Kash and Albany gather at former village site

For the first time in about 15 years, the communities of Kashechewan and Fort Albany gathered at Old Post, the site of the communities’ first settlement established in the late-1800s until the 1950s, when families had to move due to annual spring flooding.
The gathering, called Mamkeewanan: Protecting Paquataskamik, took place Aug. 23-26 and brought families from both communities to the site to talk about preserving and protecting the traditional lands of the communities.
Fort Albany band councillor Jackie Kataquapit said the idea for the gathering arose from a conference in February for workers in the land and resources field.
“One of the things they wanted was to see a gathering at the Old Post,” said Kataquapit, who holds the land and resources portfolio for Fort Albany. “Kash and Fort Albany are from there. That’s where our roots are. So they wanted to (reestablish) the process of talking with each other and working together.”
A planning committee was formed between the two communities and preparations began in July, including the mowing of grass, transportation of supplies and materials, and setting up of tents, teepees and a shabowtawan.
The committee also arranged a boat schedule to shuttle community members to the Old Post site, which is 5-10 minutes from Fort Albany and an hour from Kashechewan since they must take a long route due to drying waterbeds.
A series of workshops and discussion panels took place over the four-day gathering, including traditional medicine, Aski law, rivers and lakes, tides and water safety, and a timeline and history of Old Post and Aboriginal people in the region.
Kataquapit said they discussed the need to post signs on the Old Site to tell travelers of the location, especially since there are still graves at the site.
“They want to post signs around the river just to say that they’ve been there – just to mark it,” she said.
They also talked about how every campsite should be respected and to bring garbage home after every trip so as to protect the environment.
Chiefs Rex Knapaysweet and Derek Stephen signed a declaration where the communities agreed to work together to protect Paquataskamik (natural environment). The communities also developed a timeline on what they need to do to protect the environment.
The gathering had open discussions where anyone could voice their opinion or story.
Kataquapit said one of the Elders told her he enjoyed listening to the youth and the women speak.
“He said we should have more of these gatherings because it allows these young people and women to speak their truth in a safe environment,” she said.
The communities decided they need to meet again at a gathering at Old Post, which Kataquapit said will likely be in the winter where they will possibly invite neighbouring communities.
“The other thing is that they’re planning to host a youth gathering between Kash and Fort Albany at Old Post, for them to get to know each other,” Kataquapit said. “And that’s good.”
A youth camp getaway at Old Post is slated to take place Oct. 5-14.
The Mamkeewanan (coming home together) gathering also had games, gospels, night theatre with the youth, a feast, drumming, and fireworks.
Kataquapit was pleased with the turnout of the gathering and camaraderie shown between the communities.
“It was a lot of work but it was worth it,” she said.