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CBHSSJB celebrates lifetime achievements of Elder Robbie Matthew at NCOE event in Gatineau

Summary

On March 30, 2022, The Nishîyû Council of Elders (NCOE) had their quarterly meeting in Gatineau, Quebec. During their meeting, they honoured Elder Robbie Matthew for his lifetime achievements and contributions to Eeyou Istchee. 

Content

The Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay takes this opportunity to pay tribute to Elder Robbie Matthew Sr. and his late wife Sally for their lifetime contributions to our Miyupimâtisîun in Eeyou Istchee.  For at least three decades, the Cree Nation has recognized Elder Robbie Matthew and his wife Sally, who passed away in 2010, as patriarch and matriarch. Our organization has the honour to be guided by their wisdom, love and humility.

Robbie Matthew through the years

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    Robbie Matthew
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    Winter 2006
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    Robbie Matthew and Pierre Haddad
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    Robbie with Pierre Haddad, Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Montreal | Presentation on the Anti-Diabetic Plant Project in Eeyou Istchee October 2015
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Cultural Safety wokshop at Nishiiyuu Unipaakuiin Gathering
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    Cultural Safety workshop at Nishîyû Unipâkuîn Gathering, 2015
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Robbie Matthew speaks at Nishiiyuu Unipaakuiin Gathering in Ouje-Bougoumou
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    Nishîyû Unipâkuîn Gathering in Ouje-Bougoumou | October 20-23 2015
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Robbie Matthew receives gift of a hand carved walking cane representing a goose head.
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    Eeyou Elders group offered Robbie Matthew a hand carved walking cane representing a goose head | Cree Nation Government Annual General Assembly, August 2015 in Ouje-bougoumou
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Birth re-enactment in Chisasibi
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    Birth re-enactment Chisasibi | August 2, 2016
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Nishiyuu Gathering, Waskaganish 2017
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    Nishiyuu Gathering, Waskaganish 2017
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Roderick Pachano, Robbie Matthew, Dianne Reid
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    Roderick Pachano, Robbie Matthew and Diane Reid | Day 2 of 2018 Cree Health Assembly
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Council of Niishiyuu at 2018 Cree Health Assembly
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    Nishîyû Council of Elders | Day 3 of the 2018 Cree Health Assembly
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    Photo credit: Kory Saganash
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    Doris Bobbish & Elder Robbie Matthew dancing at Suicide Awareness Conference in 2018
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    Doris Bobbish & Elder Robbie Matthew dancing | Suicide Awareness Conference, September 14, 2018
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Robbie Matthew
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    Elder Robbie Matthew at the CBHSSJB Regional Assembly in Waswanipi, March 2018
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    Robbie Matthew puts food offering in the fireplace.
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    Robbie Matthew puts food offering in the fireplace | Midwifery Blessing Ceremony September 7, 2018
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Midwife Catherine Gerbelli is welcomed to the Cree Nation, she was given a blanket as a sign of appreciation.
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    Midwives being welcomed into Eeyou Istchee by Elders | Midwifery Blessing Ceremony September 7, 2018
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Midwifery Blessing Ceremony
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    Midwifery Blessing Ceremony | September 7, 2018
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Robbie Matthew speaks at Envisioning the “Gathering of Knowledge Keepers” – June 3 & 4, 2019 “Nistuupitau Amousjinimikw Dabeeyouitimuun”
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    Envisioning the “Gathering of Knowledge Keepers” – June 3 & 4, 2019
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Nishiiyuu Council of Elders in June 2019
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    Nishiiyuu Council of Elders | June 2019, Chisasibi
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Envisioning the “Gathering of Knowledge Keepers” – June 3 & 4, 2019  “Nistuupitau Amousjinimikw Dabeeyouitimuun”
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    Envisioning the “Gathering of Knowledge Keepers” – June 3 & 4, 2019
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Robbie Matthew speaks at Envisioning the “Gathering of Knowledge Keepers” – June 3 & 4, 2019 “Nistuupitau Amousjinimikw Dabeeyouitimuun”
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    Envisioning the “Gathering of Knowledge Keepers” – June 3 & 4, 2019
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Robbie Matthew receives the Covid-19 vaccine in 2021
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    Robbie Matthew | COVID-19 vaccination at the Youth Centre in Chisasibi January 17, 2021
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    Photo credit: CBHSSJB
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    Robbie Matthew receives ceremonial headdress
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    Robbie Matthew presented with Eagle Feather headdress at meeting of the Nishiiyuu Council of Elders, Gatineau | March 30 , 2022
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    Photo: Juliana Snowboy
Bertie Wapachee, Chair of CBHSSJB

CBHSSJB Chairperson Mr. Bertie Wapachee was present at the NCOE meeting in Gatineau. “As the CBHSSJB Chairperson and in other roles, I’ve had the privilege to work with Elder Robbie Matthew and his late wife Sally. Last week, I was given the highest honour to place the Mîkun Ashtûtin (headdress) on the head of one of my greatest mentors. On behalf of the CBHSSJB, we acknowledge the contributions of Elder Robbie and his wife to our culture, language, health and social well-being.” -- Bertie Wapachee 

Born in 1934 and now 87 years old, Robbie Matthew has dedicated his life to protecting and strengthening the Cree way of life. He grew up and spent much of his adult life on the land. He married Sally in 1957. Robbie and Sally influenced generations of youth to trust and believe in their own culture. Over several decades, as part of Cree Programs for the Cree School Board, the couple brought youth to the trap line to teach them traditional skills. 

In the 1980s and 90s, Robbie and Sally were often invited to international gatherings in defense of Indigenous rights, environmental protection, youth empowerment and spirituality. In 1991, Robbie was invited to New York City as part of the campaign against the Great Whale River Project. He addressed United Nations gatherings in Switzerland and Hungary, and was honoured by UNESCO. During a visit to New Zealand in 1993, Robbie was inducted into the International Indigenous Circle of Spiritual Elders. 

Robbie and Sally have been recognized Elders since the 1990s, when they were both appointed to the Executive of the Regional Council of Elders (now Nishiiyuu Council of Elders – NCOE). Robbie has been a member of the Council of Chishâyîyû of the CBHSSJB since 2007. The Council guided the development of the Nishîyû Miyupimâtisîun Department, which was founded in 2015 to develop traditional healing pathways and strengthen cultural safety in all aspects of Cree Health Board services. 

After Sally passed away in 2010, Robbie continues to share his knowledge and guidance across generations in meetings, consultations, radio interviews and videos. He was honoured by the Grand Council in 2012 and 2018 for his lifetime contributions to language and culture. 

Robbie Matthew

“Truth has power, it has the ability to touch the soul.  Robbie is an example of what it means to have courage and to always speak the truth with love and humility.  He also taught us that our spirits know what path we are to take, that we must trust in that.  He shows us that our journeys are so much more than our accomplishments and more about how we love and treat each other.” - Members of the Nishîyû team

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