ᐧᐋᔅᑭᒫᔥᑖᐤ - the Cree Nation of Chisasibi

Transcription

ᐧᐋᔅᑭᒫᔥᑖᐤ
Chief Davey Bobbish
Have a safe, bountiful
goose hunt everyone!!
Per Issue 1$
Subscription 20$/year
MAY 2012
CHISASIBI, QUEBEC
WAA SKI M AA S HTA A U
Is published monthly by the Building
Healthy Communities Program at
the CNC Brighter Futures Dept,
located at the Mitchuap Center.
The Waaskimaashtaau is distributed
at the beginning of each month with
submissions deadline at the end of
every month.
The newsletter’s mission is to inform, teach and entertain community members on a variety of subjects.
Editor
Terry Gates
Contributing Writers
Margaret Sealhunter
Felicity Fanjoy
Janie Pachano
Terry Gates
Illustrations
Peter Pelchat
Photography
Terry Gates
Proofing
Annie Bearskin
Leigh-Ann Gates
Our mailing address:
Waaskimaashtaau Newsmagazine
Cree Nation of Chisasibi
P.O. Box 150
J0M 1E0
Telephone: (819) 855-2878 (ext. 343)
Fax: (819) 855– 2161
E-mail: Waaskimaashtaau@gmail.com
Subscriptions
Local, Regional, National - $20/Year
Payable to Cree Nation of Chisasibi
CONTENTS
Chief Davey Bobbish 4-7
Know your Roots 11-14
Harriet’s Story 9-10
Mini Galas 16-17
Margaret 18
Career Fair 20
Honour Our Chiefs 21
CREE Minor Tourn 24-25
Regional Public Speaking 26-28
CSB Art Exhibit 29
Saved by a Birthday
My son Hayden Crowe’s 9th birthday was April 6. I had asked the week
before what he would like to do for his birthday. With the help of his 2 older brothers, they all suggested and agreed on Montreal. We set out on our journey after
work on April 3rd.
We started our 1st night there with a “Nero” concert! Our 2nd day was
swimming and movie after movie. Our 3rd day (April 6, his birthday), we went to
the Biodome, the supper of his choice (Pizza Pizza! as any 9 year old would probably choose). After our long day we went back to our hotel. It was the hotel of his
choice, mainly because of the pool.
Around 9:15 pm my two boys’ long awaited day of the desire to swim, finally jumped in. I told them they had 45 minutes left to swim since the pool was
supposed to close at 10. Approaching 9:45 pm 2 elderly women in their late 50’s
maybe early 60’s arrived and a few minutes before 10, a petite Chinese couple
joined the pool. I figured well, I’ll let the boys be happy to swim even longer while
I play and test out my other son’s tablet. That auto correct can be pretty outrageously funny. For those who are in my Facebook you can read it again if you like hahaha. During my laughter and reading all the misspelled corrections I would look up
now and then to check my boys, so full of energy. The elderly women were finishing up and collecting their belongings.
After about 30 minutes of swimming, the little Chinese couple who were
probably in their late 20’s seemed to be really tuckered out. I didn’t know this until
afterwards. This is the moment that my children will never forget for the rest of
their lives! For a few seconds I thought …oh, the couple are just bobbing in and out
of the water, relaxing and enjoying their time as a couple while I was busy chuckling about what was being wrongly written but funnily said in the postings… amidst
of what was really happening! The 2 elderly women were standing about 5 ft. away
from the couple in the deep end; my sons were laughing and playing in the shallow
end 7 ft. away from me and the next thing I hear is “SOMEONE HELP HIM!” I
looked at the woman hanging on to the side of the pool, then the elderly women,
then my boys and jumped up from my chair as quick as I could! I kicked off my
shoes and dove in clothes and all.
The guy was under.
By the time I reached him it seemed as though he had nearly given up. I
grabbed his arm and he frantically started trying to grab mine. This was good, but
he slipped. I grabbed his arm and accidently pinched the back of his arm trying to
pull him up (I still feel bad for hurting him) and this gave him the big shock of
YES, this person is going to help me live! Once I fully grabbed his arm again completely I was able to swim and pull him to the edge where he finally grabbed and
hung onto the edge. Once I knew he was secure, I swam back over to my kids in the
shallow area. The elderly woman was so thankful and brought me a towel as she
explained there was no way her or her acquaintance could rescue someone. I could
tell she wanted a hug but she just handed me the towel and thanked me once more
before she left.
By the time I got out of the shallow end the Chinese couple were embracing
each other side by side on the tanning chair. I can’t imagine how they were feeling ... let alone what they were thinking.
But the words that I will never forget hearing from my two sons are - with a huge
smile, “Mom, you’re such a hero!” and followed by my 9 year old birthday boy
who said so enthusiastically “yeah it was so cool, I saw everything!”
Happy Birthday Hayden. I love you!
So through all of this, I really feel God kept us at the pool longer that night.
Thank you Lord for your blessings in disguise!
Victoria Crowe
2 Waaskimaashtaau
Letters ...
Life in Fort George
This life we live in today -it’s
very easy. We have lights that which
we just switch on. In Fort George the
life was so different. People used to
have wood for fire and water to drink
and washing too. When we needed hot
water we would heat it on a stove. We
had to use a lot of wood. The women
used to get the wood. They used to
paddle up the river to get the wood and
boughs too. Every day the women
were always busy and nearly every day
they did the laundry washing clothes.
Sometime they would wash their children in a tub. They washed clothes for
the people too and their family. I’ve
seen their fingers bleed but they didn’t
seem to mind at all. I was always told
not to eat when I’m washing clothes
because it will only make you lazy.
The men were always busy too,
making oars for someone or for themselves. They used these oars
when they go inland. They
always had something to do.
When they go inland they
had to carry the canoe on
their heads. It must have
been very hard for them
when it was hot. So we used
to carry everything we have
to the other side of the land.
There were no
phones back then. We had to
go see this person when we
wanted to talk to them. Some people
lived in tepees and some had tents.
Sometimes that person was given
something to eat. That was the only
way we could talk to each other - by
going to their place.
And now we have phones. We
don’t have to go see this person we
want to talk to. We just dial the number and we talk. And that is how it was
in the old Fort George.
Then there were the south people; that’s what they were called. They
were good hunters in the spring. They
killed so many geese and they had to
dry everything they killed. They didn’t
come to Fort George until the end of
June. They had fish to dry and they
cooked these over the fire. So when
they got to Fort George they had so
much dried goose meat to give and
dried goose skins and some geese. It
was very good. There was this feast in
which everyone was invited. The South
people were having this feast. They
had these goose skins to eat for everyone. The feast was called “South
feast”. They would come to our place
and they would bring food which they
shared. We had something to give
them.
The coastal people came to Fort
George in the middle of June. They always had dried fish which they gave to
the people who went to see them. We
used to go and see them and take bannock and give it to them. There were
still very happy. They would come to
Fort George in their canoes and when
the wind was just right they would put
up their sails. We stayed with them for
awhile. They would pitch up their tents
and they used no boughs; they only
spread canvas where they were living
and sleeping and they would put their
stoves up too.
The Inlanders came at the end
of May and at the beginning of June. It
was easy for them when travelling by
the river when the water was not too
high. You couldn’t go down the river
when the water was too high. They
had to portage and they had to carry
everything they had. This was their
way of life, they were always busy.
In the early 60’s there was no
electricity for Cree people. Only the
white people had the power. And the
schools; the hospital had power too.
The only way we could light our homes
was by using coal oil lamps and candles.
We were still living in tepees and tents.
I don’t remember when the
black plane came into Fort George. I
mean the first time it ever came. I
guess it was in the early 50’s or earlier
than that. These planes were called
Austin Airways.
Then the helicopter came into
Fort George. It was around early 1960
when it came. I heard that some people fainted when they saw the helicopter. I guess they didn’t know what to
think about it. It was a strange object.
It landed near the Hudson Bay store.
Then there was this family allowance. People were given some food
for their children. You had to write everything you bought. You had to buy tomatoes and klik too and some other
stuff. They didn’t give cheques
that time. So it was the life of
Fort George. It wasn’t easy at
all. It was very hard for everyone, but everybody was always happy all the time.
Share what you have and
give ....
With all my love and in good
health
Beulah Pachano Stewart.
3
Chisasibi’s New Chief Sworn In ...
Davey Bobbish who won by a landslide, was duly sworn
in on Monday April 2nd . It was a sort of laid back affair with
little pomp and pageantry. It started off (after a lengthy delay
waiting for everyone to show) with a very delicious roast
beef supper served by ENCS students and cooked-up by Chef
Stella Spencer.
After supper former Chief Abraham Rupert was honoured and given a beautifully carved moose antler (carved by
Julian Snowboy) showing the CNC logo and the words Cree
Nation of Chisasibi. Abraham also received a picture-collage
of
when
our leaders” and not really believing it.
“Now I see we are welcoming a Chief the same age as
my children.”
In his talk Abraham advised “... let’s listen to each other
and talk to each other ...”
Abraham said that when he congratulated Davey, he
passed on a message that his mother had given him when he
was first elected “God gave you this job; always put the people first and trust in God.”
After Abraham spoke, Davey was sworn in by Commissioner of Oaths, Dolores Washipabano. Davey then thanked
the people and God for this day. He added that he would always listen to the adults and youth to make our community
he received a headdress at his inauguration in September
of 2010 (October 2010 issue of the Waaskimaashtaau). After
the giving of the gifts, Abraham addressed the gathering ….
Abraham remembered back to when Chief John Napash
(1947-1967) spoke to the youth saying “You are going to be
A few days after the swearing-in I
sat down with Chief Davey Bobbish to
talk about Chisasibi’s past, present and
future.
Waask: A year and a half ago you ran
for chief which resulted in a run-off with
Abraham Rupert. You lost out in a close
election. A few months after that you
took a job as Deputy Director of Operations with the CRA in Nemaska. Why
did you leave Chisasibi to work with the
CRA?
Davey: Well ... there were changes
that I really didn’t like. Right away
there was division in the council. ... all
the negative stuff that came with the
new council.
Everything was being questioned
4 Waaskimaashtaau
of what was happening, even though it
was done, well, what I thought was
done right. I felt a little change in the
atmosphere, and feeling that what you
did in the last 7-9 years was being questioned. Maybe it was done wrong ...
there was so much negativity.
It gave me stress. I had to rethink.
What am going to do. Should I stay here
and suffer this. I’m going to take some
time off and think.
I ran because I wanted to do
things ... what I thought would be beneficial. I didn’t get in. I didn’t feel any
regrets.
I’d like to work with the govt.
(Cree) ... the CRA. It was a growing organization because of the new agreements and the obligations that we assumed. I wanted to be part of that.
While I was on leave (Davey had
taken a leave in the spring of 2011 with
the intention of returning), I saw an
opening at the CRA (Deputy Director
General of Operations). I applied. I got
hired. I have an opportunity to work for
Crees again ... to contribute to the Cree
Nation.
So I started working for the CRA as
Deputy Director General ... working
alongside the Director General.
Waask: Not too long before nominations were called, I asked you if you
were going to ‘run’. You said “NO!”
What changed your mind?
Davey: My job was new and I realized
it. I realized it and I didn’t want to seem
unfair to my new employer. And that’s
Chief Davey Bobbish
how I felt at that time; because when I
started working for the CRA ... I would
commit myself for another year. That’s
the promise that I made to the CRA. I
don’t want to be known as a ‘jobhopper’
So ... one night knowing ... even
my dad said “I don’t think you should ...
just yet. Maybe next time, because
there’s so much going on in town; all
that stuff that’s happening ...
And I thought to myself one night.
I want to make it right. I think I can
make a difference.
A lot of people, the day Abraham
(Rupert) announced his resignation,
called me ...
Then I finally decided. I’m going to
try. I will try. Last time I did pretty good.
I wasn’t disappointed last time. I’m going to try to make a difference ... try to
turn it around.
I didn’t feel anything at all to deter
me from running.
Waask: What were your expectations
about the election?
Davey: I didn’t expect it to be a oneshot thing ... that I would get it right
away. I expected a challenge ... where
there would be a run-off again. I didn’t
know who. When I got in there , it felt
so good. I was never worried that I
wouldn’t make it.
170 (Roderick Pachano). You have
more votes than the rest combined ...”
I felt so good, excited. My wife was so
happy ... my children. I was relieved
there was no run-off.
Waask: It’s a known fact that council
members are fractious ... split ... do not
see eye to eye on issues; in fact one
council member was very outspoken
about your actions as Director of Operations a couple of years ago. What
steps will you take to get all council
members working together?
Davey: My thing that I want to do ...
make them understand that we’re here
for the community, not for our own
personal benefit. We shouldn’t be
bringing our own agenda to the table ...
We should look at the people ,
the future of our community; what we
need to do ... what we need to provide
and how they need to set an example
for our kids ... not to treat each other
in a way that’s very bad ... detrimental.
I started doing that at my first
meeting. This is what I want. I need you
guys to help me with this. This is something that we should look at. There’s
nobody perfect here ... we all did
something in the past that we cannot
Waask: What was your feeling by the
end of the meeting?
Davey: It was pretty good ... pretty
good. We had supper; we brought in
lunch and supper for our first meeting.
It was pretty good. I felt the eagerness.
People work hard at the council. And
this is what I wanted to bring. That
we’re here for a purpose. We need to
do something; make them involved in
the decision making .... even at the operational level.
My first recommendation was to
change the Executive and not involve
the managers ... and have the Council
involved in the Executive.
Waask: Will you be “shaking up ...
changing your Cabinet” (who has what
portfolio)?
Davey: This is something we’ve started
looking into. Like I said - what’s going to
happen in the future with the Plan Nord
and there’s going to be energy projects ... I need councillors to be more
involved. I want their opinion on everything that we do
Waask: Where were you and when did
you hear that you had won the election?
Davey: I was in Val d’Or waiting for the
birth of my Grandson, in the room with
my family .... with my son’s girlfriend.
