Goldcorp donates $250 000 to Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation

It’s not often that a mining company gives more than it’s required to the people whose traditional territory is being exploited. Goldcorp, owners of the Eleonore mine near Oujé-Bougoumou, are trying to change that image with a $250,000 donation to the Eenou-Eeyou Community Foundation (EECF).

The EECF’s mandate is to oversee the “Securing the Future” fundraising campaign for Aanischaaukamikw, the Cree Cultural Institute. The donation was made during a ceremony at the institute in Oujé July 19.

“The day will forever stand out for me as a symbol of what can be possible when people are focused on building a positive relationship,” said Goldcorp Executive Vice President Brent Bergeron. He said Goldcorp’s gift was to assist in the “Crees’ effort to preserve, study and share their culture, language and history.”

Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come thanked Goldcorp for the contribution, saying “it opens the eyes to the richness of Cree culture, history and language.”

Coon Come stressed the tradition of sharing. “Because when you live on the land you learn the importance of sharing,” he said. “When you hunt and fish you learn to share your labour, to share your resources and to share your knowledge. Goldcorp today has clearly demonstrated that it understands this lesson.”

The partnership is about more than jobs, contracts or royalties, added the Grand Chief. “Gone is the day when resource companies could take for the land without thoughts for the rights of others, without the thought for future generations. By investing philanthropically to advance Cree cultural development, Goldcorp demonstrates good faith, generosity and if I may say, they have demonstrated that crucial Cree value of sharing.”

Oujé-Bougoumou Chief Curtis Bosum brought a local and personal note to the event, talking about how difficult it was to make his community a reality less than 30 years ago.

“We have built a village which is a creative blend of our ancient culture and contemporary technology,” said Bosum. “We have chosen and adapted those elements of the larger society which are compatible with our Cree culture and created something new, something different and something beautiful. Our village is a declaration that we are true to our ancient culture and, at the same time, that we are open to the world.”

Bosum said this is part of what Aanischaaukamikw is all about and he is proud to host a facility that plays such an important role in the Cree Nation.

Eenou-Eeyou Foundation President Abel Bosum said the funds would be used to ensure Aanischaaukamikw continues to benefit the Cree and “to share our culture with the world.”

That role is more important that ever. A recent report noted that possibly only four Aboriginal languages would survive into the future – one of them being the language spoken by the James Bay Cree. The survival and continued support for Aanischaaukamikw will ensure that the Cree way of life will also survive.