Overview

This book is a heartfelt tribute to the generations of berry pickers-past, present, and future-in Eeyou Istchee, the traditional homeland of the Eastern James Bay Eeyou. It preserves and shares the rich cultural tradition of berry picking, highlighting its essential role in the Eeyou diet and way of life. Through a blend of storytelling and practical knowledge, the book offers a deep connection to the land and the people who have harvested its bounty since time immemorial. Inside, you'll find the Cree, English, and French names for berries native to Eeyou Istchee, accompanied by beautiful photographs that bring these fruits to life. This book is a celebration of nature's gifts, the wisdom passed down through generations, and the enduring bond between the Eeyou people and the land they call home.

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9781779627421

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Born in James Bay, Northern Quebec, in 1940, during a time when there was little resource development and her people still lived out on the land for much of the year, Janie Pachano is among one of the last generations of Eeyou to grow up with a way of life that had sustained her people for thousands of years. Berries were the only fruit available, and, like every Eeyou child, Janie grew up harvesting them alongside the women in her family. Her mother, who continued to enjoy berry picking well into her late nineties, and her grandmother instilled in Janie a deep respect for this traditional practice that remains a vital part of Eeyou culture today. Janie has been actively promoting the retention and transmission of Eeyou cultural knowledge as the Executive Director of the James Bay Cree Cultural Education Center since 1982.

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