by Stan Louttit
Eeyou are northern people with an ancient past that is connected closely to the land they live on. Our history and culture is “written” in the memories of the Elders who knew the land, lakes, rivers and hills of almost every part of Eeyou Istchee (people’s land). Today’s generations of Eeyou still belong to the land. Our lives were shaped by the patterns and behavior of animals, fish and the birds that we hunted for food – we were connected to them all, and through them to the earth’s changing seasons. In this way, the Elders tell us they respected the land and animals that provided shelter and food. Today, we give our respect in the same way our Elders did.
