 ᐧᐋᒋᔦᐦᒄ! New leadership, and moments of recognition mark a busy season in Eeyou Istchee.
The air has a bite to it—signs that a cooler season is on the way! Time to pull out your hoodies, stir up a batch of blueberry jam, and catch up on all that’s been happening around Eeyou Istchee.
Thank you for your patience! We wanted to make sure every story found its place, so you’ll have plenty to read and listen to in this issue.
ᐁᑯᑌᐦ,
Vanna Blacksmith | | | | | | | What's New - Paddlers finish 1,200km journey in Waskaganish
- Jade Mukash and Darius Neacappo Pelchat take on CNYC leadership roles
- Cree Nation Government annual general assembly updates
- and more
| | | | | | |  | Photo credit: À la Mer du Nord 2025/Facebook | | Canoe trippers complete 1,200-kilometer expedition along historic fur trade route | After 97 days of paddling and portaging, a team of canoeists completed a 1,200-kilometre journey retracing a historic fur trade route from Tadoussac to Waskaganish, Que.
The six paddlers — calling themselves À la Mer du Nord — tested their endurance while tracing the footsteps of Indigenous peoples and voyageurs from centuries past. They left Tadoussac on May 31 and arrived in Waskaganish on Sept. 4. | | | | | | |  | Photo submitted by: Philip Mattawashish | | Philip Mattawashish publishes new book 'Walking the Leadership Trail' | Philip Mattawashish from Mistissini published a new book called ‘Walking the Leadership Trail’. It’s all about what it means to be a Cree leader — not just in the office, but in everyday life.
Dorothy Stewart spoke with Philip about what inspired him to write this book and what he hopes readers will take away from it. | | | | |  | Photo submitted by: Darius Neacappo Pelchat | | Jade Mukash, Darius Neacappo Pelchat elected new youth leaders of Eeyou Istchee | Former Miss Eeyou Eenou Iskwaau Jade Mukash will represent Cree youth across northern Quebec as the newly-elected youth grand chief of the region. Darius Neacappo Pelchat won the run-off election to serve as deputy youth grand chief.
Both are stepping into leadership roles as the voices of Cree youth in Eeyou Istchee. | | | | | | | | |  | Photo credit: Karoline Benoit/Radio-Canada | | Voyageur Memorial High School reopens after structural concerns | On Aug. 26 staff at Voyageur Memorial High School In Mistissini reported feeling the building move.
That prompted the school to close while engineers could evaluate the structure. Structural engineers have now deemed the building safe and the school reopened on Sept 8.
Sarah Pash, the chairperson of the Cree School Board, said those kinds of ground shifts are not unusual and that they're sure the school can safely welcome staff and students back. | | | | | | |  | Photo credit: Big River High School (via Facebook) | | Families in Chisasibi came together to celebrate the graduation at Big River High School | There were 50 graduates from the new Big River High School in Chisasibi on August 29, 2025. Marjorie Kitty was on the ground speaking with students. | | | | |  | Photo credit: The Grand Council of the Crees (via Facebook) | | Philip Awashish spoke about the JBNQA at the CNG annual general assembly | Robert Kanatewat and Philip Awashish were honoured for their work negotiating the JBNQA during the Cree Nation Government's annual general assembly in Oujé-Bougoumou. We spoke with Philip after his presentation. | | | | |  | Photo credit: Chisasibi Heritage & Cultural Centre (via Facebook) | | Margaret Fireman shares her thoughts on the 10th anniversary of the Chisasibi Heritage and Cultural Centre | The Chisasibi Heritage and Cultural Centre marked its 10th anniversary with a celebration on August 27. | | | | |  | Photo credit: Betsy Longchap/CBC | | Solomon Awashish walks to Oujé-Bougoumou to make miyupimaatisiiun a priority | Solomon Awashish and a group of other walkers arrived on August 27 in Oujé-Bougoumou for the Cree Nation Government’s annual general assembly. Their message: Put Cree health and well-being first. We caught up with Sol after his speech to the delegates. | | | | |  | Photo credit: Andrew Pacey/CBC | | Join CBC North to help amplify Indigenous climate stories | CBC North seeks associate producer to guide Indigenous-led climate storytelling.
What we are looking for
CBC is looking for a creative associate producer to identify and support freelance video and social media storytellers.
This is a six-month-long position that is part-time (three days per week). It runs from September 2025 to the end of March 2026, and is based in Whitehorse. Content will be produced by Indigenous creators, wherever possible.
Who to contact ?
If this sounds like you, please send your resume and a note telling us why you're perfect for this job to robin.summerfield@cbc.ca by Sept. 12, 2025. | | | | | Big thank you! Thank you for subscribing to Cree Tipaachimuwin. Our team of journalists want to share these stories from the North for you to listen, read and watch!
If you like the newsletter, please forward to a friend and tell them to sign up here. | | | ᐁᑯᑌᐦ᙮
If you have any feedback, questions or concerns please let us know at creeprog@cbc.ca. | | | |
