Vision in Planning the New Village

When we began to seriously plan our new village, we started with a vision.

The essential thrust of that vision was to re-create the well-being of our traditional way of life to the fullest extent in the context of modern facilities and contemporary institutions.

In our traditional way of life there were no formal distinctions between work and play, between teaching and learning, between the richness of family ties and the establishment of specific roles for people, nor for that matter between healing and daily life. Daily life itself was infused with elements of learning, healing, play and a deeply rich network of social relationships.

Our new village would have to be a source of learning, a source of spiritual renewal, a source of physical and economic sustenance, and a source for the healing of many wounds, both past and present. And all this would be embedded in the context of our traditional Cree ways of relating to one another.

Throughout our planning and construction the community members have participated at every level of decision-making and direction-setting, from the expression of hopes, dreams and visions, to decisions on more technical matters involving the direction of basic construction issues.

Successful aboriginal development requires that we always keep in mind that the Creator gave us hearts to have vision, minds to devise solutions to problems and hands to build our communities. It was on the basis of this set of beliefs that we undertook a unique approach to the village architecture, the design of our innovative housing program, the installation of an appropriate alternative energy system and devised our current economic development plans.

Vision of a Sustainable Community

The Oujé-Bougoumou community hopes that in our own small way, by demonstrating how it is possible to plan our village so that the various components are integrated and mutually reinforcing for the long-term benefit of the community, we are making a contribution to current thinking about "sustainable communities" and are providing practical expression of sustainable development.

From a somewhat larger perspective, it may be precisely here, in the conceptualizing of how communities can be constructed on a sustainable basis, that aboriginal people have a contribution to make to the unfolding of world history. What the Oujé-Bougoumou experience is giving us all is a glimpse of the possible.

Major Objectives

In planning the new village, we defined three major objectives:

• Our village had to be constructed in harmony with our environment and with the traditional Cree philosophy of conservation. Our traditional land-based way of life requires that any development be undertaken in a way that is respectful of, and in harmony with, the environment. Our reliance on the land and its resources continues to foster practices which ensure that the land and resources will be available for those who come after us.

• Our village had to provide for the long-term financial requirements of our people. It would not do simply to construct something which could quickly become a "welfare enclave".

• Our village had to reflect Cree culture in its physical appearance and in its functions. We were unwilling to simply import a non-Cree version of a village to our territory. The village had to be truly ours in every sense of the word.

In their totality, these planning principles reflect the philosophical basis of our traditional way of life. In recent years, this philosophy has come to be referred to more widely as "sustainable development".

We realized quite early on that if we were successful in realizing our vision, then our entire village would become a kind of healing center in which healing is viewed as much more than simply the remedying of physical ailments. If we could structure our new village and our new environment in such a way as to meet all of the varied needs of our people then the result would be a place which produced healthy, secure, confident and optimistic people who felt good about themselves and able to take on any challenges which may confront us.

Design and Architecture

In order to ensure that the physical appearance of our new village reflected our own cultural heritage we engaged the services of a renowned aboriginal architect, Mr. Douglas Cardinal, to design the major public institutions in the new village. Mr. Cardinal designed Canada's national museum, the Museum of Civilization and is now designing the National Museum of the American Indian for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.

Because of his aboriginal background we did not need to go through the process of training the outside professional to work with aboriginal people. He understood this instinctively. He did not attempt to impose his own vision on us but worked intensively to have us express the visions within us which would become the basis for the village architecture. The result has been the establishment of a village which not only can our people relate to, but is of such beauty that it challenges us to live up to the ideals which are expressed in the architecture.

The community members chose the site, on the shores of Lake Opemiska, close to all the traditional trap lines. They also sat down with architect Douglas Cardinal and explained the science underlying the traditional Cree dwelling, the astchiiugamikw. The idea for many of the community buildings in Oujé-Bougoumou was based upon the structure of the astchiiugamikw. The dwelling is constructed of a wooden frame in teepee-like fashion, and covered with a combination of moss and sand. The ceiling reaches the earth. A partially dug-out interior surrounds a stone fire pit. Sweet-smelling spruce boughs keep the floor fresh and soft underfoot. The interior is bathed in natural light from a fire hole at its apex.

