OUJE-BOUGOUMOU CREE NATIONHeadquarters Office207, Opemiska MeskinoOuje-Bougoumou, QuebecGow 3c0

Tel.: (418) 745-3911Fax: (418) 745-3426

November LL,20L0

Mrs. Lana Wapachee133 Obatagamou MeskinoOUJE-BOUGOUMOU, QC GOW 3CO

SUBJECT: RESOTUTION ON OFFICIAI OPPOSITION OF SWEAT TODGE & NATIVE SPIRITUATITYPRACTICES

Dear Lana,

At a recent Chief and Council meeting held on October 27, 28 & 28, 2OtO, Council discussed the letterreceived from the community members who shared their concern with the sweat lodge and traditionalpractices currently being carried out in the back yard of your home.

Attached you will find the resolution opposing the sweat lodge and native practices from the Chief andCouncil .

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact either my office or the office of the Chief.

Sincerely yours,

OUJE.BOUCOUMOU CREE NATION

Corporate Secretary

OUJE-BOUGOUMOU CREE NATIONHeadquarters Olfice207, Opemiska MeskinoOuje-Bougoumou, QuebecGOw 3c0

Tel.: (418) 745-3911Fax: (418) 745-3426

SUBJECT:

OUJE-BOUGOUMOU EENUCH ASSOCATIONCHIEF & COUNCIT MEETING

OEA RESOLUTION NO.: 2010-156

OFFICIAT OPPOSITION OF SWEAT TODGE & NATIVE SPIRITUAT PRACTICES

WHEREAS, the Chief and Council of the Ouje-Bougoumou Eenuch Association have met on October 27,28 &29,2010 and having duly const i tuted a quorum of the Counci l ,

WHEREAS, a letter signed by a significant number of community members, and presented to theCouncil, has expressed concerns regarding the establishment of a sweat lodge in the community and theassociated practices that have been carried out,

WHEREAS, the above-mentioned letter called for the dismantling of the sweat lodge established in thecommunity,

WHEREAS, the Chief & Council have carefully deliberated over this important community matter,

WHEREAS our Elders envisioned a safe home and future of Ouj6-Bougoumou during the planning stagesin the early 1990's in which the Members and Leadership supported,

WHEREAS this vision of the Elder's did not include any form of native spirituality or practices,

WHEREAS on August 24, 2070 at a meeting of the Members of the Ouj6-Bougoumou Cree Nationreaffirmed the Vision Statement through resolution,

WHEREAS the Vision Statement refers to the cultural and traditional practices that are known to thecommunity that was shared by our past and present elders, which is hunting, trapping, gatherings andknowledge in our tradi t ional language, and,

WHEREAS it did do not include the sweat lodge, pow wow's or any other form of adopted traditionalpractices from other First Nations,

WHEREAS the practice of the sweat lodge and its rituals are not restricted to merely medical pursue ofhealing, but in essence a way to contact and communicate with the spirit world through shamanism,

WHEREAS recently a resolution was passed at the GCCEI/CRA Annual General Assembly regarding theFreedom of Religious & Spiritual beliefs,

WHEREAS the majority of the Ouj6-Bougoumou members are Christian faith-oriented and have strongChrist ian values,

PAGE 2RESOTUTIONSUBJECT: OFFICIAL OPPOSITION OF SWEAT TODGE & NATIVE SPIRITUAT PRACTICES

THEREFORE BE IT RESOIVED:

THAT the Council of the Cree Nation of Ouj6-Bougoumou must exercise its inherent rights of self-government and self-determination and will be exercising it right in governance to provide servicessolely based on community needs and common interest

THAT the Council of the Cree Nation of Ouj6-Bougoumou exercises its collective rights of the memberswho has expressed their concern with the type of traditional practices being done in the community,

THAT the Council of the Cree Nation of oujd-Bougoumou hereby declare that the sweat lodge alongwith any form of native spirituality practices and events such as Pow Wow's, Rain Dances, et cetera, donot conform with the traditional values and teachings of our elders,

THAT the Council of the Cree Nation of Ouj6-Bougoumou, hereby unanimously declare that the sweatlodge in the community is to be dismantled and removed and that all sweat lodge practices in thecommunity immediately cease,

THAT the community was founded by Christian faith & values of our Elders and past leadership,

THAT ouj6-Bougoumou will continue to uphold its faith in, and guidance by, God.

Proposed by: Chief Louise Wapachee

Seconded by: Gerry Bosum

Carried: October 29, 2OlO

CORPORATE SECRETARY