Tribute to Elder Robbie Matthew: Celebrating the legacy of a Spiritual Guide and Cultural Guardian

Together with his late wife Sally, Elder Robbie Matthew dedicated his life to maintaining, enhancing and transmitting Cree culture, knowledge and language. With a deep respect for the teachings of the ancestors and a life firmly rooted in Indoh-hoon, Elder Robbie Matthew’s contributions to the wellbeing of Eeyouch will echo for generations to come.

 
"I want to talk about everything on this earth. Everything which Eeyou uses. Everything that grows. What the Eeyou knew and thought, was there was life in everything…Wherever we look we see life. That’s what Eeyou talks about. That’s where Eeyou taught himself. To get his life from the earth…The Ancestors had knowledge. There were a lot of teachings they passed from generation to generation. That is what we are using now, to watch our time on this earth. That is what has to be taught, to pass down to the next generation, so they can walk in truth on this earth with the teachings of the Ancestors…We should be thankful and happy we still see this. We have to hold on to what is left. We have to leave something for the coming generations. Let’s remember them like our Ancestors remembered us. Life passed from generation to generation. – Robbie Matthew, 1994 quoted in The Nation

A committed defender of Eeyou rights and homeland, Elder Robbie Matthew has been recognized and honored both locally and internationally. He will continue to be an example of what it means to lead with love and humility, while standing strong and speaking one’s truth. He carried his message of empowerment, compassion, and justice everywhere he went, from Chisasibi, to New York, Geneva and New Zealand. Honored by UNESCO and inducted into the International Indigenous Circle of Spiritual Elders, Robbie artfully showed the world what Eeyou diplomacy truly is.

But, it was his community and nation that occupied the most cherished place in his heart. Elder Matthew and his wife Sally, have counselled countless youth and families over the years, taking them on the land and teaching them the Nishiiyuu ways. The Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB) has had the great honor and fortune to have them guide our organization since the late 1990s when they were appointed to the Council of Chishâyîyû. Elder Robbie Matthew was the chief advocate for the development of the Nishîyû Miyupimâtisîun Department, which he guided over the years. Honored over his lifetime and more recently by the CBHSSJB at a ceremony in 2022, Robbie Matthew will forever be remembered for the way he inspired new generations and touched the soul of everyone that knew him.