Nemaska was the first Cree community that we visited, and as undergrad anthropology students, our time at the gathering in Old Nemaska was our first real field experience. I’d like to say we hit the ground running. In truth, I can say (for myself at least) that it took me awhile to find my footing. Our ‘objective’ on this trip was to gain a broader perspective on tourism in the Cree communities, through both our experience as tourists and in listening to what the communities members had to say about visiting outsiders. In other words, What is it like for me being a tourist here? and What do you think of tourists being here?
What was it like to be a tourist in Old Nemaska? It meant being pretty self sufficient; we brought our own tents and our own food (and, rather importantly, our own toilet paper). The gathering was largely unstructured and we spent most of our time wandering around the cabins and tents, talking to people and developing a loyal following of little kids.
But it also meant that our interactions with the community had the chance to develop more naturally. We didn’t come needing or expecting hand outs, but food was shared generously. We did not ask to be entertained, but were able to participate in activities such as cleaning the sturgeon. The community has had bad experiences with tourists in the past, and we were conscious of the fact that they were not interested in having outsiders walking around with cameras and notepads. By our fourth and final day at the gathering, whatever apprehension they had and whatever uncertainty we felt had faded away. We were sad to have to leave.
Before we left, we took a ride out onto Lake Nemaska to see several thousand-year old petroglyphs. It was something that we, as tourists, were honored to see.
After a long boat ride and bumpy trip along the access road, we piled ourselves back into the RV and headed on to Eastmain…
