Washaw Sibi re-elects Pauline Trapper-Hester as Chief
The Cree of Washaw Sibi in Quebec re-elected Pauline Trapper-Hester Monday for a second term as Chief.
One of Trapper-Hester's biggest challenges will be to push forward with plans to build a new village within the James Bay territory for her 500 members, who have been scattered for decades in non-Cree communities including the predominantly francophone town of Amos and the nearby Anishnaabe reserve of Pikogan.
"Our advisor informed us that the Cree Nation Government will be signing off on some governance issues," said Trapper-Hester. "I believe the monies may become available soon to start building our own community."
The Washaw Sibi Crees are beneficiaries of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement but do not live within the set boundaries of the territory. They are scattered after being sent to different residential schools, and seeking work in towns and mines in the Abitibi region. Negotiations between Washaw Sibi leaders, the Cree Nation Government and the federal and provincial governments have gone on for more than twelve years.
Earlier this week, Washaw Sibi announced that it's one step closer to breaking ground on the new village. A Facebook post on the Cree Nation of Washaw Sibi's page reads, in part: "BREAKING NEWS!! We may be in a position very soon to secure the funds required to construct our new village. THIS IS VERY GOOD NEWS FOR WASHAW SIBI PEOPLE!!"
Washaw Sibi is the 10th Cree community in Quebec.
