FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Eeyou Eenou Police Force Announces Collaborative Initiative with Eenou Eeyou Community Foundation, Cree Trappers Association and the Cree Nation Youth Council to Promote Safety, Cultural Respect and Awareness
Chisasibi, Eeyou Istchee – March 2, 2026 – The Eeyou Eenou Police Force (EEPF), in partnership with the Eenou Eeyou Community Foundation (EECF), the Cree Trappers Association (CTA) and the Cree Nation Youth Council (CNYC), is proud to announce a new community-driven initiative aimed at reducing gun-related incidents while empowering youth through culturally grounded education and traditional knowledge.
This collaborative effort seeks to promote a safer future for communities in Eeyou Istchee by raising awareness on firearm safety, teaching youth about current laws and responsible practices, while ensuring that Cree culture, harvesting traditions, and the sacred relationship with the land remain at the heart of this work.
The initiative recognizes the importance of firearms in Eeyou Iituun, for harvesting and cultural traditions. The goal is not to limit or remove these practices, but to strengthen them by equipping the next generations with the knowledge, skills and awareness needed to keep themselves, their families and communities safe.
Workshops, traditional teachings, and youth engagement activities will provide young people with opportunities to learn directly from Elders, tallymen, youth leaders and officers on various topics such as respectful and responsible firearm handling; understanding provincial and federal gun regulations; safe storage practices; cultural teachings on responsibility, respect and the role of traditional harvesting in maintaining our culture.
Gun related violence and accidents have increasingly affected our communities. Through this initiative, together we aim to reduce risks while celebrating the values that strengthen Eeyou Iituun: respect for each other, respect for the land, and the protection of families.
Safety and culture can walk hand in hand, and by working together, we can build safer homes and communities for the next generations.
The EEPF, CTA and CNYC will continue to work collaboratively to roll out programming throughout 2026 with community-specific sessions and further announcements to follow. The EECF joins this collaborative effort by providing philanthropic support. The EECF welcomes donations to the newly established Eeyou Istchee Resilience Fund. This fund will initially support Youth programming as set out by the EEPF, CTA and CNYC.
This initiative represents a unified, Cree Nation-level efforts that combines modern safety practices with Cree tradition, where prevention, education and cultural continuity remain central. The long-term vision is to create a sustained movement toward safer households, empowered youth and resilient communities across Eeyou Istchee.