has the surprising ability of holding an ember for days without it going out. In the past, people would use it to carry fires from one location to another without having to start another fire, which could sometimes be very difficult.

Most people don’t see the value in mushrooms because they assume they are dangerous, or simply uninteresting. For many, they are either something to be avoided or, like for my friend before hearing his grandfather’s story, something to be squashed. However, with just a little information on how they grow, and a bit of knowledge on how to find the edible ones (which, I promise, isn’t very difficult, especially in boreal forests), they can become a source of amazement and wonder that changes the way we see nature.

COMMEMORATING 50 YEARS OF THE JAMES BAY AND NORTHERN QUEBEC AGREEMENT

Together, we honour the legacy that continues to unite communities and shape the shared future of Eeyou Istchee - James Bay

Happy 50th Anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement

The Cree Nation Government Department of Justice and Correctional Services wishes the People of Eeyou Istchee a happy 50th anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. This Agreement was signed in 1975 in response to a mega hydro-electric project announced by the government of Québec in the early 1970s that would lead to the damming of our rivers in Eeyou Istchee and that would change dramatically the landscape of our traditional territory. At the same time, this Agreement marked the beginning of a new treaty and Nation-to-Nation relationship with Canada and Québec.

The James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement is a living document for as long as we continue to breathe life into it. We have built transformative relationships that have led to developments and protections in our communities and lands. We have built our Cree governments and have secured resources to serve our People. Most importantly, we have preserved our language, culture and identity throughout the past ve decades. Today, we acknowledge those who have walked before us, and we recognize the strength they had. We celebrate our accomplishments as a Nation, and we look towards what the future will bring in this evolving relationship. We wish everyone a happy 50th anniversary!

“Enough is enough.” This is an expression used by the government in connection with an

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

In November 2024, almost a year after other Quebec teachers, the teachers of the Cree School Board represented by the AENQ-CSQ reached an agreement in principle to improve months after this agreement, it has still not been signed because stumbling blocks remain at the table in discussions with

En commémoration du 50e anniversaire de la signature de la Convention de la Baie-James et du Nord québécois, nous nous rappelons que l’autodétermination autochtone n’est pas seulement possible, elle s’épanouit lorsque nous travaillons ensemble, de nation à nation, dans un esprit de conﬁance, de courage et de respect mutuel.

As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the signing of the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement, we are reminded that Indigenous self-determination is not only possible, but it also thrives when we work together, nation to nation, with trust, courage, and mutual respect.

50 ANS D’UNE ENTENTE HISTORIQUE

Signataire de la Convention de la Baie-James et du Nord québécois, la SDBJ s’engage à poursuivre, avec ses partenaires, un développement fondé sur le respect, la collaboration et la durabilité. Ensemble, continuons à bâtir un Nord durable et prospère.

50 YEARS OF A HISTORIC AGREEMENT

As a signatory of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the SDBJ is committed to continuing, with its partners, a development based on respect, collaboration, and sustainability. Together, let’s keep building a sustainable and prosperous North.

Back in print

Cree poet Margaret Sam-Cromarty is excited that her writings will soon be reaching new readers through an upcoming 288-page compilation to be published by the University of Manitoba Press, titled James Bay Memoirs and Other Stories. An official book launch in Montreal is planned for April, followed by a summer launch in Chisasibi.

The project was initiated by editors Isabella Huberman and Élise CoutureGrondin, who have been collaborating since meeting in 2012 as grad students in Indigenous literature. Despite both studying the subject in Quebec for decades, it wasn’t until Couture-Grondin stumbled upon Sam-Cromarty's books during a family trip to Chisasibi two years ago that the seed was planted.

"I was really impressed by the writing," said Couture-Grondin. "I came back to Montreal and started to talk with Isabella about them. She has a powerful voice to speak to all the devastation that Hydro had in her territory – it’s still so relevant."

