2017-2018 CWEIA ANNUAL REPORT

Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association 2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

On behalf of Cree Women of Eeyou Istchee Association and our families, I express our sincere gratitude and may we continue to move forward.

In Nishiiyuu Spirit,

Linda L. Shecapio, B.A.

Board of Directors

Urban

Cree Communities

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Kwey!

Foremost, I am grateful for the protection, perseverance and strength that the Creator has instilled in all of us, the individuals and the support from our families and communities that put their compassion and investing their time towards collective efforts and the hard work we have endured this past year. The 2017-18 Annual Report is our opportunity to share our story and express our sincere gratitude for your generosity and continuous support.

I am honoured to state that the resiliency of the organization survived its’ first year of being independent. The continuous support and attributing success of our organization is through our funders and the engaging and encouragers of CWEIA, as we were able to gracefully carry on throughout this challenging year. I must say, patience was our biggest teacher and moving forward of the unknown was also our driving force during this impact but with assurance, we kept our focus and progressed towards a powerful movement in solidifying the existence and the essence of our organization.

The silent struggles and challenges that we’ve been experiencing was exactly what it needed for the personal growth and the change that CWEIA needed. The result of this challenge has indeed provided us with a clear direction, trusting the spirit of intent and tapping into vigour for the viability of our organization. In spite of it all, we were able to contribute in changing lives, and creating partnerships and community of support that extends in Eeyou Istchee. We are always pleased to stand together in service to our people and making connections outside Eeyou Istchee as well. We will continue to strengthen its grassroots legacy and ensure a future where our children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and yet to be born hold a space for healthy, inclusive and a strong nation.

President of Local Women Association (LWA)

PRESIDENT MESSAGE

President Vice-President Secretary- Treasurer

Elder Youth Whapmagoostui Chisasibi Wemindji Eastmain Waskaganish Nemaska Mistissini Oujé-Bougoumou Waswanipi Washaw-Sibi Senneterre Chibougamau Val d'Or

Linda L. Shecapio Rita Masty LeeAnn Neeposh Irene Bearskin House Juliette Ottereyes Rita Masty Robin Pechanos (interim) Carmen Faries Sheila Mark-Stewart Emily Blackned Hester LeeAnn Neeposh Amy Linton Louise E. Neeposh Louise B Saganash Louise Trapper Elizabeth Mianscum VACCANT VACCANT

Goukumnouch Council Irene House Nancy Danyluk Maria Kawapit Marlene I Kitchen

CWEIA Executive Elder NCOE representative Coastal representative Inland representative

Honorary member Doris Bobbish Louisa Wynn Mandy Gull Nellie Bearskin House Pauline Hester Violet Pachanos Virgina Wabano

1st President of CWEIA Whapmagoostui Chief Deputy Grand Chief Elder Washaw-Sibi Chief 1st Deputy grand Chief 2nd Presdient of CWEIA

Staff Regional Coordinator Program Coordinator Bookeeper (contractual)

Manon Richmond Tina mark-Ottereyes Rachel Martinhunter

ADVOCACY CWEIA’s work on gender equality was about sharing our vision and perspective with other organizations. Making sure that grassroots women and girls’ voices, priorities, and solutions, are heard and taken into account within local, regional and provincial level decision-making instances. Action and interaction made: Ê Sharing of CWEIA’s strategic orientation with Deputy Chief, Cree Health Board, Cree Justice and Correctional services, Secretariat Condition feminine and Secretariat Affaire Autochthone. Ê Deposited a statement to the Quebec inquiry commission Ê Supported Chief Darlene Cheechoo’s view on the Cree Constitution Ê Distribution of Kuukumniuuwich Teaching pamphlets at University Nomade & Cree Language Regional Conference.

DAB EEYOU Our focus was geared to participating and providing educational opportunities of traditional knowledge transfer. We also emphasized our efforts in honoring the sacred partnership between genders.

2ND KUUKUMINUUWICH GATHERING The regional gathering was held in September at the Cultural Village in Waswanipi. We had over sixty delegates from various cree communities attend. The main purpose of this event is for the grandmothers to pass on their knowledge and teachings. Teachers from the local schools also brought their classes to sit in and listen.

