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LETTERS Have a comment? Let us know what you think! |
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The letters are the opinion of our readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Nation and its staff. VOLUME 15-12 Route 167 Votre article concernant la mobilisation sur la route 167 (Vol. 15, Issue 10) est honnête et reflète exactement mes propos confiés lors de l’entrevue du 13 mars. Pour faire un suivi du dossier, je voulais vous informer que le conseil de bande de Mistissini a adopté une résolution d'appui (2008-77A) à notre cause lors de sa réunion du 17 mars. Recevez mes salutations Your article concerning the demonstration on route 167 (Vol. 15, Issue 10) is honest and reflects exactly what I said in the March 13 interview. To follow-up, I wanted to inform you that the Mistissini band council has adopted a support resolution (2008-77A) for our cause during the meeting that took place on March 17. Sincerely, Build The School Every child has a right to shelter, food and education (Vol. 15, Issue 10). Chuck Strahl is wrong, our kids are more valuable than any dollar sign next a politician’s pay-cheque. If the federal government sits back, then all communities should take action in building a new school for the children. We, as a nation, need each other and most importantly, we need our children as much as they need us. Nian Cheechoo Mushrooms The news that someone in Mistissini has started to market mushrooms (Vol. 15, Issue 9) means I will probably have to stop telling one of my favourite stories about the late, lamented Billy Bearskin. One day during the shooting of “Job's Garden” in 1972 I was wandering through the bush with Billy, saw some mushrooms and asked him, “Do you ever eat mushrooms?” His reply: "We never get that hungry!" Can Cree hunger be greater now? Incidentally, allow me to congratulate the Nation, which is improving, issue after issue, and now carries the kind of information that is invaluable in the building and consolidation of the Cree Nation. Any organization that receives a billion-dollar cheque needs an independent, critical observer to keep it on the straight and narrow, the Nation is increasingly fulfilling that function, at the same time performing a valuable educational function in instructing the Crees about the fundamental importance of a free press, and of the rather sophisticated values of transparency, information flow, and responsible criticism. Boyce Richardson
VOLUME 15-06 Education in crisis The headline on your title page should have read, "A Nation in Crisis" instead of the focus being on Education. Many of the problems brought to light in this community are mirrored in all the Cree communities. While there are many social issues in the schools many of the problems do not originate in these institutions. They are transfered over from the community and left with the school administrations to deal with. This is an unfair burden on them and the Cree School Board as a whole. I have also been with the CSB since 1978 and I whole heartedly agree with Gordon Blackned's position on language. Your language enforces your national identity and gives reinforcement to your individuality, who you are. The moral fabric of Cree society is embeded in your language, just listen to the stories of the Elders and you will realize. I have heard debates and opinions on Cree as a language of instruction in the schools. Language begins at home and should be re-inforced in your institutions, you are a Cree Nation for God's sake! Why should this even be a debate? What kind of message are you sending to your young people with this type of dialogue? It must be confusing to them when the adults can't decide who they are? We have to teach children concepts of learning before we start introducing them to a second language. As has been pointed out they are already being bombarded by a second language through the media anyway. If I were to analyse the information on the success rate of the coherts that were mentioned, I would say that we now have a generation of parents that are incapable of assisting their children in their school work. This has a snowball effect and the problem will perpetuate itself should these parents decide not to get upgraded through Sabtuan Continuing Education or any other means available to them. Their children will have a higher chance of dropping out. The Cree communities are presently going through the effects of modern day colonialism, you are now stressing independance where in the past it was co-dependance that ensured your survival. While your challenges accumulate, you also have the means to meet these challenges. You are more fortunate than most First Nations people in Canada. Thank You Gerard V. Bear
VOLUME 15-05 Where have all the parents gone? The Albert Mianscum Memorial Arena was the site of the first Cross Conference Minor Hockey Gala hosted by the James Bay Minor Hockey League. I was very saddened to see that most of the teams that came to Ouje-Bougoumou, came without the support of the parents. This also goes for the parents in Ouje-Bougoumou. Is this a trend that is being set for the future of our local minor hockey associations? Our children need our support. I am a parent, who along with my late wife, has always went to the arena with our oldest son. That is when I got involved with minor hockey. Since that first time, my last two children have also received my support. I still get a thrill when I see our children play a sport that I love so much. My oldest son, who is now 18, still wants me to go out and watch him play. I find this very rewarding that he would still want me around as a young adult. He has even approached me to set up a local junior team so that he and his friends can continue playing federated hockey. Last winter he even insisted that I drive him to Nemaska for the senior tournament even though he has his driver's permit. Over the years here in Ouje-Bougoumou I have watched our parent participation dwindle to almost no parents in the arena. Children are dropped off or even worse have to walk to the arena alone. As parents, we all have busy lives to attend to. But, does that mean we have to let slip by the one chance to spend time supporting our children in a sport that is almost considered a religion in the Cree world? Some of you out there are now supporting your grandchildren by being at the arena, get your sons and daughters out there too and let them experience the joys that you had when you watched them play. Our local minor hockey associations are working hard so that our children can play. Let us all support them and not use them has babysitters for our children. Don't make your sons or daughters come home and tell you that they scored a goal or made a big save, go out and watch them. You will all get a kick out of it, may they be pre-novice or midget. As parents let us all put life back into the arenas and our local hockey associations. Thank you, |
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