The trail of the Rabbit Fur Coat

One of the most exciting things that happened with our museum collection in the last few months was the amazing reunification of an object with the family of the maker.

In May 2015, ACCI hosted a Curatorial workshop lead by Moira McCaffrey, and one of the attendees was Linda Stewart Georgekish from Wemindji. At this time, she mentioned to us that her late mother Demaris Gilpin Stewart had made a rabbit fur coat ‘for a museum’ back in the 1980s and that she has been looking for it ever since! We informed her that we do have a few rabbit fur coats in our collection and that we would keep an eye out.

           A few months ago, Linda posted a photograph on Facebook of her nephew, Bernard Stewart, modelling the coat when he was a boy in 1980:

Bernard Stewart, 1980

"The Voyage of the Odeyak"

CALL FOR DONATIONS: PICTURES, VIDEO FOOTAGE, LETTERS, & NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS

"The Voyage of the Odeyak"

“We may have inherited this land from our ancestors, but we have also borrowed it from our children.”

These compelling words were spoken by Matthew Coon Come on "Earth Day" April 22, 1990, the day that New Yorkers learned that 60 Cree & Inuit, travelling in a 24 foot craft named "The Odeyak" were at the end of a 1200 mile journey that began five weeks earlier on the Great Whale River on the east coast of Hudson's Bay.

The long journey was undertaken to raise awareness and gain support, both nationally and internationally, of the Cree-Inuit opposition to Quebec's Great Whale Hydro Electric Project "James Bay II." The Cree of Whapmagoostui and the Inuit of Kuujuaraapik united, organizing the voyage, for the sake of the land, for the sake of their children.

This initiative involved all of Eeyou Istchee with people from various communities helping with the planning, building of the Odeyak, and supporting the journey itself. Many leaders from Eeyou Istchee, including Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come, joined in the voyage. Other First Nations leaders and chiefs joined in the journey, and paddled alongside the Cree delegation. Many important environmental, activist, and political groups and organizations also gave their support to the Cree and Inuit cause.
The word “Odeyak” is taken from the Cree word for canoe “Ode” and the last part of the Inuit word “Kayak.” The Odeyak was built in Kuujuaraapik by Billy Weetaltuk, with great help from his daughter, Caroline, his two sons Morris & Redfern, and his Cree friend Andrew Natachequan. A large six metre, ten person, wood-canvas canoe with an Inuit kayak-style enclosed stern, the Odeyak made its journey from Whapmagoostui/Kuujuaraapik (Great Whale) James Bay all the way to the United Nations’ headquarters in New York City.

This unique canoe, this epic voyage, was part of a remarkable effort on the part of the Cree Nation, one that ACCI would like to honour, celebrate, and remember. We would like you to be a part of this event.

We’re planning a commemorative ceremony to celebrate the “25th Anniversary of The Voyage of The Odeyak”. We would like to extend a call for donations to all people out there who had a chance to witness, or who have family members who participated in “The Voyage of The Odeyak” in March & April of 1990.

Were you, or your family, part of the Odeyak’s journey? Do you have old Polaroid pictures, photos, home movies, souvenirs, newspaper clippings, tapes, letters, postcards or journals of the people who were a part of this epic journey, as part of your family’s personal archives at home?
If you like to take part, and donate/lend any type of pictures or footage to us at ACCI, there are 2 ways to do so:

You can donate originals/copies of the photos to the museum. The photos will be credited to you as a donor and preserved here at the museum.

Or, you can loan us photos, which will be digitized and returned to you. The photos will be credited to you as a donor and preserved here at the museum.

For more information on how to make a donation, please contact:
Lisa Petawabano, Archivist
418-745-2444 ext. 2018 or email

For more information on the upcoming event, please email or call us at: 418-745-2444.

 Follow us on Facebook for updates on this exciting event!

3rd Annual Family Weekend…A Great Success!

The 3^rd Annual Family Weekend was a great success! 

On the first day we had close to 70 people join us for the whole afternoon.   The second day was just as popular.  In total we received over 150 people last weekend.  Those who attended experienced things that they’ve never before had the chance to see or do.

We invited nine (9) special guests to be with us for the whole weekend to transfer their traditional skills knowledge to all the participants that came to Aanischaaukamikw.  Elders Harry & Connie Bearskin and John & Beulah Crowe, from Chisasibi, brought their tools to make baby rattles, miniature snowshoes & carvings. From Mistissini, Emma Matoush taught participants to sew baby moccasins, and Elders Isaac & Sophie Coon taught participants the art of fishnet making.  Last but not least, Hattie Kitchen & Rene Blacksmith came to show us how to make baby moccasins and how to make your own crooked knife.