We were there 12:30 ... 1:00 o’clock ...
got the call. Brian (Brian Wadden - Returning officer) had left a message on
my old phone which I had given to my
daughter ... I returned the call ...
Brian: “Davey, congratulations.”
“There’s no run-off?”
“You had 602 votes. The closest was
I wanted them to participate in
every discussion that we had. (I) even
asked them “What’s your opinion? Are
you ok with this?” ... instead of just
siting back and not saying ... and talking
about it behind the Band Council’s
back. I wanted them to get involved in
any decisions.
change ....(we) need to accept and
move on and work for the people.
At the first council meeting, all
the councillors were there. It was a sign
of change ...
The first thing we did ... when I
said I want council to be involved was
to change the Executive, because we
have only four in that. I wanted to increase the number - to have council
members involved in the Executive positions, not just members of the management.
What happened before - DO
(Director of Operations), Treasurer and
Corporate Secretary (and Chief). These
were the decision makers of the
5
organization. If there was any contestation or anything ... the DO and Treasurer was involved in making (vital) decisions. But this is something I want to
change
... like have more councillors form
the construction committee. You remember there were always issues
about construction. So I said let’s form
a construction committee .... where
councillors can be involved in decisions.
Waask: A complaint that has been
made is that councillors have too many
portfolios ... 3 to 4 ...
Davey: The first thing I did .... is there
any conflict of interest ... especially
when I did the construction committee.
Who has a construction company. I
want them to declare their conflict ... so
they can’t be part of it. And three or
four had to declare themselves in conflict.
This is how I’m going to work. I’m
going to bring everybody to the table
and get their comments, opinions. I
don’t want them (councillors) leaving
the room and start bad-mouthing ...
councillors bad-mouthing each other.
Waask: At the inauguration you didn’t
have any drummers/singers or the
headdress ...
that. I was happy for him.
Waask: As chief of the Cree Nation of
Chisasibi, what are your top priorities ...
issues that you would like to influence
as quickly as possible?
Davey: One of the things I want to take
control of is what’s happening to our
development ... our lands. You know
that there’s mining now. Things that we
should have control over. Things that
we should have a say ... even Hydro
Quebec and all that. There’s going to be
energy projects. They’re talking about
LG 4 now ... upgrading LG 4. It’s going
to change the JBNQA. So this is something I want to change; where our people can benefit long term; not just compensation packages. Something that
can sustain us for a long time.
I want to pursue that ... always in
the context where our trappers or whoever the users of the land - tallyman
have a say. They’re the ones that
should prioritize if there’s any development. They should have a say. Like
Nemaska, Mistissini, Wemindji ...
Well this is something that is coming for everybody. I want to take that
and have a control and first benefit our
people - if there’s any work, construction-wise, training-wise ... employment ... things that will sustain us for a
did there was to form a friendship
agreement so we can start discussing a
potential partnership. What we
signed ... there was a MOU
(Memorandum of Understanding) to
say that ok, we’re friends now. Now we
can start talking about business. There’s
no legal binding anything ... What I
want to do from my perspective is determine our own plans; what it means.
What should we prioritize. Should we
prioritize with energy, mining, hydro
energy or whatever ... for our community needs and then from there we decide
who to partner with .... and we choose
our own partner instead of somebody
come knocking on our door -“I can be
your number one partner. I know everything.”
But for me I want to take the
lead ... be a leader. Nobody’s going to
force us to partner with anybody.
Waask: Is there more that you would
like to say to the people of Chisasibi?
I just want to say to the people “Get ready; get ready for things to happen; things that will benefit the community like especially in the education part.
Training for our community. We
need to train our young children. We
need to educate our people so they can
have the skills to take over.
Davey: It’s not that I didn’t want that.
It’s just .... it’s not something for me.
We all have our ways of ... I thought of
my dad. I don’t know if he got inaugurated but he never wore a headdress or
anything. I thought about my grandparents and all the chiefs before us. They
never had that. So some people ...”Are
you going to have that. “No” I said. “I’ll Chief Davey Bobbish & Deputy Chief Daisy House-Lameboy talking with the Sec 4/5 with a
clear message “there is no limit to what you can accomplish - if you have the education ...
respectively decline”
I don’t have anything against it. I’m
What I’m trying to ... to get set for
long period ... not just construction.
never going to say that my religion ... a
employment,
training , for community
Waask:
I
heard
that
you
signed
a
MOU
personal choice that we all have and we
development.
all have that right. I didn’t have an issue with Goudian United Power Tech ...
My message to my people is to
with Abraham (Rupert) when he got
make
themselves ready for things to
Davey: Goudian is a company that
come
... to set a foundation and all that
manufactures wind turbines. What we
6 Waaskimaashtaau
for our future generation.”
Davey Bobbish’s Foot Steps ….
Davey, born in ‘74, started school on the island, continued his schooling (French) in Chisasibi until Secondary 5
when he moved to Amos to play for the Amos Comets in
Midget AA. He graduated from Sec 5 in Amos. At the time he
was into music and thought seriously about music school.
(Music is still a part of Davey’s life. “I have music in my life as
a stress reliever. I still play my guitar and some piano to relax. If I hear a song I like, I try to learn it and play it and try to
come up with my own rendition. Basically, music keeps me
sane.”)
Instead though he registered at a CEGEP in Rouyn for
Business Administration. It was in the 2nd year (after a successful 1st year) that Davey was ‘distracted’ and didn’t pass
courses and dropped out. That winter and spring he went
out with his grandfather to their camp, not coming back until
June.
The following summer Davey worked at LA 1 in accounting and that fall went back to school (Montreal this
time) and graduated with a diploma in Finance. It was also
during this time that Davey married Bella Sam (‘94)
Davey started university but with three very young children, it was just too much for Bella, and they didn’t return
for the spring semester (Davey wasn’t much help in that he
was focused on his studies).
Davey worked for Chee Bee Construction for the next
four years starting off under the tutelage of Emile Lacoeur
before being promoted to Chief Accountant.
In ‘98 Davey was elected to Council. (Violet Pachanos -
Chief) and again in 2001 (Abraham Rupert - Chief)
In 2002 Davey took over as Director of Finance from Albert Rondeau Jr and resigned as a Councillor. Davey was also
given the position of Treasurer for the CNC - to sit at council
meetings to be part of decisions involving finances,
After Clarence Snowboy resigned as Director of Operations
(DO), Davey applied for the job and got it. Soon after Davey
stepped down as Director of Finance and Jean Alary took
over. Davey remained as DO until his leave of absence in
2011.
Davey:
“One of the things they don’t teach you at school. The
community, the people … how they react to things and what
you have to look after. What you have to consider … to take
into account whenever you want to make a decision.
It’s easy to say ‘No’ if you just look at numbers. But it’s
something you have to balance. This is what I learned out of
school, that they never taught – how some people would react if you say ‘No’ to that …
I learned a lot from the people, the Elders, at General
Meetings. How sometimes it is necessary to make decisions
… to make that decision so that it benefits the community in
the long run even though if you … people don’t agree.
I’m going to try to do what is right and if I know that
people will not be happy … but if it’s going to help them in the
long run … then it’s a decision that has to be made.”
Election Results
Minor Sports Comm(2 vacancies) - Mar 30
Doreen Fireman, Bonnie Fireman – by acclamation
Housing Committee (1 vacancy) – April 4
Pauline K Matthew – 112;
Edward Nine O’Clock – 52
Chisasibi Sports & Recreation Assoc. Committee (10 elected, 2 will be appointed) – April 11
Adrian Chiskamish – 132; Joanne Pash – 148;
Donna Rupert – 110; Ronnie Rupert - 143
George Neacappo – 103; Ronnie Sealhunter – 149;
Gilbert House – 105; Steven Matthew - 122
Hank House - 135; Mabel C Napash – 99; Heather
House – 89; Virginia Salt – 128
Youth Council (13 elected which includes the
Youth Chief) – April 12
Catherine Wash - 111; Adonis R Bullfrog – 64;
April Moar – 89; Joanne Sam – 64; Angela Gates –
78; Edward Pachano – 63; Bessie J House – 73;
Tommy Sam - 63; Ronnie Rupert – 71; Randall
Wash – 62; Rachel Martinhunter – 65; Celina
Chakapash - 59; Jerry House – 58
(36 youth were nominated and accepted). Three members have been nominated for the position of Youth
Chief – Catherine Wash, Ronnie Rupert and Tommy
Sam. An election will be held after the goose hunt.
7
Elementary Multi-Cultural Day
For the past few years, students at the JBES
‘celebrated’ other world cultures. The event was dropped at
the secondary level but has continued with the elementary
classes.
This year elementary classes had to choose an Aboriginal (original, indigenous, primitive) culture from any-
where around the world.
Students at the Waapinichikush Elementary School
were very eager to show off their chosen Aboriginal culture
on Friday March 2nd. They were also gung-ho about collecting as many passport stamps as they could. (Students
would receive a stamp in their ‘passports’ at every participating classroom they visited)
Some classes had extremely well planned informative (and fun) displays. Most popular was Blair Thompson’s
Grade Six class who portrayed the indigenous people of China. What made this classroom so popular was the food. Students were dishing up full course Chinese meals – shrimp,
chicken balls, chow mein, sauces and you got a nice nutritional fruit dish. People were lined up as far as the eye could
see. (You have to realize
though that I’m a little near
-sighted. I’ve been known
to blast away at flies while
sitting in my goose blind –
much to the irritation of my
hunting partners!). The students also had a great informative display about
China.
Canada’s native ‘tribes’
were well represented –
Inuit, Algonquin’s, Mohawk
and Cree. There were also
the ‘down under’ Maori ….
A grade three class showed
us the Touareg; nomadic
people who live in the
8 Waaskimaashtaau
deserts of Northern Africa in countries like Libya, Mali, Algeria etc. These school activities can be quite timely sometimes. The Touareg have been/are in the news. Like a great
many indigenous people around the world, they have been
displaced and are fighting for their rights. Mali has and is the
site of some major warfare between Touaregs and Government forces.
Both Ida Faries (Cree) and Doreen Mathias
(Algonquin) had very interesting displays. Both had some
very tasty food, including a pemmican made up of goose fat,
berries and beef jerky. I learned that Crees extended pretty
much from the mountains of B.C. to the Atlantic Ocean.
Tamera’s Grade Three (Mayan) were well versed in
explaining about different aspects of the Mayans in Mexico.
It was one of the most informative simply because the students told you about the Mayan culture.
I asked an adult at the school if they had heard of the
Dogon people. Their reply? … Hunh? Dogon … kind of an unusual name. It’s a tribe that lives in Mali, Africa. Lise Lacaille a
grade five teacher was fortunate enough to visit with them a
few years ago as part of a school trip. This was another learning experience for visitors to the class. (The Dogons are also
caught up in the conflict in Mali)
I thoroughly enjoyed myself visiting the classrooms. I
was welcomed, learned about other cultures and was able to
sample some of the food.
Thank you students and teachers for a very informative and fun afternoon!! (I wonder what next year’s theme
will be.)
Job’s Garden replayed … with a tear
By Harriet Ratt
Once when I was about five years old, we were living out on
the land. It was winter, in those days winter always seemed
so cold. I was asked to babysit for my little brother. My
mother said she was going to check on her fish lines, somewhere nearby.
It was around that time too that there were only the three of
us at the camp. As you can imagine, babysitting seemed like
a big responsibility for a five year old. I listened carefully to
the instructions that I was given. My mother tied my brother
to his harness so he would not touch the stove. His hammock was nearby. She showed me everything I needed to
do. How to check the stove and fix the ashes. I was told to
put one piece of wood at a time so the fire wouldn’t go out.
It was important to know all this and I was made sure I understood everything. I think she repeated everything a couple of times before she finally decided to go. I remember
thinking “I get it, I don’t think I’m that stupid,” I always took
pride in understanding the concept of things. I could say I
was a bit mature for my age. Some people thought of me as
a serious child. Some thought I was always daydreaming
with my head in the clouds. They just didn’t understand me
that’s all.
Well, anyway I watched my mother hurry off on her snowshoes, disappearing from sight. I went inside; my brother
and I were left alone. It seemed awfully quiet and boring,
nothing to do but watch my brother and check the stove. It
was quite a challenge to keep the fire going. Then my brother started crying; my mother had told me what to do. I was
trying to put him to sleep in his hammock without any real
success. He was fighting off sleep even though I was singing
a lull-a-bye like I’ve heard my mother singing many times.
Anyway, I gave it all I got; I don’t quite remember if he had
fallen asleep.
I soon started feeling a bit anxious about why mother was
taking so long. Fear was starting to set in. It seemed my
brother and I were all alone in the world with no one nearby.
I went outside a couple of times looking out for my mother.
The sun was starting to go down. I could see the red and orange glow of the sun beyond the horizon. Soon it will be
dark I thought. Those were the longest moments of my
young life. The waiting had taken its toll.
Thinking back, any minute I would have started crying but it
wasn’t really an option. Maybe things would have gotten
worse if I did. Finally I saw my mother come into view. All
anxiety left me. I was able to relax once more. I remember
her wearing a scarf with a flowery design. A skirt made of
plaid material (Scottish design) I think it was blue. Icicles
formed in her eyelids and brows from the cold air, her breath
clouded with fog mixed with sweat from walking. In her
hands she held up some fish. I think it was speckled trout. I
remember thinking those are going to taste so good. Later
on in years I mentioned the story to my mother. She had her
own fears; she was worried the fire would go out. She said it
was cold around that time. She couldn’t take us with her.
She had to do everything quickly. She said she saw a lot of
ptarmigan too. I never mentioned my own fear of being left
alone to babysit.
Would you trust a five year old to babysit? Ask yourself.
Cont’d on page 10
9
Cont’d from page 9
My sister once told me that if somebody else (like a professional psychologist) heard about your story, they would say
its child neglect. It’s the way the other world views - understands it. And where was my father at that time you ask?
