Mushkegowuk Council 22nd Annual Assembly

Resolution No. 2007-09-23

Attawapiskat First Nation

Kashechewan First Nation

Fort Albany First Nation

Joseph Wheesk, Elder Fort Albany First Nation

William Cachagee, Elder Chapleau Cree First Nation

Cree Language Institute

WHEREAS Resolution No. 1999-09-10 endorsed and supported the initial establishment of a regional Cree Language Committee mandated to work for the development of a Cree Language Institute serving the people of the Mushkegowuk Cree Nation; and

Moose Cree First Nation

New Post

First Nation

Chapleau Cree First Nation

Certified copy of a resolution Missanabie Cree passed on September 13, 2007

First Nation

September 13, 2007

Attawapiskat, Ontario

WHEREAS this Committee was to undertake research and support community language initiatives, providing training and develop a full accredited Cree Language course at all levels; and

WHEREAS this Committee did develop a regional proposal entitled Cree Language Education Centre which was submitted to potential funding partners, and work was undertaken to develop a regional curriculum document; and

WHEREAS work by this Committee did not continue beyond 2000 due to lack of funding partners; and

WHEREAS since 2000 Omushkego Education has continued to pursue several aspects of this overall regional strategy in areas of Cree Language and Culture such as; Curriculum Development of Cree Language and Culture, Cree Language Teachers Certification Program, Translation Transcription Project, Omushkego Oral History Transcription Project, CreeFest,

Resolution No. 2007-09-23, Page 2

Great Moon Gathering and Translator Interpreter Training program; and

WHEREAS Resolution No. 2004-09-21 directs Mushkegowuk Council to 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;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Chiefs and Delegates in Assembly mandate the Grand Chief and the Executive to direct Omushkego Education to revive, research and explore the concept of a Regional Cree Language Institute Strategy; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that Omushkego Education coordinate a regional gathering of educators and leaders to assist in the exploration of this unique and important strategy.