ACCI Celebrates Cree Day - November 11

39th Anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement 
1975-2014


This year marks the 39th anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. It is important to honour the young Cree leaders that were asked by community elders to lead the fight during the negotiations of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. Let’s extend our appreciation and respect to the dedicated and courageous Eeyou leaders who against tremendous odds fought for our rights in the 1970’s and let’s honour the Eeyou signatories of the JBNQA: Chief Billy Diamond 
Chief Robert Kanatewat 
Chief Fred Blackned 
Chief Matthew Shanush 
Chief Peter Gull 
Philip Awashish 
Smally Petawabano 
Chief Joseph Petagamaskum 
Chief Bertie Wapachee 
Abel Kitchen

On April 1, 1971, without consultation with the Eeyou of Eeyou Istchee, and without our consent, Premier Robert Bourassa announced the James Bay Hydroelectric Development Project describing it as “the project of the Century”. Eeyou/Eenouch immediately opposed the project and initiated court proceedings to stop the intrusion into Eeyou territory. Since then, the unfolding of events that followed the announcement of hydroelectric development within Eeyou Istchee has dramatically changed the course and direction of Eeyou/Eenou history. 

The decision of Judge Malouf of the Quebec Superior Court in November 1973 resulted in an order to immediately stop to the construction of the James Bay Hydroelectric Development Project within the Cree territory. Although the Quebec Court of Appeal overturned this judgment, Quebec and Hydro Quebec were obliged to negotiate with our people. The result of these negotiations was the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement signed on November 11, 1975—our Treaty and the basis for future successes.







The signature of the JBNQA marked the beginning of our long journey towards the recognition of our rights, the dramatic improvement of the living conditions in our communities, the recognition of the requirement for Cree consent for any development in our traditional territory, the advancement of our system of governance and the continuation of our Cree way of life based on our special relationship with our traditional territory-–Eeyou Istchee.

Written by April Pachano, GCCEI/CNG

Pow Wow Week 2

If one thought that our first week of the Powwow workshop here at ACCI was well attended, then our second week exceeded all expectations.  The second week targeted youth and adults who wanted to learn about dancing, making regalia, and to generally learn about what Powwows are and general conduct while attending.   

We started off the week by having a showcase of our two wonderful dancers, Gabriel Whiteduck and Paula Menarick.  The excitement level was already high, however after the introductory performance; the focus on learning from Ouje-Bougoumou’s youth was way beyond anyone’s imagination. After the initial excitement of the dancing, the youth spent the rest of the day learning about Powwow etiquette and about the regalia worn during a Powwow.  
  
The following day saw the youth learn various dance steps and practice through games and role playing.  Laughter filled the Billy Diamond Hall and the youth were totally engaged.  If we were able to teach for 24 hours a day, there is no doubt that they would have stayed that long.   They soon learned how to put together parts of regalia, patterns were being shared and beads were being placed on slippers and decorative pieces. 

 

 One suggestion came out that changed the entire course of the week, “can we learn how to sing and drum?”  With that one of our participants went home and brought back his drum.  The level of interest in this area from the ones who had a difficult time expressing themselves through dance, really started to shine.  They were able to learn a few songs, and started to understand the beats and rhythm of the songs so that the dancers would be able to dance.  For many this part was a highlight of the week.  As the week went on, the youth were continually asking for the drum.

There was so much chatter among the youth that the following two days saw our attendance double.  There were close to 40 people here, all enthusiastic about dancing, sewing and drumming. In fact, there were so many people, that it was almost impossible to stretch and do our pre dancing warm ups in the Chief Billy Diamond Hall. However, when there is a will there is a way. 

We were so incredibly pleased to host this workshop, and we hope that the youth were able to take away enough information dancing and regalia making, that they are able to practice on their own in the coming months and work on their regalia to be ready for the 4^th annual Ouje-Bougoumou Powwow.

Introduction to Traditional POW-WOW Dancing & Outfit Making Workshop

The weather has changed, finally, winter has come and gone and summer is quickly approaching and the powwow circuit is starting to heat up.  In August, Ouje-Bougoumou will host its 4^th annual Powwow and this year is going to be special.  This will be the first time that the Ouje-Bougoumou Powwow will actually happen in the community, and there is a great deal of excitement surrounding this event. 

