2021: a Year in review

With 2021 coming to an end, we're looking back at our 2nd pandemic year and feeling grateful for the resilience and cooperation of our clients, partners and staff during this extremely challenging time.

  • Elder receives first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
    We started the New Year with a rapid single-day deployment of vaccines to every community in Eeyou Ischee. As an Indigenous territory, our communities were among the first to be vaccinated.
  • Man stands in the snow as helicopter lands
    The transport and distribution of the vaccines were a logistical challenge.
  • Airport worker loading first vaccine doses
    But the task was accomplished thanks to everyday heroes: employees who worked relentlessly to keep us all as safe as possible.
  • Deployment team stands in front of plane
    They worked in coordination with other Cree entities, braving winter weather, to make it all happen.
  • Nemaska team picks up Moderna vaccine at the airport
    The effort was coordinated thanks to all these wonderful people in Eeyou Istchee and in Montreal working hand in hand to make the vaccines available fast to our population.
  • Head nurse and Local Director of Wemindji holding up box of Moderna vaccine
    In this picture: Michael Moutquin, Head Nurse at the Wemindji clinic and Rachel Danyluk Interim Local Director of Wemindji Miyupimaatisiiun pose with the Moderna vaccines destined to their community.
  • First 10 Wemindji residents vaccinated in Wemindji
    The first ten people to get vaccinated in Wemindji pose for a picture in January 2021. Many respected members of each community were happy to get vaccinated in order to show that the vaccination was safe.
  • Youth Grand Chief holds up frame that says "I got vaccinated against COVID-19!"
    After the initial campaign, we continued to promote vaccination In this picture: Douglas Hughboy (Wemindji Youth Chief) poses in the "I got vaccinated frame" after getting his COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Group picture of the second dose vaccination team in Whapmagoostui
    Our staff administered second doses and booster shots. In this picture: Second dose vaccination team, Whapmagoostui, April 2021
  • Two technicians stand in front of the Clara Bus
    Despite staff shortages across the health network, front line and administrative staff worked hard to keep our health and social services running smoothly. In March 2021, the Clara Bus our mobile breast cancer screening clinic, toured inland and coastal
  • Chairperson holds box of defibrillators with Eeyou Eenou Police Officer
    In April, in partnership with the Eeyou Eenou Police, defibrillators were distributed to all communities, ensuring a more robust first response to cardiac patients. In this picture: Chairperson, Bertie Wapachee, pictured with Sherman Masty from EEPF
  • Quilt panels hung up on the wall
    Unveiled in April 2021 in Mistissini, this gorgeous quilted calendar is a light-hearted document in fabric of the first year of the pandemic.
  • Group stands infront of a miichuuap
    In May, our Chairperson and Executive Director, Bertie Wapachee and Daniel St-Amour (both fully vaccinated), resumed some of their in person activities, visiting staff at Espresso Hotel and the Cree-Mohawk mîchiwâhp in Kahnawà:ke.
  • MSDC Building in Chisasibi
    In early June, the much awaited Multi-Service Day Centre in Chisasibi was inaugurated and began receiving clients again.
  • Group holding up ribbon for Wastewater testing lab
    To increase community vigilance against the virus, a sewage testing pilot program was unveiled in Chisasibi in July 2021. The program is a partnership with the Cree Nation Government and the Cree Nation of Chisasibi.
  • Instructor teaching in traditional structure
    In August 2021, some important face-to-face training was able to resume. In this picture, the Bush Kit Training in Chisasibi.
  • Woman drums as crowd watches
    Summer brought a bit of relaxation of public health restrictions allowing some outdoor public gatherings to take place. In this picture: On August 18, CBHSSJB staff joined the community-led "Walk with Pride Parade" in Mistissini.
  • Three employees stand in front of a tent
    In August 2021, more outdoor events were permitted thanks to a very low number of cases in Eeyou Istchee. In this picture: Primary Care Community Representatives (PCCRs) set up a health promotion booth at Chisasibi's birthday event on August 18.
  • Run Chisasibi T-shirt
    During the month of August, "Run Chisasibi" was one of several community events held to promote physical fitness.
  • People hold up banners
    On September 30, 2021, the Cree communities of Eeyou Istchee marked the First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day by having gatherings and marches across the territory.
  • Women in ribbon skirts in front of the Womens shelter
    On October 16, staff at Robin's Nest in Waswanipi celebrated their 4th anniversary.
  • Group of CBHSSJB managers in front of the miichuuap complex
    Also in October 2021, our leaders and managers gathered in Chisasibi to learn about the CBHSSJB plan for a new model of care rooted in our collective striving for Miyupimaatisiiun reflective of Nishiiyuu.
  • People laugh around a picnic table
    On October 27, 2021, our employees in Ouje-Bougoumou participated in the popular Staff Appreciation Event at the Nuuchimi Wiinuu Camp.
  • Chairperson and Executive Director pose with Award
    November 2021 brought the good news that our Executive Director, Daniel St-Amour was honored with the Raymond Carignan award for leadership excellence from l’Association des cadres supérieurs de la santé et des services sociaux (ACSSSS).
  • 8 people posing with a drum
    On November 15, the Institutional Homecare Assistance Program was launched in Waswanipi. This was a CBHSSJB/CSB Partnership event.
  • Three health professionals pose with their thumbs up
    In November a free flu vaccination was offered to employees at CBHSSJB offices in Montreal.
  • Group standing in traditional structure
    In November and December 2021, our Psychosocial Staff (Waskaganish Pole) was able to gather under the theme "Reconnecting through our healing journey".
  • Group standing in one of the birthing home rooms
    December 2021 saw the unveiling of a new birthing home in Chisasibi, another achievement in our efforts to ensure that new mothers and babies get to stay in their communities when possible while getting the best possible care.

As our year-end photos show, keeping COVID-19 in check was and continues to be our number one priority. While some projects and services were put on hold, others were too important to put off, such as the Clara Bus breast cancer screening tour, the opening of the Chisasibi Birthing Home and the launch of the Home Care Assistance program.

It was a hard year, but our long-term goal sustains and guides us: to help individuals, families and communities strive to achieve Miyupimaatisiiun reflective of Nishiiyuu.

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