Under the theme “United in Purpose,” the Cree Annual General Assembly held in Ouje-Bougoumou August 26-28 hosted the inauguration ceremonies for newly elected Grand Chief Paul John Murdoch and Deputy Grand Chief Linden Spencer.
Community safety, overcrowded housing and economic empowerment were key issues addressed during the closing day’s resolutions.
Nemaska youth advocate Carol-Ann Tanoush delivered an impassioned message about increasing youth violence, declaring “a life lost is not an organizational failure but a community failure.” She said serious debate is needed about crime, rehabilitation and prevention methods.
“The crisis I have witnessed is lack of emotional regulation due to complex trauma from passed-down generational pain,” said Tanoush. “I urge you to create safe spaces within each other.”
The assembly resolved to develop youth transitional housing in each community, with the goal of building and servicing one each year. The CNG’s underutilized private home ownership program will also be expanded to include rent-to-own units.
Following up on August’s Business Summit, the AGA sought to ensure that investments and operations are benefiting local communities. A new economic prioritization agreement will grant exclusive tendering for CNG contracts to certified enterprises with a 10% to 30% premium. Procurement processes will be adapted to encourage more competitive tendering.
Another resolution would review existing agreements to ensure their proper implementation and that promised benefits are being delivered. With increased traffic on the Route du Nord and other roadways, leadership intends press Quebec for significant maintenance and upgrades.
Cree Trappers’ Association coordinator Thomas Stevens addressed overharvesting and the tallyman’s evolving role. The CTA is working to fund half of cabin insurance, train beaver trappers and adapt programs to reflect youth realities. It was resolved to review and amend the CTA economic security program.
Sol Awashish continued his tradition of organizing a walk in the days leading up to the AGA to emphasize Miyupimaatisiiun – the Cree way of life, health and well-being. A small group walked about 12 km each day “to strengthen our spirits, face our health challenges, and find healing through unity and healthy living.”
Following the passing of longtime MoCreebec Chief Allan Jolly in January, his son Abraham expressed deep gratitude to Cree Nation leadership for their love and support. He reaffirmed the community’s aspiration “to a future of self-determination, cultural strength, a community to call home and equality within the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee.”
Newly elected Cree Nation Youth Council Grand Chief Jade Mukash secured promises for additional resources and staffing, asserting that the organization’s leaders have other responsibilities but “feed others off of their own plates.”
Cree youth protection commissioners Lorraine Spencer and Bella M. Petawabano recommended public education to demystify intervention and encourage community involvement. They asked for more programs for child development, special needs and trauma.
Robert Kanatewat and Philip Awashish, two surviving signatories of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, received special recognition to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Awashish recently announced that he’s writing a book about Eeyou/Eenou history and its journey towards social justice over the past 50 years.
During the inauguration ceremony August 27, former Grand Chief Abel Bosum said he wanted to listen to their story to get a sense of how his parents and grandparents felt when first learning of the hydroelectric project that would transform their lives.
“At that time, we didn’t have the words to explain everything,” said Bosum. “It was a shock – many of us were still in tents. Sometimes we need to go back and hear the words of those people. All that work has been fruitful because we’ve seen our communities develop.”
Recalling the promise made to his late wife Sophie while in residential school to never raise their family in the poverty that Ouje-Bougoumou members lived at the time, Bosum paid tribute to the spouses behind the leaders. Describing his work in the Grand Council’s early days and Ouje-Bougoumou’s formation, Bosum said that Murdoch’s legal expertise represents the capacity building that was a priority during his time as Grand Chief.
“I knew when he got elected that that’s the type of leader we need,” Bosum said. “We can have great agreements and good-looking communities but if we don’t have the people we’ll always depend on people from the outside. This is the first time we have a leader that’s gone through the whole process who has made a decision to lead us.”
In a moving gesture, Bosum ended his speech by gifting his traditional moose-hide vest to Murdoch as the former colleagues shared a hug to a standing ovation. The new leaders and the Grand Chief’s spouse Gina Murdoch were presented with traditional clothing created by Harriet Petawabano, Emily Shecapio and Sylvia Blackned.
Spencer said the inauguration was one of his greatest honours and thanked the courage and sacrifice of past leaders and ancestors. He paid tribute to his partner Naomi, two children, father and his late mother.
“She is with me in the strength of a feather that reminds me to stand tall,” said Spencer. “She showed me true courage is often quiet, found in the sacrifices you make, the love you give, and the way you keep going even when times get hard.”
Murdoch began his speech by discussing the turbulent community consultations in 2002 over the Paix des Braves agreement. At the peak of tensions, present and future Grand Chiefs Ted Moses and Matthew Mukash, who profoundly disagreed about the course of negotiations, went outside for a cigarette break.
“All the lawyers and advisors were terrified,” Murdoch recalled. “They were smiling and laughing, talking about hunting stories out on the land. That was a beautiful lesson, that we can be at opposite sides of the table but there’s always respect and room for love. I’ve kept that lesson with me all my life.”