My father was doing his own business elsewhere. Probably
checking his traps far from camp, maybe gone for days and
sleeping in his makeshift shelter. They used to do that in the
old days. He had his own stories and little adventures. He
used to say “sleeping underneath the stars like a cowboy.” It
often got very cold and they had to keep the fire going. Most
times it wasn’t much fun; that was his life in the early days
when people didn’t have much.
For most of us we’ll never know what it was like to be hungry
all the time. Theirs was another life. It was a whole different
world indeed. Like our ancestors of the past they lived a life
of the unexpected trying to survive with the elements.
Sometimes I often wondered what their lives were like from
day to day. They came into contact with many things.
They always managed to know how to get out of a certain
situation. Once in a while when I go out on the land, I feel a
real connection. In that moment I feel that this is where I
need to be. I think of my people, my culture, especially my
grandparents, my parents and elders I’ve known most of my
life. They’re gone now; I pictured them like they’re always
watching us - seeing and hearing everything we do.
Honestly, sometimes I feel really lost. Sometimes feeling
perhaps afraid that we’re slowly losing our culture. An intense sadness comes over me. I know I’m not alone in my
thinking.
I replay a scene in my mind in the film Job’s Garden, a scene
that haunted me for years. I saw Elders sitting in the tepee
by an open fire smoking their pipes, drinking tea, telling their
stories to Boyce Richardson and his film crew …. their words
echoing in my memory. They spoke of their love for the land
and how it provided for them. They spoke of the future generation and the changes they will face. It was clear to them
their way of life will soon disappear. There was sadness
mixed with anger and emotion in their voices. They were my
heroes, the main characters. I saw wisdom, strength; words
cannot describe the pain in their eyes as they spoke of another time. I felt like crying, Boyce Richardson had captured it
all on film; he listened to them and showed great respect to
the elders of that time. Thanks to all the people who took
the time to listen to our people.
Harriet
The Good Husband’s Guide (From Housekeep-
Minimize all noise.
At the time of her arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer,
dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.
Be happy to see her.
Greet her with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please her.
Listen to her.
You may have a dozen important things to tell her, but the
moment of her arrival is not the time. Let her talk firstremember, her topics of conversation are more important than
yours.
Don't greet her with complaints and problems.
Don't complain if she’s late for dinner or even if she stays out
all night. Count this as minor compared to what she might
have gone through at work.
Make her comfortable.
Have her lean back in a comfortable chair or lie her down in
the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for her.
Arrange her pillow and offer to take off her shoes. Speak in a
low, soothing and pleasant voice.
Don't ask her questions about her actions or question her
judgment or integrity.
Remember, she is the master of the house and as such will
always exercise her fairness and truthfulness.
You have no right to question her.
A good husband always knows his place.
(Originally this was ‘The Good Wife’s Guide’. I updated it to
be more in tune with the twenty-first century. Enjoy)
ing Monthly; May 13, 1955)
Have dinner ready.
Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal
ready on time for her return. This is a way of letting her know
that you have been thinking about her and are concerned
about her needs. Most women are hungry when they get
home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm
welcome needed.
Prepare yourself.
Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when she arrives. Shave, comb your hair and be fresh-looking. She has
just been with a lot of work-weary people.
Be a little gay and a little more interesting for her.
Her boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to
provide it.
Clear away the clutter.
Make one last trip through the main part of the house just
before your wife arrives.
Run a dust cloth over the tables.
During the cooler months of the year you should prepare
and light a fire for her to unwind by.
Your wife will feel she has reached a haven of rest and order,
and it will give you a lift too.
After all, catering to her comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
10 Waaskimaashtaau
Know Your Roots
By Janie Pachano
KOOTAWAUGUN/
KOOTAWAGANISH/
FIREMAN
In the Moose Fort Hudson’s Bay Post
Journals, a reference is made on June
11, 1832 to an Indian named Kootauwican from Hannah Bay (a post at the
bottom of James Bay that was between
Rupert’s House and Moose Fort).
There were no further references to
him after that in the Moose Fort Journals. In the Fort George Post Journals
there are references, starting in 1843,
to KOOTAWAUGUN (the name is
spelled many ways but for this article, I
will try to stay with one spelling unless
I am quoting directly from the HBC
Post Journals or the church records),
an inland Indian who sometimes visited
Great Whale River. It is impossible to
know if this was the same man as the
one mentioned in the Moose Fort journals.
On May 24, 1847, the Fort George HBC
post manager wrote, “Early this morning a poor woman and 2 helpless children cast up, the adherents of the Indian Nahthadittahmam who I am exceedingly sorry to say was starved to
death about a fortnight ago…and these
have had enough to do in reaching this
house. The poor creature brings almost hopeless news of some others
whom she is afraid are likely to suffer
the same fate as her husband
Kootawaugun etc.” From this entry
one would assume that the man
Kootawaugun had died; however, one
year later on June 2, 1848, the manager wrote, “Kootawaugan and Skootoowehpo arrived from inland… These are
2 very nice men and were strongly connected with poor Ooskimsaque that
perished last June”. It could be that
the reference in 1848 was to the son of
the original Kootawaugun, because in
the church records, Kuchewahkansis
married a woman named Mahtunawayskoo on July 1, 1853. The “sis” or
“shish” on the end of a Cree name usually indicated that person was the son
(daughter) of the man who had that
original name. (Anyway, I leave it up to
the reader to draw their own conclusions on the origins of the original
Kootawaugan or Fireman.)
In 1851, John Spencer, post manager at
Fort George, wrote to his counterpart
at Rupert’s House, Joseph Gladman,
that “Kootawagun, Skootawappo that is
inland Brandy and Kaykuquahpo left
here bound especially for that quarter”.
No explanation was given for their visit
to Rupert’s House. In that same year,
Spencer also refers to the man as “this
young fellow” and “my friend
Kootawaugun”.
1st GENERATION
As stated previously, KUCHEWAHKANSIS married MAHTUNAWAYSKOO on
July 1, 1853 (no Christian names were
ever recorded for this couple in any of
the church records). It is safe to assume that the following children were
those of this couple as only the Cree
name was recorded in the “surname”
column:
KITTY KOOCHWAHKUNSIS was baptized on July 6, 1853. Nothing more
is known about her.
ANNA KOOCHWAHKUNSIS was baptized on July 6, 1853. Nothing more
is known about her.
RUPERT KOOCHWAHKUNSIS was baptized on July 6, 1853. No marriage
record was found for this man but
there were 2 baptismal records
naming him as the father and the
mother’s name as Mary. Rupert
died in the spring of 1907 as the
July 9, 1907 Fort George HBC Post
Journal entry refers to the “young
Firemans” with the following note:
“Sorry to say their father Rupert
Kootawaganish got drowned this
spring having fallen through the ice
when shooting ducks…Rupert was a
good hunter and a better H.B. man
he has not left behind”.
JAMES KOOCHAYWAHKUNISHISH was
baptized on June 28, 1857.
LEAH KOOTAWAKUN was baptized on
July 27, 1862. Nothing more is
known about her.
On August 1, 1859, ENOCH
KOOTAWAKUN married NANCY OSCHINICHOO, but there are no baptismal
records for any children born to this
couple. (Although there were several
children or adults baptized as Enoch,
none were baptized under the name of
Kootawakun but he could have been
the brother of KUCHEWAHKANSIS
mentioned in the preceding family.
Assuming he married around the age of
20, Enoch could not have been the son
of Kuchewahkansis because the year of
his marriage and the years in which KUCHEWAHKANSIS’ children were born
are in the same decade.)
No marriage record was found for
ABRAHAM KOOTAWAKUN and his wife
SARAH, but they were both baptized on
August 21, 1867. (Again, looking at the
year of Abraham’s marriage and the
years in which KUCHEWAHKANSIS’ children were baptized, the same comment
can be made about the possibility of
Abraham being KUCHEWAHKANSIS’
brother.) Anyway, Abraham and Sarah
had one daughter baptized:
ANN KOOTAWAKUN was baptized on
August 18, 1867. Nothing more is
known about her.
2nd GENERATION
No marriage record was found for RUPERT KOOCHWAHKUNSIS and his wife
Cont’d on page 12
11
MARY, but 2 sons and 2 daughters of
theirs were baptized:
MARGARET KOOTAWAKUNISH was
baptized on July 24, 1892. Nothing
more is known about her.
LOTTIE KOOTAWAGUNISH was baptized on July 31, 1894. The father’s
name on this record is “Robert”,
not “Rupert”. Nothing more is
known about her.
JOHN KOOTAWAKINSHISH was baptized on July 1, 1897. (See comments under 3rd Generation for this
man.)
GEORGE KOOTAWAKINSHISH was baptized on July 1, 1897. (See comments below.)
3rd GENERATION
JOHN CHEWAYAPIS married SARAH
OOCHISKAWAPUNOO on July 28, 1894.
John Chewayapis Fireman died on October 6, 1940. (I have not been able to
clear up the “mystery” surrounding this
man as the church records are very
confusing. He is identified as the son of
“inland Rupert” or Rupert Kootawaugun at the time some of his children
were baptized, but his marriage record
to SARAH OOCHISKAWAPUNOO dated
July 28, 1894 means he was married
before his baptism. It was not unusual
for parents in those days to have their
children baptized when they were teenagers, but most records would not
show the names of the parents if the
one being baptized was an adult and he
certainly would have been considered
an adult if he was married at the time
of his baptism. The HBC Fort George
Post Journals, however, refer to
“Rupert and his son” as early as 1898,
so by then he was travelling around
with his father hunting and going back
and forth to the post and he would not
have been able to do that or be reported in the Post Journals if was only a
12 Waaskimaashtaau
year old. The church burial records give
his age as 60 when he died in 1940,
which means he was born 1880 and he
would have been 17 when he was baptized and 14 years of age when he married in 1894.) In any case, JOHN CHEWAYABASH (FIREMAN) and SARAH
OOCHISKAWAPUNOO had 6 sons and 3
daughters baptized:
RUPERT CHEWAYABASH was baptized
on June 26, 1896. Rupert was also
known as RUPERT CHENOKANABANOSKUM and under this
name he married SARAH MAMEYOOKAPOWEW on August 29,
1922. Rupert died on May 13,
1945.
MARGARET CHEWAYABASH was baptized on July 2, 1899. (The notation
in the record reads “Inland Rupert’s
son”, which means her father was
the son of Rupert.) On July 28,
1916, Margaret married SIMON
BULLFROG, the son of John Bullfrog
and Ellen. Margaret died on May
28, 1946 at the age of 49 so must
have been born in 1897. Simon
died on December 16, 1984.
(Margaret Bullfrog’s name on the
burial record is listed as “Maggie”,
which creates some confusion as
the following person was also
known as “Maggie” in all the records that were found regarding her
life; however, there are 2 different
marriage and burial records so it
would appear that this person and
the following were 2 different
women.)
No baptismal record was found for
MAGGIE CHEWAYABASH, but her
marriage to RICHARD REDNOSE
took place on July 23, 1920. Richard was the son of Alexander Rednose and Nancy Chisoopan Kitty.
Maggie died on October 29, 1940 at
the age of 41 so she must have
been born in 1899. (The Fort
George HBC Post Journals report
that this woman was the sister of
James [also known as Jimmy] in the
following entry.)
JAMES KOOTAWAGANISH was baptized on July 6, 1902. (The name of
the mother on the baptismal record
is Christiana, not Sarah. This could
have been an error, or John had 2
wives as there was another child
baptized with the same mother’s
name.) On July 15, 1931, James
married EMMA APETOWABANOSKUM GEORGE, the daughter
of Long George. Emma died on October 10, 1940. (On March 21,
1939, P.J. Soper, the post manager
at Kaniapiscau wrote, “Jimmie and
Rupert Fireman came in and as they
both had furs…wanted to spend it.
So took out a window of the store
and entered taking what they needed. Both will need severe lectures
when next they visit the post, there
is no excuse for that as all the Indians know when the “boss” is away
from J.9” {the designation for Kaniapiscau}. The following day, after
having taken inventory, I suppose,
he wrote, “The Fireman tribe certainly took enough stuff while in the
store, enough to last for the balance of the winter I’d say”.
On January 5, 1941, the post manage
received news from Alfred Matthew,
who had walked from Fort George to
Kaniapiscau, that James’ or Jimmie’s
father John Chewayabash, wife Emma,
4 year old son George Samson, and sister Maggie Fireman Rednose had all
died in November. (The burial records,
however, indicate that all four died in
October.)
JOSEPH KOOTAWAGANISH was baptized on July 7, 1906. On July 9,
1934 he married MARY BEARSKIN,
the daughter of John Bearskin and
Caroline. Joseph died on September 18, 1965 and Mary died on September 13, 1938.
Know Your Roots
ANNIE KOOTAWAGANISHISH was baptized on August 7, 1907. On July
10, 1931, Annie married GEORGE
SWALLOW, the son of William Ooschineechiso Swallow and Elizabeth
Kakabat. Annie died on April 23,
1993 and George died on April 16,
1936.
GEORGE CHEWAYABASH was baptized
on July 8, 1910. (The parents’
names on this record are George
and Christiana, but the surname
“Chewayabash” is recorded and in
brackets, “Kootawaganish”.)
MARTHA KOOTAWAGANISH was born
on July 12, 1912. (The name
“Patauapenaskum” also appears in
the surname column of her baptismal record.) On August 5, 1935,
Martha married MATTHEW SAM
ATKINSON, the son of William (aka
Willie) Sam Atkinson and Sarah
Matthew (baptized Samapenokwow but took on her stepfather’s
surname, Matthew Esquinamow).
Martha died on March 9, 2004 and
Matthew Sam Atkinson died on
December 1, 1972.
