International Archives Day 2015

June 9, 2015 is International Archives Day!

To celebrate ACCI has added a photo to the International Council of Archives International Archives Day 2015 web page.

www.internationalarchivesday.org

Last year's 2014 submission was a photo from the Dr. Richard Preston fonds, and this year we are proud to use one of Dr. Harvey Feit's photos.

For more information about International Archives Day check out the ICA event page or check them out on Facebook.

Earth Day 2015 - 25th Anniversary of the Odeyak

Yesterday was an inspiring day to honour an inspiring and heroic voyage. Earth Day, April 22, marked the 25^th anniversary of the journey of the Odeyak from Whapmagoostui to New York City. Youth delegates Elders along with past and present Cree leaders from all corners of Eeyou Istchee gathered together at Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute (ACCI) to commemorate and celebrate the remarkable effort of the Inuit and Cree peoples to stop the damming of the Great Whale River.  

Daniel Bosum Sr.

The day was launched with a warm welcome from Joshua Iserhoff, Youth Grand Chief of the Cree Nation Youth Council, ACCI’s president Abel Bosum & Willie Iserhoff, Director of Culture for the Cree Nation Government. A beautiful blessing from elder Daniel Bosum Sr. and opening hand drum song from Redfern Mianscum set the tone for the day.

Original paddles from the Odeyak voyage were reunited with the watercraft. One paddle coming from Vermont, donated by Dr. Hans Carlson, and the others coming from Eastmain, donated by CBC’s own Christopher Herodier. We thank them for their generous donation; the paddles will become part of the permanent collection at ACCI.

Odeyak Paddlers & Nishiyuu Walkers

The day was not only a day of commemoration, youth empowerment and environmental stewardship, but also day of celebration! CBC North’s Christopher Herodier broadcast live from Aanischaaukamikw during the lunch hubbub for his radio show Eyou Dipajimoon, when delegates and participants had a chance to mingle, chat with old friends and meet new ones. After lunch Powwow dancer Darren Saganash danced as the Waseshkun Drummers from Waswanipi filled the Billy Diamond Hall with the heartbeat of the drum. Lloyd Cheechoo, Richard Bosum, & Diane Bosum sang beautiful songs for us. Christopher Herodier made an impromptu performance with some great tunes. The day ended fittingly with a stunning vocal performance from rising star Miriame Hasni. 

The Cree Nation Youth Council and ACCI could not have realized this important regional event without the generous support from the Cree Nation Government’s Department of Culture, the Ministry of Culture of Quebec, Air Creebec, Cree Outfitters and Tourism Association, Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association, and Ouje-Bougoumou Cree First Nation. 

Feast

Commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Odeyak

Some news coverage from our Odeyak Event!

CBC News

As It Happens

Award of Outstanding Achievement in Education

ACCI receives prestigious national award for excellence from the Canadian Museums Association for theatrical production of Mind’s Eye!

 

To learn more about the tour check out this story from CBC and our blog post from 2014.

For more information about the award, please see the press release in English and French.

Mind’s Eye Theatrical Production Tours Eeyou Istchee

Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute (ACCI) is pleased to announce that the Mind’s Eye theatrical production was a success in Eeyou Istchee. The communities embraced the show with open arms.

The theatrical production, Mind’s Eye, was directed by Shirley Cheechoo, An accomplished playwright, actor, visual artist, writer and director, Dr. Shirley Cheechoo is also a member of the James Bay Cree of Quebec.

The play was based on the book with the same name, Mind’s Eye, written by Emily Masty and Susan Marshall. Historical, mystical and poignant, Minds Eye is a play that chronicles the powerful stories of survival, courage, honor and community, Mind’s Eye breathes life into our great mysteries and truths about The Lady Spirit of the Caribou and other animal spirits who reveal themselves through the characters suffering abundance and that each is guided by our choices. Narrated by a Cree Elder, Minds Eye magically follows the arch of hunter’s and their families through spirit encounters, shaking tent and haunting dreams as they face life, death and redemption until the final warning that soon, they will encounter visitors that will alter their lives forever.

Dedication of New Art Works at Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute

On Wednesday, March 19, 2014, the Council Board of the Cree Nation Government had a traditional lunch at Aanischaaukamikw and witnessed the dedication of 3 recently installed works of art.

Mural done by Virginia Bordeleau

These works, a very large painting by Virginia Bordeleau and a large painting and stained glass window designed by Tim Whiskeychan were commissioned through the 1% for art programme of the Government of Quebec. Diannne Ottereyes Reid, Kenny Mianscum, Stephen Rotman, Maurice Achard and Stephen Inglis formed the committee that made the selection of artists.

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.

Cree Fiddlers at Aanischaaukamikw

Wow!  This past weekend was a hit!  ACCI had another movie night, and what a night it was!  We presented a really interesting film called: “The Fiddlers of James Bay” which is about two talented fiddlers, Ray Spencer and Bob McLeod.  These men were famous in Eeyou Istchee for their outstanding playing ability. They were never formally trained; but, as was the tradition in their families, they learned to play from their fathers and grandfathers. This tradition originated in the 17^th century with the onset of the fur trade. Fiddles made the journey across the Atlantic when fur traders from Scotland came to James Bay, and this new type of music was quickly adopted into Cree Culture. The film, released in 1980, follows Ray Spencer and Bob McLeod as they travel to the Orkney Islands in Scotland to play with an orchestra and highlights the amazing talent that these two fiddlers had.  Their playing style reflects an Eeyou twist on the traditional Scottish style.

Quebec Government Ministers visit Aanischaaukamikw

We have a wonderful visit from some of the ministers from the Quebec Government.

Réjean Hébert

Minister of Health and Social Services

Minister responsible for Seniors

Minister responsible for the Estrie region

Élizabeth Larouche

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs

Véronique Hivon

Minister for Public Health and Youth Protection

Minister responsible for

the Lanaudière region

Thank you to the Chairperson of Cree Heath Board, Bella Petawabano, Diane Ried, President of ACCI and Abel Bosum, Cree Negotiator for make this a memorable visit.