A first meeting of the Regional Cree Men’s Association laid a foundation for “strengthening community bonds, supporting individual and collective growth and preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Cree people,” according to association President Brian Wadden.
With great sadness, we learn of the passing of Willie Robert Iserhoff. Born in 1955, Iserhoff was a dedicated husband and father, and a friend and leader to many in Eeyou Istchee.
Cree students made a big impression at the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair held in Gatineau March 19-21. Seven young scientists from the Cree School Board advanced from the regional fair in Mistissini a few weeks earlier to participate in the event.
Laughter rang out and tears flowed at the Waskaganish Wellness Society’s conference on suicide this past week. The event was attended by Eeyou, Innu, Anishinaabe, Mohawk, Oneida people from across Eastern Canada.
SIKU, the Indigenous Knowledge Social Network, has ice and geese trending again this spring as the annual goose watch competition takes flight for its fourth season on April 1. All Eeyou Istchee communities are eligible for the prizes available, including a $100 gift card for the first qualifying goose harvest post in each community.
The next generation of Cree leaders left the first Cree Nation Youth Council summit inspired to assume their future responsibilities. The event brought together most community youth councils along with numerous presenters to Quebec City February 25-27.
Abandoned former military sites of the Mid-Canada Line are finally getting cleaned up in Eeyou Istchee. The initial work planned for this summer will focus on smaller sites near Chisasibi and Whapmagoostui.
As a new study declares major changes are needed to protect biodiversity and wildlife in Quebec’s boreal forests, the Cree and other First Nations are increasingly resistant to forestry activities in the region.
The second cohort of the Eeyou Ituun (Cree knowledge) program graduated in Mistissini on January 29. The nine-month, 900-hour program was created by the Cree Trappers’ Association, the Niskamoon Corporation and the Cégep de St-Félicien to teach fundamentals of the Cree traditional lifestyle and living off the land.
Between the 1920s and the 1960s, residential schools in Canada would train Indigenous girls to become domestic servants. Marlene Etapp Dixon, 73, was one such student. In May 1965, a woman named Mrs. Richardson visited Dixon’s school, seeking a girl to work as a caregiver.