ACHENIABANOSKUM married ANNIE
RAT, the daughter of Joseph Bearskin
Rat and Dinah Tatipiscum, on July 10,
1904. This couple had 3 sons and 6
daughters baptized:
DINAH ACHENIABANOSKUM was baptized on July 7, 1906. Nothing more
is known about her. (An entry in
1910 in the Fort George HBC Post
journal states that “George Fireman
lost a young brother and 2 children
through starvation”. These children
were most likely Dinah and Benjamin below.)
BENJAMIN ACHENIABANOSKUM was
baptized on July 1, 1908. Nothing
more is known about him.
MARY KOOTAWAGANISH was born on
October 1910 and she died on April
2, 1992. On July 9, 1934, she married JOB (baptized JONES) BEARSKIN, the son of Jimmy Ashegoomabanoskum & Mary Nataookapo.
Job died on June 16, 1989. (This
couple had no children.)
JOSEPH FIREMAN was born on July 30,
1913 and he died on June 19, 1941.
Under the name of Joseph Achenayabanoskum he married EVIE
MATTHEW, the daughter of William
Esquinamow Matthew and Hannah
Head, on June 9, 1934. After his
death, his widow Evie went on to
marry Harry House on October 25,
1943. Evie died on September 24,
2000. (The children of this couple
both died in infancy.)
LUKE ACHENIABANOSKUM was baptized on July 24, 1920. Nothing
more is known about him.
MARTHA KOOTAWAGANISH was baptized on July 27, 1922. Nothing
CHARLOTTE FIREMAN was baptized on
June 25, 1924 and died on May 19,
2010. Charlotte married PHILIP
COX, the son of Peter Cox and Susan Nootachekwow, on August 18,
1953. Philip died on February 6,
2006.
ABRAHAM CHEWAYABASH was baptized on August 15, 1915. On June
30, 1941, Abraham married HANNAH RAT, the daughter of Luke Rat
and Jane Fireman. It is not known
when Hannah died but on August
18, 1953, Abraham remarried, this
time to Bella Washipabano House,
the daughter of Peter House and
Sarah Matthew and the widow of
Thomas Washipabano.
ISAIAH CHEWAYABASH was baptized
on July 24, 1920. (I could not find
any other records pertaining to this
person. The late Martha Sam said
her brother’s name was Isaac.)
GEORGE KUTAWAKANISH or GEORGE
Three Weddings: from left - Joseph Fireman II, Mary Head, Job Bearskin, Mary Fireman,
Joseph Fireman Sr., Evie Matthew, Reverend Trevor Jones.
Cont’d on page 14
13
No baptismal record was found for
THOMAS FIREMAN but he married
NANCY RAT, the daughter of Joseph
Bearskin Rat and Dinah Tatipiscum,
on August 27, 1927. In the English
entry on the marriage record, the
surname PAEMAN is crossed off and
replaced with FIREMAN. Thomas
died on December 14, 1937 at the
age of 31 so he was born in 1906.
Nancy went on to marry GEORGE
HEAD, the son of William Head and
Hannah, on August 19, 1948. Nancy
died on February 3, 1965.
EMMA GERTIE FIREMAN was born on
July 27, 1930 and she died on August 23, 1941.
4th GENERATION
RUPERT CHENOKANABANOSKUM and
SARAH MAMEYOOKAPOWEW had 1
daughter and 2 sons baptized:
LOUISA CHENIKAWNABANOSKUM was
baptized on June 23, 1924. Nothing
JOHNNY CHENIKAWNABANOSKUM
was baptized on July 20, 1925 and
he died on May 8, 2002. On July 31,
1951, Johnny married SARAH PASHAGUMSKUM, the daughter of
Samuel Pashagumskum and Betsy
Bearskin. Sarah died on September
7, 1993. (All the children of this
couple died at a very young age.)
STEVEN CHENIKAWNABANOSKUM was
baptized on June 30, 1927 and he
died on June 6, 1941.
CHRISTIANA FIREMAN was born on
June 3, 1929 and she died on July
21, 1941.
ANNIE FIREMAN was born on October
5, 1932 and she died on February
28, 1941.
JOSEPH SAMSON FIREMAN was born
on July 27, 1937 and he died in
1937.
SAMSON PHILIP FIREMAN was born on
April 9, 1940. Philip married MARIA GEORGE, the daughter of
Matthew George from Whapmagoostui. The date of their marriage is not known at this time.
(As most of the 4th generation Firemans
were born after 1920, they will not be
included in this family tree. It is up to
the individual Firemans to complete
their own family tree if they wish to do
so.)
Note to the reader: I apologize for taking time off from doing the family trees
but I have had to deal with some personal issues and my work as a consultant for the Cree Health Board has kept
me extremely busy for the last 3
months. I will try to do better in the
future.
LOOSE ENDS: No baptismal record was
found for DAVID FIREMAN and no mar-
Eastmain Travelling Exhibition
14 Waaskimaashtaau
riage record was found for him and his
wife MINA, but they had one child,
GEORGE, baptized on September 2,
1906. Perhaps David was the “young
brother” that GEORGE FIREMAN lost
according to a 1910 entry in the HBC
Post Journals. Mina died on March 9,
1940.
FRANCIS KOOTAWAKUNIS was baptized
on July 14, 1901. No parents’
names were recorded. Nothing
“Remember This … And You will
live a good life”
As what happened to the people who
depended on the ‘Great River’ for
survival so to did the same happen to
the people who hunted and trapped in
the upper reaches of the Eastmain
River.
These words are echoed by many
Elders in the James bay region …
“What is happening on the river really affects me. I feel like a person who
is sad about losing something they
had so much passion for in their
lives. It’s like losing a loved one.”
Harry Moses
Johnny Saganash and Jane Voyageur
are the ‘curators’ for this exhibition
that is travelling to all the CSB
schools.
Do go to see and hear …
2012 Katimavik Song
We're Katimavik, 'allowatchya
We work full time for two bucks a day
We volunteer, we eat our lunch
We drink orange pekoe tea
On Thursdays we go shopping
And buy the cheapest cheese
We're Katimavik, and we're okay
On fait not' pain, on est entrain
D'aidé la communauté
On travaille a la radio
Les gens aimentl' ecouté
We billet here, we billet there
On travaille au cent' jeunesse
On a construitunmitchuap
And we're better than Elvis
We live up north, we ,love it here
Sad faces are quite rare
Better watch your trapline
Cuz we like tasty bears
Wish we were here till summertime
Ideally till the fall
Cuz we freeze our bottoms off
When walking to the mall
You who care about youth development, did you know that
the federal government will take away the entirety of its
funding to Katimavik as of June 2012? Did you know that by
renegading their funding agreement with Katimavik, which
was to end in March 2013, the government left nearly 600
youth and not-for-profit partners (who were to take part in
our programs) without plans for July 2012?
Our youth program presently enjoys incredible support and
all that’s missing now is you! Many are raising their voices to
let all know that it’s still possible to reverse the Government’s decision. From Moncton to Nanaimo, NOW IS THE
TIME OR NEVER FOR ALL THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN YOUTH
AND COMMUNITIES TO STAND UP AND SUPPORT KATIMAVIK!
We work full time for two bucks a day,
The northern lights are beautiful
And the river's very grand
We're glad to be in Chisasibi
And lend a helping hand
On pense a not environnement
Reduire et composter
On ramasse des canettes
On marche pour allertravailler
We're Katimavik, ginscumdin
We love you all, thanks for every thin'
ALL DETAILS MAY BE FOUND IN THE ATTACHED KIT! IMPORTANT: in order for your voice to
be heard, do not forget that your message should not only talk
about how Katimavik changed your life, but mostly about the
impact Katimavik has on communities and organizations that
depend on the program.
Thank you for sharing with all your contacts. All those who are
engaged in youth causes and who believe in community engagement should feel concerned.
Thank you for your support! The Katimavik Team
Advocacy Kit [PDF]
Summative Evaluation [PDF]
Katimavik Facts [PDF]
www.active.ca/files/news/advocacykit.pdf
WHAT TO DO?
You will find below an ADVOCACY KIT that details all the best
ways to voice your opinion on the federal government’s decision to
cut Katimavik’s funding and renege their funding agreement whose
expiry date is March 31st, 2013.
Make your voice heard by following these steps:
STEP 1
Write a letter to your MP, the Prime Minister and Minister Moore.
STEP 2
Phone or visit your MP’s local office.
STEP 3
Submit a written, video, photo or audio testimonial on
www.shareyourexperience.ca
STEP 4
Join your efforts to those of other Katimavik supporters
on social media.
L to R: Bexy Roesch, Marie-Ève Jacques-Sylvain, Alex Becchetti,
Jamie McCoy, Thomas Riley, Francis Morin, Anthony Hamelin
15
Mini Galas Huge Success
A thought came to my mind while I was photographing the children at the Mini galas Friday and Saturday
April 13 and 14 – especially the younger ones Saturday. “This
is what it must be like trying to photograph a butterfly, drag-
onfly or firefly. Now you see them, now you don’t.” colourful
and hard to keep in the camera lens more than a split second
or being obscured by other ‘butterflies’.
Both Galas started off with a ‘tasty’ (as Donovan
would put it) meal prepared by chefs Darren Budgell and Lorna Spencer. Snacks were also served later in the galas.
There was a tremendous amount of energy being given off by the kids which had to be replaced.
This young lady was not
posing for me.
She was in fact sitting a
few feet away from a six
foot sound speaker.
16 Waaskimaashtaau
The Mini gala on Friday was for children 10-12 years
of age who for the most part thoroughly enjoyed themselves
although there were a few sad/lonely faces. The boys,
scrubbed until they gleamed and wearing an assortment of
colourful, stylish ties (baseball caps dominated) were focused
more on impressions, with table tops sometimes used as personal stages.
Girls (the butterflies) outshone the boys in dress and
looks. Fantastic hair styling (did parents fly-up hair stylists
from the south for this occasion?), dresses that looked like
they were straight off the runways of New York (Ok, ok. Maybe a slight exaggeration), jewelry … some even with makeup.
Music? No less than the
famous renowned James
Bay DJ Hank House whose
love of music and dance
showed with the variety of
dancing music he flooded
the Auditorium with and
the exuberance the kids
took to the floor.
Speaking of dancing …
The most popular song seemed to be DJ Casper’s
‘Cha Cha Slide’. The dance floor was packed tight with children following the dance directions.
Slow dancing. Only a few of the older group were
brave enough (or in love enough) to broadcast their affection
for each other.
For the younger ones – at first it seemed like an exercise in futility. Boys were being dragged kicking and screaming unto the dance floor by girls and adults. But if at first you
don’t succeed …. After the 3rd or 4th song some of the boys
actually had a smile on their face rather than a grimace!
I found the 6-9 year olds the most enjoyable to be
with and watch. No pretense … just fun, fun, fun! Games,
dancing, food, smiles, laughter, and screams of joy … the energy was refreshing …
As one child said to me, “This is fun!!”
A huge thank you to Angela Gates, Jeffrey Kitty, Margaret and Lena Pash, Christina Kitty, Judy Wash and Doreen
Fireman for planning and organizing this very fun event for
the children. Thanks also to the Cree Nation of Chisasibi and
Brighter Futures for the funding and to Northern Stores (for
donating the bicycles), and Thunderstorm, Lights and Sound.
And what
makes you
think there
might be another boy in
my life?
17
SPRING WITHOUT MY BROTHER
This will be the saddest goose break of my life….
Someone special will be missing at our camp.
I don’t seem to have the urge or the heart to go out to
our camp this spring.
Should I go? Or, Should I stay in town? Lord, what
should I do?
He loved to go goose hunting, even when he had trouble getting around. It was one of his passions in life and
he was good at it.
I used to ask him when he was getting ready.
“Where are you going?”
He would answer, “I’ll be going to my usual spot.”
Then, I would tell him, “Don’t go alone.”
The answer would be, “I don’t want to keep them from
doing their own thing.” - meaning , his nephews.
Like, so many times before I was anxious to hear his skidoo coming back to camp. A sigh of relief when he got
back safely. I always tried to have something ready for
him to eat when he got back, like mom used to do.
This spring, who will I cook for? I was going to spend
goose break with him, because I knew he would be
alone at our camp, as usual. Nobody to cook for when
the hunt is over at the end of the day.
18 Waaskimaashtaau
Spring goose break will never be the same for me.
If I go to camp this spring, I think I will go to my usual
meditating place and try to reminisce the many springs
we spent as a family at our camp.
Lord! This gonna be so hard.
I will let the tears flow.
Maybe a flock of geese will fly by. They will give me
some comfort. Or, the sound of the birds singing in the
trees and bushes nearby. Some comfort they will bring.
Or maybe, the sound of the rapids further up the river;
the sound will calm my broken spirit.
I know the good Lord will gave me strength to overcome my grief and sadness this spring. He will answer
my prayers.
He will send His angels to help me walk the path of my
brother who was called home because his place was
ready for him in heaven.
I know he will be looking down on us this spring and
helping us cope with the pain and heartbreak of his
passing.
Tears will fall this spring. Let them fall - they will bring
some relief to the pain in our hearts.
My brother, the hunter, we love you and miss you so
much.
Margaret Sealhunter
From the Bush to the Table:
Safe Handling of Harvested Wild Meats
“Let’s Keep our Food Safe”
“Ahmeoonakitwayteemk Eeyou Meechim”
Cree Traditional Foods
Hunting, trapping, fishing and gathering activities are fundamental to Cree culture of Eeyou Istchee. Many members of
the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee eat traditional subsistence
foods on a regular basis. Traditional food is highly valued
among the Cree for maintaining health, preserving cultural
identity, intergenerational teaching, and promoting selfworth.
What we eat -- where it comes from, how it is cooked -affects our health in many ways. Traditional Cree diets in
where people still mostly eat what they hunt, trap, fish and
gather-- have been found to promote health and long life, for
reasons only gradually coming to be understood.
Our Cree Elder William Ratt stated: “Cree food not only
feeds the body but also the spirit.”
