Mushkegowuk Council 19th Annual Assembly

Resolution No. 2004-09-21

Attawapiskat First Nation

Kashechewan First Nation

Fort Albany First Nation

Moose Cree First Nation

New Post First Nation

Chapleau Cree First Nation

Missanabie Cree First Nation

Chief Mike Carpenter Attawapiskat First Nation

Bernard Sutherland, Delegate Fort Albany First Nation

Adopted by Consensus

Certified copy of a Resolution passed on Sept. 16, 2004

September 16, 2004

Cochrane, Ontario

Creation of Mushkegowuk Culture and Language Program

WHEREAS Mushkegowuk Council has for many years supported and carried out various Mushkegowuk cultural activities, including especially the preservation, teaching and development of our Native Cree language; and

WHEREAS Mushkegowuk Council cultural and language activities have in the past been carried out as a part of the subject of education; and

WHEREAS our Cree language is at the heart of the Mushkegowuk Council People and is an expression of our culture and our land; and

WHEREAS our language and our culture have an importance and significance all to themselves, and are distinct from the field of education; and

WHEREAS our language continues to exist in all parts of Mushkegowuk Territory, and continues to be strong in some of our communities, but our language is at risk of being eroded and even lost in the future, unless there is an increased use of our language by our people, especially the youth;

Resolution No. 2004-09-21, cont.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Mushkegowuk Council establish a Cultural and Language Program with the responsibility to aggressively pursue the preservation and development of our Mushkegowuk culture and in particular our language.