7TH NCOE CULTURAL GATHERING Once again for a third year we offered logistic support in the event organisation and work with the Local Women Association of Eastmain in being part this event.

NATIONAL MEN GATHERING & 2 SPIRITED CONFERENCE For both events, CWEIA was a behind the scene helper but also offered a supporting hands-on presence at the event. We share the importance on how the role of men and women are to be complementary. As for the 2 Spirited conference, a message of uncondition al love from the Gookumnouch Council was delivered.

CULTURAL EXCHANGE: MISS INDIAN WORLD Experiencing exchange with other First Nations allows us to gain a deeper understanding of yourself, innovative in our approaches and reminds us of the values of our Ancestors.

Mission Statement ᐧᐋ ᐃᔑ ᑐᑕᐦᒡ ᐄᔨᔨᐅᔅᐧᑳᐅᒡ ᐋᐦ ᒫᒨᐧᐄᒡ ᐄᔨᔨᐅᔅᒌᐦᒡ « ᐋ ᐧᐃᒋᐦᐋᒡ ᑭᔮ ᐋ ᐧᐃ ᒋᔅᒑᔨᐦᑖᑰᐦᐋᒡ ᐄᔨᔨᐤ/ᐄᓅ ᐄᔅᐧᑳᐤᐦ ᒥᓂᐧᐋᒋᐦᐃᑯᓯᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ ᐃᔨᔨᐆᐋᐦᑐᐧᐃᓂᐦᒡ ᑭᔭ ᐊᐱᑎᓯᐧᐃᓈᐦᒡ ᐅᐦᒡ᙮ “To inspire and value Eeyou-Eenou Iskweu through healing, culture and socio-economic development.”

Vision Statement ᓃᔥᑕᒥᐦᒡ ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᑲᓂᐧᐋᐱᐦᑕᑭᓄᐧᐃᒡ « ᓇᔥᒡ ᒋᓱᐦᒋᓰᓈᓅ, ᐋ ᒫᒨᑳᐳᐧᐃᔨᐦᒄ ᑭᔭ ᒋᔒᐱᔒᓈᓅ ᐋ ᐄᔨᔨᐤ/ᐄᓅ ᐄᔅᐧᑳᐧᐃᔨᐦᒄ ᐋ ᐧᐋᐆᒋᓂᒥᐦᒄ ᐊᓐ ᐋ ᐃᔑ ᑐᑎᒥᐦᒄ ᑖᓐ ᐊᓐ ᐋ ᐃᔑᓈᑰᐦᒡ ᒑ ᑐᑎᒨᐦᑯᐱᓈ ᐋ ᐱᒥᓈᐆᓲᔨᐦᒄ ᒑ ᒋ ᐃᑑᐦᑖᔨᐦᒄ ᐋᓂᑖᐦ ᐋ ᒦᔫᐱᓈᓄᐧᐃᒡ ᐋ ᐹᔨᑯᑖᐆᓯᓈᓄᐧᐃᒡ, ᐊᔅᑏᐦᑖᐧᐃᓈᐦᒡ ᑭᔭ ᒫᒃ ᐃᔨᔨᐦᒡ ᐋ ᐃᑎᔅᑳᓈᓯᔨᐦᒄ᙮ “We are strong, united and resilient Eeyou-Eenou Iskwaauch as we embrace our nurturing roles towards sustaining harmonious families, communities and nation.”

Core Values Below are ten core values we seek to live and work together or with other Cree and non Cree entities. At the personal level, there are some core values: • Strong identity, culture, and traditions as guidelines for actions; • Empowerment and healthy women; • The importance of self-care; • Respectful attitude and relationships with each other.

Moreover, as an organization, there are also additional guiding values in daily life and interactions with each other: • Unity and supporting of one another; • Openness for change and respect towards innovative ideas and on sensitive issues; • Fair and consensus oriented in the decision making process considering all aspects of the issue(s); • Shared leadership roles; • Clear communication and honesty.

EMPOWERMENT Our empowerment efforts were intended to celebrate and inspire women to take charge of their lives, to be independent and autonomous while keeping the right balance with their family life.