Cree Traditional Safe Food handling practices
The Cree Safe Food Handling Methods have been in existence and practiced since time immemorial. It is absolutely
essential and necessary that these skills and practices be
continuously observed to ensure that all Cree traditional
foods are of the best quality when served at community
feasts, family gatherings and institutional settings like the
Chisasibi hospital, MSDC’s, Group Homes and Reception
Center.
Snowshoe Making Course
By Rhonda Spencer
The Snowshoe Making Course ran from February 13 – March
24. This year we had the new instructors, who graduated last
April (’11), in addition to the original elders who previously
taught the program provide guidance. This allowed us to take
more participants. Twenty-four participants successfully
completed the course.
Our instructors for 2012 were: Samuel and
Margaret Bearskin, Abraham Cox and Linda Pash
Harry and Connie Bearskin, John and Beulah Crowe,
Christopher Pash and Sarah Bearskin, Jimmy and Kathleen
Fireman
The Cree program on the Safe Food Handling workshops given in October 2008 in Chisasibi and in April 2009 in Mistissini
identified the different animals harvested in each season.
Special attention was given on the respect and responsibility
by each hunter of these animals harvested. Our Elders spoke
on the food handling process that is followed after the animal
has been killed. Any special ceremonies and feasts that accompanied each kill were also taught.
Because traditional foods are effective in the prevention of
diabetes, it is important and vital to expand this work in order to ensure the wisdom, stories and cultural knowledge of
our elders with regards to traditional foods is passed on to
the younger generations.
This Safe Food Handling Workshop with the collaboration of
our local Cree Elders – Harry and Connie Bearskin, the Public
Health Department of the Cree Board of Health and the Ministère de L’Agriculture, Pêcheries et l’Alimentation (MAPAQ)
will ensure and further enhance the Cree Traditional Safe
Food Handling Practices to remain strong and continue to
have the positive impact for all Cree Hunters and the Cree
population.
The safety of everyone consuming Cree traditional foods
must remain to be the top priority concerning their consumption and handling of such foods.
The following participants successfully
completed the program:
Curtis Bearskin and Emma Bearskin, Darren Budgell and
Lorna Spencer, Reggie Fireman and Jane Swallow, Ronald
Herodier and Stella Sealhunter, Billy Lameboy and Lily SaltLameboy, Archie and Janie Moar, Paul Napash and Margaret
Sam, Gregory Sealhunter and Jocelyn Cox, Reginald
Sealhunter and Allison Sam, Stanley Swallow and Lena Pash,
Ricky and Alice Visitor, Mark Voyageur and Mabel Bearskin
All the participants completed at least two pairs of snowshoes
and other traditional items (rattles, spoons, shovels and more).
Congratulations to all participants!
Traditionally, both male and female made the snowshoe together – the men prepare the frame and the women do the lacing. The man signs up and then brings in a woman (a spouse,
friend, sibling, mother, aunt) to do the lacing part.
This course is very demanding as it requires the participants
to attend the course 5 nights a week (Mon-Fri) at 5 hours a
night for 6 weeks.
19
JBES Education and Career Fair
James Bay Eeyou School held an Education and Career Fair April 12 in the school gym. Colleges, CEGEPs, Universities, local and regional businesses as well as local and
provincial entities came to recruit and pass out information
and answer any questions you might have. Most were also
giving away promotional material which seemed to be the
major drawing card for many. People were walking out with
more than one bag of ‘goodies’.
It was though, an ideal time for Secondary 4/5 students to get information on CEGEPs prerequisites but perhaps more important what level of education they needed
for various jobs.
Both levels of police forces were present - Sûreté de
Quebec and Eeyou Eenou Police Force (EEPF) - as well the
Canadian Armed Forces recruitment personnel. Of interest to
those who are thinking of the Armed Forces - you can learn a
trade and get paid at the same time.
Our police force (EEPF) has been recruiting for several months now. There are not enough native police officers
so non-native police officers have been hired on a contractual basis. It is hoped that by the end of the year there will be a
full complement of native police officers. New recruits (must
have Sec 5) take a one year program in Drummondville fol-
20 Waaskimaashtaau
lowed by a 15 week ‘Police Patrolling Program’ at Nicolet.
(Near Trois Rivière)
Also of interest was the CEGEPS de l’AbitibiTemiscaminque’s ‘Access to College’ program which allows a
student to attend college without actually registering - but
they still must be a Sec 5 graduate and have passed the required courses.
Other
booths/kiosks First Nations Student Entrepreneur club that
gives substantial
help to a group
of (post) secondary students to
carry out a project that benefits
their school,
community etc; First Nations Bank (No Terry, not the TD!).
Chisasibi’s was the 2nd opened in Canada; Creeco which has
the profit making Air Creebec and CCDC under its wing; CHB
which had pamphlets detailing what jobs were available for
the level of education a person had; plus many others
It was nice to see Celeste Perusse-Pelchat a Secondary 3 student advertising her fledgling home interior decorating business. I hope she got some contacts.
Fairs like this are quite valuable to students and to
community members. If you missed it or want more information contact the guidance councilor at your school and/or
the CHRD (Cree Human Resources Development department
in your community.
Oh yes ... one thing I learned is that police radar is
good up to one km coming or going and the police are able
to tell if you have a radar detector ... which is illegal!
Thank you Bonita Johnson and Eric Grimstead for
organizing this event.
Honouring Our Chiefs
Robbie Matthew, Sr.
1985-1986
Robbie Matthew has the odd distinction of having two official birthdates,
but his sister Juliet clearly recalls that
he arrived on September 3, 1934, because two babies were born on Fort
George Island that same day, Robbie
and a daughter to the wife of the Hudson Bay Company manager. Robbie was
the youngest of ten children born to
William Esquinamow Matthew and his
wife Hannah Head.
During his childhood and adolescence,
Robbie spent a lot of time on the land
with his parents. He loved hunting, fishing and picking berries. In the spring,
the family would go to Governor’s Island and, in the fall, they would hunt
on the north side of the river, but they
always returned to Fort George in time
for Christmas.
Robbie attended St. Philip’s Residential
School for a number of years, but at
that time children were not allowed to
remain in school beyond the age of sixteen. No matter what grade you were
in, on your sixteenth birthday you were
told that it was time to go out and get a
job. Robbie spent the next couple of
years mostly in the bush. He and his
father would go fishing in their canoe.
They made their own rods by hanging
hooks from sticks, and they caught
quite a lot that way. Robbie often went
out to cut firewood for his family which
he would collect by dog team. He also
cut wood for elders who could no longer go out for their own. Later, he got a
construction job building houses first in
Fort George, then in Great Whale
where he stayed for about a year and a
half.
In 1957, he married Sally Neacappo
and, together, they had eleven children,
two of whom died in infancy. Robbie
loved to share his deep understanding
of the land that he had acquired from
his parents, and for many years he and
Sally took groups of children out into
the bush to teach them traditional skills
and values, thus ensuring that ancestral
Cree knowledge and culture were
passed down to a new generation.
Over the years, Robbie became known
as a powerful orator: an articulate and
inspiring speaker who is a wonderful
story teller as well. He is also recognized as a wise counsellor who has
helped countless troubled youth and
couples by listening to their problems
and offering sage advice.
Robbie became a member of the Fort
George Band Council while still a young
man. He contributed to the leadership
of Fort George and Chisasibi as a Band
Councillor for over 25 years, longer
than any other civic officeholder in recorded local history. In addition, he has
been chairperson of the Regional Elders
Council and currently sits on the local
Justice Committee, local CTA Board as
well as being a member of the Regional
Council of Chishaayiyiuch, advising the
Cree Board of Health and Social Services on such issues as social policy and
on traditional Cree knowledge and customs in the areas of birthing, adoption
and childrearing, among others.
Robbie has stood up to defend our traditional way of life, supporting the Cree
hunters and trappers during the era of
the fur protests.
He has travelled widely over the years,
participating in international meetings,
serving as an ambassador for the Cree
people and culture and addressing conferences on such subjects as “The
Transference
of
Traditional
Knowledge”. His destinations have taken him as far afield as the United Nations, Hungary, England, Australia and
New Zealand, and he has also been invited to speak at many Youth Gatherings throughout Eeyou Istchee. Wherever he goes he demonstrates immense
pride in his heritage by sharing his love
of the land and promoting Cree culture,
language and wisdom.
A short time ago Robbie lost Sally, his
wife of 53 years and he feels as if he
has lost half of himself. It has been very
difficult for him but he knows that she
is with him in spirit. He has a message
to youth and others. Don’t take marriage for granted. Respect each other
in your marriage and honour your vows
to each other and your vows to the
Great Spirit.
His dedication to helping others, to ensuring the strengthening and continuation of our traditions within our communities, to supporting Cree rights, to
serving as a spokesman for our people
and to developing awareness of Cree
culture around the world has been a
major contribution not only to the people of Chisasibi but to the Cree Nation
as a whole. For all of this we honour
him and thank him.
21
The Legend of Bill Barilko
In February 1947, Bill Barilko was called up to
the Toronto Maple Leafs from the PCHL's Hollywood Wolves and played for Leafs until his
death. He was assigned sweater #21 when he
debuted for the Leafs. He changed to #19 for
the 1948-49 and 1949-50 seasons. The #5
(which was retired by the Leafs) was only worn
by Barilko for one season, 1950-51. During
that span of five seasons, Barilko and the Toronto Maple Leafs were Stanley Cup champions on four occasions 1947, 1948, 1949, 1951.
The last goal he ever scored (in overtime
against the Montreal Canadiens' Gerry McNeil
in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final, on April 21,
1951) won the Leafs the Cup.
Class A BB Champs - Chisasibi Recreation Cobras (JBES - Class B Champs)
Disappearance and death
Four months later, on August 26, 1951, Barilko
joined his dentist Henry Hudson on a flight
aboard Hudson's Fairchild 24 floatplane to Seal
River, Quebec, for a weekend fishing trip. On
the return trip, the single-engine plane disappeared and its passengers remained missing.
Eleven years later, on June 6, 1962, helicopter
pilot Ron Boyd discovered the wreckage of the
plane about 100 kilometres (62 mi) north of
Cochrane, Ontario, about 35 miles off course.
The cause of the crash was deemed to have
been a combination of pilot inexperience, poor
weather and overloaded cargo. Notably, the
Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup that year,
after not winning it at all during the eleven
years that he was missing. The Tragically Hip's
song "Fifty Mission Cap", from their 1992 album Fully Completely, features Barilko's story
and the lack of another Leafs championship
with the lyrics "Bill Barilko disappeared, that
summer, he was on a fishing trip. The last goal
he ever scored, won the Leafs the cup. They
didn't win another, 'till 1962, the year he was
discovered."
Class A Hockey Rec Champs - Chisasibimi who beat Manchow (Class B
Champs) who beat Pash Moar (Class C champs)
Barilko's #5 is one of only two numbers retired
by the Maple Leafs (Ace Bailey's #6 is the other).
Editors Note: I’m thinking that the only way
the Leafs will ever win the Stanley Cup again is
for them to make a pilgrimage to Seal River
and throw a couple of pucks into the river!!
22 Waaskimaashtaau
Competitive Broomball Champs - Snowbirds tied (?) with Scorpions
Planting the Seeds and Igniting The Sparks
By Jason Plouffe
As a teacher at Chisasibi high
Though my marks did not necesSo I want to encourage all of you
school I regularly encourage students to sarily improve, my command of the to do everything you can to get the
‘value read’ as a tool that can help English language did, and I began to young people you know to read. Give
them accomplish their goals and express myself by creating outlines for that young child a comic book and help
dreams. It is sad to say that many stu- comic books and designing role playing them read it, read stories to your childents possess reading skills several games set in worlds that I imagined. dren before bedtime. Plant the seed
years below their grade level, and often During high school I stayed up much early. I also want to let you know that
struggle to write complete sentences. too late almost every night reading in there are many excellent books by naEven among those students with good bed.
tive authors that may interest Cree chilreading and writing skills, it seems rare
As the years passed and I entered dren and youth more than books by
to find someone who has a love of my twenties I continued to read con- mainstream authors.
books and reading. Perhaps it can be stantly, and began to write lyrics for
An excellent example is The Night
viewed as a sign of the times and of the songs, as I spent a lot of time playing in Wanderer, a native vampire novel by
changes brought by the computer age. bands. I became involved in my com- Ojibwa comedian and writer Drew HayAs well, it must be remembered munity and with social justice, and den Taylor. In this story, a young native
that Cree culture is traditionally an oral opened a cooperative café that was man leaves Canada to go to Europe,
culture, and that reading and writing designed to be a safe place for all peo- and ends up becoming a vampire. He
English or French is a relatively new ple. I later worked as an employment returns almost four hundred years latthing that came with European coloni- trainer serving clients with disabilities. I er, in our time, and returns to his comzation. I have certainly nomunity, which is now a reserticed that when I tell stories
I truly believe …. my pleasure reading was vation… Given the recent
using oral techniques that I
vampire craze on TV and the
am often able to hold the more important to my success at university movies, this may be the perattention of students. Howfect book for a teenage readthan anything I learned in school.
ever, my own experiences as
er (or older readers as well).
a young person cause me to promote entered university as a part-time ma- Another good example is Rabbit and
reading for pleasure as an invaluable ture student at the age of twenty-eight, Bear Paws, a series of graphic novels
tool for all youth in our modern age.
became a ‘Straight A’ student, and fast- about the adventures of two Ojibwa
For as long as I can remember, I tracked through a four year degree by boys in the 1700’s that reflects the Sevhave loved comic books, starting with attending summer school each year. en Grandfather Teachings. For the adSpiderman. During my school years I After three and a half years I graduated vanced reader, there is Three Day Road,
was not a particularly attentive student. with an honours degree in Indigenous a book about two young Cree men from
I often acted out and was suspended Studies and was accepted into a highly the Ontario side of James Bay who go
from elementary school close to ten competitive masters program. I found to World War One. There are so many
times. I barely graduated high school, the masters program not to my liking, options, so crack a book and read to
getting a 51% in my fifth English, which I and soon afterwards moved to Chisasi- yourself or others! If we can inspire the
suspect the school gave me just so I bi, where my girlfriend was already liv- love of books, we can ignite the sparks
could get out of there.
ing. As well as now being a full-time of a life-long love of learning!
