Elder Mary Sandy Shecapio shares her traditional Cree crafts with Alexandria Coon Shecapio, speaking in the iinuu ayimun (Southern Inland East Cree) dialect. Their exchange highlights the skills, teachings, and cultural knowledge passed down through generations. Both women are from Mistissini—ᒥᔅᑎᓯᓃ, “Big Rock”—a Cree community on the southeastern edge of Lake Mistassini, the largest natural lake in Quebec. Their conversation offers a grounded look at how traditional crafts continue to hold meaning in the community today.
Up Next in Season 1
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Episode Seventeen - Traditional Medicine
Geraldine Shecapio and Joseph Awashish, both from Mistissini, sit down to talk about traditional medicine in their region. They reflect on the plants, remedies, and teachings that have supported their families for generations, and how this knowledge continues to guide wellness in the community to...
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Episode Eighteen - Drum
John Bosum and Kitty Trapper sit down to talk about the importance of the Cree traditional drum unique to the region of Eeyou Istchee. Their conversation reflects on the drum’s role in ceremonies, gatherings, and community life, as well as the teachings and responsibilities that come with carryin...
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Episode Nineteen - Traditional Cooking
Kitty Neeposh and her sister, Julianna Neeposh, sit down with their mother, Lillian Neeposh, to talk about traditional Cree cooking—especially the methods used to make Bannock and traditional donuts. Lillian explains how flour was first introduced to the Mistissini area by the Hudson’s Bay Compan...
