Aug 1, 2026
Follow us on Google for more Money.ca news
Add us on GoogleSometimes the true wealth of a community cannot be measured by economic indicators or financial security. In a world defined by rapid modernization and constant change, a different kind of inheritance sustains generations: the enduring wealth of ancestral knowledge, deep connection to the land, and the oral traditions that keep history alive. For Indigenous communities across Canada, preserving these stories is not just an act of remembering — it’s a vital assertion of sovereignty and continuity.
When we think about building a legacy, society often focuses on tangible assets. Yet, for the Cree Nation, real permanence comes from knowing precisely who you are, where you come from and the resilience of those who walked before you. The lifelong dedication of Cree elder Margaret Sam-Cromarty offers a profound reminder of how local narratives serve as a sacred anchor, guiding future generations through shifting times.
The power of the written word
For Sam-Cromarty, the journey to preserving her heritage began in an unexpected sanctuary within the walls of St. Philip’s Indian Residential School. It was in the school library where her passion for the written word was ignited after reading Dick and Jane books. That early connection sparked a lifelong love for storytelling, eventually leading her to create a permanent record of life in Eeyou Istchee.
Thanks for subscribing!
The best of Money.ca delivered weekly.
By signing up, you accept Money.ca Terms of Use, Subscription Agreement, and Privacy Policy.
Her fourth book, James Bay Memoirs and Other Stories, was released by the University of Manitoba Press on June 7, with a launch in Montreal. While her first three books—published between 1992 and 2000 — eventually slipped out of print, this new collection serves as a vital, renewed homage to life on the land. In an era where traditional practices can easily be overshadowed by rapid development, keeping these memories alive is an act of cultural preservation.
As Sam-Cromarty told CBC News about the enduring nature of her community’s traditions, “We haven’t forgotten that life. In the far North, we still live that life.”
Advertisement
Don’t let inflation eat your savings. Browse the best high-interest accounts for 2026 and open an account in minutes to start earning interest daily.
Documenting moments of transition
Sam-Cromarty’s writing beautifully captures profound structural and societal changes. Throughout her life, she wrote poems about the northern landscape, tales of growing up as a daughter of hunters and trappers, and stories about surviving the residential school system.
Crucially, she also documented a major turning point in her community’s history: the Fort George relocation. This occurred when an entire Cree community had to move to escape the environmental impacts of Hydro-Québec’s hydroelectric projects, eventually settling in what is now known as the Cree Nation of Chisasibi.
Without individuals willing to document these challenges and triumphs, future generations lose the blueprint of their own history. This is why investing time and energy into local literature and community archives is so critical; it ensures a society holds the keys to its own narrative.
Must Read
- Warren Buffett used these 4 solid, repeatable money rules to turn $9,800 into a $150B fortune. Here’s how to apply them to your own life
- Stop the leak: 5 costs Canadians (still) overpay for every single month. How many are sabotaging your 2026 budget?
- Three in four Canadians say their insurance premiums have increased in the last two years. Compare 20+ quotes on Rates.ca and save up to 20% when you bundle home and auto
Join 19,000+ readers and get Money.ca’s best stories and exclusive interviews first — clear insights curated and delivered weekly. Subscribe now.
A collaborative family legacy
For Sam-Cromarty, putting pen to paper has always been about expression. She explained the motivation behind her work simply: “We don’t want to lose ourselves. I think that the book will help preserve our Cree culture.”
This dedication earned her the Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. Dale Cooper, the executive director of the association, highlighted how vital these contributions are. Cooper told CBC that hearing the experiences of elders is essential for sharing knowledge with the next generation, adding, “This book, like a lot of elders’ stories, are also teachings.”
Advertisement
The book itself represents a beautiful family collaboration. Sam-Cromarty’s daughter, Jane, worked tirelessly to ensure her mother’s writing received recognition, while her son, Eddy, painted the artwork for the cover. Eddy recalled how his late father used to buy him supplies and encourage his talent to paint the scenery of the land.
Finding a grounding presence in the modern world
While modernization brings continuous challenges to traditional customs, Sam-Cromarty hopes that when people open her book, they can temporarily step away from modern anxieties and experience a simpler way of living.
“I hope when they read it, everything else disappears and they just imagine themselves in the book,” she said. “No more... electricity, no bills to pay, no running water. Just what’s in the book.”
Though finding a publisher was a long struggle, her book found a home as part of the First Voices, First Texts series with the University of Manitoba Press, which works to keep Indigenous books in print so they can be integrated into Canadian schools and libraries.
While James Bay Memoirs and Other Stories will be her final published work, her pen has not stopped moving; she continues to write journals for her children and grandson. Her journey shows us that true wealth is built by safeguarding history and ensuring the next generation has the knowledge to navigate whatever changes come their way.
You May Also Like
- This 7-step plan from Dave Ramsey is designed to help you ditch debt, save more and build wealth — here’s how it works
- Prioritize these 4 critical investments and watch your net worth skyrocket
- Focus on these 3 ‘magic numbers’ to become a millionaire — and only on these numbers. How do you stack up?
- Millionaires under 43 are reshaping investing — just 25% of their portfolios are in stocks. Here’s where their money is going
The most expensive financial mistakes are often the ones you don't see coming. Join 19,000+ Canadians who get the money moves, risks and opportunities shaping their finances — delivered free each week. Subscribe now.
Leslie Kennedy served as an editor at Thomson Reuters and for Star Media Group, followed by a number of years as a writer and editor and content manager in marketing communications, before returning to her editorial roots. She is a graduate of Humber College’s post-graduate journalism program and has been a professional writer and editor ever since.
Managing Money • Jul 31
