The Cree School Board proudly hosted the iinuu metawewinh Games in Mistissini from March 25 to 27, uniting over 600 youth with teachers and Elders from across Eeyou Istchee in a celebration of Cree knowledge, skills and identity.
Indigenous car racing couple Brianna Julien and Morgan Meaniss are making inroads on the drag race circuit in northern Ontario. Julien was a semi-finalist in the semi pro class in drag racing recently. She won her title in a 1986 Chevrolet Camaro as one of the top four drivers in semi pro class at the Team Northern Throttle (TNT) Kirkland Lake Drag Racing held July 12-14 at the Kirkland Lake airport. The event attracted its largest spectator turnout yet.
With a brotherhood stemming from their pre-novice days, the core group of the championship winning Mistissini MD U18 team had always wanted to come back together for one last hurrah in youth hockey.
Mistissini was hopping July 14-21 as the Eeyou Istchee Summer Games made a triumphant return for a fun-filled week of competition, culture and community. While the power of sports brought the Cree Nation together, participants were impressed that there was always something going on.
Anticipation is building for the Eeyou Istchee Summer Games, returning this year for the first time since 2011. Mistissini will host the EISG July 14-21, which will include competitive sports for youth aged 9 to 18, cultural activities and nightly entertainment.
Mistissini and the Cree Nation were in full celebration mode June 5 following news that Israel Mianscum had been signed to the Montreal Canadiens organization. He will begin his professional hockey career with the Laval Rocket, the Habs’ farm team in the American Hockey League.
Madison Maness, a 12-year-old from Aamjiwnaang First Nation in Sarnia, Ontario, recently had the honour of carrying the Toronto Maple Leafs’ flag before their first-round playoff game against the Boston Bruins.
Just four months ago, Ultimate Fighting Championship legend Georges St. Pierre was ringing in the New Year with the Cree Nation of Norway House in Manitoba. “Welcome to Norway House, champ!” said Denis Swanson as he filmed the mixed martial artist standing in front of an eight-by-four-foot hole cut out of a frozen lake.
It is hockey playoff season, and Israel Mianscum is proving that he is the real deal. In the 2021-2022 season, #24 from Mistissini was becoming a household name, as the sharpshooter totaled 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points. Last season, Mianscum established himself as a point-per-game player, reaching the 30-goal milestone for the first time while racking up a generous 31 assists in the process for a total of 61 points in 65 games.
The Waskaganish Wings were the hometown heroes, winning the Class A final in the 35th Annual Waskaganish Hockey and Broomball Tournament in late January.
