You’ve come a long way, baby

Another year has come and gone. With my increasingly advanced age they seem to fly by faster when it comes time to look back and assess our progress at the Nation. That’s probably why I value each one more and more. Each time I open a new calendar I celebrate the fact that the Nation has survived another year. There are some who gently poke me by saying this newsmagazine is losing the sharp edge that we had in our early years, but the fact is that the Nation is maturing along with the Cree Nation.

The Cree of Eeyou Istchee have experienced many changes and challenges over the last 21-plus years that the Nation has been chronicling our people’s history as it happens. Cree society has changed, and so have we. As with all Cree businesses, organizations and entities, we have evolved. We have never stopped developing, flourishing and reinforcing our way of life despite the many challenges we faced. This is the reality for the Cree people whether it is on an individual, community or regional level.

I am proud that the Nation has been a part of this progress. As with the people and organizations that play a part in our unique development, we look to the future while learning from the successes and missteps we have known during years of dramatic change. Many Cree know what it means to not only survive, but to thrive. We also know that this process has no end because we have a huge responsibility to create the best future we can for the generations who will build on our achievements.

The Nation is a survivor. We will continue to document and reflect the change, the challenges and the needs of the Cree. Social change, political choices, economic success or criminal failure, music, art and debate over the issues that matter to us will always fill our pages.

Some people do tell us that the Nation is less combative or confrontational than we were in past years. Perhaps this is just a matter of perception. The changes in the way the Cree handle their affairs are certainly different from the way they were 20 or more years ago. In the same way, the Nation reflects this change as many of the difficulties and issues we covered in the past have been corrected or are now treated in a more thorough and professional manner.

The Nation will continue to cover important issues, changes and conflicts in Eeyou Istchee. Our mission will always be to give a voice to the Cree people rather than claiming to be the voice of the Cree people – especially because often there is not a single voice from an increasingly complex Cree society. We encourage everyone with concerns or messages to talk to us so we can continue in this vital role. And remember that The Nation is proudly independent, as we do not receive funding from official Cree sources.

I am proud of the work we have done in the past and I continue to be proud of the people and the team we have here at the Nation. The past year has been an interesting one. We look forward to continuing our work in 2015 with your help.

This pledge is one thing that will never change, no matter how many years pass us by. In the meantime, I want to wish all readers a happy 2015.