The Cree Youth Symposium will include:

• Special guest speakers and workshops
• Education, culture and arts, health and social issues and business
• Regional Public Speaking Contest
• Youth Achievement Awards
]]> A central objective of any international human rights instrument is to encourage States to reform laws, policies and practices so that human rights are respected. International human rights standards cannot merely condone or sustain existing State practices. To limit UN declarations in this way would defeat the purpose of having international standards.
]]> The "nisk" came early this year. I was afraid they would all be gone by the time our Cree guests were scheduled to arrive mid-April. The Crees had been "skunked" when they came hunting in our area last November (due to unseasonably warm weather) and we were determined not to let it happen again!
]]> The public is invited on May 25 and 26 to participate in the public information sessions on the Matoush Uranium Exploration Project, located northeast of Mistissini and Chibougamau.
]]> The Cree Nation Youth Council (CNYC) has decided to move the dates for the Inspiring our Youth, Cree Youth Symposium, to June 22, 23, & 24, 2010. The Youth Symposium will still be held in Val D'Or at the Forestel Hotel.
]]> "Yes" Votes 8020 (95.1%) "No" Votes 398 (4.72%) Invalid Ballots 15 (0.18%) Total Votes 8433 (100%)

Complete signed document by Lawrence Jimiken, Chief Referendum Officer

]]> Thank you to everyone who entered, results are being decided and winners will be notified soon!
]]> Grand Chief CoonCome congratulates the Cree Nation for their participation in the referendum.  In particular he stated: "The Cree youth came out in great numbers to support their Nation and I am very proud to see the next generation of Cree leaders coming forth to exercise their right to self-determination.  I will never forget the messages that were twittered among the youth around the Nation encouraging others to vote and to get involved.  I am also grateful for the creative efforts of Christopher Herodier and Paul Napash who collaborated in writing and performing the James Bay Island Song.  Our "islands of hope" are part of our Nation of hope.
]]> The Cree Regional Authority is requesting bids for the construction of 8 residences to be built in Nemaska.

Further information may be found in the call for tenders PDF.

]]> In our summer homes
Were the Islands of Hope
And now we must see to it
That they will belong
Truly, Within the Cree Nation

-James Bay Islands Song

]]>
• Constitutional protection for our collective and ancestral rights
• Cree ownership of 80% of islands in Eastern James Bay and Southern Hudson Bay
• Cree ownership of subsurface resources on Cree islands
• Cree right to decide on future development of the offshore area

If you vote 'Yes', you support the Offshore Agreement and agree that the Offshore Islands belong to the Crees.

If you vote 'No', you vote against the Offshore Agreement and you support Canada's claim that the Offshore Islands belong to the Government of Canada.

If you don't vote, the Offshore Agreement will not be ratified and this will support Canada's claim that the Offshore Islands belong to the Government of Canada.

Nomination deadline: Friday, March 12th, 2010.

Under this proposed treaty, Cree rights to continue to occupy and use the offshore area will be offcially recognized by the Constitution of Canada.

Through a Cree referendum process, from January 18 to March 26, 2010, you will decide on the acceptance of this Agreement. Because of its importance to the Cree Nation, all communities, inland and coastal, will be asked to vote in the referendum.

For this Agreement to be approved, over 50% of all Cree benefciaries eligible to vote must have voted in favour of it.

Eligible voters will have to answer "YES" or "NO" to the following question:

Do you approve the proposed Agreement between the Crees of Eeyou Istchee and Her Majesty the Queen in the right of Canada concerning the Eeyou Marine Region?

Download the Contest Flyer

The location of the Assembly will remain the same, in Mistissini at the Neoskwesau Complex - Gymnasium.

Alfred coonishish – 407 votes
Reggie david neeposh - 407 votes

Section 48 of the by-law respecting the election for the chairperson of the cree stipulates that in order to declare an elected chairperson, he or she has to receive fifty per cent (50%) or more of the votes cast. This excludes the damaged or rejected ballots.

Therefore, since no candidate achieved the required 50% or more votes, run-off elections shall be held on August 26 and 27, 2009, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.

We thank all of our visitors who have contacted us expressing their concern, and we sincerely apologize for any or inconvenience or confusion.

