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Home , Mushkegowuk Council, Peawanuck, Weenusk First Nation

P.O. Box 370 , ON P0L 1W0

Tel: 705-658-4222 Fax: 705-658-4250

Press Release

Mushkegowuk Council Celebrates ’s 30th Commemoration

Thursday, July 21, 2016

Moose Factory. This weekend we will remember, honour and celebrate Pewanuck’s 30th anniversary with the People of the . It was during this time 30 years ago when the people of Weenusk were working very hard to re-build their new community – Pewanuck “The Promised Land.” Peawanuck in the language means “Flintstone”.

This past spring on May 16, 2016, the community had their commemoration of the spring break up and flood that wiped out their settlement on the mighty river of Winisk. The community was devastated and claimed two precious lives.

Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon, Deputy grand Chief Rebecca Friday and staff of Mushkegowuk Council celebrates with the People of Weenusk. May of that year is something that they continue to remember and live with. What they saw experienced is pierced in their memory. They are resilient and strong people. This year they mark their 30th anniversary in their new community. They are the most isolated and northern first nation community within Mushkegowuk Aski (Land).

Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon reflects on the inquest that followed the tragic event; “I remember getting a letter to be a juror in the inquest and the inquest was going to happen in , . The inquest was simple. I don’t think or recall the First Nation having any legal representation. There were no room full of lawyers but there was a sitting coroner and a lawyer/prosecutor type of person who led the proceedings in the court house in Moosonee. I remember Chief George Hunter being one of the witnesses, Mike Hunter, father of Chief George Hunter and others. I vaguely remember telling their story that day and what happened and how things happened so fast. During the many testimonies there was a lot emotion. I want to share a story shared by the pilot the day he arrived with on his helicopter. “

“Once the first 206 helicopter landed at Winisk Airport, I got in... and we headed out to pick up the people on the ridge. (We estimated fifty people were on the ridge from the beginning.) Since the fog had settled in over the entire area I had to go by memory 1 finding the ridge again, as we had about 100-200 yards forward visibility and 50 foot ceiling. We found the ridge and began the airlift of people, commencing with kids and one or two mothers. In all, I made eight trips back and forth.... The pick-ups in the village were tricky. I assisted people, one by one, once they had climbed over jumbled ice chunks and crushed ice and fast-flowing water, until they were within arm's reach of the helicopter skid....” - Pilot

Above is one of many records of the witnesses’ statements and also the recommendations that came out of the Winisk Flood Inquest.

Deputy Grand Chief Rebecca Friday shares the joy of coming to your community to be part of the 30th anniversary celebrations. Deputy Grand Chief comes from and she knows all too well the struggles of being evacuated from your community every year due to break up. She is so happy to be able to come here and share with you the celebration of your new community as well as to remember your original community.

My knowledge of Peawanuck and the people here are the kindness, sharing and willingness to work together. We see many of their community members participate in Creefest every year in which community it is hosted in. They come with the knowledge of preparing traditional foods, story-telling and strong sense of community.

We look forward to continued relationship in the future with your community.

“On behalf of Council of Chiefs of Mushkegowuk Council and the citizens of Mushkegowuk Aski, we celebrate with you and wish you all the very best in the years to come” says Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon.

For more information, please contact Grand Chief Jonathon Solomon Cell: 705 336 7122 email:[email protected]

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