"Of the many remarkable histories of Canada's Native peoples, few match the extraordinary historical, social, political, and cultural ups and downs of the James Bay Crees. For some 5,000 years, these remarkable people have inhabited the eastern and interior regions of James Bay, a domain of close to 350,000 square kilometres of subarctic forest, rivers, and lakes. This land that has sustained them both physically and spiritually from ancient to modern times has, in the last century, been subject to radical change. Canadians first opened their eyes to the James Bay Crees 31 years ago, when the Province of Quebec announced, without Cree consent, that it would build a massive hydroelectric project on Cree territory. Since then, the Crees have been fighting to protect their rights, their lands and their ancient way of life. Theirs is a story of conflict, disappointment, accommodation, and great resilience.
The reader will find this book full of striking contrasts. Modern and traditional Cree lifestyles are written about with equal amounts of passion and commitment to preserving Cree values. The images in this book -- modern homes and traditional teepees, laundry and newly stretched pelts drying side by side -- exemplify how much has changed and yet how much has remained the same in Cree life. The Crees' much loved and respected way of life in the bush, a life determined by nature and its ever-recurring cycles, is still pursued by generation after generation of Crees. At the same time, the modern world demands that new Cree ways evolve to adapt to the changing landscape.
This book is a collection of many voices -- Cree voices telling stories of political, social, and environmental issues that have profoundly influenced many aspects of their lives. From the coastal communities to the inland ones, the words and images in this book are built around legends of the past as well as the future dreams and challenges of the James Bay Crees. The true scope of this volume is lodged in the successful connections it makes with all aspects of Cree life." -- Provided by Publisher
