George M. Shecapio from Mistissini is a well-known figure throughout Eeyou Istchee. If you ever attend a hunters’ meeting or anything related to the use of the land, the role of tallymen or the future of Cree hunting, Shecapio will likely be in the crowd. You may also see him explaining the role of the Cree Hunters Economic Security Program at one of the public meetings in any of the 10 Cree communities.
At least, you could see him until now because Shecapio, at 68 years old, is retiring. After more than 34 years working for what was once the Cree Hunters and Trappers Income Security Program, now renamed the Cree Hunters Economic Security Program, he is returning to his roots – going back to the bush.
Shecapio knows the Program well. Indeed, when it first started in 1976, he was already in the bush. Starting in December 1975, he would go to the bush after Christmas, only to come out in the spring. At the time, he recalls, families left for a long time.
“There were three bush planes at that time in Mistissini, carrying families to the bush,” he recounted. “Most people would go from September all the way to June. A few family members would come out in December, usually only for a couple days to pick up supplies. Then they would head back and only come out in June, well after ice breakup and Goose Break. All traplines were occupied back then and some traplines had up to five families living there, sharing the land.”
When asked about how he got involved with the Income Security Program, Shecapio recalls vividly.
“I was already in the bush in 1975, and I remember enrolling on the Program in the summer of 1976. I also remember my first payment in the amount $1,440, a cheque given to me by the late Peter Shecapio, who was the Local Administrator for the Program at the time. I got to know Peter very well over the years, as it would be him who I would meet for interviews and to get my cheques.”
Shecapio continued in the bush until 1979. He then trained to become a carpenter, working as one for a short time. However, the lure of the bush was strong, and he went back in 1981. By 1982, he was back on the Income Security Program.
“I got back on the Program for five years, starting again in 1982 all the way to 1987,” he explained. “Then in 1987, I was asked to work as a General Manager for the Louis-Joliette outfitting operation on our family’s trapline, trapline M-35. Then one day, I ran into Peter Shecapio who told me he had been promoted to Program Assistant – Services, and that he would need someone to replace him as Local Administrator. Peter made it clear that I should apply for the job, insisting how I would enjoy working for the Cree hunters of Mistissini.
Shecapio said he debated long and hard about whether to take the job, but several people urged him to.
“One of my good friends, Matthew Coon-Come, told me, ‘I’m sure you can be of service to the people because of your skills.’ My father, the late Matthew Shecapio, also told me, ‘You know the needs of the trappers very well by now.’ So, I took my pen and wrote my resume on a piece of paper, as well as a cover letter. I sent it to Peter and I was hired!”
Shecapio was Local Administrator for the community of Mistissini for 15 years. Then, in 2009, he was promoted to Program Assistant – Services, after the retirement of the late Peter Shecapio. Now in 2025, George has worked for over 34 years for the hunters, an admirable feat in today’s world.
When asked what he will miss the most about his job, Shecapio responded with no hesitation.
“I will miss the people I work for, the hunters, and the people I work with, my colleagues,” he said. “I really enjoy meeting the hunters and trappers all over Eeyou Istchee, hearing their stories, listening to their concerns and trying to help them as best I can.”
As for the hard times, Shecapio replied candidly, “The job was always fun, but over the years, I lost several colleagues like Peter Shecapio, Jacob Gull and Allen Neacappo – aka ‘General’, with whom I had been working with a long time. During my time on the job, we also lost Jean-Baptiste Loon and Willie Longchap, who were not only Local Administrators in Mistissini, but friends as well.”
As for his retirement plans, Shecapio simply stated, “Go to the bush!”
Then he added, “I will keep helping my community when they need me, but I plan to spend as much time in the bush as possible. My main trapline is M-35, at the mouth of the Rupert River on Lake Mistassini, but I also have a camp near Mistissini, where I expect to spend time with family and friends when I am not deep in the bush.’’
Shecapio also has already been called for duty on various committees in Mistissini.
“Mistissini Chief Michael Petawabano asked me to join the CTA local committee, and I was asked to sit on the Elders’ council. I accepted without hesitation as I see this as an opportunity to keep helping Cree hunters and Elders out on the land.”
Helping hunters out on the land – definitely a life mission for George M. Shecapio.