Bertie Wapachee News Today

Matthew Mukash's family is speaking out after he spent four days in a congested ER in Montreal. They say his experience highlights the struggles of Cree and Inuit patients who can get stuck waiting for care after travelling south to hospitals.

Leaders of several Cree organizations have signed a historic agreement they say will help address some long-standing health and social issues, like intergenerational trauma, chronic illnesses and high rates of addictions.

The centre, which is named Ispeyimuunikamikw — the Hope Centre, will offer training and patient support in two home dialysis techniques. It will be part of the Home Dialysis Training Centre and Respiratory Clinic in Waskaganish, Que., located in the old police station.

In North America, Indigenous midwives and doulas practised their traditions and helped bring Indigenous babies into the world long before the creation of government health-care systems.

A special tribute is happening Friday and Saturday in the northern Quebec Cree community of Chisasibi to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fort George Rockers, a band credited with laying the groundwork for a thriving music scene in Quebec Cree communities.

Bill 96 passed last month and will impose language restrictions on municipalities and small businesses and most public services in Quebec. It will also put in place a cap on access to English-language CEGEPs and increase French language requirements needed to graduate.

Cree health board's Talent Development Program has so far seen a majority of its graduates move up in the organization. It is part of the Cree Succession Leadership Framework, a unique program to help Cree employees move to management.

A long-standing dream of keeping Cree elders close to family took another step forward Monday with a blessing and ground-breaking in Chisasibi at the site of a new elders' home. The building is the first of three 32-bed homes for elders and adults with special needs to be built in Chisasibi, Waskaganish and Mistissini.

"The bringing in of a new life is integral to community health," said Jasmine Chatelain, a registered midwife and the planning, programming and research officer (PPRO) with Cree health's new midwifery education program.

COVID-19 and its latest variant have posed unique challenges for Quebec’s Indigenous communities, many of which are in remote areas with limited health services. But it's also led to creative solutions and increased collaboration with the province.