Cardinal took the concept of ceilings that go from the sky to the earth to develop preliminary sketches. He and his staff then fashioned modern buildings where the roof is the dominant feature, and where light and open spaces define the interiors. This process was used to shape the headquaters office, the school, the healing center (clinic), day-care center, elder`s home, and business centre - each of which was treated as a village within the village. There are no steps to the front doors. Every room and office has a big window. There are open beams and skylights in all the homes, just like in the houses of their ancestors. The doors of the homes face east, where the sun rises, as the elders demanded. Community youths suggested taller two-story buildings integrating traditional and contemporary structures. The results demonstrate a successful community-driven process, as well as the gifts of Douglas Cardinal.

Lake Opemiska is usually a tranquil blue, a dark and translucent shade of northern twilight. The sky is clear and pale. While the sun is warm in summer, a cool wind blows from the southwest. Vegetation flourishes wild. There is a fresh scent of spruce and blueberry bushes in the air. Labrador tea , an Indian medicine, grows in abundance on the banks of the river. Located in the James Bay Territory between the 49th and 50th parallels, 45 minutes from Chibougamau, and about a 25-minute drive from the nearest airport, this Cree village of about 650 people is an extraordinary place, well worth the journey. It offers delicious food, cultural and wilderness experiences, as well as design and technical wonders in a natural and human environment of breathtaking beauty. And the integrity of cultural authenticity is maintained as cultural revival moves hand in hand with economic development.

There is a striking harmony between the buildings, lake, vegetation, clean air, and panoramic view of the big sky. Street signs are in Cree syllabics, English and French. There is a different graphic sign, rich with native symbolism above the door of each main building. Native designs give individual character to the residences, and the playground apparatus have the shapes of beaver, moose, and geese.

The village design is circular, with the shaptuwan (traditional meeting place for feasts) central and at the top of the hill. The inner two rings are lined with community buildings, reflecting the culture of sharing.

The Oujé-Bougoumou people are the community`s greatest resource. Every person here has a wealth of life experiences and an amazing story to tell.

The elders of the Oujé-Bougoumou Nation have given us so much: they have given us the benefit of their wise counsel; they have preserved our sense of community in the face of tremendous odds; they have given us the courage to continue our struggle; and they have given us a sense of perspective and direction whenever we needed it. It is perhaps the younger generation that will be the builders of the village, but it is the older generation who have been the protectors and defenders of our community.

Oujé-Bougoumou Headquarters Capissisit Lodge / Restaurant Waapihtiiwewan School Teachers' Residences Healing Center (Clinic) Elders' Residences Residential Houses Heating Plant Peacekeeper Station Gas Station Youth Centre Day Care Centre Fire Hall Pavilion Church James Bay Cree Cultural Institute

If the people of Oujé-Bougoumou feel empowered by their new home, it is because they played an intimate part in its inception, creation, and construction, and because the village is a living reflection of their culture and lifestyle. Canadian Geographic (July/August 1994) labelled the new community "an achievement never before seen in Canada - a native settlement with architectural coherence and integrity".

Our community is a tangible expression of our pride in our culture, and our pride in the Cree Nation. This is a place that makes us feel truly at home. The beauty of our community inspires us, it affirms our own culture and encourages us in our endeavour to improve the conditions of our communities and to struggle for the interests of the Cree Nation as a whole.

Cree Cultural Village The entrance of the Cree Cultural Village welcomes you to walk in amidst structures that show the actual evolution of Cree housing. Virtual Explore the Traditional Cree Village

Log Cabins Log cabins covered with plastic and canvas mark a transition from an ancient architectural wonder, which was used by the Crees for centuries before contact with Europeans. Virtual Explore the Traditional Cree Village

Moss House In Cree, the "moss house" is called astchiiugamikw. Tourists are welcome to stay in the astchiiugamikw. Virtual Explore the Traditional Cree Village

Cree Cultural Teacher On winter nights, guide and Cree Cultural teacher, David Bosum said, "We hire a guy to keep the stove going all night when it`s really cold, so the people can sleep well." Virtual Explore the Traditional Cree Village