-Olympic skater visits Chisasibi

Olympic bronze medalist and six-time Canadian champion figure skater Joannie Rochette paid a visit to Chisasibi April 15 and 16 to take part in the community’s annual Ice Show.

In an interview with CBC, Rochette said that this was her first trip to northern Quebec and that she was very excited and curious to learn more about the lifestyle and traditions of the James Bay Cree.

Eeyou Istchee figure skaters – some as young as four years old – were ecstatic to skate with the high-profile athlete. Chisasibi youth development coordinator Rhonda Spencer described the visit as a positive experience for everyone involved, adding that this year’s show was “particularly extravagant”.

Rochette seemed to thoroughly enjoy her time in the community, taking to Facebook to share a photo of herself sporting a Chisasibi sweater and mentioning that she had the pleasure of making bannock bread and tasting wild goose as part of traditional culture day.