A long way from home! - Young Samí Reindeer Herders visit Eeyou Istchee

 

“How on earth did you end up here in Ouje-Bougoumou, of all places?” I asked Niila Inga, one of the leaders of the 29 Samí youth delegation. The question had been on my mind all morning. Niila and I were sitting in the Elder’s Gathering Space, taking a bit of a rest during a very full afternoon visit at Aaanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute on October 7, 2015. Niila’s response - they were looking to connect with the people of Eeyou Istchee, in particular the youth – they had come looking for guidance and expertise because the Cree have been successful in negotiating a settlement for future generations.

This youth delegation, representing each Sápmi region in Sweden, travelled over 5,000 kilometres to come and meet the people of Eeyou Istchee, to share their culture and to learn from the people here. For over a year they researched the history of the Eastern James Bay Cree, contacted and coordinated with the governments of Waswanipi and Ouje-Bougoumou, and raised funds to cover the costs of their flight, transportation, food and lodging.

Niila and the rest of the youth delegation are not just ordinary young people from Sápmi, Sweden, they are reindeer herders. This youth delegation is but one of many young Samí trying to preserve and continue the Traditional ways of the Samí people, as young reindeer herders they are part of a long tradition in their territory.

We were honoured to have them visit us on Wednesday October 7, 2015, part of a two day visit in Ouje-Bougoumou. The delegation was greeted by Ron Simard, Ouje-Bougoumou Tourism Officer, in the Billy Diamond Hall.

The group enjoyed a guided tour of the Institute including our beautiful Exhibit Hall. Harold Bosum gave a Tamarack Decoy making demonstration that generated a lot of interest, questions and queries from the delegation. At the end of the demonstration Harold gifted the youth delegation with the decoy that he made during their visit.  



Lloyd Cheechoo presented gifts to the Samí youth on behalf of the Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association (CNACA).



Our young guests also had the opportunity to meet with one of the Cree Nation Government’s archaeologists, Dario Izaguirre, and learn about the role that archaelogy has played in Eeyou Istchee as evidence in Land Claims, and also try their hand at flint knapping. Dario is somewhat of an “artiste” in flint knapping fashioning of projectiles and arrow tips.

 The Samí (Lapp) people have inhabited the northern portions of Scandinavia, Finland and eastward over the Russian Kola Peninsula since ancient times. Archaeological finds suggest that the Samí people have lived in the Arctic region for thousands of years. Russia, Finland, Norway and Sweden claim territories ill what is now regarded as Sápmi (Lapland).

http://www.sim1.se/background/samer/samer_01.html

The Samí were originally nomads, living in tents during the summer and more sturdy peat huts during the colder seasons.The Samí based their livelihood mainly on hunting and fishing; they often bartered the products from such animals as reindeer, moose and beaver with a heavy reliance and connection between the humans and the animals on the land.   



https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3b/Nordic_Sami_people_Lavvu_1900-1920.jpg

The Samí today maintain their rich culture and long-established traditions, but are as much part of modern society as any other person in Sweden. They live in modern housing and only use tents as very temporary accommodations during reindeer migrations if they don’t already own cottages in the mountains and forests. http://samenland.nl/lap_sami_si.html



Add chttp://skandihome.com/skandiblog/uncategorized/sami-culture-customs/aption

http://travelingyourdream.com/?page_id=2237

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/166844361165332394/

Samí herders call their work boazovázzi, which translates as "reindeer walker," and that's exactly what herders once did, following the fast-paced animals on foot or wooden skis as they sought out the best grazing grounds over hundreds of miles of terrain. Times have changed. Herders are now assigned to specific parcels of the reindeer's traditional grazing territories at designated times of the year. To make the lifestyle workable, herders use all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles to maintain hundreds of miles of fences between territories and move large herds in accordance with land-use regulations. Today, only ten per cent of Swedish Samí earn a living from the reindeer industry, and many combine their family businesses with tourism, fishing, crafts and other trades. ttp://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/11/sami-reindeer-herders/benko-text 

On their final night in Ouje-Bougoumou the young Samí reindeer herders treated the community to an evening performance of traditional songs, presentations on cultural practices and traditional clothing, as well as a beautiful video of the land and the way of life of the Samí.

Gift presented to Elder Lawrence Shecapio on behalf of the Ouje-Bougoumou Cree Nation - Samí Evening Performance and Presentation- (Capissisit Lodge, Thursday October 8, 2015/ Photo credit: Kelly Pineault )

We were sad to say good-bye, but hope that this is the beginning of an ongoing dialogue and a lasting relationship between the people of Eeyou Istchee and the people of Sàpmi.

Until we meet again,

Kelly Pineault
Coordinator of Education

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

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.

Preservation Workshop

On September 17^th and 18^th ACCI held a Preservation Workshop in partnership with the Centre de Conservation du Quebec (CCQ) .  The workshop was the “final” phase of the Outreach Project started in October 2012.  The project’s main objective was to survey all collections in the Cree communities and to offer preservation advice supporting the work of Eeyou Istchee cultural centers.

France Rémillard and Marie Trottier conservators from CCQ came to Aanischaaukamikw to present the workshop and teach basic preservation techniques to our participants and staff. The participants came from Chisasibi, Wemindji and Waswanipi to learn and share their knowledge about their collections. 

Madame Rémillard presenting storage techniques

Our presenters used ACCI to demonstrate preservation techniques and to give the participants a more meaningful experience. Participants saw how ACCI houses its collections; from rolling maps to taking books from shelves, they learned and refreshed their skills. Participants also handled and tested archival quality materials and learned what can be safely used around collections (http://preservart.ccq.mcccf.gouv.qc.ca). 

