Days 4, 5 and 6 of the Heritage Preservation Project!

Our stops in Chisasibi focused on archival materials and how the Cree Nation of Chisasibi catalogues and stores materials, and ensures important files are backed-up by scanning them.  

The Cree Nation of Chisasibi Administrative Centre.

We also had time to sneak in a quick visit to the Catholic Church that had been moved by barge when the community of Fort George was relocated to Chisasibi in 1981, and to see the building of the Chisasibi Heritage Centre. 

Then we were off again, headed to Waskaganish!

The Waskaganish logo etched into a glass wall at the Waskaganish airport.

Days 2 and 3 of the ACCI Heritage Preservation Project!

We had excellent conversations with members of the Whapmagoostui First Nation today and learned about the recently founded Cultural Association which will collect traditional knowledge and material heritage.  We also had an informative discussion with Reverend Tom Martin regarding the history of the Anglican Church in Whapmagoostui, including the first church ("Old Church"), the second church, and the current, third, church.  

Lisa discussing the painted mural in the current church with Reverend Tom Martin.  The mural had been commissioned for the second church and was later moved to the current church once the building was completed.

Claire transcribing some of the conversations recorded earlier in the day into the survey binders.

Small gifts (ACCI lanyards) for the elders we ate lunch with at the MSDC on our last day in Whapmagoostui.  Behind the group and traveling around the room are framed photographs of local couples from decades ago until the present.

Claire boards the plane for our next flight to Chisasibi!

  In Chisasibi our first stop is the Cree Nation of Chisasibi administration office, where we will speak to the former archivist about collecting and preserving records since the Fort George relocation.

- Chisasibi: October 31 - November 2
- Waskaganish: November 2 - 7
- Ouje-Bougoumou: November 8 - 9
- Wemindji: November 12 - 14
- Eastmain: November 14 - 16
- Waswanipi: November 19-20
- Mistissini: November 21 - 22
- Nemaska: TBD

Day 1 of the ACCI Heritage Preservation Project!

ACCI staff are carrying out a project to survey cultural heritage collections in the communities of Eeyou/Eenou Istchee, offering preservation tips along the way and gathering interest for a future preservation workshop.

Today our Archivist and Conservator landed in Whapmagoostui, the northernmost James Bay Cree community.

Archivist, Lisa, stands by the beautiful glass wall at the Kuujjuarapik Airport.

The old Anglican church still standing in the community; an example of built heritage. 

Lisa and Claire (Conservator) look forward do meeting Rev. Tom Martin tomorrow, as well as other important members of the community, to discuss local Cree artefacts, archives and built heritage, and how they can be preserved for the future.  

Stay tuned for more posts from our travelers as they make stops in each community!

         - Whapmagoostui: October 29 - 31
         - Chisasibi: October 31 - November 2
         - Waskaganish: November 2 - 7
         - Ouje-Bougoumou: November 8 - 9
         - Wemindji: November 12 - 14
         - Eastmain: November 14 - 16
         - Waswanipi: November 19-20
         - Mistissini: November 21 - 22
         - Nemaska: TBD