Summer Guide

350TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION July 16-22, 2018

Help us celebrate Waskaganish in all its beauty and wonder!

Information Guide 350th Team & Sponsors

350th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION PLANNING COMMITTEE

Charles J. Hester, Director of Culture, Sports and Leisure Darryl S. Hester, 350th Anniversary Coordinator Stacy Bear, Cultural Department - Member Ryan Erless, Director of Community Services - Member Hugo Cowboy, Recreation Department - Member Jimmy (Tim) Whiskeychan, Tourism Coordinator - Member Conrad Blueboy, Youth Chief - Member William T. Hester, Elders Council - Member Simeon Trapper, Elders Council - Member Ruth Salt, Elders Council - Member Roy Weistche, Community Planner - Member A. Thomas Hester, Communications Officer - Member Walter Hester Jr., Local Radio - Member Darryl J. Salt, Cree Trappers Association - Member Bradley Wyman, Northern Store Manager - Member

CONTACT INFORMATION

P.O. Box 60 70 Waskaganish Rd. Waskaganish, QC J0M1R0 Tel.: (819)895-8650 ext.3235 Cell: (819)316-0396 Fax: (819)895-8901 E-Mail: [email protected]

The Summer 350th Anniversary Celebration is made possible by funding from Cree Nation of Waskaganish, Cree Nation Government, Waskaganish Albert Diamond Golf Classic, Government of Canada, Niskamoon Corporation & Northwest Company Table Of Contents

Welcome: Message from Chief Darlene Cheechoo ...... 4

Message from 350th Anniversary Celebration Committee ...... 4

Waskaganish: A small town with a big history ...... 5 - 6

Pictures from HBC Archives ...... 7

Information: Map of Waskaganish ...... 8 - 9

350TH ANNIVERSARY SPRING CELEBRATION

Rupert River Sports Complex Floor Plan ...... 10 Gathering Place Gymnasium Floor Plan ...... 11

Art Symposium/Tradshow - Workshops ...... 12

Artist/Artisan Booth Seating...... 13

Traditional Activities/Games Schedule ...... 14

Other Special Events ...... 15

Music & Dance ...... 15 Welcome

MESSAGE: to the land and waters within our territory and to the activities which are so integral to our From Chief Darlene Cheechoo culture and identity. We are grateful for all of On behalf of the Council of the Cree Nation our elders who are eager to share the wealth of of Waskaganish, the Elder’s Council and the their knowledge and life experience. Youth Council, I would like to welcome you to Waskaganish as we commemorate our 350th Come and enjoy the family activities, games, year. The third event of this year’s festivities workshops and demonstrations that are usu- takes place on July 16-22, 2018. ally done during the summer. In addition to the activities, join us at the entertainment We would like to share with you, through tra- venue where the following musicians will be ditional activities, games and demonstrations, performing: Blue Rodeo, Kashtin, Kashkun, some of the skills and knowledge that have Melisa Pash and many other performers. enabled us to survive and thrive through the ages and up to modern day. During the com- Looking forward to seeing you in Waskagan- memoration events, you shall meet some of ish for the summer event and festivities! our highly regarded traditional artisans from God Bless You All! Waskaganish and the Cree territory. Chief Darlene Cheechoo Deputy Chief Samson Wischee We proudly maintain our strong connection William T. Hester, Elder Chairman Youth Chief Conrad Blueboy MESSAGE: From 350th Anniversary Celebration Committee Waachiyehkw misiwe! Greetings to all! The Included in this publication is all the infor- Waskaganish 350th Anniversary celebrations mation you will need to enjoy the Summer organizing committee welcomes you to our Edition of the 350th Anniversary Celebrations community! Since time immemorial the site which run from July 16-22. We encourage you on which Waskaganish is built was known as to visit the display booths of our many talent- “Kaneyaauhkaatshiid”. It served as a summer ed Eeyou/Eenou artists/craftsmen. One of our gathering place for our people. In 1668, the es- objectives is to showcase the many Cree crafts, tablishment of the first trading post in James traditional tools, techniques and skills used by Bay not only changed Kaneyaauhkaatshiid our people since time immemorial. These art- into a permanent settlement but is also gave ists/craftsmen will also conduct workshops for birth to its name. Waskaganish which means those interested in learning how to make Cree “little house” in the Cree language and is in traditional tools and garments. reference the little house built to serve as the first trading post. We thank those that have traveled near or far to join us. Like our ancestors in the days of old, we welcome again you to Kaneyaauhkaat- shiid! Together we will feast, play games, sing and dance as we celebrate the 350th anniversary of Waskaganish!

