Cree Gathering sends message

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A mix of traditional and spiritual ceremonies and the recalling of political history were the focal points of the Cree Nations Gathering at Saddle Lake First Nations from June 23 to 25.

The three-day event given the Cree name Nehiyaw Pimatisiwin, (Cree way of life) was intended to gather Cree people from across Canada and the United States for discussions on forming a Cree confederacy.

"Our [Canadian] government's stragegy and policy has been to divide and conquer," said Ted Moses, ambassador of the Grand Council of Crees in Quebec.

Speaking to reporters at the gathering, Moses said the old addage of strength in numbers is the underlying message of forming a confederacy.

"If we come together as one nation, then we will be stronger as people," he said, adding that the Cree people do not want to isolate themselves from the other Aboriginal groups across North America. Like the movement now being seen in the Blackfoot communities, many leaders and Elders at the gathering hope other groups come together and unite to form a stronger and unified group.

Unfortunately, many of the anticipated crowds and groups did not attend the Saddle Lake gathering.

Organizers and leaders from across Canada who did attend blamed the Assembly of First Nations general assembly in Toronto which was taking place at the same time.

"This prevented other chiefs from coming here. They had to make a choice," said Moses, adding that he was hopeful the idea of a Cree confederacy was on the minds of those who couldn't attend the gathering. "We hope there will be support from the Cree leadership and chiefs so that we can strengthen the bond of Aboriginal people across the nation."

Sol Sanderson from Saskatchewan's James Smith Cree Nation said the way to strengthen the links between the Cree people of North America is through the family unit. He said family leaders could replace the levels of bureaucracy and red tape found on many First Nations. Things need to go back to how they were, he said, when the people had more control.

"We need to organize the rights and powers of the membership. Custom councils are formed by each individual family unit and they communicate the community issues to the chiefs and council," said Sanderson.

One way of achieving this model is through the increased practice of traditional customs and the continued push for the recognition of Aboriginal rights.

"We are here [at the gathering] to focus on what the Cree Nation sovereignty issues are - the inherent rights of the Cree people. We find this through traditions, customs, values, air, water, the economy, education, lands and resources," he said.

Sanderson said more attention and awareness has to be paid toward the inherent rights of Aboriginal people in North America. That attention has to come from the Cree people themselves, before the matter is argued with the federal government.

"If we don't recognize our inherent rights, who will do it," he asked. "We have to validate and implement the treaties we signed. . . and we need a new federal law to recognize Crown and Cree law."

Organizers of the event believed it to be a success. They are now calling on those who attended the gathering to go to their individual communities and continue to build bonds with neighboring nations. Through continued awareness, confederacy organizers are hopeful headway can be made.