WAY OF LIFE

(subsistence activities • the importance of transmitting knowledge • the importance of preserving the Cree language • traditional ceremonies and gatherings • arts and crafts • new expressions of Cree culture • intra-community relations • inter-community relations •relations with the outside world)

 

subsistence activities

 
 
     
 

In the early 1970s, a high proportion of Crees made a living from hunting, fishing and trapping. These pursuits provided food for most of the community, while the sale of furs served as a source of income. But even at that time, significant changes had begun to appear in the Cree way of life. Rising transportation costs were causing a slowdown in the practice of traditional pursuits, especially on the most remote traplines. The status of hunting, fishing and trapping as major subsistence activities was under fire. Meanwhile, home construction, the introduction of local schools and the growth of communities were encouraging more and more Crees to live in or near villages.

The Cree way of life continued to change at such a pace in the 1980s and 1990s, that by 2001, salaried employment had become the main subsistence activity. Whereas before, hunting, fishing and trapping activities were financed by the sale of furs, today they are financed mostly from the ISP, Cree Trappers’ Association subsidies and income from temporary jobs and old-age pensions.

Although hunting, fishing and trapping no longer provide a living for most Crees, these pursuits still hold a privileged position in the Cree way of life and identity. With remote areas now becoming easier to reach, due to development of the road network and a greater number of vehicles (and snowmobiles), more and more Crees are occasionally fishing and hunting and, to a lesser extent, trapping. Many workers travel to traplines on weekends and holidays. While the cost of these pursuits is on the rise, Crees enjoy the return to their roots, the relaxation and the game they provide. In addition, social and family ties are strengthened during gatherings connected to hunting for goose and big game (moose, caribou). Many Cree workers hope to hunt, fish and trap more extensively when they retire.

Moreover, the tallyman's role and responsibilities today are no longer understood by everyone in the same way. For some, the tallyman is only there to manage populations of beaver and other fur-bearing animals, whereas for others, he is responsible for all wildlife resources and activities practised on his trapline. This difference in interpretation concerning the tallyman's role and responsibilities can sometimes cause tension.

  
     

 

  
     
 

“The tallyman’s main responsibility which was to manage the beaver population was not really needed after the impoundment because the beaver population decreased a lot on the trapline. But now that it is growing again, the tallyman’s role may regain its relevance. Also, the tallyman’s responsibility is changing as the beaver is no longer the main resource collected on the traplines. Now his responsibilities include the management of the increased traffic on the trapline and the fishing and hunting activities in addition to the trapping activities.“ Trapper from Chisasibi

However, the tallymen are still considered to have an excellent knowledge of the territory and wildlife resources and are often consulted on these topics.

“People love their way-of-life, so they will try to maintain it. There have been some frictions, especially on the coast, between the families who use to hunt on the coast and the tallymen. At first, tallymen, were only suppose to manage beaver, but now, they are saying that tallymen are responsible for the rest of the trapline, and then there are arguments on who should be the tallyman.”
Former Chief of Chisasibi