Awaash Aahkusuwin

What is it?

Awaash Aahkusuwin Aakaa Chii Nitikutaach is the leading cause of infant mortality in the Cree Nation of Eastern James Bay. Elders recognized these diseases at least 40 years ago. They were described in 1988 by Dr. Deborah Black, a Neurologist. Awaash Aahkusuwin Aaka Chii Nitikutaach is a Cree term which means “The Children’s Disease That Cannot Be Cured.”

There are two types to this disease:

Cree Leukoencephalopathy (CLE)

  • Babies are born normal
  • At age 4-8 months develop fever and seizures or other related neurological abnormalities
  • CT scans of brains show areas without normal white matter.
Cree Encephalitis (CE)
  • Babies born with abnormalities - smaller heads, low muscle tone and irritability.
  • Severe developmental delay - unable to sit or talk, blind with muscle spasms, multiple infections.
  • Death from infections and other conditions in early childhood.