1ST WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP FORUM & 5TH WOMEN’S AWARDS The event was held at Mont Gabriel Resort & Spa in Mont Gabrial, Quebec. We had over fifty women participate in the forum, attending workshops, listening to keynote speakers and receiving insights and experiences from cree women leaders on the leadership panel. The Gala honoured cree women who made outsatanding contributions. The particpants left feeling encouraged, rejuvenated and inspired.

ESSENTIAL PARTNERSHIP CWEIA worked in collaboration with Algonquin women representatives to access and identify preventive solutions to violence against women as reported by the television program Enquête and the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Three key recommendations: 1- A cry of pain has been expressed; the urgency to act is imperative. Any preventive and healing strategy must include cultural safety.

2- The service funding cycle must be focused on the long term: a multidisciplinary strategy with appropriate financial and human resources is required.

3- The creation of a consultative and coordinating body linking political, social, educational and health actions would facilitate a holistic approach in relation to cultural values and the well-being of the women.

From the outset, a committee of Cree and Algonquin women was formed with a mandate to manage the partnership.

COLLECTIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP This year marked the end of a two (2) partnership action Research project with CIRADD and Niska. Together we accomplished: 1- A better understanding of the current available technical and financial support system for Cree women entrepreneurs; 2- Piloted the design and invested effort in implementing a collective business in arts and crafts Coop controlled and managed by women that respects Cree women’s traditional skills and value; 3- Research and experiment with processes that support women entrepreneurship’s more effectively in the specific context of Eeyou Itschee.

UNDERTAKINGS TOWARDS VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN EI A Violence Awareness & Prevention tool kit is almost complete. It will guide victims of violence about where to go for help and steps to take or consider.

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

On April 1, 2017, CWEIA became an independent grassroots organization. The establishment of accounting brought new challenges and it allowed us to seek additional outside funding resources. In total CWEIA, submitted eleven (11) proposals and the results were; four (4) of them were approved, (3) were rejected, and the other four (4) are still pending. The results of our proposal requests made us change our strategy in approaching new funders. We were able to take time to meet and sit down with potential partners and presented CWEIA’s new strategic plan and aspirations. The provincial government was amazed with CWEIA’s efforts and encouraged us to further seek other funds from their various departments.

CWEIA’s team was increased to two (2) additional resources. We were able to hire a Program Coordinator and a Bookkeeper on contractual basis. Regional Coordinator was able to provide her services under a service partnership contract with CERP as well.

Being that CWEIA is about empowering women, we also offer enrichment to our team and participated in the following happening; -

QNW Sexual Awareness Training for Awareness Agents on Healthy Sexuality and the Prevention of Sexual Assault: CWEIA staff and some of the Local Presidents attended a training on Healthy Sexuality. The goal was to develop a better understanding of the topic, so that we can facilitate and deliver workshops in Eeyou Istchee.

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Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution (CICR) – Capacity Building in Informal Conflict Resolution. Sponsored by CNG – Justice & Correctional Services

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TedX Women in Montreal – 2017 Theme: Bridges! Speakers sharing their personal stories and perspecti ves that offer bridges across race, background, belief, opinions and other differences that divide. Donated by CNG – Justice & Correctional Services

We also got to go visit and exchange with three (3) Local Women’s Association: Whapmagoostui, Chisasibi and Nemaska to share about our reality. Made presentation and workshop at the KWE event on sacred medicine, meet with UQAT student and shared about the reality of non-for profit in Eeyou Istchee and presented our Co-op project at the Quebec’s 1st Nation Women Forum. This made us realize that CWEIA is in demand and we know that we can and will be offering services in the optic of being a social business. CWEIA is becoming more receptive in welcoming innovative approaches to network and establish sustainable partnerships.

Our actions and endeavors were supported by CWEIA’s corporate instances. The Board of Directors got to meet on two (2) occasions. The Executive Committee were doing more hands on the administrative matter and met on six (6) occasions: four (4) physical meetings and two (2) via teleconference meetings Although, we were able to obtain a total of 170 members: 154 Women Members and 17 Friend Members, we believe that this can be further improved.