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
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.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
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.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
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.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.