Thanks to the hard work of our employees and the collaboration of our many partners, we have successfully implemented many different programs, ranging from the training of Crees for skilled jobs with Hydro-Quebec (over 50 Crees now occupy permanent positions), the rejuvenation of Cree community and family fisheries, the support of numerous cultural activities including summer gatherings and the enhancement of goose hunting facilities. This is not to mention the hundreds of kilometres of snowmobile and ATV trails already built throughout Eeyou Istchee.
On its 20th anniversary, Niskamoon Corporation salutes The Nation magazine and wishes it many more years of success and positive change.
www.niskamoon.org
16-21—August 28, 2009
Editorial
Election 2009: missed opportunities, new hopes
by Lyle Stewart Meet the new boss, same as the old boss. That hackneyed refrain could be the slogan for the recently concluded election for Grand Chief of the Crees that returned Matthew Coon Come to power after a 10-year absence from active Cree politics.Rez Notes
Pent up Crees
by Sonny Orr The pain of every breath clung to the dried-out windpipe leading to my lungs that were grasping for relief from the ordeal called the pentathlon. However, this particular pentathlon was done all at the same time, with no breaks in between events.News
Getting to know you
Thirty-four-year-old Stanley George beats out two major opponents to become the new Chief of Whapmagoostui
by Amy German He might be young and without political experience but Stanley George beat out incumbent Chief Losty Mamianscum and running mate Isaac Masty to take the top position as Whapmagoostui’s new Chief.Another Attawapiskat evacuation
Nearly 90 people flee Attawapiskat after a sewage backup destroys more homes and yet Indian Affairs is still refusing aid
by Amy German For the second time this year the community of Attawapiskat has declared a state of emergency after an infrastructure failure led to a sewage backup in multiple homes in the community.Literacy rescue
A new pilot project at Mistissini’s Voyager Memorial Elementary School might just mean literacy Success for All of its students
by Amy German Over the years the Nation has reported on the high drop-out rates in Eeyou Istchee, that its students have had substandard reading abilities and that many take more time to finish high school than the rest of the province. But, the scales might be on the verge of tipping.Nemaska Fitness Challenge 2009
Imagine how well our grandfathers would have done in Nemaska’s Fitness Challenge. They were able to paddle for miles a day, portage over hills and valleys, swim across fast rivers and rush lengths across their hunting grounds in snowshoes and still have enough energy to father children. They might have had trouble with those newfangled bicycles in the beginning, but the lead they could have gained with their traditional skills and stamina might have rendered the one modern leg of this challenge null and void.Canoes and other news
Youth Grand Chief Stacy Bear discusses the Youth AGA and the final trip down the Rupert River
by Amy German The past few weeks have been very busy for Cree Nation Youth Grand Chief Stacy Bear. Between a highly successful Cree Nation Youth Council Annual General Assembly in July, spearheading a new campaign to inspire hope and seeing off her youths on their last ever Rupert River Canoe Brigade, the time has flown by.Empowering art
The Young Artist Warriors exhibit at Montreal’s Native Friendship Centre is a revealing lesson in empowerment and pride
by Martin Siberok The Native Friendship Centre of Montreal (MFCM) has a fantastic youth centre called the Inter-Tribal Youth Centre of Montreal (ITYC) which boasts a stone-carving room and a music room as well as being well equipped to carry out numerous activities and projects. Of course, the need is always great for the First Nations communities to instill healing and promote cultural awareness and positive self-esteem, especially among the youth.Space Indian
Astronaut John B. Herrington was the first Native American to orbit the Earth
by Martin Siberok We’ve all stared into space and wondered what it would be like to be up there in the cosmos looking down at our planet. Only a handful of individuals have had that kind of experience – and one of them is John B. Herrington.Maestro please!
World famous Mohawk conductor John Kim Bell picks up his baton for the first time in 12 years to wow crowds in Toronto
by Amy German John Kim Bell has lived many lives. The Kahanawake native is known for creating the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation in 1985, which started up the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards in the 1993.Under the Northern Sky
Muskwa and her babies
by Xavier Kataquapit I am not an early riser, so it was with some difficulty when I had to wake up at five in the morning for a short fishing trip with some friends of mine. Rob and his son Jack are southerners and they look forward to the true northern experience of rising early with the hopes of catching a good-sized fish on a quiet lake.In Brief
Cree School Board holds election run-off
The August 12 election for Cree School Board chairman has resulted in yet another run-off election this summerAPTN turns 10
On September 1, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) turns 10. The anniversary will be celebrated with a 90-minute special, called Milestones, Memories and Moving Forward, which will be broadcast on that evening at 9pm. Starring Lorne Cardinal, the show will highlight the history of APTN and how the network continues to evolve.
