Cree communities prepare for summer celebration

Two communities along the Hudson and James Bay coast are preparing for their annual summer gatherings.
Moose Cree First Nation, located on Moose Factory Island, is set to host its annual Gathering of Our People (GOOP) from July 23-27, while Weenusk First Nation, also known as Peawanuck, will host Mushkegowuk’s Creefest from Aug. 1-5.
The theme of GOOP for 2013 is “Celebrating Our Own,” and will feature mainly local talent such as Marilyn McLeod, the Wildflowers, George Small M.C., Rick Wabano, Nathan Cheechoo and company, and other local youth performers.
It will also feature a comedic performance by Bunnuck, a Cree character created and performed by Moose Cree’s own Stan Wesley. Reknowned for his obsession with the luncheon meat Klik, Bunnuck announced over YouTube that he will organize a Klik cooking contest called Kliklicious during the gathering. The person with the best Klik recipe would win.
GOOP will also feature guest performers such as Midnight Shine, a rock band composed of members of Moose Cree, Fort Albany and Attawapiskat.
Another guest performer is Sagkeeng’s Finest, a jigging dance trio from Sagkeeng First Nation who were crowned Canada’s Got Talent champion last year.
GOOP will conclude on July 27 with a powwow.
The gathering can be streamed online at www.moosecree.com/gatheringofourpeople
Meanwhile, the small Hudson Bay community of Peawanuck is expecting to host visitors almost the size of its own population when about 200 people arrive to celebrate Creefest.
Ivan Iserhoff, who is an organizer in Peawanuck, said many people have contacted them to express interest about attending the Creefest.
But the community only has a four-bedroom bed and breakfast place, so organizers are looking at alternative means to accommodate incoming visitors.
“We’re trying our damnedest to find alternative ways to accommodate people like tents,” Iserhoff said. “Different things, different ideas. Of course, there are ones who can be put in homes first, especially Elders.”
August is usually the time of year polar bears appear along the Hudson Bay coastline, but Iserhoff said visitors need not worry.
“There’s no concerns, there’s going to be monitors watching out for those in case that does happen, (polar bears appearing)” he said. “So we already have that covered.”
The organizers have yet to finalize special guests and performances, but they will hold workshops and traditional activities related to caribou and fish netting, among other things.
There will be activities for children and talent shows.
It will be the 11th annual event for Creefest, which was established by the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council. The summer gathering is hosted by a different Mushkegowuk community each year.
Last year, Creefest and GOOP combined to celebrate Creefest’s 10th anniversary.