Matthew Mukash, Cree, 1951-
He is Grand Chief of the Cree Nation. Born about 100
miles northeast of the Cree community of Whapmagoostui , he was
raised on the land in Eeyou Istchee (the Cree homeland in Quebec)
in the traditional Cree way of life which he learned from his
family and elders until the age fifteen when he was treated for
tuberculosis at the Moose Factory Hospital in Moose Factory, Ont.
Returning home after his full recovery, he was encouraged by his
father him to pursue an academic education. He went on to obtain
a college diploma and a university degree and later served his
community of Whapmagoostui as an economic development agent, a
police officer, a member on various committees, and as a Council
member in the local government. He also served as a member on
various regional boards, such as the Cree Board of Health and
Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB), the CRA Board of Compensation,
the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and the Cree Regional
Authority (GCCEI). At the height of the Cree Nation’s opposition
to the proposed Great Whale River hydroelectric project in 1990,
Mukash served as Community Liaison Officer with the Grand Council
of the Crees, which placed him at the forefront of the opposition
campaign and gained him widespread recognition. In 1992, Mukash
was elected Chief of the Whapmagoostui First Nation. In the fall
of 1999 he was elected Deputy Grand Chief of the GCCEI. As Deputy
Grand Chief, Mukash was responsible for the development of a process
to establish a Cree Nation government that would have authority
and jurisdiction over all areas pertaining to Cree governance
in Eeyou Istchee. Mukash was elected Grand Chief of the Cree Nation
of Eeyou Istchee in September 2005. Mukash is also a talented
musician and released his first album, Matthew Mukash –
Whapmagoostui Cree Fiddle, in the fall of 2006.