Grand Chief/ Chairperson

Total number of valid ballots cast: 6021

Deputy Grand Chief/ Vice Chairperson

Total number of valid ballots cast: 6026

• Matthew Coon-Come
• Matthew Mukash

The Candidates for Deputy Grand Chief are:

• Ashley Iserhoff
• Bella Moses Petawabano

• William Mianscum
• Robert Kitchen
• Ashley Iserhoff
• Bella Petawabano
• John S. Matoush
• Losty Mamianscum
• Lisa Petagumskum

Nominees accepted for Grand Chief/Chairperson:

• Matthew Coon-Come
• John Longchap
• Paul Gull
• Bertie Wapachee
• Matthew Mukash
• Kenny Blacksmith
• Roderick Pachano

• Matthew Coon Come
• John Longchap
• Paul Gull
• Bertie Wapachee
• Matthew Mukash
• Kenny Blacksmith
• Roderick Pachano

Accepted for Deputy Grand Chief

• William Mianscum
• Robert Kitchen
• Ashley Iserhoff
• Bella Petawabano
• John S. Matoush
• Losty Mamianskum
• Lisa Petagumskum

"The Declaration is both a beacon and catalyst for achievement, well-being and renewed hope.  The value of hope is deeply embedded in this work.

The Declaration is an historic instrument that has universal application to countless Indigenous contexts in over 70 countries. In the 20 months since the adoption of the Declaration, the extreme interpretations of a few dissenting States have not been confirmed.  Instead, we are witnessing harmonious, cooperative and systematic approaches to effectively implement the Declaration."

We urge the Permanent Forum to recommend to ECOSOC and the Human Rights Council that:

1. all States be encouraged to endorse and implement fully the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;
2. in countries that include Indigenous peoples, the Declaration be incorporated by such States when preparing their national reports to the Universal Periodic Review;
3. increasing reference be made to the Declaration in relevant resolutions, decisions and reports of ECOSOC, Human Rights Council and other related bodies and mechanisms; and
4. treaty monitoring bodies be encouraged to make increased reference to the Declaration when interpreting Indigenous peoples’ rights and corresponding State obligations. 

Grand Chief Mukash welcomed Mike Holmes, stating that, "Looking to the future, we must ensure that construction projects are carried out effectively, efficiently and with great care, making sure that we do things right. How will we do this? Well, ladies and gentlemen, it so happens that we have Mr. Make-it-Right with us here in this conference to give us good tips - not only on how we can improve in the way we do construction projects - but as well, on what we could do to train our young labour force to take on the challenge ahead.".

"Those of us present here are neighbours. We're going to be living together for a long, long time. We have the ability to accomplish much together, if we take the time to learn more about each other and build upon the relationships we have begun over the past thirty years. Val d'Or and other municipalities of the region have been places where we have felt welcome and in turn have supported the local economies and formed lasting friendships.", stated Grand Chief Mukash.

"President Obama's inaugural speech was inspirational and strong. He showed his determination to bring about real change. The James Bay Cree Nation welcomes the President as a world leader. He is a symbol of renewed hope and justice for all", said Matthew Mukash.

Grand Chief Mukash remarked that, "We are now it seems in a world-scale economic downturn. It is evident on the other hand that the world population is growing and that by the year 2050 there will be 9 billion of us, half again as many people as there are today. The demand for minerals can only increase over the long term. This bodes well for the mining developments in Northern Quebec. If we look to other parts of Canada there are many where mining development has been the cause of building infrastructure that gradually brought economic diversification and prosperity. Let us look to our mutual interests in undertaking our projects and lets us also look for ways to resolve problems together, always guided by the principles of mutual respect, mutual trust and cooperation!"

SHANNON ALEXANDER (left) and MAISY JACKO (right)

The Eastern Door and the North (composed of Cree, Mohawk, Innu and other First Nations Youth in Quebec) were honoured today at the closing ceremonies and received an honorary award called the John Fletcher Spirit Award which is presented to the team that best demonstrates the spirit of teamwork, fair play, respect, and integrity throughout the competition. Congratulations to the Eastern Door and the North!

Wishing the Cree athletes good luck at the North American Indigenous Games 2008, they will be going to Cowichan on Vancouver Island, British Columbia on Saturday August 2, 2008.

From the National Post.

"With this present Agreement we will implement for 20 years parts of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement that the federal government had difficulties in implementing in the past. In other words, we will decide on a new and innovative way forward. In doing so, the Cree Nation takes on certain responsibilities of the government of Canada to our own citizens. We gain the chance to decide our own priorities in these matters and we have the chance to develop and to demonstrate our ability to govern efficiently."

In his letter, Grand Chief Mukash states, "We will host a referendum, and the process will go beyond ballots in the community to going onto the land to collect ballots and allowing for mail-in ballots for those living in or outside Eeyou Istchee."