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
17-03—December 18, 2009
Editorial
A look back
by Will Nicholls This will be the 17th Christmas the Nation has shared with its readers. It still feels like only yesterday that we put out our first issue. That was on December 1, 1993. Our launch party in Montreal included fiddlers from Hughboy Records who were on The Best Cree Fiddlers of James Bay album. It wasn’t a typical Montreal launch party. I think we freaked out some passersby who joined in the party.Rez Notes
The lore of Christmas
by Sonny Orr Once, way back several decades ago, I believed in Santa Claus, as did many other children around the world. Santa was a living being with the ability to make every child happy overnight and was cause for celebration. At the same time, the build-up to such times around the Christmas tree and the birth of Jesus and the following days after always seemed like a magical time – no school and everyone had time to be together to do things.News
Public Service Prize
Val-d’Or Native Friendship Centre Executive Director Édith Cloutier wins top honour
by Amy German Though she might not have seen it coming, Édith Cloutier recently received a phone call that would change her life, one informing her that she had won the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Public Service.16 Days of Activism
NWAC promotes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
by Amy German While not many people are aware that November 25 is the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Native Women’s Association of Canada uses it to draw attention to the issue.Dialoguing for Life
The seventh annual Dialogue for Life suicide conference brings Indigenous communities from all over Quebec together
by Amy German Though the halls of Holiday Inn Midtown may have been decked with seasonal cheer, many of those milling about its lobbies had something entirely different on their minds: suicide prevention.Quebec’s Cream of the Crop
Four individuals from Quebec are winners at this year’s National Aboriginal Achievement Awards
by Amy German Not only was the Val d’Or Friendship Centre’s Executive Director, Édith Cloutier, honoured with a 2010 National Aboriginal Achievement Award, there are three other winners from Quebec this year.Fighting Genetic Disorders
A special meeting is held at St. Justine’s Hospital for Cree leukoencephalopathy and Cree encephalitis
by Amy German Medical professionals from St. Justine’s Hospital in Montreal met with members of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) and Annie Bearskin of the Eeyou Awaash foundation to assess where they were at in fighting Cree encephalitis (CE) and Cree leukoencephalopathy (CLE) on November 30.Developing the North Sensibly
Val-d’Or was a hotbed of deal-making as the 7th annual Business Exchange Day brought 250 business decision-makers together
by Amy German They talked joint venture and projects. They were selling employment opportunities to communities that have seen double-digit unemployment figures.Correcting Corrections Canada
A middle-aged man tries to rectify the injustice that was done to him by the Canadian justice system
by Irkar Beljaars John C. Moore's journey through the Canadian justice system began when he was convicted of second-degree murder in June 1978. This happened despite the fact that the Crown recognized that he was not even present when the crime was committed.T’was the Night before Christmas
by Irkar Beljaars T’was the night before Christmas, when all through the dwelling,Not a critter was stirring, not even a lemming.
The moccasins all hung by the wood stove with care,
In hopes that Dear Santa soon would be there.
Under the Northern Sky
Ye Olde Christmas Shopping Spree
by Xavier Kataquapit My parents, Marius and Susan, were visiting with me recently while on a shopping trip for Christmas. I was happy to escort them and provide some transportation as we went store hopping in Timmins. The Christmas shopping spree is a tradition for my family and for everyone up the James Bay Coast. My parents are very sensible compared to most when they shop.In Brief
We are learning after all
Crees have seen plenty of stories of drop-outs and difficulties in seeing the graduation rates go upward instead of down. A new report challenges us to look beyond the negative stereotypes associated with Aboriginal students and schools.Holiday Round up—Listing of Community Events
Wemindji Cree Nation
Wemindji has the Youth Gala on Dec. 18 at 6pm in the Youth Centre. The Christmas concert will take place at the community hall on Dec. 15 and that starts at 7pm. There will also be Christmas tea at the Maquatua Eeyou School on Dec. 17, followed by a Christmas party on Dec. 18 with individual classes having parties. The New Year’s Extravaganza will take place Dec. 31 with details to be announced.