Our First Royal Visit

ACCI was honoured to receive our first royal visit on June 24, 2013!

Dr. Mingying La, a princess of the Na (Mosuo) people from the northwest of China, came to explore our unique culture and exchange ideas about cultural preservation. Dr. Mingying La, who is associated with the Sichuan Academy of Social Sciences, was joined by Madame Cao Jian Ping, the director of the Mosuo Cultural Museum in Lugu Lake. They were accompanied by Dr. Shaoting Yin, the Head of Anthropology Museum at Yunnan University, Mrs. Wuyun Tuya, a PhD candidate from Lanzhou University in China, and Dr. Qing Li, from the University of Ottawa.

The Na people are an ethnic minority in China facing similar challenges to us. Like us, the Na are concerned with cultural maintenance wishing to preserve their culture for future generations and assist younger generations in learning about their culture. As we recognize at ACCI, future generations are the key to survival for any culture; working to preserve invaluable objects important to knowledge of our history, and creating engaging and relevant learning opportunities is at the heart of much of our work.

The Na have a unique language that many younger Na today loosing proficiency in. As in Eeyou Istchee, there is a great deal of work by the Na to be completed to ensure the survival of their language. The Na language, like Cree, has an oral tradition; the history of their people was learned by priests and passed by word of mouth from generation to generation. Because the use of writing system aids in language maintenance, the Na are urgently working to create a written form of the Na language. They will use this writing system to ensure that their history and stories are recorded for future generations.

Having a visit from a very interesting group of people is not new to ACCI.  We welcome unique groups often, but the opportunity to welcome a royal guest was a first for us. We tried our best to be of use to them as part of their mission of learning. We discussed our work and what we do to protect and preserve our culture and cultural objects. After coming to see our state of the art building, the group left with ideas about to how to run their cultural centre so that it can be highly effective in achieving their vision.   Hopefully this new found partnership will bring forward wonderful opportunities to share and discuss in the future!

For more information about the Mosuo and their cultural development project, please check out their website.

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.

Movie Night at the Museum - Cold Journey

On Wednesday March 20, Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute hosted another Movie Night showing “Cold Journey” starring Eeyou Istchee’s own Buckley Petawabano. Mr. Petawabano was kind enough to record a message that was played before the start of the film. He spoke of his time making the film and the work that came, such as the TV series “Rainbow Country”. ACCI would like to thank Mr. Petawabano for taking the time to record such a heartfelt and meaningful message.  

“Cold Journey” is a story about a young boy trying to fit into two very different worlds. His family remains on the reserve and survives by hunting, trapping and fishing. The main character struggles between the lifestyle and traditions of a young Native man and the residential school system imposed by the government. Similarly, while being drawn to a traditional lifestyle, Buckley was required to attend a residential school himself and so was able to relate to the main character of the movie. 

Even with such a serious topic, there were moments that had those in attendance laughing. In one scene, the main character shoots a gun in the house of the family he boarded with, highlighting cultural differences in a humorous way with the line, “Indians don’t have loaded guns in the house”. The driving skills displayed after the main character “borrowed” a skidoo from the skidoo shop were exceptionally exciting and brought some chuckles from the audience.  

ACCI was happy to present this film just before Mr. Buckley Petawabano was officially recognized for all the years of service to Eeyou Istchee at the Cree Native Arts and Crafts (CNACA) Festival. Not only is Mr. Petwabano an actor and a cinematographer, but he was also instrumental in the creation of the James Bay Cree Communications Society. Mr. Petawabano was given the Cree Legend Award by CNACA at their awards ceremony on Saturday March 16, 2013. As a deserving recipient of this award, Mr. Petawabano was given a standing ovation as he was recognized by his fellow artists. ACCI would like to congratulate Mr. Petawabano on this well-deserved honour.

Family Weekend

This past weekend we held an event designed at passing on family traditions from one generation to the next. Families are such a strong learning resource for children anywhere in the world, and this is no different here in in Eeyou Istchee. We were able to offer many activities with the purpose of families learning together. Our family weekend had 58 adults attend, and considering that most of the people in attendance brought their young children with them, it has been estimated that we had over 80 people here to enjoy the events, speakers, arts and crafts, and workshops available to participate in.

We were proud to offer workshops on Cree Literacy where children and parents learned the basics of the Cree syllabics and eventually how to write their names.  Mothers and daughters spent the day sewing and beading, and numerous designs were exchanged throughout the weekend.  One young lady left with an outline of a pair of gloves, something she could not wait to start.  Our tamarack decoy making workshop was a huge hit, people all weekend were comparing their decoys to other first time decoy makers around the table listening for the “ohhhhs” and “ahhhhs” from everyone else.  Harry Snowboy, a traditional healer originally from Chisasibi, came and spoke to us about the rites of passage that children go through in their lives.  The numerous children with their faces painted taking part in the arts and crafts table was truly a sight to see.  There were so many young children that were happy and proud of their creations. Our archeologists made an enormous contribution to the weekend and the sounds of rocks chipping and being made into arrow heads and knives echoed throughout the building.  

Seeing children laughing and families smiling together made this weekend event a success.  One young boy stood out; after he completed his tamarack decoy he carried it around with him for the rest of the day like it was his own child.  He was so extremely proud of his accomplishment and any person that happened to walk by was shown his work for the day.  Hopefully the traditions that were learned here this past weekend will continue to be practiced and passed on to future generations, and for those of you that missed it, hopefully family weekends will become a regular event in years to come.