Thanks again! Enjoy Waskaganish in all its beauty and wonder! 4 History 1668 WASKAGANISH: A SMALL TOWN WITH A BIG HISTORY

Many towns and cities are In more detail, our tradition- proud of their history, and al territory is the location of rightly so. However, our small camps of about 4,400 years Cree community on the shore old belonging to hunters with of James Bay is a town that has cultural tradition that appears made history for not only its to be similar to ancient Mar- people, but for all First Nations itime Archaic sites of New- as well as for Canada itself. It foundland and Labrador. Re- is with pride that we celebrate search may yet demonstrate our 350th anniversary. In 1668 the relationship between these it was the birthplace and then ancient populations and our in 1670, the first trading settle- people. Later, about 1,600 ment of the famous Hudson’s years ago, waves of Peoples Bay Company. It was the first A replica of the Nonsuch, it was with clearer possible ties to ‘capital’ and governor’s resi- built by Messrs. J. Hinks & Sons ourselves swept over our ter- dence for the huge colony of of Appledore, Devon. Today, the ritory. Rupert’s Land; a colony that replica Nonsuch has a permanent home in Winnipeg at the included most of Canada and Our ancestors were a part Manitoba Museum. parts of the United States. The of a continent-wide trading townsite, or a nearby location, network that existed for thou- was the 1610-11 wintering site of the ill-fated sands of years before the arrival of Europeans, Henry Hudson expedition looking for the fa- and for this reason Cree hunters, in the year bled Northwest Passage and an island in our 1610, traded with the explorer Henry Hudson archipelago was the 1632-33 wintering site of before his crew put him overboard and sailed the Thomas James Northwest Passage expedi- back to England. Again, we welcomed the tion and thus the site of. Charles Town, one of English in 1668 when they arrived here to see the earliest towns in the Canadian North after if they could tie themselves into our trading the Viking settlement and the ancient fishing network as a source of exotic European goods communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. we could trade with our neighbors. It was this 1668 arrival of these English, on the ship, Our community is part of a traditional territo- Nonsuch, with their desire to find a way to tie ry and we think of town and the land together. into our ancient commercial trading network Their histories are intertwined even though without having to deal with France’s control of the land has been occupied for at least 4,400 the Saint Lawrence River that we mark as the years and our ‘town’ was begun only 350 years beginning of our permanent “town”. Because ago. Interestingly, the idea of a town has been these English were judged to be creating a re- shown to be consistent with traditional pat- terns of Cree land use; namely concepts sur- rounding “resource areas”.

5 History 1668 source area for exotic goods was attacked by France and to feed into our network, our its New France colonists. ancestors were quite welcom- The New France hero, Iber- ing and ready to help keep ville, put a quick end to the them fed and safe until several attack by dropping a grenade hundred hunters could come down the chimney, thanks to the next spring to fill their a ladder left in place for quick ship with quality furs. Our access to the roof in case of welcoming of those traders chimney fire. in 1668, and our readiness to provide for and partner with Though we continued to use them in the fur business gave the location as needed, the birth to the famous Hudson’s HBC abandoned our town- Bay Company and the pro- site for 90 years after this claiming of Rupert’s Land in attack during a period when Rupert House, 1968 1670. THE HUDSON’S BAY England and France were not COMPANY WAS BORN at war. In 1775 they returned HERE AND THEIR SETTLEMENT HERE and built two small wall tents of log and can- BECAME NOT ONLY THE FIRST HBC vas, possibly giving rise to our present name of POST IN THE WORLD, BUT IT ALSO BE- “Little House” or Waskaganish. This humble CAME THE ‘CAPITAL’ OF THE ‘COLONY’ European rebirth grew into a major settlement OF RUPERTSLAND’. The colonial governor with large warehouses which provisioned made his residence here and initiated the first several trading communities in the interior mineral prospecting in James Bay. Perhaps, throughout the 19th century. During the early because he was an egalitarian Quaker, he also 1820s we also established what is possibly the established friendly relations with the famous earliest wildlife preserve in Canada on Thom- French trader and explorer, Louis Jouillet by as James’ Charlestown (Charlton) Island; the 1670, even though his competition farther in- Sir George Simpson Beaver Preserve. During land was not legitimate in the eyes of England. the 19th century we also welcomed a small band of starving Inuit into our hunting terri- Also, in England’s eyes, our territory was a tory so they could survive and become a small, ‘kingdom’ and the first “king” was a principle friendly part of our people’s history. hunter/trade negotiator named Cuscudah. After our original fort, called “Charles Fort” Today we are a rapidly-growing town with our was moved to a better military position, it interests in both traditional time on the land and in new economies. We are strong and proud of being called both Cree and Canadi- an.

