Matthew Coon Come
Encyclopedia
Matthew Coon Come is a Canadian
politician and activist of Cree
descent. He was National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations
from 2000 to 2003.
Born near Mistissini
, Quebec
, Coon Come was first educated in a residential school. He later studied political science
at Trent University
, and law at McGill University
.
Coon Come was first elected as grand chief and chairman of Quebec
's Grand Council of the Crees
in 1987. He became known internationally for his efforts to defend the fundamental rights of First Nations
peoples, notably in the campaign against the Quebec government's James Bay hydroelectric project
.
He was awarded with a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 1995. In 1998 he received an honorary
Doctor of Laws degree from Trent University.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
politician and activist of Cree
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
descent. He was National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations
Assembly of First Nations
The Assembly of First Nations , formerly known as the National Indian Brotherhood, is a body of First Nations leaders in Canada...
from 2000 to 2003.
Born near Mistissini
Mistissini, Quebec
Mistissini is a Cree town located in the south-east corner of the largest natural lake in Quebec, Lake Mistassini . The town is inside the boundaries of the Baie-James Municipality, and is the largest Cree community with a population of around 4000 people...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Coon Come was first educated in a residential school. He later studied political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
at Trent University
Trent University
Trent University is a liberal arts and science-oriented institution located along the Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada.The enabling legislation is the Trent University Act, 1962-63. The University was founded through the efforts of a citizens' committee interested in creating a...
, and law at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
.
Coon Come was first elected as grand chief and chairman of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
's Grand Council of the Crees
Grand Council of the Crees
The Grand Council of the Crees , or the GCC, is the political body that represents the approximately 16,357 Crees or “Iyyu” / “Iynu” of the Eeyou Istchee territory in the James Bay and Nunavik regions of Northern Quebec, Canada...
in 1987. He became known internationally for his efforts to defend the fundamental rights of First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
peoples, notably in the campaign against the Quebec government's James Bay hydroelectric project
James Bay Project
The James Bay Project is a series of hydroelectric development with a combined installed capacity of over 16,000 megawatts built since 1974 for Hydro-Québec by the on the La Grande and other rivers of Northern Quebec....
.
He was awarded with a National Aboriginal Achievement Award in 1995. In 1998 he received an honorary
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
Doctor of Laws degree from Trent University.
External links
- Matthew Coon Come, National Aboriginal Achievement Awards biography
- Matthew Coon Come: Interview with Rex Murphy, CBC
- Profane put down by Coon Come shocks GCC meeting, James Bay Cree Nation