 

Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute, in partnership with the community of Ouje-Bougoumou is presenting a Powwow workshop.   We have two accomplished dancers, Paula Menarick and Gabriel Whiteduck here to teach. All are welcome including youth, those that are interested in Powwows and those that are veterans of Powwows. Paula and Gabriel will be teaching basic dance techniques and the art of making regalia for this summer’s Powwow. In addition, they will be discussing the meaning of a Powwow and what happens during this event.  

FAMILY WEEKEND AT ACCI

November 22, 23 & 24 saw Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute host its 2^nd annual “Family Weekend” and what a weekend it was.  There were visitors from all over Eeyou Istchee that came to see Aanischaaukamikw and the events that happened throughout the weekend.

Two elders, Nancy Snowboy and Elizabeth Cookish, came from Chisasibi to show off their sewing skills and help any interested onlookers with their sewing skills.  Being from a coastal community, the two elders have access to different furs to sew with than what is normally used in Ouje-Bougoumou.  Many of their mittens were made using seal skins.  Just from looking at them, these mittens must be extremely warm in the winter months and they definitely keep your hands dry during spring.  Hopefully some of our visitors were inspired by their work and incorporate some of the coastal designs into their sewing. 

Johnny Neeposh came to share some legends and stories that he was told as a child.  Mr. Neeposh is an incredible story teller; he has the ability to capture the imagination of everyone around him when he speaks.  His story about the boy and the bear and why it is important to respect traditions and advice from others proved to be a valuable life lesson to all who listened.  He also told stories of when he was a boy living in the bush with his parents and all the knowledge he acquired while growing up. He expressed the importance of keeping these teachings strong by passing them down to our own children and future generations. It was such a pleasure having him here with us.

ACCI Hosts Major Tourism Announcement by Minister of Tourism

The Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute has once again hosted a major tourist gathering in the region. The Quebec Minister for Tourism, Pascal Bérubé was at ACCI to announce a Funding Agreement totaling $1.4 million to be invested in the region for tourism development.

Representatives from the Crees and Jamesian along with The Cree Tourism Association , Eeyou Itschee and James Bay Tourism were present to hear this exciting news.   ACCI President Diane Ottereyes-Ried welcomed the Minister Bérubé to ACCI.  Abel Bosum, of the Ouje-Bougoumou Council, welcomed the Minister to the Community.

Minister Pascal Bérubé did not hide his admiration for the building that houses the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute. 

Minister Pascal Bérubé’s message in the guest book reads…

“A wonderful visit to the heart of the heritage of the great Cree Nation.

A fascinating culture that is worth being known.

Long life between the friendship our two peoples”

Jackie Gull Memorial Pipun Eeyou Eetouwin

Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute was recently invited to attend the Jackie Gull Memorial Pipun Eeyou Eetouwin in Waswanipi. We were absolutely delighted with the hospitality and kindness shown towards us from everyone involved in this event. Upon our arrival in Waswanipi we were invited for a feast where we were served bannock, rabbit stew, moose stir fry, moose tongue and moose intestine. All food was prepared on open fires in teepees at the cultural village by an extremely knowledgeable and friendly group of elders. As we sat around, sampling some of the most delicious and exquisite food, laughter and stories filled the lunch time conversation. Being welcomed with this form of hospitality was truly a remarkable experience. 

We quickly set up our table and met with residents from the Cree Nation of Waswanipi. Virtual tours of our exhibit were shown; books and information from our Library and Archives were on display; and people came to view our collection of videos. As day turned to evening, the excitement grew as we prepared to show “The Cree Hunters of Mistassini”, a film that follows 3 families living in the bush for the winter months while they live a traditional lifestyle. The turnout was exceptional and all in attendance enjoyed seeing the film.

On the following day Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute staff returned to show the same film to the local elders. When the film started, laughter filled the air, and when it was over, the conversation amongst the audience was all about living a traditional lifestyle and memories were shared for all to hear. 

ACCI would sincerely like to thank Diane Cooper, Alex Moses and the Elders of Waswanipi for inviting and allowing our staff to participate in this wonderful event.

Cree Native Arts & Crafts Association Festival

From March 15 to 17, CNACA held their first festival in Val d’Or and ACCI was present at this event.  There was an abundance of talented artists in attendance at the festival. Tim Whiskeychan, one of the most respected artists in Eeyou Istchee, showed many curious visitors some of his unique painting techniques. There were crafts people showcasing their works, from moccasins to mittens, from paintings to tamarack birds. The level of craftsmanship was outstanding.

Caroline and Rob at the ACCI booth.