Two candidates campaign to be the next Cree youth grand chief

The Cree Nation Youth Council is nearing the end of its current term, and two candidates are competing to be the next youth grand chief of Eeyou Istchee. 

Kevin-Joseph Mianscum, 21, and Jade Mukash, 26, are both in the running. 

The council serves as the official youth assembly representing Cree youth across northern Quebec.

The council's mandate is to preserve Cree identity through language, promote the well-being and unity of Cree communities, represent youth interests on both local and regional levels and support and oversee local youth councils. 

Kevin-Joseph Mianscum

Kevin-Joseph Mianscum is from the Cree Nation of Mistissini. With experience as a local councillor and board member of Mistissini, some issues he wants to tackle include education, youth empowerment, healthy living, Cree culture, Cree language and land and environment. 

Mianscum talks about the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), a modern treaty initiated in 1975, which is scheduled for renewal next year.

"It's such a crucial time for the Cree way of life. There are big things on the horizon, especially with the renegotiations that will happen. I think it's important to have youth perspective," said Mianscum in Cree. 

"I want to be the kind of leader that listens, that is always available, and make spaces available for youth."

Some of the social issues he says he wants to address are substance abuse, depression and other mental health issues. He said he also wants to address the lack of housing for youth coming back to their communities after completing post-secondary education.

"We also want to make services and resources available for youth to live a healthy life," said Mianscum.

Jade Mukash

Jade Mukash, the current Miss Eeyou Eenou Iskwaau, hails from the Cree Nation of Whapmagoostui. Her core objectives include fostering relationships with youth across all communities, upholding the original mandates of the CNYC, and applying ancestral wisdom to find modern-day solutions.

"Young families, youth that are in education, young athletes, young artists, entrepreneurs, I think they're all very different. But I think it's important to create opportunities for them," said Mukash.

Mukash rose from youth centre monitor to Whapmagoostui youth councillor, later earning the titles of Miss Whapmaoostui and Miss Eeyou Eenou Iskwaau. She said these roles taught her to pass on knowledge and confidence to youth, as others did for her.

"I think it's important for me to listen to each community, which is why I'm doing my campaign the way that I'm doing it. And I think my leadership style is very much for the people," said Mukash. 

Mukash, like Mianscum, points to challenges such as youth reintegration, housing shortages, and unequal job access. She said the Cree Nation Youth Council should help by listing services to make support more accessible for youth.

"Connection with other organizations and making sure that we have a say in the programs and events that other organizations have so that we can also benefit from them," said Mukash.

She said she encourages youth to make informed choices when electing their youth grand chief. 

"It's not really a competition about who can do the best. It's really about supporting each other and uplifting each other. When one of us wins, we all win," said Mukash.

Advanced polls take place on July 31, with election day on August 7.