As Sam-Cromarty's three poetry books are currently out of print, it was initially difficult to access her writing or much information about her. Eventually they got in touch through her daughter Jane and arranged to meet the now 89-year-old writer in Val-d'Or, where she lives with her son Eddy Cromarty.

"In our early conversations, she told us she had been looking to get her books back in print," Huberman said. "Folks in Chisasibi and the Cultural Centre had been asking for copies. We happened to know the University of Manitoba Press

publishes texts by Indigenous authors specifically that are out of print."

Connecting her with Warren Cariou, the editor of the First Voices, First Texts series, they began working with SamCromarty to compile as much of her writing as possible. The first priority was including the entirety of her three books: James Bay Memoirs, A Cree Woman’s Ode to her Homeland; Indian Legends and Poems; and Cree Poems and Stories.

With an estimated 5,000 copies of these books in circulation, they found some of the earlier editions had been

rushed, with several typos and inaccurate translations in French. It was decided to keep the compilation fully in English, the language she wrote in, exchanging with Sam-Cromarty throughout the editing process to integrate her feedback.

"We wanted to ensure that her writing got the care and respect that it deserves," said Huberman. "Margaret’s work can have that wider audience and never go out of print again. I was drawn to the story about her family’s personal experience with the Hydro transforma-

tion. She’s incredibly funny in her writing – it’s hard not to be drawn in."

Born in 1936 on Fort George Island where there was no electricity or running water, Sam-Cromarty lived on the land most of her life. Learning to read at residential school, she told the Nation that she was the only person who would go to the little school library.

"Kids in those days didn’t care about books," said Sam-Cromarty. "Books were really hard to get – you had to sneak in. I was the only one that read. I didn’t have the luxury of pencils and paper for a long time, so I wrote on anything."

The community’s forced relocation to Chisasibi during the first phase of Hydro-Québec’s James Bay project in 1980 informed much of her writing, documenting community life and experiences on the land before and after the move. Sam-Cromarty started writing in her 50s when she was no longer taking care of her mother.

"When I write, I just imagine myself in the picture, and the poems make music and pictures as I go along," she once explained. "In my memory stands a Cree village of Fort George not flooded or abandoned, but full of happy Crees."

After sharing poems with some women working for the band council, a summer student connected SamCromarty with the late Georgia Elston from Waapoone Publishing in Lakefield, Ontario. Sam-Cromarty's books were published between 1992 and 2000 with her poem "Trees" selected in a nationwide search to appear in a book alongside other Indigenous poets.

"I thought I should do it for the next generation or whoever is interested in our culture," reflected Sam-Cromarty. "I found a lot of people are interested in our culture. That’s the most amazing part. It started in a remote place and yet it went far – I never thought it would come this far."

With growing attention, the Cree School Board occasionally hired SamCromarty to do presentations in other communities, and she learned to enjoy speaking to large crowds at various colleges and universities. The new book includes some of her speeches

from these US tours and some of the many articles she wrote in the Nation magazine during the 1990s.

"We found three articles online, but she kept saying I’ve published a lot in the Nation," Huberman recalled. "Last winter, I spent weeks in the Nation's office, combing through every issue to 2003 and she’s right. She does not mince words with governments, getting straight to the point but with flair and humour."

From over 35 articles and numerous interviews in the Nation, the compilation includes about 15 representative samples, alongside a new interview with Sam-Cromarty and a contextualizing essay by the editors. The cover artwork is by Eddy Cromarty, an accomplished painter and huge supporter of his mother’s writing. There are also several family photos and illustrations by her cousin Irene that appeared in the first book.

"There’s the hope this will be translated into French after," added CoutureGrondin. "All of this started with a desire for people to see her books in print. We hope people get inspired by her story to learn more about her people in Chisasibi and Fort George."

Sam-Cromarty's publishing income is appreciated as she never worked outside the home during her marriage so receives no pension. With her late husband William, she ran an eco-tourism business on Fort George Island for years until it got too hectic. Returning to the beloved island of her childhood memories this summer, Sam-Cromarty observed substantial erosion.

