The trail of the Rabbit Fur Coat

One of the most exciting things that happened with our museum collection in the last few months was the amazing reunification of an object with the family of the maker. In May 2015, ACCI hosted a Curatorial workshop lead by Moira McCaffrey, and one of the attendees was Linda Stewart Georgekish from Wemindji. At this …

Jackie Gull Memorial Pipun Eeyou Eetouwin

Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute was recently invited to attend the Jackie Gull Memorial Pipun Eeyou Eetouwin in Waswanipi. We were absolutely delighted with the hospitality and kindness shown towards us from everyone involved in this event. Upon our arrival in Waswanipi we were invited for a feast where we were served bannock, rabbit stew, moose …

Days 15 and 16 of the Heritage Preservation Project!

We rounded out the calendar year with trips to our neighbouring communities Waswanipi and Mistissini. In Waswanipi we visited Cultural Coordinator Diane Cooper at the riverside location of the Waswanipi Culture Department.  Diane’s previous museum training means she is well aware of the different risks to heritage collections.  Insects are common threats, feasting on the …

Days 4, 5 and 6 of the Heritage Preservation Project!

Our stops in Chisasibi focused on archival materials and how the Cree Nation of Chisasibi catalogues and stores materials, and ensures important files are backed-up by scanning them.   The Cree Nation of Chisasibi Administrative Centre. We also had time to sneak in a quick visit to the Catholic Church that had been moved by …

Days 2 and 3 of the ACCI Heritage Preservation Project!

We had excellent conversations with members of the Whapmagoostui First Nation today and learned about the recently founded Cultural Association which will collect traditional knowledge and material heritage.  We also had an informative discussion with Reverend Tom Martin regarding the history of the Anglican Church in Whapmagoostui, including the first church (“Old Church”), the second …

Day 1 of the ACCI Heritage Preservation Project!

ACCI staff are carrying out a project to survey cultural heritage collections in the communities of Eeyou/Eenou Istchee, offering preservation tips along the way and gathering interest for a future preservation workshop. Today our Archivist and Conservator landed in Whapmagoostui, the northernmost James Bay Cree community. Archivist, Lisa, stands by the beautiful glass wall at …