Northern Quebec Cree youth learn about leadership in treaty simulation

More than 80 Cree youth from Quebec took part in a treaty simulation in early November to learn about leadership, government, and politics.

The Cree Nation Youth Council and the Gordon Foundation planned the gathering, which took place on Nov. 8-10 in Ottawa. 

"There were youth from every community in our nation learning about treaties…building those friendships now is going to lead to us being more together as we build our futures," said Charly Gilpin, who sits on the youth council in Wemindji, a small Cree community on the east coast of James Bay.

The treaty simulation commemorated the 49th anniversary of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), signed in 1975. It ensures that the Cree people are self-governed and have authority over land use, education, health, economic growth, and traditional practices, among other areas.

"My grandfather [Fred Blackned], Robert Kanatewat, and Billy Diamond were our age when they were fighting for the first modern treaty in Canada," Gilpin said.

Blackned, Kanatewat and Diamond were all signatories of the JBNQA. Kanatewat, an elder and former chief of Chisasibi — a Cree village on the eastern shore of James Bay — also attended the treaty simulation. 

Walking in the moccasins of JBQNA signatories

During the simulation, the youth were organized into several groups such as the Grand Council of the Crees, Cree tallymen, and the governments of Canada and Quebec.

They planned, spoke publicly, and negotiated to create a mock treaty. The treaty aimed to manage the moose population while respecting the Cree's hunting rights.

Although it was a simulation, it gave youth an experience of walking in the moccasins of those who first established the JBQNA, Gilpin said. 

"That felt like a full circle moment to me. They were fighting for our rights back then and here we were in front of [Robert Kanatewat] practicing our rights," Gilpin said. 

The simulation helped some young people come out of their shells, according to Jessika Danyluk, a college student from Wemindji who attended the gathering. 

"I feel like a lot of youth in our communities lack confidence in themselves about what they're going to do in the future and what they're going to improve in our communities," Danyluk said. 

The Cree Nation youth councillors, along with the Grand Chief and elders, guided youth to help them gain confidence and express themselves through public speaking.

"I think it's important because once the next generation grows older, the youth need to step up and understand what goes on with our treaty and negotiation process[es]," Danyluk said. "We're going to be in charge of our communities, we're going to be in charge of the Cree Nation and we're going to be in charge of representing Cree Iiyiyuch."

The Cree Nation Youth Council plans to have more treaty simulations for youth in the coming years, Gilpin said. 

"They kept saying at the treaty simulation that there might be a future grand chief in the room," she said. "I feel like these youth aren't our future leaders, they're the leaders now."

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the JBQNA. The next election for leaders of the Grand Council of the Crees takes place in 2025.

"I really, really believe that there was a future grand chief in that room," Gilpin said.