Moose Factory holds a celebration more than 350 years in the making
The first season of the Cree year is Sikwan or 'early spring' and an opening ceremony marking the occasion in Moose Factory, Ont. earlier this month launched a year-long celebration.
It's called: 'More than 350 years in the making'.
People are celebrating that they are still here and that they still have their language and culture.
“Even though we through you know everything that that the rest of Canada went through with regards to Residential Schools and the 60s Scoop and all the fall out from that,” said Bernice Kapashesit, co-chair of the More Than 350 Years Committee.
“We just wanted to celebrate us as our ancestors would want us to," said Bernice Kapashesit, co-chair of the More Than 350 Committee.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Kapashesit said their parents hosted a similar event in 1973 for the 300th anniversary of Moose Factory – established as 'Moose Fort' in 1673.
Moose Factory is Canada's oldest continuous hub of Indigenous-European relations and a national historic site.
“The youth will learn more about their history and be proud of it,” said Kapashesit.
“I think the youth need some help in that as to who they are, where they come from, where do they belong."
More activities and gatherings will be planned throughout the year. Summer or Nipin will see a Creefest and a canoe brigade, followed by a Knowledge Keepers Conference in the fall.
Everyone is invited to attend any of the celebrations that will feature music, entertainment and feasts.
For more information on upcoming events that are part of the ‘More than 350 years in the making’ celebration, visit the Moose Cree First Nation and Moose River Heritage and Hospitality Association Facebook pages.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.