6 Pictures from HBC Archives

Rupert’s House 1867, tents Rupert’s House 1867

Rupert’s House, 20 April 1868 Anglican Church at Rupert’s House, ca. 1898

Rupert’s House, ca. 1900 Rupert’s House” [ca. 1930’s]

7 Map of Waskaganish

8 Map of Waskaganish

Cultural Site Rupert River Sports Complex Gathering Place Kanio Kashee Shore

* Road to Water Intake --->

9 Rupert River Sports Complex - Floor Plan VIP MEET & GREET VIP MEET BAND ROOM BAND STAGE VIP SEATING FLOOR SEATING GENERAL SEATING

10 Gathering Place - Gymnasium Floor Plan Exit Main Entrance 8 7 6 5 3 2 4 1 18 9 17 16 15 14 13 11 10 12 Exit Entrance See page 13 for Artist/Artisan Booth See 13 for page Seating. Note:

11 350th Anniversary Celebration ART SYMPOSIUM/TRADESHOW - WORKSHOPS Location: BOOTH #18 at the GATHERING PLACE GYMNASIUM 29 SMOKEY HILL

DAY 1 Monday, July 16, 2018 DAY 4 Thursday, July 19, 2018 TIME ARTIST NAME ART TIME ARTIST NAME ART 2PM Sylvia Blackned Sewing 2PM Sylvia Blackned Sewing 3PM Shaylynn Neeposh Sewing 3PM Shaylynn Neeposh Sewing 4PM Vanessa Stephen Sketch 4PM Maahaamuut Ceremony (Riverbank) 5PM Margaret Diamond Net Weaving 5PM Community Feast Setup 6PM J. Tim Whiskeychan Painting 6PM Community Feast

DAY 2 Tuesday, July 17, 2018 DAY 5 Friday, July 20, 2018 TIME ARTIST NAME ART TIME ARTIST NAME ART 2PM Gordon H. Blackned Tamarack Bird 2PM Vanessa Stephen Sketch 3PM Arthur Diamond Wooden Crafts 3PM Margaret Diamond New Weaving 4PM Mary Diamond Sewing 4PM Beatrice Asquaban. Sewing 5PM Charlie Diamond Wooden Tools 5PM Rose Asquaban. Sewing 6PM Edwin Jolly Wooden Crafts

DAY 3 Wednesday, July 18, 2018 DAY 6 Saturday, July 21, 2018 TIME ARTIST NAME TIME ARTIST NAME ART 2PM-7PM Archaeology presentation & 2PM Gordon H. Blackned Tamarack Birds showing of artifacts 3PM Arthur Diamond Wooden Crafts 4PM Mary Diamond Sewing 5PM Charlie Diamond Wooden Tools

DAY 7 Sunday, July 22, 2018 TIME ARTIST NAME ART Note: These workshops will take place at 2PM Edwin Jolly Wooden Crafts the Gather Place, Booth #18 located at 29 3PM Natasia Mukash Painting Smokey Hill St. See page 11 for Floor Plan 4PM Elder Story Telling 5PM Elder Story Telling

12 350th Anniversary Celebration ART SYMPOSIUM/TRADESHOW Location: GATHERING PLACE GYMNASIUM 29 SMOKEY HILL

ARTIST/ARTISAN BOOTH SEATING *See page 11 for floor plan.