But something had happened dur- replacement teacher, I am also an asing grade five that allowed me to suc- piring creative writer who is committed
ceed in life anyway. I found some to being published.
books about Tarzan and Conan the BarI truly believe that everything I
barian in the basement of my grandfa- have and know is the result of my love
ther’s house, and I read them. I was of reading, and that my pleasure readoften picked on in elementary school, ing was more important to my success
because I didn’t play sports and I have a at university than anything I learned in
French last name (this was a big deal school. I believe that reading can open
where I grew up). I escaped from the doors for people who don’t fit into the
world of bullies by going into the world school system, for those who just can’t
of books, especially fantasy novels.
sit in a classroom.
23
C.R.E.E. Easter Weekend Minor Tournament
Chisasibi’s L’il Northstars bring home gold ...
More than 150 teams from the
cerns I contacted Charles Hester, past
three teams in this category) 3-0 in the
four corners of the James Bay region
final. In round robin play the Eagles had president of Cree Regional Events and
traveled to Val d’Or to play in the 20th
Entertainment (CREE), and one of this
squeezed out a 1-0 win. CongratulaAnnual Cree Minor Hockey and Broomyear’s organizers.
tions to the L’il Northstars players and
ball Tournament Easter weekend.
A tournament of this size (150+
their coach Ronnie Rupert.
Five arenas (Centre Michel Brière The Midgets didn’t fare as well. Of teams) has to be planned and organized
Malartic, Centre Sportif André Dubé carefully. Planning starts in October
the four games they played , they won
Senneterre, Air Creebec Center, Kiwanis two and lost two which was not enough with the hiring of a coordinator who is
- Val d’Or and Barraute) were used.
responsible for looking for sponsors ...
to get them into the playoffs. Some of
Most people stayed in Val d’Or and
making sure there will be enough montheir players didn’t want to play full
Amos. No rooms were to be had in a
content with the result that they had to ey to cover the expenses (up to 150 000
100 km radius. Any early-bird tourist or
$). In February notices are sent out askpick up a couple of imports and it
business person passing through either
ing for team registrations. Deadline for
showed in their play. This was not the
had to keep moving or sleep in their
registrations is two weeks before the
same team I had seen play in other
vehicle.
tournament after which the schedule is
tournaments where their passing was
There were 17 categories of hockmade up - manually!
crisp and clean. In the game against
ey and broomball
Any minor team is
Chisasibi’s L’il Northstars—Benjamin Broomball Champs
starting from the very
eligible to play. Nonyoungest pre novice (6native (NN) teams
7 yrs of age) up to the
have to put in a spefast moving Midget (16cial request to the
17yrs of age). Chisasibi
CREE committee. Achad 22 teams entered
cording to Charles the
in all categories - even
tournament is getting
having two teams in
more popular with
four of them.
non-native teams ....
Before parents and
“....It was opened up
players left for the tourabout four years ago
nament there was a
and every year there
kerfuffle regarding playare more non-native
ers and teams. Coaches
teams wanting to
were dropping players
play. Maybe the time
left and right and
has come to set up
‘picking up’ other players of a better
some sort of guidelines or set-up ...
Waskaganish that they had to win to
caliber from out of town or who were
terms and conditions in which we can
make it into the playoffs, they gave the
from Chisasibi but who had been playaccept the non-native teams.”
puck away numerous times on bad
ing in other leagues down south. There
In addition to non-native teams,
passes. They lost 6-1
were also teams made up on the spur
teams are allowed to have 2 NN playThe Chisasibi Beavers came close.
of the moment. Parents complained
ers. Charles pointed out that they have
They finished 2nd in round robin and
and eventually the ‘situations’ were
had favourable comments about this
then played the Val d’Or Aigles in the
worked out .... probably not to the
rule ... bringing the two cultures togethsemis where they lost 5-3. The Aigles
satisfaction of all though.
er, lasting friendships ....
went on to win the Atom Competitive
Expectations were high for our
I asked Charles if a team that had
with a 7-1 victory over the Waswanipi
Atom (Competitive) and Midget
been
playing in the ‘A’ category all year
Wolf Pack. Both teams had to play
(Competitive - full contact) teams but
is allowed to drop down to a lower catthree games Sunday, the first starting
instead a ‘dark horse’ brought home
egory ie recreational. He replied that
at 8 am. (Perhaps for future tournaglory for Chisasibi. The L’il Northstars in ments this can be changed somehow.)
there is no specific rule but what often
the Benjamin Broomball category, beat
happens is that two or three of the best
After talking with a few parents
the Mistissini Eagles (Mistissini had sent and coaches and listening to their conplayers of a team will be picked up by
24 Waaskimaashtaau
another community’s team ...
which sort of forces the original
team down ...
One of the major complaints/
concerns that coaches and parents had were the imports
teams had playing; how many,
from where, what league ...
mostly in the Bantam and Midget category where there is full
contact and higher prize money.
Charles emphasized that CREE
tries to keep a close watch and
yes ... sometimes teams do
Jayden Snowboy - Best Goalie have too many imports or the
wrong imports and have to be
told “Do something about it or be disqualified from the
playoffs ... which happened with one of the Atom teams
(Hockey Experts from Val d’Or) They had an all-star team of
players from Val d’Or, Barraute and Senneterre and weren’t
allowed in the playoffs.
Full contact in the Midget and Bantam category was
brought in four years ago pretty much for scouting purposes ... tryouts for the Bears. There is even some thought of
having a full contact Midget Cree league.
Scheduling the almost 300 games can (and often does)
become the source of acute migraines for the organizers ....
not necessarily the original scheduling but the changes that
have to be made because ... a team can’t make a Thursday
morning start or a team withdraws or maybe there is a plane
delay/cancel etc.
Charles noted that although at times it may not look like
it, they do try to accommodate teams that have to travel the
furthest and/or by plane. Scheduling starts by categories and
then brought together on a ‘Master’. One aspect that makes
it more difficult is that they try to have every team play at
least one game on “the big ice surface” - Air Creebec Center.
Charles admitted that the scheduling of this tournament
proved to be exceedingly frustrating.
“... had to change the schedule so many times ....
omitted one game altogether, but was able to add it at a 7am
start time ...”
There was also problems regarding the refereeing and
meetings had to be held to straighten things out. Charles
likes to think of the problems as challenges (I like that attitude) but does admit the tournament may be getting too big
for the Val d’Or area.
Options? - limit the number of teams; a bigger venue Ottawa, Quebec City or maybe playing the tournament over
two weekends.
This tournament is in the record books so to speak now.
Players, coaches, parents, -some happy & some sad and disappointed have enough memories to last until the next hockey/broomball season. But right now everyone pretty much
has one thing on their mind - the spring goose hunt.
Last word - “it’s all about giving the kids an opportunity
to play.”
Well done organizers!
Haylee is off to the International PGL La Dictée
Haylee Petawabano was the PGL la Dictée winner at our Elementary school. (see March issue)
