Eyou Dipajimoon
with Joshua Loon

The 2013 Provincial Arm Wrestling Championship was held over the Victoria Day weekend in St. Jean-sur-Richelieu. John Bosum from Ouje-Bougoumou was looking forward to the competition. Joshua Loon spoke with him to find out more about the competition.

Jessie House is working with the Chisasibi Heritage Center on a photo project. They want former residential school students identify themselves and their classmates in photographs from decades ago. Joshua Loon spoke with Jessie House during the Truth and Reconciliation national event in Montreal in April 2013. 

A CBC report on the Cree Nation has a lot of people in Eeyou Istchee talking. CBC Reporter Terry Milewski traveled to Eeyou-Istchee in March. His documentary about the Quebec Crees aired May 14 on The National. Some people, like Stella Masty Bearskin of Chisasibi, thought it didn't reflect the whole of what is happening in Eeyou Istchee.

Stella Masty Bearskin

Deputy Grand Chief Ashley Iserhoff  

The nominations for Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chief are open until May 24, 2013. So far two people have been nominated. Lorraine Shecapio spoke with Regional Elections Officer Lawrence Jimiken for an update. 

The Director of Quebec Relations for the Cree Nation says the Grand Council will keep a close eye on what Quebec plans to do in the Northern region. In early May, the PQ government announced it's plans for development in the North - a plan called "Le Nord pour tous". The PQ announced that it will set up several Secretariats for Northern Development, including one in Chibougaumau. Tina Petawabano spoke with Joshua Loon to explain what they know of the plan.

With the spring thaw, some roads leading to Cree hunting territory have been washed out. Some families can't get to their goose hunting camps. Sydney Ottereye from Waswanipi spoke with Joshua Loon about his efforts to have the roads fixed once and for all.

The flood threat in northern Ontario is starting to go down. Local officials say an ice jam on the Albany River is starting to move and they are no longer on high alert for evacuation. Allan Jolly from Moose Factory says the situation has caused a delay for work and goose hunt for Ontario Crees. Joshua Loon spoke to Allan to find out more.

Quebec's forest fire protection agency, SOPFEU, is asking the public to be careful with outdoor fires. The unusually hot and dry weather has many areas at risk of forest fires, including the southern edge of Eeyou Istchee. The Public Safety Officer from Waswanipi, Bobby Blacksmith, says this time of year, people should be more alert if they cooking out of doors.

 

Quebec Premier Pauline Marois announced her government's plan for northern development at a press conference May 7th in Chibougamou. Chief Negotiator of the Crees Abel Bosum was there. Bosum says the Grand Council is making sure that Crees won't be left out. Joshua Loon spoke with him shortly after the press conference.