Gazing every morning at the Lifetime Achievement Award she received from the Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association in 2021, Sam-Cromarty marvels at how her simple books have crossed the world.

"All my old publishers died off, then these two girls came along and revived the books," said Sam-Cromarty, adding with a laugh, "I’m happy the Nation has thought about me again to fill pages."

The CMEB Aims to

Assist the Crees in accessing mineral exploration opportunities.

Facilitate the development of mineral exploration enterprises with Cree Entrepreneurship while respecting the Environment and Culture.

Help the Crees and Cree Enterprises to benefit from Quebec’s regular funding programs as well as other provincial assistance allocated to mineral exploration activities.

Act as the main intermediary between the Exploration companies and the Cree Leadership & Tallypersons in matters relating to mineral exploration.

50th Anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement

Celebrating our iiyiyiu chiskutimaachaawin

On November 11, 2025, the Cree School Board honors and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA)!

Section 16 of the JBNQA gave the people of iiyiyiu aschii the power to establish our own school board – creating the only Cree-controlled school board in Quebec and Canada, changing the educational ﬁeld forever.

For the past ﬁve decades, our iiyiyiu education system has allowed us to nurture and protect our language and culture, while also ensuring access to lifelong learning opportunities for our people.

As we mark this important anniversary, we celebrate the strength of our treaty, the vision of our leaders, and the opportunity we all share to continue building an education system that reﬂects who we are as iiyiyiu.

Celebrating 50 years of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement

On November 11, 1975, the historic signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) set the course for a future deﬁned by strength, pride, and self-determination.

This monumental agreement remains at the heart of COTA’s work. Sections 28.4 and 28.6 of the JBNQA called for the creation of our organization, recognizing the vital role Cree outﬁtters and tourism operators play in the cultural, environmental, and economic development of our Nation. Fifty years on, this mandate continues to guide all that we do.

The JBNQA ensured that we own our stories, our lands, and our opportunities—in the tourism industry and beyond. We celebrate this history and move forward knowing our future is ours to build.

Iwas outside under the bright warm fall sunlight when I felt the world turn dark on me and the earth shook beneath my feet. My sister called with the tragic news that we had lost our 31-year-old niece Myris Kataquapit. Myris, whom the family enjoyed simply calling Mie, was a bright light that touched many people in her extensive Kataquapit and Sutherland family of Attawapiskat. She is the daughter of my older brother Mario and Mie’s mother Margaret Sutherland.

Her passing was deeply felt by our family as she was a dedicated mother to her daughters Auria and Eleanor. She also is survived by the girls’ father Warren Louttit.

Mie was also the stepdaughter of Kelly Harris and the late Doug Medd. She will be missed by her siblings: Martha, Philip, Martina (Nathan), Tabitha, Wyatt, Hannah and Stuart as well as nieces and nephews, including Max, Anna, Ryland, Nikamoh, Gillian, Harrison, Evelyn, Atlas and Chloe.

Under the Northern Sky The day the earth shook

after that, my teenage years felt like a dark blur with few happy memories. Mario was several years older than me and he finished school and began working back home and started a family. There were several years after 1991 when the world didn’t feel right for us but in those dark times, Mario met Margaret and our world lit up as our family grew and expanded. Even out of school and in our community, Mario, who was busy raising his children, did his best to watch out for me and our younger brothers.

Our parents Marius and Susan and our large family felt our world brighten in 1993 when five grandchildren were

From the moment she could walk, Myris was a fun child who enjoyed being with her friends and this grand circle of cousins, relatives, aunts and uncles from both her father’s and her mother’s family. If Mie wasn’t running around in my parent’s household, she was having fun in an equally energetic home with her grandparents Louis and Martha Sutherland.

I can tell you it is not easy living in two worlds, but Mie did very well dealing with life in the bigger world and achieved educational success as well as employment in professional situations. She was a bright light in many lives. She still managed to follow her traditional and cultural