The Cree Health Board launched a powerful book about the Cree experience in residential schools March 17 at the National Gallery of Canada, with a following event March 28 in Ouje-Bougoumou. The 316-page book is the first volume in an expected series of three or four.
In 2020, the Cree School Board embarked on a project to document stories, teachings and legends held by traditional knowledge keepers across the nine Cree communities. Finally, after delays brought about by the Covid pandemic, the CSB released 42 videotaped interviews in a series of events held across Eeyou Istchee.
Seven families in Ouje-Bougoumou are celebrating becoming the community’s first private homeowners. It was 30 years in the making, the culmination of the housing program’s vision developed when the community was established in the early 1990s.
Ottawa’s Algonquin College is expanding the role of its Mamidosewin Centre for Indigenous students. Mamidosewin Centre Manager Eric Johnston said the college is investing in the centre to make it akin to a “home room” for Indigenous students on campus.
On January 13, 2023, Peter William Hutchins passed away in Montreal.
When I was eight years old, I remember waking up before dawn at our bush camp. I can still hear the crackling sound from the wood burning stove. I rose slowly from my bed and thought to myself, why are we up so early? Then my grandfather said ‘Wins-chga’, which means wake up in Cree.
Three Cree advocates for the 2SLGBTQ community (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) have launched a new non-profit organization called Two Spirits of Eeyou Istchee.
The Cree Nation Government (CNG) and the Grand Council of the Crees said goodbye to their long-time executive director in December, as Bill Namagoose retired after nearly 35 years in the role. Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty announced that Davey Bobbish would step into the position in January.
The Hudson Bay Summit brought together community representatives, Indigenous organizations and other partners in Montreal November 29 to December 1 to build on the success of the inaugural summit in 2018. With workshops focused on coordinating solutions beyond jurisdictions, an expanded Cree presence highlighted emerging issues around James Bay.
Ouje-Bougoumou held its Annual Youth Recognition Awards November 25 to highlight the positive contributions young people make to the community.
