Resolution: Eeyou Istchee Sports and Recreation Association
WHEREAS the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government 48th/45th Annual General Assembly have received and reviewed a presentation from the Eeyou Istchee Sports and Recreation Association;
IT IS RESOLVED
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government 48th/45th Annual General Assembly hereby mandate the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government to work with the Eeyou Istchee Sports and Recreation Association and explore the options for the sources of funding for a possible Department to address the sports and recreation initiatives in Eeyou Istchee.
Proposed by: Chief Daisy House
Seconded by: Chief Michael Peata
Resolution: Promotion of Cree Business While Maintaining a Separation from Governance Responsibilities
WHEREAS the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government 48th/45th Annual General Assembly have discussed the need for the promotion and development of Cree private entrepreneurial expertise and capacity which is very important to keep distinct and separate from government or public service roles and responsibilities;
IT IS RESOLVED
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government 48th/45th Annual General Assembly mandate the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government to develop and implement policies for ensuring the promotion and development of Cree private entrepreneurial expertise and ensuring that elected officials, public servants refrain from placing themselves in conflicts of interest during their tenure with the Cree Nation Government or from using information acquired during the term for personal gain.
Proposed by: Denis Moses
Seconded by: Justice Coon Come
Resolution: Cree Harvesting Practices
WHEREAS there is considerable pressure on the land and wildlife resources of Eeyou Istchee from increased access to the territory, sports hunts, development and the growth of the population of Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee;
WHEREAS it is imperative that the Cree Nation develop and implement tools to ensure the preservation of healthy wildlife populations, such as;
IT IS RESOLVED
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government 48th/45th Annual General Assembly hereby requests that the Cree Trappers’ Association to lead Cree governments, organizations and entities in the acknowledgement and reaffirmation of Responsible Cree Harvesting Practices to be used in guaranteeing the maintenance of healthy wildlife populations throughout Eeyou Istchee.
Proposed by: Willie Iserhoff
Seconded by: Billy Natawapinsekum
Resolution: Whapmagoostui Access to Government Fuel Subsidy
WHEREAS the Gasoline Program through the Kativik Regional Government delivers meaningful support to subsistence harvesters by facilitating their access to hunting and fishing areas;
WHEREAS the harvesting activities are of crucial importance for Cree to continue practicing their way of life and generates an important source of food and contributes to preservation of our cultural identity. Traditional food is moreover recognized for its high nutritional value;
WHEREAS the high price of gasoline in the region is due, in part, to additional costs incurred for the transportation of fuel from the south to the community Whapmagoostui and, in part, to additional costs incurred for the financing of annual fuel stocks;
WHEREAS the annual fuel supply to Whapmagoostui must be carried out during the short summer months when marine shipping lanes are ice-free. Federal and provincial taxes are applied after transportation and financing costs have been added to the price paid for the gasoline by local distributers;
WHEREAS the impact on the community members of Whapmagoostui has been increasing substantially each year and this year, the price is the highest ever recorded;
WHEREAS a subsidy is available for isolated municipalities in Quebec from the Quebec Government including gas subsidy;
WHEREAS a subsidy of 30% of the gas price at the FCNQ co-op will serve to alleviate the fuel cost of continuing the way of life;
IT IS RESOLVED
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government 48th/45th Annual General Assembly hereby give fully support for the community of Whapmagoostui to access the same subsidy as their twin community of Kuujjjuaraapik and the rest of the Nunavik communities;
THAT the Director General be hereby given direction to do all things necessary to give effect to the foregoing.
Proposed by: Chief Petawabano
Seconded by: Diana Simard
Resolution: Ensuring Youth Have Access to Eeyou Istchee
WHEREAS the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government 48th/45th Annual General Assembly have discussed the desire and the need for the Youth of Eeyou Istchee to have access to and opportunities to learn and practice Cree traditional activities throughout Eeyou Istchee;
WHEREAS the wildlife resources and Eeyou Istchee itself are limited resources requiring that all governments and members of the Cree Nation do what they can for their preservation for generations to come;
IT IS RESOLVED
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government 48th/45th Annual General Assembly hereby request that the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government with the Cree Trappers’ Associations, the Cree Nation Youth Council’s and Elders’ Councils of Eeyou Istchee develop a strategy to enhance access and opportunities to learn and practice Cree traditional activities throughout Eeyou Istchee for the Youth of Eeyou Istchee in a manner respectful of Cree customs, safety requirements, our obligations to the land, the wildlife and one another.
Proposed by: Kaitlyn Hester Moses
Seconded by: Don Saganash
Resolution: Access to Private Housing Fund for Cree Entrepreneurs
WHEREAS the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government has established a Private Housing Fund and Private Housing Program with a view to addressing the housing crisis and shortage in Eeyou Istchee;
WHEREAS the access to private property or residential lots in Eeyou Istchee is governed by the Local Governments of Eeyou Istchee;
WHEREAS the Fund is currently only available to individual Cree community members and there are Cree Entrepreneurs of wholly-owned and locally-based Cree companies which could assist in fighting the housing shortage if they were allowed to access the Private Housing Fund;
IT IS RESOLVED
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government 48th/45th Annual General Assembly hereby request that the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government develop and implement amendments to the Cree Nation Private Housing Fund Program to allow Cree entrepreneurs that are Cree wholly-owned and locally-based to access the fund and help in addressing the housing shortage in Eeyou Istchee.
Proposed by: Lisa Petagumskum
Seconded by: Susan Esau
Resolution: Economic Security Program for Cree Hunters
WHEREAS the Economic Security Program for Cree Hunters (previously “Cree Hunters’ Income Security Program”) is a constitutionally guaranteed program under the James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement which has been instrumental in helping preserve the Cree way of life;
WHEREAS the program has not kept pace with the increases in cost of living, the increase in challenges of accessing the territory and practicing the Cree way of life and the increase in the number of communities entitled to and wanting to access the program;
IT IS RESOLVED
THAT the delegates of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government 48th/45th Annual General Assembly hereby request that the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/ Cree Nation Government to undertake formal negotiations with the Government of Quebec and the administration of the Economic Security Program for Cree Hunters to increase the availability of the program to members of the Cree Nation, increase benefits to ensure that beneficiaries can pursue the program with economic security and ensure that the rules and restrictions protect the dignity of all beneficiaries.
Proposed by: Chief Clarke Shecapio
Seconded by: Chief Petawabano