She did the test for the regional competition and
placed 2nd overall. Normally the 2nd place winner
wouldn’t be eligible to participate in the international
competition; but the first place winner has said he/she
will not be able to attend. That means that Haylee will
represent Abitibi-Temiscaminque/Nord du Quebec
(Second Language category) at the International PGL La
Dictée in Montreal on Sunday, May 20th
If you are In Montreal at that time, do go and cheer
Haylee on. The address is La sale Pierre-Mercure
France Ferland ,principal; Judith Buteau, Violaine Lirette, Haylee
Petawabano, Catherine Gelineau, Judy Wash, Lise Lacaille.
Le centre Pierre-Péladeau
300, boulevard de Maisonneuve Est,
“Door opens at 9:30 to 9:50 and then at 10 am is the finalists
entrance. The dictation is from 10:15 to 11am. Lunch break
is from 11 am to 1:45pm. 2pm to 2:45is the live correction of
the dictation, statistics of the finalists' results and then the
Regional winners announcement.”
Good luck Haylee!
25
Joshua Chiskamish’s Speech (Placed First)
ᐧᒑᔑᐧᐋ ᒌᔥᑭᐦᐋᒫᔥ ᓂᑎᓯᓂᐦᑳᓱᓐ᙮ ᒋᓵᓰᐲᐦᒡ ᓅᐦᒌᓐ᙮ ᓂᑭ
ᐄᔨᔨᐅᔨᒥᓐ᙮
ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᐧᐃᓐ ᓂᑭ ᐋᔨᐧᒫᐅᐦᐄᑯᓐ᙮
ᐋᑯᑖᐦ ᐋᔑᓈᑯᐦᒡ ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᐧᐃᓐ ᒧᔮᒻ ᐊᓂᑖᐦ ᐊᐧᐋᓐ ᓈᔥᒡ ᐋᐦ
ᐧᐄᐦ ᑖᐱᑎᐹᔨᒥᔅᒃ᙮ ᓃᔥᑎᒻ ᐋᐦ ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᑦ ᐊᐧᐋᓐ, ᑯᑎᑭᒡ
ᐊᐧᐋᓂᒌ ᐊᑯᔮᒡ, ᔖᔥ, ᓂᒌᐦ ᑯᒋᐦᑖᓐ, ᐋᑰ ᒫᒃ, ᓂᒧᐃ ᒦᓐ
ᓂᐦᑖ ᓂᑭ ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᓐ᙮ ᑳᐦ ᓃᔓᑎᐧᐃᔥᑖᔨᒡᐦ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒫᒃ ᓈᔥᒡ
ᐹᑎᒫᐦ, ᐋᑯᑎᐦ ᒦᓐ ᒑ ᒨᔑᐦᑖᔨᓐ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ᙮ ᒧᔮᒻ ᐊᓂᑖᐦ ᐋᐦ
ᓂᑎᐧᐋᔨᐦᑎᒧᒥᑭᐦᒡ ᒋᔫ ᐃᔥᑯᑖᐧᐋᐳᐃ᙮ ᓂᒌᐦ ᑯᐧᑳᒋᒫᐧᐃᒡ
ᓂᐧᐄᒑᐧᐋᑭᓂᒡ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐅᔮ᙮ ᒨᔥ ᐃᐦᑎᑯᓐ ᓂᔥᐧᑳᐅᔑᐦᐄᐧᐋᐧᐃᓐ᙮
ᒥᔑᐤ ᓃᔥᑎᒻ ᒫᓂᐦᐧᑳᔨᓈ, ᓂᒧᐃ ᒦᓐ ᒋᑭ ᒌᐦ ᒌᐧᐋᑳᐳᐧᐃᔥᑖᓐ᙮
ᔖᔥ ᐲᐦᒡ ᐋᔨᐦᑖᔨᓐ ᐃᐦᑎᑯᓐ᙮ ᐋᑯᑖᐦ ᐊᓂᑖᐦ ᐧᐋᐦ ᐃᔮᓐ,
ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᔨᓈ ᑖᐹ ᒋᑭ ᓯᓵᐱᐦᐄᑯᓐ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᓂᑐᐦᐅᐧᐃᔨᓐ, ᐋᐦ
ᑯᒋᐦᐄᑐᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐋᐦ ᐱᐹᒥᔅᑯᐱᔨᓈᓂᐧᐃᒡ, ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᐋᐱᑎᓰᔨᓐ, ᒑ
ᒌᐦ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᓱᔨᓐ, ᒥᓯᐧᐋᓐ ᐊᓐ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ ᒑᔅᑎᒫᐧᐃᐦᒡ
ᒋᐱᒫᑎᓰᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ᙮ ᐊᓐ ᒫᐅᒡ ᒑᔅᑎᒫᐧᐃᐦᒡ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᐃᐦᑐᑎᒥᓐ
ᐋᐅᒄ ᐋᐦ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᓱᔨᓐ᙮ ᐴᓂᔨᓈ ᐋᐦ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᓱᔨᓐ ᒋᑭ
ᐋᔨᒥᐦᐄᑯᓐ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ ᒋᐱᒫᑎᓰᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ᙮ ᒋᑭ ᐋᔨᒥᐦᐄᑯᓐ ᐋᐦ ᓈᓂᑑ
ᐋᐱᑎᓰᔨᓐ, ᐊᑎᑎᐤ ᓈᐅᔥ ᒋᑭ ᐃᔨᐦᑖᓐ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᒥᔅᑮᓐ
ᐋᐱᑎᓰᐧᐃᓐ᙮ ᓂᒥ ᒋᑭ ᓵᐱᑎᐱᐦᐋᒫᑭᐧᐃᓐ᙮
ᒌᔑᐦᑖᔨᓈ ᐋᐦ ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᓱᔨᓐ, ᒋᑭ ᒥᔨᑭᐧᐃᓐ ᒥᓯᓂᐦᐄᑭᓐ ᐋᐦ
ᐧᐄᐦᑖᑯᐦᒡ ᐋᐦ ᒌᐦ ᒌᔑᐦᑖᔨᓐ, ᐋᑯᑎᐦ ᒑ ᒌ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐧᐋᐦᒋᔨᑯᔨᓐ
ᒑᐧᑳᓐ, ᓂᑎᐧᐋᔨᐦᑖᑯᓐ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᐱᐦᑯᐦᑎᒫᓱᔨᐦᒄ ᒥᓯᓂᐦᐄᑭᓐᐦ ᐊᓂᑖᐦ
ᐄᔑ ᓃᔥᑖᒥᐦᒡ, ᑭᔮᐦ ᐋᑯᑎᐦ ᒑ ᒌ ᐅᐦᒋ ᒥᔪᐧᐃᐦᑎᓯᔨᓐ
ᐋᐱᑎᓰᓈ᙮ ᐊᑎᑎᐤ ᒫᒃ ᐧᐄᐦ ᐅᐦᑎᓯᔨᓈ, ᐊᑎᑎᐤ ᒑ
ᒋᔅᑯᑎᒫᓱᔨᓐ ᐧᑳᓕᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒫᒃ ᔫᓂᕕᕐᓯᑏ, ᐋᑯᑎᐦ ᒑ ᒌ ᐅᐦᒋ
ᒥᔅᑭᒥᓐ ᐋᐦ ᒥᐧᔮᒡ ᐋᐱᑎᓰᐧᐃᓐ᙮
ᐋᐱᒋᐦᑖᔨᓈ ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᐧᐃᓐ ᐋᑯᑎᐦ ᒑ ᒌ ᐅᐦᒋᐱᔨᒡ ᒑ ᒌᐦ
ᐧᐃᔥᑖᐱᔨᔮᒄ ᐊᓂᑎᐦ ᐋᐦ ᐹᔨᑯᑖᐅᓯᔮᒄ ᑭᔮᐦ ᓈᔥᑖᐧᐹᐦ ᒋᑭ
ᒥᒑᔨᐦᑎᒧᒡ ᒋᐧᐋᐦᑯᒫᑭᓂᒡ ᐊᓂᔮ ᐋᔑ ᐱᒥᐱᔨᐦᐧᑖᓱᐧᐃᑦ᙮ ᐊᓐ ᒫᒃ
ᒋᓯᐧᐋᓯᐧᐃᓐ ᐋᐦ ᒋᒋᔥᑳᑯᔨᓐ ᒋᑭ ᒌᐦ ᐄᔑᓈᑯᓐ ᐹᔨᐧᑳᐤ ᐋᐦ
ᒌᔑᑳᒡ ᒧᔮᒻ ᐋᐦ ᐹᐦᑳᐱᔨᒡ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᐄᓯᓈᑯᓯᔨᓐ᙮ ᓈᔥᑎᔨᒡ
ᓂᒥ ᒑᐧᑳᓂᐦᒡ ᒋᑭ ᐃᔨᑖᔨᒦᓱᓐ - ᒑ ᐄᑖᔨᐦᑎᒥᓐ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒧᔮᒻ ᐋᑳ
ᐱᔅᑳᑎᔅᒡ ᒋᓃᒋᐦᐄᑯᒡ ᐊᓂᔮ ᐋᑎ ᐃᔨᐦᑎᐧᐃᑦ, ᐋᑯᑎᐦ ᒦᓐ
ᐊᑎᑎᐤ ᒑ ᐧᐄᐦ ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᔨᓐ᙮ ᒑᒃ ᓈᔥᒡ ᒑ ᒥᒑᔨᐦᑎᒥᓐ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒑ
ᐲᒋᔅᑳᑖᔨᒧᔨᓐ-ᒧᔮᓐ ᐊᓂᑖᐦ ᐋᑳ ᓈᔥᑎᔨᒡ ᐃᐦᑎᑯᐦᒡ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ ᒑ
ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐄᑯᔨᓐ ᒑ ᐄᑖᔨᐦᑎᒥᓐ᙮ ᒌᔮᓂᐤ ᐋᐦ ᐅᔅᒋᓃᒌᔨᐦᒄ ᒥᐦᒑᐧᑖᐤ
ᒋᓂᒋᔥᑳᓈᓂᐤ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ ᐋᐦ ᐋᔨᒥᐦᒡ᙮
ᐋᑯᑖᐦ ᐋᓯᓈᑯᓯᔮᓐ ᑭᔮᐦ ᓃᔨ, ᒥᔥᑏᐦ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ ᓂᒌᐦ ᓂᒋᔥᑳᓐ
ᐅᑖᐦ ᐄᔑ ᐅᑖᐦᒡ, ᓂᒧᐃ ᒌᐦ ᐃᐦᑐᑎᒧᒡ ᐱᔥᒡ ᐊᐧᐋᓂᒌ ᐋᐦ
ᐧᐄᐦ ᐃᐦᑎᒡ᙮ ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᐧᐃᓂᔨᐤ ᐋᔪᐧᐃᒄ ᓈᑳᐱᔨᐦᐄᑯᒡ᙮ ᒧᔮᒻ
ᐊᓂᑖᐦ ᐋᑳ ᐃᐦᑖᔨᒡᐦ ᐊᐧᐋᔨᐤᐦ ᒑ ᐧᐄᒋᐦᐄᑯᒡ ᐋᑯᑖᐦ
ᐋᑖᔨᐦᑎᐦᒡᐦ᙮
ᐧᐄᐦ ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᔨᓈ, ᐋᑯᑖᐦ ᐋᔑ ᐧᐄᐦᑎᒧᐧᐃᒡ ᐊᐧᐋᓂᒌ ᒑ ᒌᐦ
ᐃᐦᑎᐧᐃᒡ᙮ ᑖᐹ ᓂᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᓐ ᐊᔮᐱᒡ ᒫᒃ ᐊᐧᑳᔑᒡ ᐊᐧᐋᓂᒌ ᒑ
ᐴᓃᐧᐃᒡ᙮ ᐋᑯᑖᐦ ᑳ ᐄᔑᒡ, ᐊᓂᑖᐦ ᐋᐦ ᐄᔥᐧᑳᑎᐧᐃᔥᑖᒡ ᓂᒥ
ᒋᑭ ᐧᐃᔨᐧᐄᓐ, ᒌᒋᐧᐋᐦᒡ ᐋᑯᑖᐦ ᒑ ᐃᐦᑖᔨᓐ᙮ ᒑ ᒋᐱᐦᐋᒥᓐ
ᐊᓂᑎᐦ ᐋᐦ ᐅᐦᒋ ᐊᔨᒥᐦᐄᑭᐧᐃᐧᐃᔨᓐ ᑭᔮᐦ ᓂᒥ ᒋᑭ
ᐃᔮᐱᑖᔨᐦᑎᐧᒫᓐ ᐋᐦ ᐹᒋ ᒥᓯᓂᐦᐋᒫᔅᒃ ᐊᐧᐋᓐ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒫᒃ ᒥᒄ ᒑ
ᑭᓂᐧᐋᐱᐦᑎᒧᑦ - ᐊᔮᐱᒡ ᑭᔮᐦ ᐊᓐ ᕓᐃᔅᐳᒃ᙮
ᑖᓂᑎᐦᑐ ᐊᐧᐋᓂᒌ ᔖᔥ ᑳ ᐧᐃᓂᐦᐄᑯᒡ ᐅᐦᒋ ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᐧᐃᓂᔨᐤ᙮
ᑖᓐ ᑎᐦᐧᑖᐤ ᐧᐋᐦ ᐧᐋᐱᒥᑦ ᐊᐧᐋᓐ ᐋᐦ ᐧᐃᓂᐦᑖᑦ ᐅᐱᒫᑎᓰᐧᐃᓐ
ᐅᐦᒋ ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᐧᐃᓂᔨᐤ ᐋᐦᐧᒫᔮᐦ ᐴᓃᔨᓐ ᐋᐦ ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᔨᓐ᙮
ᐊᐧᑳᐧᐄ ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᐦ ᐋᑦ ᐄᑎᔅᒡ ᒋᐧᐄᒑᐧᐋᑭᓂᒡ ᐋᑳ ᐧᐃᔮᔥ
ᐄᔑᓈᑯᓂᔨᒡ, ᐊᑳᐧᐄ ᐅᑎᓐᐦ᙮ ᐊᓐ ᒫᒃ ᐹᔨᒄ ᐱᐧᔮᐱᔅᑯᔮᑭᓐ
ᒥᑖᐦᑐᒥᑎᓂᐧᐋᐦᑎᔮᔮᐤ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒥᒄ ᐹᔨᑯᑎᐱᔅᑳᐤᐦ ᔖᔥ ᓂᒥ
ᐃᐦᑎᑯᓐ᙮ ᑭᔨᐧᐹ ᒑᔅᒑᔨᐦᑎᒫᓐ ᐋᐦ ᐄᑖᔨᐦᑎᑭᓂᐧᐃᒡ ᐋᐦ ᒧᒋᑭᐦᒡ
ᒥᒄ ᒫᒃ ᒥᑖᐦᑐᒥᑎᓂᐧᐋᐦᑏ ᒦᒋᒻ ᒋᑭ ᒌᐦ ᐅᑎᓈᓐ ᐹᔨᑯᑎᐧᐃᔥᑖᐤᐦ
ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᐄᔅᐱᔨᔮᒄ ᑭᔮᐦ ᒫᒃ ᑯᑎᒡ ᒑᐧᑳᓐ ᓈᑎᐧᐋᔨᐦᑎᒥᓐ᙮
ᐱᑯᓂᒑ, ᓃᔨ, ᓂᒥᐧᔮᔨᐦᑖᓐ ᐋᐦ ᒦᒋᓱᔮᓐ, ᐋᐱᒥᒄ ᒫ ᐋᔅᑎᑎᔮᓐ᙮
ᒋᐧᐋᐱᓈᐧᐋᐤ ᐊᓂᑖᐦ ᐊᑖᐧᐋᐅᑭᒥᑯᐦᒡ ᐋᐦ ᑎᐦᑯᓂᒫᓐ ᐋᐦ ᒌᐦ
ᐅᑎᓂᒑᔮᓐ ᒦᒋᒻ, ᓂᒥᔮᔨᐦᑖᓐ ᐋᐦ ᓂᑐᓯᓂᐦᐄᒑᔮᓐ᙮
ᒋᐧᐋᐱᐦᑖᓈᐧᐋᐤ ᐋᔑᐦᐅᔮᓐ - ᒥᐦᒑᑐᐱᐳᓐᐦ ᓂᑭ ᒌᐦ ᑭᓂᐧᐋᔨᐦᑖᓐ
ᑭᔮᐦ ᓂᒥ ᓂᐦᑖ ᓂᐧᐋᓂᐦᑭᑖᓐ᙮ ᐋᑯᑖᐦ ᒫᒃ ᒑ ᒌᐦ ᐃᐦᑖᔮᒄ ᑯᐃᔅᒄ
ᒑ ᐄᔑ ᐋᐱᒋᐦᐋᒄ ᒋᔓᐧᐃᔮᓂᒥᐧᐋᐤ, ᓂᒧᐃ ᒥᒄ ᐹᔨᑯᑎᐱᔅᑳᐤᐦ᙮
ᓂᒋᔅᒑᔨᐦᑖᓐ ᐋᐦ ᐅᔅᒋᓃᒌᑦ ᐊᐧᐋᓐ ᐋᐦ ᒥᐧᔮᔨᐦᑎᐦᒃ ᐋᐦ ᒨᒋᑭᐦᑖᑦ
ᑭᔮᐦ ᒥᒄ ᐊᓂᔮ ᐧᐋᐦ ᐋᑎ ᐃᔨᐦᑎᐦᒃ ᐋ ᐃᐦᑎᒃ᙮ ᓂᒋᔅᒑᔨᐦᑖᓐ
ᐊᓐ ᒥᒄ ᒫᒃ ᐊᔮᐱᒡ ᒋᑭ ᒌᐦ ᒧᒋᑭᐦᑖᓈᓂᐤ ᐋᑦ ᐋᑳ ᓈᔥᑎᔨᒡ
ᒥᓂᐦᐧᑳᔨᐦᐧᑳ᙮
ᒑ ᒫᒥᑐᓈᔨᐦᑎᒫᒄ ᒫᒃ ᐊᓐ ᑳ ᐄᔑ ᐧᐄᐦᑎᒫᑎᑯᒡ ᐊᓅᐦᒡ ᑳᔑᑳᒡ᙮
ᐋᔨᒥᐦᑖᐧᐃᓈ ᐆ, ᐋᑯᑖᐦ ᒑ ᐄᔑ ᒫᒥᑐᓈᔨᐦᑎᒥᓐ ᐆ ᐊᓅᐦᒡ
ᑳᔑᑳᒡ ᓈᔥᑎᔨᒡ ᐋᐦ ᐅᔥᑳᒡ᙮ ᔖᔥ ᓂᑭ ᐧᑳᔅᒋᐦᑖᓐ
ᓂᐱᒫᑎᓰᐧᐃᓐ᙮
ᐋᑯᑖᐦ, ᒋᓂᔅᑯᒥᑎᓈᐧᐋᐤ᙮
My wife and I are watching Who Wants To Be A Millionaire while we were in bed.
I turned to her and said, 'Do you want to have sex?'
'No,' she answered.
I then said, 'Is that your final answer?'
26 Waaskimaashtaau
She didn't even look at me this time, simply saying 'Yes.'
So I said, 'Then I'd like to phone a friend.'
And that's how the fight started.
CSB Students Speak Out ...
The Cree School Board’s Annual Regional Public Speaking
Contest was held in Mistissini (Voyageur Memorial School) this
year on Wednesday, April 4.
Students from all the communities had the choice to give their
speech in either Cree, French or English. This year there were three
‘Cree’ speeches, two ‘French’ and eight ‘English’. Mistissini won
the overall Public Speaking contest.
The following are the speeches of Joshua Chiskamish (Chisasibi),
the Cree language winner and Justice Debassige (Mistissini), the
English language winner. Hopefully we’ll have the speech of Jordy
Dumoulin (Waswanipi), the French Language winner in the June
issue.
Hello, My Name is Justice Debassige and I am a student
of Voyageur Memorial School. I am in Secondary Five and I
am the first born son to Cindy and Roger Blacksmith.
In my topic, I will talk about Strateco’s Uranium Project
being located in the Otish Mountains. The project is called,
The Matoush Project.
The Matoush Project is good for the development of our
community but not good for the wellness of our land. For
development, we would receive more money from the project and more job opportunities for the people of Mistissini.
But how many jobs? And how much money would we
receive? These are the questions we must try to answer. When I went to the information session given by
Strateco Uranium Mining Cooperation, I learned that 25 jobs
would be available to the people of Mistissini. That benefits
0.5% of Mistissini’s population and their families. And we
would receive millions of dollars during the mining process. That is not very much for this proposed development.
