Outcomes of Mistissini Inland Session with Tallyman

At the recent Information Session on Mining for inland communities held at the Mistissini Neoskweskau Memorial Arena, Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty and Deputy Grand Chief Norman A. Wapachee, along with key directors from the Cree Nation Government and the Cree Trappers’ Association, engaged with nearly 300 participants, including tallymen, land users, community members and representatives.

On behalf of the Cree Nation Government, Anthony Macleod, Director of the Department of Commerce and Industry, and Isaac Voyageur, Director of the Department of Environment and Remedial Works, were joined by Aurora Hernandez, Mining Restoration Manager and from the Cree Trappers’ Association, Allan A. House, President, and Bert Moar, Eeyou Hunting Governance Liaison Officer, to openly discuss and take into consideration the comments and concerns of the participants.

The session began with a presentation from the Cree Trappers’ Association highlighting the importance of tallymen, land users and the Cree Hunting Law. Cree Nation Government staff presented critical aspects of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, focusing on hunting, fishing, trapping rights, and environmental assessments, as well as the Mining Policy.

The meeting facilitated open dialogue, allowing participants to voice their concerns both orally and in writing. Feedback was diverse, and all concerns were documented, with commitments made by both the Cree Nation Government and the Cree Trappers’ Association to collaboratively address these issues.

“I want to thank the participants who attended the session. Their knowledge and feedback were very valuable in guiding us to determine the next steps. I heard over 44 key messages that will be worked on. We are looking forward to hosting the next session on the coast in the fall.”  – Grand Chief Mandy Gull-Masty

“Regional Cree Trappers’ Association were pleased to be able to join the Cree Nation Government to meet the inland tallyman at the joint session and are looking forward to meeting with the coastal tallymen regarding the mining and exploration, we always appreciate the opportunity to meet our members, and we look forward to addressing and responding to the key points shared at the meeting” – Allan A. House, Chief Financial Officer/Interim Chief Executive Officer-President, Cree Trappers’ Association

A follow-up session for the coastal communities is planned for the fall, with details on date and location to be announced soon.

Kristen Moar, Senior Administrative Coordinator, Cree Nation Government
Email: kristen.moar@cngov.ca
Telephone: 819-895-4451

Judy Coon-Come, Eeyou Eenou Ituun Coordinator/Communication Officer, Cree Trappers’ Association
Email : judycooncome@ctaoffice.ca
Telephone:  819-978-3005, ext. 231