Nemeska’s Nishiiyu Cultural Gathering

The voices of Elders, youth and women flooded a crowded gymnasium in Nemaska for the sixth annual Nishiiyu Council of Elders Cultural Gathering September 5-8. The event brought together more than 30 speakers during 16 workshops that offered an opportunity for youth and Elders to reconnect, to share stories and perspectives, and to strengthen the community.   

The vision of the event is based on the Cree Nishiiyu value that “everyone is equally important and respected, and that’s how we survived through the ages,” said organizer Stella Bearskin.

But more than that, the annual event is about the reclamation of culture and spirit after the legacy of residential schools did everything it could to destroy traditional values.

“It’s time we as a nation effectively assess how colonization has impacted our society at the cultural, social, psychological and spiritual level,” said former Grand Chief Matthew Mukash, who conducted a shaking tent ceremony.

“The idea behind the gathering was to get different organizations and people together to work towards a common goal,” said Bearskin. “The Elders are the teachers, guides and keepers of cultural knowledge. So this gathering was about bridging that gap between Elders and youth and rebuilding and strengthening Cree culture.”

Much of the event was devoted to spiritual practices, another aspect of Cree culture decimated through the process of colonization.

“Often, the challenges we face today are the result of unresolved inter-generational trauma that may stem from four, five or more generations back as a result of colonial policies Canada put in place to eradicate First Nations language, culture and way of life across the country,” said Mukash.

Mukash comes from “a lineage of carriers of the shake tent and other ceremonies,” and believes a return to ceremony is necessary, not only for the Eeyou Istchee, but for all Indigenous nations to heal from the many traumas associated with colonization.  

“For me, traditional Eeyou ceremonies are among the most important tools that could help improve the health and well-being of our communities,” said Mukash. “And if we as individuals can walk in balance, then our families will start to do the same.”

 

The shaking tent ceremony has an expansive history and is said to have come to Eeyou Istchee in a dream. In the past the ceremony was used to help hunters when they were on the verge of starvation. “Our Elders often say that without ceremonies such as the shake tent many families would not be alive today,” recounted Mukash. “In Eeyou culture, the most powerful ceremonial people were great hunters known for their skills far and wide.”

In Nemaska, the shaking tent ceremony took place just outside of the community and was well attended.

“Out of the 50 people who came to witness the ceremony, over 20 made offerings and asked for life directions and interpretation of their dreams,” said Mukash. “As a conductor of the ceremony, it was quite an honour to have had that many people come to ask questions, and I do hope that they were satisfied with the answers.”

Mukash was grateful for the opportunity to share his traditional knowledge with the youth and hopes that the gatherings continue. He believes that it’s time for all Indigenous people to reconnect with traditional ceremony.  
“Traditionally in Eeyou culture, the pursuit of life’s meaning, your role in it, and cultivating and honing your gifts involved vision questing,” said Mukash. “To my Elders, the spirit of evolution applies to all creation and dictates that ceremonial gifts are inherent in all generations. In other words, the right to carry ceremonies is as natural and dynamic today as it was for our ancestors. Nothing has changed. The difficult life challenges we face today at all levels of Eeyou society is the price we have to pay for not using our spiritual gifts.”