NOVEMBER 4, 1955

CREE LEADER ABEL BOSUM BORN

Bosum of the Oujé-Bougoumou (“the place where the people gather”) Cree Nation, was born in Dore Lake, Northern Quebec (NQB). Abel attended the La Tuque Residential school in La Tuque, QB, before working in mines and taking fishing jobs. Joining the Grand Council of the Crees (GCC) of NQB in 1977, he served as economic-development department head (1978-84), head negotiator (1998), and President (2017-21). From 1984-98, Bosum served as the Chief of his nation and, with GCC support, gained recognition for his nation. He used that to convince the QB and Canadian governments to build a village for his nation—then deemed “among the most destitute people of the developed world.” The village is recognized by the U.N. as 1 of 50 model communities worldwide. Since 2015, Bosum served as President of the Aanischaaukamikw Foundation & Cree Cultural institute. Awards/Honors: National Aboriginal Achievement Award (1998); and Member, Order of Canada (2018).

Sources:
“Dr. Abel Bosum,” Cree Nation Government, Department of Justice and Correctional Services.  Retrieved 1/3/2024, https://www.creejustice.ca/index.php/ca/h-events/conference-2018/bios/278-dr-abel-bosum   https://www.creejustice.ca/index.php/ca/h-events/conference-2018/bios/278-dr-abel-bosum
“Abel Bosum, Indspire.  Retrieved 1/3/2024, https://indspire.ca/laureate/abel-bosum-2/     
Wikipedia
Photo:  Sgt Johanie Maheu, Rideau Hall, 7/5/2018. Abel Bosun (left) being invested into the Order of Canada as an Officer by Her Excellency, the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada (right). Permissive Use. Source: https://www.cngov.ca/fr/le-gouvernement-de-la-nation-crie-annonce-la-nomination-du-grand-chef-abel-bosum-au-sein-de-lordre-du-canada/