A Visit from a Distant Chief

This past month ACCI welcomed Celestino Mariano Gallardo, Chief of the  Ngäbe-Buglé people who live in the Nidrini region of Panama.  He was joined by Professor Daviken Studniki-Gizbert from McGill University, Sean Phipps an undergrad in Latin American and Environmental Studies and Rachel Mulbry an undergrad in Environmental Sciences and Middle Eastern Studies, and Katherine Scott a graduate student all from McGill University.  The Ngäbe-Buglé people of Panama have had struggles with their federal government with respect to self-determination and have had to deal with impacts of foreign mining and hydro companies using their traditional land. 

Celestino Mariano Gallardo came to ACCI on a fact finding mission to view what has been accomplished by the Cree Nation over that past 40 years in their relations with the federal and provincial governments.   Upon arriving, the group was greeted by ACCI’s Executive Director, Stephen Inglis, Sophie Bosum, Director of Operations for the Band of Ouje-Bougoumou, and by Abel Bosum, President of ACCI’s Foundation, former Chief of Ouje-Bougoumou and Negotiator for the CRA.  A wonderful conversation took place between Celestino Mariano Gallardo and Abel Bosum.  Both highlighted similarities between their people and the struggles that they have had to endure over the years.   It was especially heart-warming for Celestino Mariano Gallardo as this conversation inspired hope that his current struggle can have a positive ending for his people.

Something Good is Cooking!

The air is getting colder and the days shorter, fall is here, and in Eeyou Istchee, winter comes quickly.  Winter is a tough season, and for those that are not prepared for it, it can be especially long.  Long ago, those that lived in off of the land had to prepare for winter to ensure that they and their family had enough to eat for the winter months.  The food preparation often involved smoking meat to preserve it and thus ensure that there was enough to eat during a season that is often unforgiving. 

ACCI continued this tradition and dedicated a week to smoking fish.  Now that the weather and leaves on the trees are changing colour, the geese are starting to fly and that means that the trout are starting to spawn and this is the time of the year to catch fish.