Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute creates a mural honouring the late Dr. Billy Diamond

ACCI has added a new mural to the Chief Billy Diamond Hall. The mural is part of the 1% for art project, which means that 1% of the construction costs of our building has been put aside for artwork specifically made for our building. A jury composed of Dianne Ottereyes Reid, Kenny Mianscum, Stephen Rotman, Stephen Inglis and Maurice Achard selected the designs and artists through a series of competitions. 

Virginia Brodeleau, an artist from Rapide-des-Cèdres, related to the family of Billy Diamond, came to ACCI near the end of July, and with the assistance of Michel Varin and Norbert Lemire, painted a magnificent mural for us and for all visitors to enjoy.

The mural is a homage to the late Chief Billy Diamond, marking the organizations he helped to establish, and the inspiration he represented to his people. It captures the essence of Eeyou Istchee and aspects of life that have made Eeyou Istchee what it is.

Please enjoy the short video, compiled from July 30 to August 8 of still images taken over 8 days.

Harvey Feit donates hundreds of books to Aanischaaukamikw Cree Culture Institute

On May 22, 2013, Marina Piza, Coordinator of Collections and Exhibits and I set out on a trip to Hamilton, Ontario to pick up a donation by a well-known anthropologist, Harvey A. Feit.  The following are the pictures of this memorable exciting project!

Marina Piza, Harvey Feit and Linda Brooymans

Manon Guilbert and Marina Piza

Canadian Museum of Civilization Internship Program

Lisa Petawabano, our archivist has been accepted in the Canadian Museum of Civilization Internship Program.  Congratulations Lisa, We are proud of you!

Lisa Petawabano

I am sooo excited about my internship! I can’t wait to get started!  This wonderful program available to native people in Canada will provide me with an 8 month hands-on experience at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) in Gatineau, Quebec. This huge museum displays authoritative exhibits and houses millions of artifacts, photos, archives and an impressive anthropological library.  This museum is recognized as one of the premiere cultural facilities of the twentieth century and is home to the Canadian Postal Museum, the Canadian Children’s Museum, and an IMAX theatre! I am positive I will gain relevant knowledge, skills, and experience which will be applicable in my position as archivist upon my return to Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute (ACCI).

The program will help me better understand the breadth of a museum and will enable me to improve my participation in realizing ACCI’s mandate and objectives with a broader view of our Museum and how all its functions interrelate.  ACCI is a new institution and we have a far reaching mandate to serve nine (9) Cree communities throughout a large territory as well as communicating with other museums in Canada.  An experience at CMC will help me prepare for this. My knowledge and newly acquired skills will also be shared with my fellow colleagues, summer students, family, friends and in future workshops.

Actor Adam Beach visits ACCI

Wednesday, July 31st saw a visit to ACCI by Adam Beach, star of the popular TV series, Arctic Air. Adam was in Ouje for a gathering of the Cree Youth Council and walked up to see the museum with his host, Joshua Iserhoff.

Stephen Inglis, Adam Beach & Joshua Iserhoff

It was a pleasure to have this gifted actor show his appreciation for the spaces and the exhibits and he was unfailingly gracious in stopping for photographs with staff and visitors.

Adam grew up on the Dog Creek First Nation, Lake Winnipeg and started acting in high school. His list of roles in film and television, awards, and achievements is long and varied, both in Canada and the U.S. 

ACCI Staff with Adam Beach

We wish him continued success and trust he inspired the youth of Eeyou Ischee!

Replicating a Hood - Paula Menarick

The replication project is in its final stages and Paula Menarick has come back for a visit to complete the beaded hood. Having her come to replicate a hood in our building in front of our eyes allowed us the perfect opportunity to record and document the type of work our ancestors would have done to create such beautiful articles of clothing. 

The opportunity for ACCI to learn is an opportunity for all Eeyouch to learn. We will be using the research we have done on the use and meaning of beaded hoods and the documentation of Paula’s process in replicating the hood to guide the development of workshops where others can learn about this important part of our history and how to make a hood themselves.