BOOTH #1 BOOTH #10 Sylvia Blackned Aiden House Artisan, Mistissini, Qc Artisan, Waskaganish, Qc

BOOTH #2 BOOTH #11 Shaylynn Neeposh Arthur Diamond Artisan, Mistissini, Qc Artisan, Waskaganish, Qc

BOOTH #3 BOOTH #12 Marlene Moses Mary Diamond Waskaganish, Qc Elder Artisan, Waskaganish, Qc

BOOTH #4 BOOTH #13 Vanessa Stephen Charlie Diamond Artist, Waskaganish, Qc Artisan, Ouje-bougoumou, Qc

BOOTH #5 BOOTH #14 Margaret Diamond Edwin Jolly Artisan, Waskaganish, Qc Elder Artisan, Waskaganish, Qc

BOOTH #6 BOOTH #15 Beatrice Asquabaneskum Ouwah Store Artisan, Wemindji, Qc Chisasibi, QC

BOOTH #7 BOOTH #16 Rose Asquabaneskum Carrie Weistche Artisan, Ouje-bougoumou, Qc Artisan, Waskaganish, Qc

BOOTH #8 BOOTH #17 Jimmy Tim Whiskeychan Natasia Mukash Artist, Waskaganish, Qc Artist, Whapmaagoostui, Qc

BOOTH #9 BOOTH #18 Gordon H. Blackned Workshop Stage Artisan, Waskaganish, Qc

13 350th Anniversary Celebration TRADITIONAL ACTIVITIES & GAMES SCHEDULE Location: CULTURAL SITE & Kanio Kashee Shoreline

DAY 1 Monday, July 16, 2018 Time Category Event 1PM - 4PM Child/Youth Potatoe Sack Race, Smoosh Race, Tug of War 4PM - 8PM Adult Potatoe Sack Race, Smoosh Race, Tug of War DAY 2 Tuesday, July 17, 2018 Time Category Event 1PM - 4PM Child/Youth Splash Day: Boat Ride, Tubing, Fishing, Swimming 4PM - 8PM Adult Portage/Canoe, Chiiman Race, Portage/Sandbag, Yoke/Water Race DAY 3 Wednesday, July 18, 2018 Time Category Event 1PM - 4PM Child/Youth Traditional Dressing, Cross Dressing, 4PM - 8PM Adult } Celebrity, Super Hero or Character Dressing DAY 4 Thursday, July 19, 2018 Time Category Event 1PM - 4PM Child/Youth Cribbage and Checkers 4PM - 8PM Adult } *Men/Women Category & Competitive/Recreational

DAY 5 Friday, July 20, 2018 Time Category Event 1PM - 4PM Child/Youth Scavenger Hunt 1PM - 8PM Adult Traditional & Cultural Site Making - Home Front Yard DAY 6 Saturday, July 21, 2018 Time Category Event 1PM - 8PM Child/Youth Inflatable Playground

14 350th Anniversary Celebration ROAD TO WRESTLELUSION - July 16 & 17, 2018 OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS Location: Rupert River Sports Complex Featuring: Jesse Bieber, Tatanka, Rene Dupree Doors Open: 7:30PM Bell Time: 8:00PM Traditional Food Cooking/Preparing & Lunch Admission: $8 13Up, $5 12 Under Location: Cultural Site Time: Daily from 9AM to 1PM Children/Youth BBQ Lunch Time: Will be served daily at 12PM Location: Cultural Site Date: July 18, 2018 Time: 5PM-8PM Square Dancing/Fiddle Music Location: To be determined (depending on weather) Nemaska Reconciliation Date: July 18, 2018 Time: 8PM-12AM Location: Reginald Hester Park Date: July 19, 2018 Time: 10AM Theme of the day Monday: Wachiya Day (Greet everyone) Day Youth DJ Party/Dance with Drezus Tuesday: Wear 350th Item Day Location: Gathering Place Wednesday: Old Fashion Dress Up Day Date: July 19, 2018 Time: 9PM Thursday: Wear Checker Clothing Day Friday: Bandana Day/Tuberz Day Community Feast Saturday: Camo Day Location: Rupert River Sports Complex Sunday: Cowboy Day Date: July 19, 2018 Time: 6PM Canoe Brigade ‘Departure’ MUSIC & DANCE Location: Kanio Kashee Shoreline Location: RUPERT RIVER SPORTS COMPLEX Date: July 20, 2018 Time: 10AM Located at 17 Smokey Hill st.

Doors open: 6:45PM Concert Starts at: 7:30 PM For Tickets: See Harvey Blackned, Pier- ette Salt or Darryl S. Hester at Cree Nation of Waskaganish Head Office.

From July 16-19, 2018. Tickets will be sold at the Gathering Place during the Tradeshow.

Fireworks: After Blue Rodeo Performance. Place to be announced at Concert.

15 Thank you for being a part of the 350th Summer Anniversary Celebration!

Looking forward to seeing you in Waskaganish for the Final Celebration to be held on November 22, 23, 24, 2018!

Wachiya!