I am going to ask you a tricky question. Are 25 jobs and
millions of dollars more important than our land? Before we
explore the answer to the questions, I will tell you more
about Uranium Mining and its history.
Most of this information I did not know and I was surprised by its history and its uses.
Uranium is an easily oxidized radioactive metallic element. Wow, that is a mouthful! And where is Uranium
found?
Concentrated deposits of Uranium are not found in very
many places, but the Otish Mountains are one of those places. For those who don’t know where the Otish Mountains
are, they are located approximately 250km North of Mistissini.
Another big place for Uranium is Saskatchewan. In fact
in the past fifteen years, Saskatchewan has become the Uranium capitol around the globe. Probably none of you know
this, but the Uranium industry started in Canada because of
the development of the nuclear bomb. Sadly, Uranium from
Canada was used in the atomic bombs that destroyed Hiro-
shima and Nagasaki in Japan, at the end of World War
Two. Using Uranium for atomic bombs was made illegal in
1965. Today, Uranium is mostly used for Nuclear Reactors.
A Nuclear Reactor generates heat, which is then used to
produce power, such as electricity. Nuclear Reactors are a
cleaner source of energy than coal and that is why a lot of
people support it. However, there are many risks involved. To keep a reactor going for just one year, they need
to produce 25 thousand tonnes of Uranium Fuel. This means
they have to take a half a million tonnes of waste rock which
also creates a hundred thousand tones of Mill Tailings. These
are toxic for hundreds of thousands of years.
Will Tailings affect animals and the land?
Yes, because Mill Tailings are extremely radioactive and
dangerous to the environment. According to David Thorpe
from the Guardian Newspaper, “Contamination of local water supplies around Uranium Mines and Processing Plants has
been documented in Brazil, Colorado, Texas, Australia, Namibia and many other sites. In Australia, a new Uranium
Mine 25 km south of Alice Springs had 15,000 Litres of Acid
Uranium solution leaked in the year 2002. They have had
problems with leaks then.” Alice Springs is 10 times closer to
a uranium mine than we would!
This brings us back to my original question, Is 25 jobs
and millions of dollars more important than our land? In my
opinion, our land is priceless and it holds our past, present
and future. Our ancestors have hunted, fished and lived on
these lands for thousands and thousands of years. Like the
ancient aboriginal proverb says, “We do not inherit the earth
from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” It tells
us that we must take care of our lands for the future generations that lie ahead. How will we be remembered if our land
is left to ruin? Think about it, this land is in our blood. If we
allow this to happen, we are only poisoning ourselves.
Please listen to our land, our ancestors and our future
generations.
Meegwetch
27
Translation of Joshua Chiskamish’s Speech
My name is Joshua Chiskamish. My home town is Chisasibi. I
will be doing my speech in Cree
I'm going to talk about alcohol
Alcohol is like some other person is controlling your body,
when you take your first sip ,some people say. Shash I tried
it; never again. A couple weeks later or months whatever,
you will feel that nasty feeling in your stomach. It wants alcohol nah. I asked my friends about this stuff. There’s always an
answer.
When you drink the first time, you never go back. It's inside you.
So what I’m saying. If you drink you will miss out on hunting
trips, hockey tournaments, work, school all the important
stuff in your life. Like school is the most important thing. If
you drop out things will be harder in life.
It's going to be hard to get a job in the future; it will take
long to get a job. You'll get a low salary.
If you finish school, you’ll get your diploma; things would
be easy, because we need diplomas in the future and if you
have your diploma you will get a good salary.
Or if you want your salary to be bigger, go to college and university your job will be better.
All alcohol is going to do is cause your family problems and
they will hate what you’re doing to yourself and all that anger inside you, will explode. You’ll feel so useless - like your
parents don’t care about what you do with your life; that’s
when you start drinking again. Then you feel loneliness in
your life - like there's no hope of finding a way out. We teenagers go thru a lot of challenges in our life.
Even me, I got thru a lot of stuff in my past. mwee jii doudoumch beshch one jii awee ditch And alcohol pulls them
back like there's no one to help them at all.
If you want to quit drinking this is what people told me to
do. I don't even drink alcohol and people tell me to quit. This
A man was sprawled across three seats in a theatre. The
usher came by and whispered, "Sorry, sir, but you're only
allowed one seat." The man didn't budge. "Sir," the usher
said, "if you don't get up, I'm going to have to call the manager." The man stayed put.
The usher came back with the manager, but the guy still didn't budge. So they called the police.
"All right, buddy," said the officer. "What's your name?"
"Sam," the man moaned.
"Where ya from, Sam?" the cop asked.
"The balcony."
28 Waaskimaashtaau
is what they said. When it's close to weekends just stay
home. Close your cell phone or ignore your messages or you
can just look at them - even Facebook
How many people have we lost by alcohol? How many
times do you want to see people die to make you stop drinking alcohol?
So DON'T drink even if your friends say it's ok, don't take
it. Mook wash one night in bottle yabitch make 100 dollars. I
know its fun but 100 dollars could buy you one week of food
and the things that you need.
For example, take me; I like food. Look how big I am. You
can see me walking around at the Commercial Center with
my take-out (lol) and shopping online (lol). See what I wear that could last for years and I never starve for food. So use
your money for good, not just for a night. I know were young,
wild and free in our teenage life. I get that, but we can still
have fun without touching alcohol.
Think about what I told you guys here today. If you’re
reading this :) I want you to think like today is a new day. I'm
going to turn my life around.
Agoudah thank you
List of the Art Awards
Elementary:
Grade 1: Nevaeh Wapachee, Waswanipi
Grade 2: Chelsea Bosum, Ouje-Bougoumou
Grade 3: Denzel Berryman, Waskaganish
Grade 4: Marie-Alice Tremblay, Wemindji
Grade 5 and 6: Makana Shecapio, Gr. 5, Ouje-Bougoumou
Sculpture:
Elementary: Angelina Rabbitskin, Gr. 6, Nemaska
Secondary: Delci Hester, Sec. 2, Waskaganish
All Secondary:
1st prize: Juli Ann Quachegan, Sec. 4, Chisasibi
2nd prize: Amanda Wadden, Sec. 2, Wemindji
3rd prize: Ajia Crow, Sec. 1, Chisasibi
Secondary:
Secondary 1: Lucas Spencer-Otter, Chisasibi
Secondary 2: Angel Bearskin, Chisasibi
Delci Hester, Waskaganish
Secondary 3-4: Trisha Lazarus, Sec. 4, Chisasibi
Juli Ann Quachegan, Sec. 4, Chisasibi
Secondary 5: Lenore Bearskin, Chisasibi
Learning Center, Integration in Sec. 1: Charity Bearskin,
Chisasibi
Cree School Board Regional Art Exhibit, Chisasibi
By Lucie Schofield
Every year, one of the Cree communities hosts the Regional
Art Exhibit of the Cree School Board. This year it was held at
the library of the James Bay Eeyou School in Chisasibi from
April 18- 24. It was organized by the two Art teachers, Lucie
Schofield and Lise Simard. The exhibit was announced to the
community on the radio as open to the public, and the students had the opportunity to visit with their teachers.
Three judges were selected from outside of the school staff
and they were not parents of students attending the school.
In order for them to be able to make a fair decision, the artwork was only identified with the school level of the student.
When the judges had finished, we added the names of the
students and communities.
The judges were Martha Bearskin, a former Cree Culture
teacher at our school, Peter Pelchat, an artist and teacher in
Adult Education, and Benoit Strasbourg also a former teacher
at James Bay Eeyou School who now works for the Cree
School Board. The judges had to take several elements into
consideration when debating their choices. These were originality, creativity, mastery of technique, complexity and level
of difficulty of the work in relation to the grade level of the
student. It was not easy to make a decision as there were
many interesting projects and a variety of techniques.
The students that won awards will have their artwork framed
professionally. The pieces will be exhibited at the Chisasibi
Cree School Board for a period of one year and then returned to the students.
The communities that participated in the exhibit and contest
are:
Chisasibi, Nemaska, Ouje-Bougoumou, Waskaganish, Waswanipi, Wemindji.
Although Mistissini had some beautiful artwork, they unfortunately sent their projects after the deadline and the judges
had already made their choices. We, though, did take the
time to add them to the art exhibit.
Neveh Wapachee –1st Gr 1
Angelina Rabbitskin Gr 6
Angel Bearskin –1st Sec 2
Mary-Alice Tremblay 1st Gr 4
Delci Hestor -1st Sec 2
Juli Ann Quachegan -1st All Sec
29
Happy Birthdays & Mother’s Day
Look well to this day,
For it and it alone is life.
In its brief course
Lie all the essence of your existence:
The Glory of Growth
The Satisfaction of Achievement
The Splendor of Beauty
For yesterday is but a dream,
And tomorrow is but a vision.
But today well lived makes every
yesterday a dream of happiness,
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
(author unknown)
Happy Birthday to; Mayson Kitty, May
14th and Juliet Bearskin, May 19th
Love Annie & Terry
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to Amy-Lee
Happy 7th Birthday to Amy-Lee Fireman
On May 30th
From Mom, Dad, Zoe-Jane & J-D
Hugs and Kisses xoxoxo
we’d like to say Happy Mother’s Day
to Evelyn Pachano. Love you Mommy
From Lily, Zoe &Amy
Happy Mother’s Day to
Lorraine & Samantha Pachano
from Burton
Correction: It stated in the April issue
that the Wemindji Science fair students
Cain Stewart & Alyssa Ottereyes won
first prize in the Provincial Aboriginal
Science fair at Kitigan Zibi. Instead they
won third prize.
It was also written that Eastmain's science fair team of Charlene Weapenicappo and Cameron Cheezo won first at the
Provincial Aboriginal Science fair. They
did not place at this science fair.
Both teams did win first place though at
the CSB Regional Science Fair in
Whapmagoostui
30 Waaskimaashtaau
We would like to wish a Happy Birthday to the following people
May 3 - Charlene C Georgekish; May 4 Robbie Tapiatic; May 5 - Angela Tapiatic; May 10 - Elizabeth S Ratt & Minnie
Shem; May 13 - Nancy Tapiatic; May 20
- Tristan Georgekish; May 22 - Robert
Shem & Joel Tapiatic; May 25 - Louisa
Ratt & Mayvis Chiskamish; May 26 Lauren-Grace Shem; May 30 - Leonard
Chiskamish; May 31 - Our daughter
Savanah May Shem
on May 13th Happy Mother’s Day! To
my mom Elizabeth, my sister, aunts,
my Grandma Emma Tapiatic, Motherin-Law, my Sister-in-laws, cousins, my
friends and every Mother. Have a safe
goose hunt ... xoxo
Happy 4th Birthday to a special little
guy Ethan Matthew Riley Benjamin on
May 26th
May your Birthday be as wonderful
and special as you are. We love you so
much
We love you forever and always
Googoom Marjorie, Mommy Winnie,
Daddy Trevor, & Bro Logan
Birthday Greetings going out to these
people May 1 - Crystal Chewanish;
May 5 - Louisa Rupert; May 8 - Bernice
Sam; May 10 - Barbara Dowling
Happy Birthday to my Auntie Martha
Spencer Enjoy your day on May 8th
Love you from Marjorie
Happy Mother’s Day to these Special
Moms
Janie Sam, Edith Fortchimo, Martha
Spencer-Chewanish, Lorna Spencer,
Wendy Spencer-Moar, Mary Moar,
Beatrice Sam-Nankish, Barbara Benjamin-Spencer, Phyllis Chiskamish, Elizabeth Herodier, Nancy Snowboy, Elizabeth Cookish, Annie Sam-Snowboy,
Jennifer Sam-Bearskin, Nicole Sam,
Bernice Sam, Katherine Bearskin-Sam,
Lisa Sam-Bosum
Love from Marjorie, Winnie, Trevor,
Ethan & Logan
Happy Mother’s Day to our special
Mommy Winnie Benjamin
Thank you for all you’ve done for us
and always being there. We love you
so so much. Love you forever & always
Your boys Ethan & Logan
Space News
Dates to Remember …
May 5/6 - Full moon; moon will be the closest to Earth
in a while. Have your binoculars ready.
Sunday, May 20 - Partial eclipse of the sun for most
of North America in the afternoon. Do not look at the
sun directly. Use 3 or 4 pairs of sunglasses.
Tuesday May 22 - the planet of Venus (Goddess of
Love) will be very close to a tiny sliver of the Moon
soon after the sun goes down
Rumour has it that we can
lay the blame for the resurgence of winter directly at
the feet of Ruby. Apparently
she gets an urge every once
in awhile to wear a Santa hat
and when she does Ole man
Winter thinks it’s his time
again!
Sealhunters do it again! Shoot the first goose of the season that is.
Claude and Larry were at the right place - Km 10, and at the right
time Tuesday, April 10 just after lunch. Congratulations guys!
You sometimes wonder
what goes through people’s mind. Why ….??
Reggie Bearskin (CTA) took a trip by helicopter down the La
Grande River from LG 1 last month to find out why there were a
lot of trees and brush caught up in the ice by Chisasibi. He found
that there had been numerous land/mud slides on the south bank
and on the islands just west of LG 1. It’s going to make canoeing
out towards and past Fort George & Governor's Island rather
hazardous for awhile.
Lise, Denis, Benoit, Terry & Mohammed
Chisasibi’s Badminton Club - just kidding!
We play 2-3 times a week at the school gym. Great for
keeping in shape. Harry where are you. We miss you!
Notice: the Asiipii Restaurant will be
closed Saturday May 5 to Sunday May 20
We will open May 21 at 8 am
Two bus loads of Secondary 2 students from Levy (across the
river from Quebec) dropped in for a visit. Souvenirs??
A Happy Mother’s Day to all Mothers on May 13
Thank you -for your love and devotion to our children!
31

ᐧᐋᔅᑭᒫᔥᑖᐤ - the Cree Nation of Chisasibi

Transcription

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