Abel Bosum

Abel Bosum (born Nov. 4, 1955) is a Cree leader and negotiator who, as of 2019, is serving as Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees of Northern Quebec (Eeyou Istchee) and President of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Regional Government. He has worked for the Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec since 1977 in various capacities. From 1984 to 1998, Bosum served as the Chief of his home nation, the Oujé-Bougoumou Cree Nation. In 1998, he became the head negotiator of the Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec.

Early life Bosum was born the oldest of 11 children of his mother Lucy Bosum. He was born on an island on Dore Lake in Northern Quebec. Once Bosum left the school, he worked in underground mines in the Chibougamau area and also took fishing jobs in order to support his family. Between 1926 and 1970, they had been forced to move their settlements seven times because of mineral discoveries that had been made in the region of James Bay, their traditional homeland. In 1985, after the Quebec Liberal Party won control of the government, Bosum tried to negotiate with Premier-elect Robert Bourassa, but they soon reached an impasse. It gained this recognition because it was able to fulfill needs of the community while also being an environmentally sustainable and technologically advanced settlement.

Bosum has negotiated on behalf of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay and for the Cree School Board, and represented the GCC in discussions with neighbouring aboriginal nations. The agreement also developed new Cree governance structures.

Charitable work

Bosum was chosen as president of the Aanischaaukamikw Foundation and Cree Cultural Institute on April 2, 2015. The bill is an extension of the rights provided in the JBNQA. According to Bosum, as expressed in his address to the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples, it as an important step to advancing towards full Cree self-governance.

Recognition In 1998, Bosum received Canada's National Aboriginal Achievement Award in the category of Community Development, for his work with the Oujé-Bougoumou Cree community. an honour recognizing "outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation".