Eeyou Eenou SPRING 2003 the voice of the people Looking Back The Grand Council of the Crees An interview with Ted Moses Principles and Priorities on Areas of Investment Allocation of 2003-04 Payment from Cree-Quebec The Nadoshtin Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Program Forestry in Eeyou Istchee: One year later Moving Ahead 1 YEAR
The mandate of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) The Grand Council of the Crees (GCCEI) is the political voice of the Cree people who live in the province of Quebec, Canada. Our Council, established in 1974, represents the nine Cree communities whose lands and traditional way of life were threatened by the construction of the James Bay hydroelectric development project in the northwestern portion of the province. Today the Grand Council continues working to promote and protect the rights of the Cree Nation. A Message from the Editor, Bill Namagoose Please send correspondence to: Bill Namagoose, Editor Eeyou Eenou Nation Embassy of the Cree Nation 81 Metcalfe Street, Suite 900 Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6K7 or by e-mail: billnama@gcc.ca To read the New Agreement on the Internet see: http://www.gcc.ca Please send feedback to: E-mail: cree@gcc.ca Cree Regional Authority 2 Lakeshore Rd. Nemaska QC J0Y 3B0 Photos by Fred Cattroll Reproduction is prohibited without written permission of the Editor. Table of Contents 5 Board of Directors 2003 6-13 An Interview with Ted Moses 14 Principles and Priorities on Areas of Investment 15-16 Allocation of 2003 2004 Payment from Cree-Quebec 17 Establishing a Financial Foundation for the Future 18-19 Mistissini Lodge Prepares to Welcome Visitors 20-30 The Nadoshtin Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Program 31-36 Forestry in Eeyou Istchee: One Year Later 37 The Kanak Visit 38 New Protected Areas for Waskaganish Territory 39-41 Boumhounan One year later 42-43 Weh-Sees Indohoun and Ad-Hoc Committee 44-45 Vocational Training Centre to be Built in Waswanipi 46 The Troilus Agreement 47 Exercise and Healthy Eating: Solutions to Childhood Obesity It was interesting to see our Grand Chief s appearance at the Cree/Naskapi Commission in February. The main issue was the comments made by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) in their presentation to the Commission last year concerning the financial health of the Cree Communities and of the Grand Council/CRA. Besides having made false allegations, what was particularly shocking was that the Department had apparently not even read many of the audited financial statements that we had submitted to it! Indian and Northern Affairs Canada is proposing new legislation to impose increased accountability standards on First Nations across Canada and could not even keep up with the 10 audit reports that they had received from the Crees. The proposed changes to the Indian Act do not apply to the Crees because we already have a strong accountability section that we negotiated for with Canada in the Cree/Naskapi Act in 1984. However, what is apparent from our experience is that Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Government of Canada, is as Grand Chief Moses stated, not ready for self-government. Yet the Department s communications spin doctors have managed to convince the Canadian public that Aboriginal Nations aren t ready. The Cree/Naskapi Act is also flawed. Canada insisted in the Cree/Naskapi Act that if a band had financial problems, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development could come in, seize the operations of the Band and appoint a third party from an outside accounting firm to run the community. Yes, there are time delays during which the band can try to get its house in order and there are notices that INAC has to send first, but it is basically a get out of the way Indian, the Indian Agent is back type of approach to supporting our Cree local governments. I don t buy it. The Cree Nation has moved beyond those days. It is time that we pushed the Government of Canada to amend the Cree/Naskapi Act to remove those provisions. The fact is that over the years Canada has controlled the over 600 First Nations under the Indian Act by dealing with them individually and in a high-handed manner. INAC doles out a little money to the good Indians and punishes what it considers the bad ones by cutting the funding and by taking over their operations. There is little incentive for First Nations to work together because everyone is beholden to INAC. In fact, it is more than this; First Nations often jealously guard their contacts with the Minister so they can beg for a little more money than what their neighbour got on some program or another. They seek advantage against one another. This is often how they are controlled, the Minister gives out a little money here and there so he feels good, he has a few Chiefs for friends, but the real problems are never addressed. Housing and community infrastructure continue to be inadequately funded, Aboriginal Peoples continue to be unemployed while the resources 3
4 are exploited to benefit the non-aboriginal communities around them. The question of standards is never addressed. In fact, under this system Aboriginal Peoples are blamed and in some cases blame themselves for their poverty. The truth is that Canada is following a policy of promoting the status quo where Aboriginal Peoples are always off-balance, always unemployed and living in poverty, never recognized and forever alone and dependent on Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. Canada s policy has been the cause of the loss of languages and ways of life and seems to be designed to wait until most of the more than 600 First Nations disappear. The alternative is something that the Crees have gone part of the way in realizing. In 1975, we signed the James Bay Agreement not just as separate bands, but also as The Crees, organized together as The Grand Council of the Crees. At the time, the governments of Canada and Quebec refused to recognize Cree Nation Government in the Agreement, but we still decided and stood as a Nation by making the Grand Council the protector of the rights of all Crees. You will see in the James Bay Agreement that Cree government is only referred to as The Cree Regional Authority. In the 1970s when Quebec passed its legislation to recognize the powers of the CRA as set out in the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, we managed to get them to include the Cree words for it: Eeyou Tabeytachesiw and you know what that means, Cree Government, the words that they would not accept in their own language. After almost 30 years of fighting for the recognition and acknowledgement of our rights, last year we signed an agreement with Quebec on a Nation-to- Nation basis and in that new Agreement we took over many obligations for community and economic development that Quebec formerly had to the Crees in the James Bay Agreement, but had never implemented. To some extent, it was our speaking out in Johannesburg, where we said that our right to self-determination had been violated, that we were excluded from the economy of our territory and that we did not have enough housing for our people, that caught Quebec s attention. The Crees have needs like any People and we have the right to participate in the benefits from the development of the resources on our traditional territory, forget about category 1, 2 and 3 lands, it is all Eeyou Istchee. However, Canada is still in denial of the rights of Aboriginal Peoples, including Cree rights. While we have managed to get some acknowledgement of our existence as a People, through the signature by the Grand Council on the James Bay Agreement, Canada has yet to recognize and acknowledge the Cree Nation Government in all of its aspects. Cree Nation Government should adopt standards for housing, employment and for Cree rights so that all Crees can strive to have equal opportunity and access to the means to help themselves. Every family needs a house. We need a nation government that helps the band administrators, treasurers, firefighters, police, economic development officers and environment managers to do their jobs in ways that are more effective in serving the people. We need to work together because we serve the Cree People. By working together on a national basis, all of these will find ways to make sure that all Crees get access to programs that provide them with equality of service. If we have problems, we should sort them out ourselves and if one of our communities needs more resources, then we should work together to help them. Over the years we have accomplished much together as the Cree Nation. It is time that we built the Cree Nation Government so that we can keep Indian and Northern Affairs Canada out of our business and get on with the job of improving the lives of our people. Canada must accept a relationship with the Crees where we are recognized and acknowledged as the Cree Nation, as the Cree People and as a permanent and growing part of the political and social landscape. Board of Directors 2003 CRA MONTRÉAL Grand Chief Ted Moses T (514) 861-5837 F (514) 861-0760 CRA NEMASKA Deputy Grand Chief Paul Gull T (819) 673-2600 F (819) 673-2606 CHISASIBI Chief Abraham Rupert Steve Bearskin T (819) 855-2878 F (819) 855-2875 EASTMAIN Chief Edward Gilpin Jr. Kenneth Gilpin T (819) 977-0211 F (819) 977-0281 MISTISSINI Chief John Longchap Thomas Neeposh T (418) 923-3461 F (418) 923-3115 or -3625 NEMASKA Chief Josie Jimiken Thomas Jolly Sr. T (819) 673-2512 F (819) 673-2542 OUJE-BOUGOUMOU Chief Sam R. Bosom Kenny Mianscum T (819) 745-3911 F (819) 745-3426 or -3168 WASKAGANISH Chief Robert Weistche Billy Diamond T (819) 895-8650 F (819) 895-8901 WASWANIPI Chief Robert Kitchen Rhonda Oblin T (819) 753-2587 F (819) 753-2555 WEMINDJI Chief Reggie Mark Danny Tomatuk T (819) 978-0264 F (819) 978-0258 WHAPMAGOOSTUI Chief David Masty Losty Mamianskum T (819) 929-3384 F (819) 929-3203 or -3969 GCCEI OTTAWA Bill Namagoose T (613) 761-1655 F (613) 761-1388 CRA NEMASKA Eddie Diamond Matthew Swallow Willie Iserhoff T (819) 673-2600 F (819) 673-2606 CNYD NEMASKA Andrew Neeposh T (819) 673-2600 F (819) 673-2606 CHRD MISTISSINI Henry Mianscum T (819) 923-2525 F (819) 923-2111 MONTRÉAL Norman Gull, CSA T (819) 866-1234 F (819) 866-1331 MONTRÉAL Corporate Secretary John Paul Murdoch T (514) 878-9641 F (514) 878-1450 5
An Interview with Ted Moses La Paix des Braves is working. It has been over a year since it was signed. Since then hundreds of Cree jobs have been created and local development is flourishing. Exciting new projects are being undertaken in many of the Communities. Mistissini is in final stages of completing its hotel, Ouje-Bougoumou is about to open a state-of the-art athletic complex, the regional training center in Waswanipi has been announced, there are plans for a new Band office in Waskaganish, Wemindji and Nemaska are going to build more houses and Chisasibi has a new youth center and is building a new Band Office. Eastmain and Whapmagoostui are planning how to use the funding received this year. Every Cree community has projects underway or being planned. 6 Forestry remains a difficult issue, even with the new regime. However, for the first time we have a free and open dialogue with Quebec and the companies on protecting some of the forest Local housing in all the Cree communities has received a vital boost. Some of the longest-standing problems regarding crowded and rundown shelter in the communities are finally beginning to be resolved. Indeed, the leadership has made housing and infrastructure a priority issue. The Cree Trappers Association is finally beginning to catch up on its funding, with the result that the trappers are finally starting to receive benefits that were promised in 1975. It will now be up to the Crees to decide how much to pay to the CTA with respect to Quebec s past obligations under the James Bay Agreement. So the good news is that La Paix des Braves is helping the Cree communities and the Cree Nation in clear and important ways. The new regimes for forestry and mining have begun their work. The Cree Mineral Exploration Board has been established and is beginning its work. Existing and developing Cree mining enterprises now have access to financial resources and expertise to assist them in taking full advantage of mining opportunities in Eeyou Istchee. Forestry remains a difficult issue, even with the new regime. However, for the first time we have a free and open dialogue with Quebec and the companies on protecting some of the forest, so that Cree hunting can continue. Not everyone is happy with the new regime. Some of the forestry companies complain that they are losing wood volume and that the Paix des Braves is threatening forestry jobs. Some Crees are not satisfied because they have yet to witness change on the land. Others have expressed frustration because discussions are going too slowly and the promised Cree/Quebec Forestry Board is still not up and running. These are legitimate causes for concern. We must take a strong stand on forestry and not allow the gains that we have made to be undermined by those who would blame us for job losses. We must not allow ourselves to be held responsible for years of mismanagement and over harvesting by the forestry industry. The forestry provisions in the Paix des Braves have finally brought sustainability to an industry that was marching toward a wood supply disaster. It is up to us to remain firm and use the regime to improve on the way the forest has been cut in the past. If forestry is properly managed in the future, it will bring long term employment and development benefits for the region. A long term vision for the future is something that the Crees have been voicing since the days when we were eight isolated communities that no one in Quebec had ever heard of. Now that vision is helping shape the course of the entire We must remind these people and any politician who thinks the Crees have forfeited their rights that the Paix des Braves is a Nation to Nation Agreement, not based on surrender, but based on our rights and on cooperation and mutual respect province. We were the people who warned of the dangers of Great Whale and the NBR projects. And the same goes for forestry. Our determination as a Nation continues to play an important role in shaping the long term vision, not only for Eeyou Istchee but for the entire province. The sad thing is that, despite all our efforts over the years, there are still those who criticize us for having the courage to sign the Paix des Braves the courage to accept EM1A over NBR, to accept 350 square kilometers of flooding versus 6500 square kilometres. We made the decision and the Paix des Braves is based on the fact that future development requires our consent. It is these people who falsely state that this is not true. When they heard Quebec politicians in the election talking about the Great Whale Project, these Crees turned and criticized their own people rather than attacking the views of those politicians. I opposed the project, as the people had already decided, and stated so publicly. We must remind these people and any politician who thinks the Crees have forfeited their rights that the Paix des Braves is a Nation to Nation Agreement, not based on surrender, but based on our rights and on cooperation and mutual respect in our relations with Quebec. That is, cooperation and respect from Quebec for the Crees and the same from the Crees to Quebec. Our position on Great Whale remains as clear as it was at the historic Special General Assembly in 1989. We will not consent to a project that floods over 3000 square kilometers and destroys 4 larger rivers. Those who think otherwise risk repeating history. Curiously, those people who really care about the environment are astounded to learn what we have accomplished for the environment and for Eeyou Istchee through La Paix des Braves in just one short year. Despite popular misconception, they are surprised to learn that the new forestry regime has resulted in the closure of several Cree hunting territories to active logging. They are surprised to learn that through our new partnership with Quebec, 6 new protected areas have been created in Eeyou Istchee. They wonder why we do not hear more about this from the opposition parties in Quebec and from those who support the environment in the Cree camp. They wonder why these issues are not covered in the media. I believe it is because people find it difficult to accept that the Crees can have it both ways. That development, that benefits both the Crees and 7
8 Quebecers, can be tempered with a sustainable long term vision. For the truth, ask the trappers and those who earn their livelihoods from all the increased employment and activity created by La Paix des Braves. Ask someone who enjoys the life in the bush as hard as it sometimes is. Ask the Cree Trappers Association. Ask those who still live the traditional way of life. La Paix des Braves is working for them. Ask those who have new jobs. Ask the people who are receiving training. Ask the majority of the Crees who voted to approve the agreement. The debate on La Paix des Braves is over. There will still be discussions and hearings involving the environmental and social impacts according to the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. All of those regulations will continue to apply. They will now determine whether the EM1A-Rupert Project goes ahead or not. But also, let s not ignore the vastly improved relations between the Cree Nation and the Government of Quebec. Let s not ignore all of the agreements, the ease of doing business, the hugely increased economic opportunities that have emerged, and the pleasure of working with a government that listens to and hears the Crees. La Paix des Braves is having a huge impact internationally because it is the first agreement that actually recognizes aboriginal peoples right to benefit from their own resources. It is also the first agreement that implements a major recommendation of Canada s Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, that we have access to more benefits from resource development. It is the first agreement to bring aboriginal peoples into the larger economy. It is the first agreement to provide the beginnings of an economic base for the development of the economy of an aboriginal nation. I welcome any questions about La Paix des Braves, but let s not hide the facts. Let s acknowledge what we all accomplished by deciding to accept the New Agreement. Let s admit that these are things we have been struggling for years to obtain. Let s acknowledge the cancellation of NBR and its six thousand five hundred square kilometers of reservoirs. Let s acknowledge the changes in the forest regime that save more of the forest. Let s acknowledge that we are part of the management of the Territorial resources and are no longer marginalized and excluded from these decisions. Let s acknowledge that our rights are being respected. Let s acknowledge our win for the Cree Nation, for the environment, and for the Cree way of life. This is what we have now begun with Quebec. It is what we thought we had accomplished in 1975 but now we have commitments on the details of how we are involved and we have the means to enforce our rights if ever again they are ignored. There are those who seek to seize the territory, exclude others and stop development. In their fierce opposition, whether they know it or not, these people will give their opponents the excuse to use violence. There is a time for opposition and there is a time for agreement. Those who seek extreme solutions risk spending their lives on road blocks. We must choose a future for our people, one built on peaceful means. Education, employment, housing, community facilities and new Cree companies, these are what we need. This is part of building our Cree Nation. Meegwetch!! 9
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Principles and Priorities on Areas of Investment La Paix des Braves Funds Allocation of 2003 2004 Payment from Cree-Quebec New Relationship Agreement Allocation of the 2003 2004 payment from the Cree Quebec New Relationship Agreement La Paix des Braves. 14 The Limited Partnership meeting of March 26, 2003 resolved that the allocation of the 2003 2004 payment from La Paix des Braves will be allocated on the following basis. The community allocation of $36,500,000 is based on a compromise by the local Cree leadership. 1. Future Generations This investment was resolved when the Joint Partnership of the Cree Boards and the Grand Council adopted a bylaw to set aside and invest 15 percent of the funds from Quebec starting in year three. Discipline is required to ensure that we adhere to the mission to create and manage the fund whose revenues in the final year of La Paix des Braves will be equal or greater than the payments from Quebec. 2. Economic Development This investment s main priority would be to create jobs. The allocation could be the same as the Board of Compensation formula Community Fund that is based on per capita. The four small communities get the first 5 percent and that balance is divided on per capita. 3. Community Development This investment would be based on need. The housing backlog would be used to allocate this portion on a prorated basis. These projects are for shelter as well as other community infrastructure and facilities. 4. JBNQA/La Paix des Braves Legal Obligations This investment would cover the expenses required to implement Quebec s Section 28 JBNQA obligations that were transferred to the Cree Nation in La Paix des Braves. These obligations are: Responsibilities of SODAB, Cree Trappers Assoc., Cree Outfitting and Tourism Assoc., Cree Native Arts and Crafts Assoc., Training Courses and Placement, Community Centres, Essential Sanitation Services, Fire Protection, Assistance to Cree Entrepreneurs. 5. Loans and Debts The Crees have incurred loans and debts over the years in trying to get the Quebec government to respect its obligations and interim measures in the forestry areas. These loans and debts are owed to the Board of Compensation and James Bay Eeyou. 6. Overhead Costs to Implement La Paix des Braves/JBNQA The costs to implement and enforce La Paix des Braves such as Standing Liaison committee, Limited Partnership expenses, various committees expenses, Cree Mineral Board and Forestry Regime. 7. Enforcement of Cree Rights The Board of Compensation s (BOC) past expenditures to highlight and protect Cree Rights in many areas have provided the most beneficial return to the Cree Nation. The Cree Nation still needs to apply pressure against the federal government to force it to fulfill its obligations in the JBNQA. 8. Leveraging Additional Revenue from Quebec, Federal or Other Source of Funds Need to invest in areas of joint Quebec and federal JBNQA obligations in order to increase the federal funding that would normally be available. Other investments that will generate additional revenue for the Cree Nation, such as federal or Quebec programs that require applicants to provide a financial contribution, will be a priority. These funds will go to shelter and economic development programs. The allocation of $9,500,000 is not finalized and is intended to cover the items listed. This amount will be allocated by the GCCEI/CRA. The Limited Partnership is the Recipient of Funding preferred to the Cree Quebec New Relationship Agreement commonly known as La Paix des Braves. Allocation to Cree Communities Partnership Final Approved Allocation pop pop% 3302 24% Chisasibi 7,300,000 20% 580 4% Eastmain 2,350,000 6% 2951 21% Mistissini 8,000,000 22% 617 4% Nemaska 2,000,000 5% 628 5% Ouje-Bougoumou 2,000,000 5% 2127 15% Waskaganish 4,000,000 11% 1590 12% Waswanipi 5,000,000 14% 1183 9% Wemindji 3,500,000 10% 755 5% Whapmagoostui 2,350,000 6% 13,733 36,500,000 Cree Communities 36,500,000 80% Allocated to other obligations 9,500,000 20% Total allocation for 2003 2004 46,000,000 15
La Paix des Braves Loans and Debt Allocation Amount Establishing a Financial Foundation for the Future The Cree Nation has taken an important step towards establishing a financial foundation for the future as a result of the decision to contribute a share of the annual funding to be provided pursuant to the New Relationship Agreement with Quebec to the new Waayapisinigan Fund. An annual obligatory contribution of 15% of Quebec s contribution to the Cree Nation shall be set aside in the Waayapisinigan Fund as of April 1, 2004. 16 GCC (EI) Negotiation Costs (Unfunded balance of deficit, March 31, 2002) GCC (EI) Balance of Funding Requirement for 2002-2003 (Current estimate) Board of Compensation Forestry Loan (Balance to be repaid) JBEC Trapper s Assistance Program Loan Principle Portion JBEC Trapper s Assistance Program Loan Projected Accrued Interest Costs JBEC EM1 Negotiations and Litigation (1996) Commitments/Undertakings Relating to Agreement Cree Quebec Forestry Board Other Forestry Related Expenditures The Waayapisinigan Fund will grow over the life of the Agreement with Quebec as the annual contributions and all income derived by the fund cannot be distributed for the first 50 years. The fund will be professionally managed similar to a Pension Fund and shall be subject to very strict investment and management rules. The contribution level of 15% was determined as the required contribution to ensure that the fund would generate as of April 2052 a sustainable revenue stream from investments equal to or exceeding Quebec contributions. The contribution level will be reviewed over time with a view to ensuring that this objective is achieved. Evolution of the Waayapisinigan Fund (with a 15% contribution to the Heritage Fund) Environmental Review Rupert Limited Partnership Expenses Liaison Committee Expenses Agreement Implementation Costs Various Committee Representation Fees and Expenses Local Environmental Support Rouyn Support Function Cree Mineral Board Contribution to Operations Approved by Council/Board Cree Development Corporation Cree Trappers Association Assests accumulated in the Waayapisinigan Fund in 2002 $ Growth effect over the years Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association (Operations only) Cree Native Arts and Crafts Association (Matching funds) Projected Evolution of Québec payments to Crees 17 James Bay Advisory and Evaluating Committee Fire Protection services (Community services) Other Requests Allocation to GCC (EI) for the Protection and Enhancement of Cree Rights To be determined Final Approved Allocation March 26, 2003 9,500,000
Mistissini Lodge Prepares to Welcome Visitors Situated on the shores of Lake Mistissini, the largest freshwater lake in Quebec, the Mistissini Lodge is expected to attract more fishermen and eco-tourists to the area, says Don McLeod, head of the community s Economic Development Department. With the new lodge, he says, Mistissini also plans to promote the area s winter recreational activities, such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Initially, we re planning on 25% of our business being tourism, says Don. We expect business meetings and delegations to account for about 50% of our business and local residents to account for the other 25%. Funding for the Lodge was provided by the Quebec government as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with all of the Cree communities in 1995. While the community will own the lodge, the Economic Development Department has set up a company to operate the facility on a day-to-day basis. Funds generated by the operation will all flow back into the community. Not only are local residents helping to build the Lodge, they will fill as many as 20 full-time positions once the facility is complete, says Interim Manager Angus Donnelly. A number of training programs are already under way, he says, with more coming on stream over the next few months. Some courses (specifically cooking and table service) are MEQ credit courses. Angus says the plan is to have test groups in the facility as early as late May. It will be open to regular clientele as early as June, although the entire facility will not be complete until later in the summer. There s a real excitement in Mistissini about the new facility, says Don. I m sure it will do wonders for the community s future. 18 Although it is the second largest of the nine Cree communities in Eeeyou Istchee, Mistissini has never had a formal facility to house tourists or welcome business groups. Visitors requiring accommodation or conference space had to go to the neighbouring community of Ouje-Bougoumou to find the facilities they needed. Later this year, all that will change. A state of the art multi-use facility, designed for tourists, business groups and local residents, is expected to open its doors in Mistissini in June. The Mistissini Lodge will provide 20 guest rooms, a dining facility for 60 to 80 people and flexible meeting and conference rooms for up to 50 people. In addition, the building will feature an outdoor patio, a deck area, a gift and craft shop and a small cultural museum. The lodge will also house Mistissini s tourism offices. Initially, we re planning on 25% of our business being tourism. We expect business meetings and delegations to account for about 50% of our business and local residents to account for the 19 other 25%
The Nadoshtin Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Program David Denton Kreg Ettenger and Donovan Moses 20 This stone axe was found in the EM-1 area by Hydro-Québec archaeologists last year. According to provincial law, it is now the property of Quebec. Many Cree, however, feel that objects made by their ancestors rightfully belong to them. It is said that a long time ago, a hunter was travelling on the shores of Mishiipaaushtikuu [the great rapids] and spotted an otter sitting on a big rock. He shot and killed it instantly. As the blood was seeping out, a few drops fell on the water, and suddenly the waters rose and the rapids became increasingly high, drowning the rock where he had shot the otter and creating a massive whirlpool. Frightened, the hunter quickly took out his tobacco and gave an offering to the area he had disturbed. Moments later, the waters subsided and the noise diminished. The ancient people knew there was something dwelling under the waters of Mishiipaaushtikuu that caused the great disturbance. [told by Hattie Moses, translated by Donovan Moses] Mishiipaaushtikuu is the long series of rapids located above the Eastmain-Opinaca Reservoir, on the Great Bend of the Eastmain River. Traditionally avoided, or treated with great caution and respect, this is the site of a soon-to-be-built dam on the Eastmain River. The dam will create the EM-1 reservoir, stretching over 100 kilometres upriver and flooding some 600 square km of Iyiyuu lands and waters. The reservoir will flood portions of five traplines associated with the communities of Eastmain (RE-1 and VC-37), Nemaska (R-19) and Mistissini (M-18 and M-14A). The Nadoshtin Agreement, signed in February 2002, provides funding for environmental remediation related to the EM-1 project, and for other things like job training and work contracts. While these will partially mitigate the negative effects of the project, it is fair to ask: what knowledge, memories and stories of the area will remain, decades after the flooding? What is the The program is designed to document and protect various aspects of the cultural heritage of the area affected by the EM-1 project. This includes archaeological sites and burial sites, as well as the knowledge and stories of families from the three affected communities significance of this area to Crees who lived here for thousands of years, and how will this story be passed on once the lands are no longer there? The Nadoshtin Agreement also allows Crees to address these and other questions through the Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Fund, to be used in carrying out the Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Program, or ACHP. The program is designed to document and protect various aspects of the cultural heritage of the area affected by the EM-1 project. This includes archaeological sites and burial sites, as well as the knowledge and stories of families from the three affected communities. This information will be collected over the next few years by a project team that will include local residents as well as other Cree and non-cree staff members. Under the Nadoshtin Agreement, a new Cree-controlled corporation called Nadoshtin Companee has been created. Nadoshtin Companee s board of directors includes representatives from Eastmain, Nemaska, Mistissini and from the CRA, as well as from Hydro-Québec, and is chaired by Rusty Cheezo. This board oversees all the activities carried out under the Agreement, including the ACHP. In August 2002, the CRA was given a mandate by Nadoshtin Companee to begin implementing the ACHP, including hiring a coordinator, setting up a Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, carrying out a historical study relating to potential archaeological sites, and holding a workshop. This work is being carried out by the CRA s Traditional Pursuits Department, whose staff has many years of experience in the area of archaeology and cultural heritage. While the current contract expires at the end of March 2003, if this model of cooperation and support is successful it may be continued for future years of the project. The ACHP Project Team Currently the three co-authors form the principal staff of the Nadoshtin ACHP. We have worked closely together to develop the project s goals and methods during this first year of funding, and are now putting together a work plan for the next 5 6 years. In future years, the project team will include more Crees, working on all aspects of the project from archaeological and ethnographic research to communicating results through educational products and media. 21
The Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee met twice during the workshop, in addition to taking part in regular sessions. (l-r), Johnny and Tony Neeposh of Mistissini, along with Eastmain delegates Hattie Moses, Florrie Mark-Stewart and Sally Gilpin, and Waskaganish Cultural Institute representative Jim Chism, took part in the follow-up meeting. 22 Donovan Moses is the Program Coordinator, managing various aspects of the project and developing skills and expertise in others. Donovan has a close connection to the EM-1 area as his family s trapline will be most affected by the new reservoir. His role as coordinator, which involves interviewing local residents, gives Donovan the chance to work directly with his own family, including his grandmother Hattie and his father, Grand Chief Ted Moses. He will also learn about the history and traditional use of the Nadoshtin area from many other families in Eastmain, Nemaska and Mistissini. Mistissini tallyman Robert Jimiken acts as translator during the second day of the workshop, while David Denton takes notes. David Denton, CRA archaeologist, is providing his expertise to the project and giving guidance and support to Donovan during his initial training. David has managed many projects in the Cree communities over the years, including archaeological studies in Wemindji, Mistissini and other parts of the territory. He also works with the local Cultural Coordinators on various projects and programs. David and Donovan both work out of an office in Val-d Or. Kreg Ettenger, a consulting anthropologist based in Montréal, is providing his services on a contract basis to the CRA. He has worked on a number of projects in the Cree communities over the past decade, most recently on the offshore islands claim and the protection of Muskuuchii (Bear Mountain). He is helping to document the cultural knowledge and values related to the EM-1 area, and will also help develop the communication products that will eventually be created through the project. Community Ownership and Control The ACHP has an Advisory Committee made up of ten members selected by their respective communities. The structure of the committee was determined by Nadoshtin Companee. Eastmain, Nemaska and Mistissini each have three representatives, including the local Cultural Coordinators, while Waskaganish, whose lands are not directly affected by the EM-1 project, has one representative. The role of the committee is to provide guidance and community input into all aspects of the project, including research and communication activities, ethics, methods and other issues. The committee will help determine, for example, how cultural artifacts are displayed, how sacred knowledge or stories are treated and how different types of Cree knowledge should best be collected and communicated. This guidance will be crucial to the success of the project, and help to ensure that all ACHP activities and products respect local interests and concerns, and accurately reflect residents knowledge and wisdom. The committee will meet several times per year and communicate with the project team on a regular basis. The committee members will also provide an important link with other residents of the communities, especially those families whose territories will be most affected by the flooding and other changes to the land. Mistissini resident and ACHP Advisory Committee member Johnny Neeposh listens to the presentation. Nadoshtin ACHP Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee Eastmain Sally Gilpin* Florrie Mark-Stewart Harry Moses Hattie Moses (alternate) Nemaska Isaac Meskino* Peter Wapachee John Tent Noah Wapachee (alternate) Mistissini Tony Neeposh* Johnny Neeposh George Cannashish Waskaganish Walter Hester, Jr. Alec Weistche (alternate) *Cultural coordinator The ACHP in a Nutshell The ACHP is designed to collect information about the cultural heritage of the EM-1 project area, to preserve this information for future generations, and to create and distribute educational products for both Cree and non-cree audiences. The three types of information that will be documented are (1) archaeological sites and artifacts, (2) cultural knowledge and values and (3) burial sites. This information will be collected through a combination of community research, archaeological fieldwork, and other techniques to be determined by the project team and the local communities. (continued on page 26) 23
26 (continued from page 23) One of the main goals of the Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Program is to pass on the knowledge of the areas affected by the EM-1 project to future generations of Cree, as well as to non-cree who are interested in learning more about local culture and history. The findings of the study will be communicated through various products, including exhibits and displays of cultural artifacts; books, maps and other printed materials; electronic media such as film, video and audio; and possibly interactive multimedia products like CD-ROMs or DVDs. In this way the cultural heritage of Nadoshtin will not only be preserved, but transmitted to young people using the types of products that they are most familiar with. The ACHP therefore can play an important role in the preservation of Cree language and culture, even if the land itself is changed forever. The series of large rapids above Nadoshtin are featured in a number of local stories and legends, many involving notions of power and danger. Hunters have been known to fall deathly ill, for example, after visiting the area around the falls. Collecting such stories before this section of the river is dammed and flooded by the EM-1 reservoir is an important part of the ACHP. With respect to burials, at the request of the next of kin, the Nadoshtin Agreement requires that the Nadoshtin Companee identify burial sites in areas affected by the project, and endeavour to relocate or provide suitable alternate means of remembrance of Cree dead buried in such sites. In the past, Crees have opted for various forms of remembrance and commemoration and have avoided relocation of burials, a choice which will likely be followed again for the EM-1 project. One final goal of the ACHP is to provide employment and training for Crees interested in cultural heritage and related topics. Some Crees, especially younger people with interests in these areas, will receive training in the methods used by archaeologists, anthropologists and others who document cultural heritage. There may also be training and employment in video and audio production or other areas that relate to the communication aspect of the project. The first few months of work on the ACHP has mainly involved explaining the project to local families and doing planning and preparation for future years. In addition to the preliminary research and other activities described below, we have been developing a strategy for carrying out various studies, communicating the results, and building local capacity. There has also been considerable preparation in the form of gathering tools and resources needed for the project and training staff in their use. This careful planning and development will eventually lead to better research and education, and to a greater sense of community involvement and ownership of the project. Community Meetings and Interviews Among the initial activities of the ACHP has been background research to get a better sense of general patterns of Cree use of this area. The focus for this work has been the identification of areas which, based on the knowledge of local people, may have archaeological potential. In September and October some 15 interviews were conducted in Eastmain and Nemaska with family groups from all three affected communities to further explain the project and collect preliminary information. The main focus of these preliminary interviews was on collecting local knowledge that could help identify areas of archaeological potential, since field surveys must begin in 2003. Information collected included locations and descriptions of old camp sites, travel routes, resource harvesting locations, burial sites, and place names. The data was recorded on maps and will help guide ACHP archaeologists as they begin field surveys in the coming months. The information will also be used to identify possible sites for historic re-enactments, demonstrations of traditional activities, and so on. Above, Donovan demonstrates the map-generating features of the MapInfo GIS software being used by the project. The interviews also provided families with the chance to share their knowledge, stories and memories of the land, to help us understand more fully the Cree occupation of this area. Topics covered in various interviews included historic land-use patterns, local ecology, stories and legends, and family history. This information will also be used to guide the planned archaeological investigations as well as inform future research and communication related to the cultural knowledge and values of the area. All interviews were recorded using audio and videotape, which may ultimately be used to help create educational and cultural products. We know that we have barely scratched the surface with this information, and that putting together a full portrait of the EM-1 area, its history and significance will take several years. While the ACHP provides funding for this period, the land itself will be flooded within the next 3 4 years, and some changes are already affecting the area. This means that project staff and local residents will have to work hard to document the cultural heritage of this important part of Eeyou Istchee before it is gone forever. Getting a Feel for the Land: Site Visits and Burn Surveys To collect more information on archaeological sites and other aspects of local history, Donovan Moses and David Denton visited the camp of Matthew Wapachee, tallyman of trapline R-19, for a week in late September. During this period it was possible to visit a number of old camping areas with Mr. Wapachee and learn a great deal 27
transmit information that will be useful to future generations, as well as to tell their own personal or family stories connected to the project area. They would also like see the products of the ACHP have broader relevance to the Cree communities. Another issue discussed was the ownership of artifacts discovered in the project area. According to Quebec law, any cultural artifacts found in the province become the property of Quebec, regardless of who made them or where they are found (with limited exceptions, like Category 1B lands in the James Bay territory). At the workshop, several participants spoke out against Quebec retaining possession of artifacts found in the EM-1 area, and said they believe the Cree communities should have the right to these objects as part of their cultural heritage. Feedback from the workshop, as well as further discussions with the Advisory Committee and local families, will help the ACHP develop a formal position on this important issue, which will then be discussed with the province. 28 Documenting the activities of the ACHP through the use of photos, video and audio is an important project goal. Above, Donovan records Matthew describing the use of a canoe sled. concerning the recent and historic use of the portion of his trapline that will be affected by the EM-1 reservoir. The first-hand information obtained about the area will be helpful in selecting areas of high archaeological potential for this zone. The on-site visit also permitted identification of sites that are significant in terms of the recent history of the area, and which could serve as a focus for educational or commemorative activities. Finally, the visit provided the ideal setting for recounting stories and personal accounts of the area, many of which took place at campsites, portages or other significant locations. An aerial survey of several areas burned by last year s wildfires was also conducted in October. The goal was to determine whether these and other recent fires may have created conditions in which archaeological sites are more readily visible on the ground surface. Our conclusion was that the surface vegetation of most areas burned in the 1990s has regrown, and that finding archaeological sites there is just as difficult as in other areas. Only in areas burned in the 1990s and then again in 2002 was there significant exposure of the ground surface. Most such sites occur outside the area that will be affected by the EM-1 reservoir, however, such as Nadoshtin. ACHP Pow-Wow: the January Workshop In mid-january 2003, families from Eastmain, Nemaska and Mistissini (along with other local and regional representatives) came together in Eastmain to hear about and discuss the Program. The purpose of the workshop was to explain the ACHP in more detail and seek input concerning program goals, methods and general orientations. The workshop also allowed the ACHP staff to display maps and present initial results of the interviewing work and site visits carried out in the fall, and to seek feedback on this work. Finally, the workshop provided the ideal opportunity for members of the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee to be introduced, and to become more aware of community interests and concerns regarding the ACHP. The workshop raised some of the issues that need to be resolved in coming weeks, and generated discussion on the many topics, stories, and values to be considered. A sentiment expressed by several participants was the importance of collecting the traditional knowledge and stories held by elders in the three communities. Examples were given of some of the types of knowledge that should be documented, such as traditional medicine, wildlife harvesting and food processing methods, and so on. Local families, in general, wish to record and Considerable attention was devoted to burial sites and their importance in Cree culture. Participants stated that, in general, burial sites within the project area should not be relocated, even if they lie within the eventual area of flooding. It was felt that moving or disturbing human remains would be a sign of disrespect, whereas leaving them where they were would not pose any serious ethical or spiritual problem. On the other hand, there is concern that some burials will not simply be covered with water following the flooding, but may be disturbed by erosion or construction activities. Participants emphasized that there are many grave sites from the distant past that can never be identified and that any memorial services and commemorative monuments should take these unknown ancestors into consideration. The Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee will play a key role in developing ACHP policy concerning burial sites and proposing appropriate means of remembrance. Advisory Committee Meetings The January workshop provided the setting for the first meetings of the Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee. The meetings covered a lot of ground, from intellectual property issues to project schedule and goals. One clear direction from the committee involves the importance of taking groups of youth on the land with knowledgeable elders to point out certain sites, tell stories, and demonstrate traditional activities. And if these on-the-land sessions can be properly recorded, then the teachings can be preserved and shared more widely. If possible, the committee would like to see such activities carried out in conjunction with archaeological surveys. Also mentioned was the idea of holding additional workshops to collect information on specific topics, arranged by season or type of activity. Such workshops could include topics like traditional medicine, food preparation, wildlife harvesting techniques, myths and legends, childhood in the bush, and so forth. This idea will be further explored in the ACHP Work Plan, currently in preparation. Workshop participants came from four communities (Eastmain, Nemaska, Mistissini and Waskaganish), two Cree entities (the Cree School Board and the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay), and Hydro-Québec. 29
Conclusion For the families concerned, it is clear that the ACHP and whatever educational products and programs will be developed cannot hope to make up for the flooding of the land and waters in the EM-1 project area. Still, in this difficult context of loss, the ACHP can be seen as a remarkable opportunity for the families, individuals Forestry in Eeyou Istchee: One Year Later It has been a busy year full of change and challenge for everyone involved with forestry in Eeyou Istchee. For the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), it has meant learning to adapt to the needs of the Crees. For the forestry industry, it has meant revising plans to account for many of the new rules that the measures within the Adapted Forestry Regime have brought about. For the Cree members of the local Joint Working Groups, it has meant establishing offices, developing databases and becoming acquainted with the state-of-the-art mapping technologies. For the Cree tallymen and hunters, it has meant meetings and more meetings! 30 1 YEAR and communities concerned to fully document and explore the significance of these lands; to remember and show respect to the ancestors buried there; to celebrate their knowledge, values and traditions; and to share these things with others. For more information, please contact Program Coordinator Donovan Moses at the ACHP office in Val d Or (819-825-9603), or Nadoshtin Companee General Manager, Rusty Cheezo, at the Nadoshtin Companee office in Eastmain (819-977-2110). In the photo above, ACHP Coordinator Donovan Moses (right) listens to Eastmain trapper Abel Moses describe his use of the Nadoshtin area. Unlike most of the community interviews, this one was conducted at Abel s camp near the Matagami LG2 highway. While it is only year one of the three-year transitional phase, we are already witnessing numerous favourable changes in the way that forestry is conducted in Eeyou Istchee. First and foremost is that the Crees now have an organized voice in the planning process. Each of the five Cree communities affected by forestry operations has successfully established local Joint Working Group offices and begun the arduous task of consultation. Since February of last year, the Cree local Joint Working Group members have been meeting with Tallymen in order to identify areas of their traplines to be permanently preserved. The Tallymen have also been identifying special wildlife areas where logging will have to be done, carefully, through mosaic cutting. With the aid of the MNR Joint Working Group members, this information has been transmitted to the various forestry companies operating in the territory. These companies have revised their forestry plans to respect the wishes of the Cree Tallymen. In some cases, this has meant relocating their planned operations to different parts of the trapline or rerouting a road to avoid sensitive areas on the traplines. Despite the added time and in some cases expense, the forestry companies have been adjusting to this new element of planning. Another important change that has come about since the Agreement was signed is the application of restrictions on how much of a trapline can be deforested. Previous to the Agreement, forestry companies had the legal right to log 100% of the trees on a trapline. With the new provisions of the Adapted Forestry Regime no more than 40% of a trapline can be deforested in a 20-year period. This also includes natural disturbances such as fire and insect defoliation. The forest disturbance map on the following page illustrates the current impact of these provisions. As can be seen, the traplines coloured in red are those currently closed to all logging. Those coloured in orange have between 30 and 39% of their forests already disturbed and will be closed to logging in the near future. The yellow areas have between 15 29% disturbance and the traplines coloured in green have been 0 14%. It must be emphasized that this map will change over time. Those traplines that are currently closed will reopen as the trees on those traplines grow back. However, what is assured is that no trapline will ever have more than 40% of its forests removed by logging at any given time. One challenge that has recently been met, was establishing firm trapline boundaries for the purposes of forest management. In the New Agreement traplines are identified as the key unit for all forestry planning. As a result it was necessary for the Cree Tallymen to come together and finalize the placement of these boundaries. This process has been conducted locally over the past year. In March the Tallymen from all five of the southern communities affected by forestry met in Waswanipi to finalize the intercommunity boundaries. This exercise was a success due to the efforts of the CTA, the Cree Joint Working Group members, the CRA and the representatives from Waswanipi who generously hosted the meeting. With the trapline boundaries firmly in place, future forestry planning can proceed more efficiently. 31 Satellite photos such as the LandSat 7 image above are helpful in identifying possible sites for archaeological investigation. In this image of the Eastmain River near Nadoshtin, areas burned by recent forest fires (reddish-brown patches) stand out clearly from the surrounding forest. Burned areas are easier to survey for archaeological sites, since much of the ground cover has already been removed. An aerial survey of some of these areas was conducted by ACHP staff in the fall of 2002, as explained at the workshop.
While it is only year one of the three-year transitional phase, we are already witnessing numerous favourable changes in the way that forestry is conducted in Eeyou Istchee. 32 With the new provisions of the Adapted Forestry Regime no more than 40% of a trapline can be deforested in a 20-year period. This also includes natural disturbances such as fire and insect defoliation. The forest disturbance map at left illustrates the current impact of these provisions. An important outcome of the Agreement can be seen in the number of new employment opportunities that have been created as a result of the positive environment in the territory. Increasingly, individual Tallymen are being offered direct silviculture contracts for areas on their traplines. In Waswanipi for example, two Tallymen have taken on contracts and hired local people for tree planting. In Ouje-Bougoumou, the number of contracts being offered to the community by forestry companies has increased significantly. As one member of the community expressed, we used to have to call and almost beg for contracts, now they call us and provide their list and ask us to pick the contracts we want. In Mistissini, the unexpected forest fire has created several positions related to road clearing and maintenance for those families affected by the fire. Internally, it is estimated that between 10 12 new positions in the communities have been, or will be created to administer the new forestry provisions of the Agreement. These positions include mapping, monitoring and consultation related work that the Joint Working Groups are responsible for at the local level. 33
34 These new opportunities are also in addition to the jobs created by Mistuk and Nabakatuk operations in Waswanipi with their new 70,000 m 3 of timber supply. This timber allocation is the first instalment of the 350,000 m 3 scheduled to be granted to the Crees over the next two years. In reviewing the past year, the implementation of chapter 3 has been, for the most part, successful, however some key issues remain. The most prominent is the timely creation of the Cree Quebec Forestry Board, the implementation of which is overdue. In the spring of 2002, the Council/Board nominated the Cree members to this Board and are now awaiting Quebec to reciprocate. However, Quebec has indicated that it does not want to appoint members to the Board until Board Chair has been named. Finding a suitable candidate for Chairperson has been a difficult process. At one point the Crees and Quebec had agreed on a candidate, however that individual withdrew his name after having received a university position. The Crees and Quebec are still looking for a qualified person, however the Cree members of the Standing Liaison Committee have suggested that the Board should begin to meet with a Standing Liaison Committee member as acting Chair, or even begin meeting without a Chair. Quebec is currently reviewing this proposal. Forest Fires Summer 2002 The first real test of the new Adapted Forestry Regime came this summer when several large forest fires burned in the Nemaska and Mistissini regions. The negotiators did not contemplate catastrophic events like this when the provisions for forestry were set in place. As a result the Crees and the MNR were faced with uncharted waters when it came to determining how to address these fires. The MNR, interested in preserving jobs and salvaging timber, set up a generous incentive program to encourage the forestry companies to log in these large burns. However, one of the two key burned areas was north of the commercial forestry limit and the affected Cree Tallymen became concerned about the impacts of a salvage logging operation so far north. They viewed the fire as a blessing, because it would ensure the speedy renewal of the animal habitat on their traplines. As has been the case with other salvaged burned areas, they were concerned that logging on these burned areas would slow down forest renewal for many years. The other major fire east of Lake Mistissini occurred mostly on one trapline and resulted in a 60% disturbance of the productive forest. Technically, under the new provisions that limits disturbance to a maximum of 40%, this trapline could have been considered closed to all logging. Without specific measures to address catastrophic events within the new Adapted Forestry Regime, the Crees and the MNR were left to resolve the issue through consultation. In the case of the fire north of the commercial limit, it was decided, based on the decision of the Tallymen affected, that this area would not be salvaged. For the Tallymen affected by the other fire east of Lake Mistissini, they agreed to allow salvage operations so long as specific protective measures were applied and a thorough consultation process was undertaken. As a result, the Tallymen flew over the burned areas of the trapline and made specific changes to where the access road would be placed. It was 35
36 also agreed that harvesting would be conducted within blocks no larger than 400 ha. Furthermore, 20% of the burned stands within these blocks were to be left as residual seed stands to ensure timely renewal of the site. Other measures included an understanding that only burned trees would be harvested and that the entire area would be closed to logging for a period not less than 20 years after the salvage operations were completed. These special measures were developed through consultative meetings with the Tallymen directly affected, the MNR, the concerned forestry companies, and representatives from the Mistissini and the GCCEI in late November 2002. The Cree parties involved understood that salvage plans would be developed in accordance with these measures and that they would have an opportunity to review these plans before salvage operations began. Unfortunately, none of this occurred. For reasons that are still not clear at this time, the MNR authorized salvage operations to begin without specific cutting plans. The result has been very disappointing for the Crees. It now appears that neither the MNR, nor companies have interpreted the special measures in the same fashion as the Crees, even though all were present at the meeting when the measures were established. What is more disturbing is that the two companies involved in the salvage operations each interpreted these measures differently. In a preliminary review of the salvage operations, it appears as if Chantier Chibougamau Ltee treated the burned forest as one contiguous block. In other words, their salvage cutting was done in one singular block, far exceeding the Crees expectation of a 400 ha maximum. While the company appears to have left the required amount of residual forest (20%), this has been within one massive cut block. Abitibi-Consolidated, on the other hand, appears to have done its cutting in smaller blocks as expected by the Crees, however they do not appear to have left the required 20% residual stands that the Crees expected. For its part, the MNR has not been able to offer a satisfactory explanation for the difference of interpretation of the special measures between the two companies, nor has the MNR been able to demonstrate that an official interpretation of the special provisions was ever transmitted to the two forestry companies. Representatives from the GCCEI have indicated that any differences in interpretation of these special measures would have been revealed in the cutting plans, and that this was why they had been insisting that these plans be filed with the Crees for review. As it stands, the entire matter is being reviewed by the GCCEI and the Mistissini leadership and representatives from the MNR have indicated that they will support an assessment of the salvage operations and will attempt to work with the Crees to ensure the matter is resolved to their satisfaction. This work is ongoing. The Kanak Visit The Canadian mining giant, InCO Limited, is currently seeking approval to develop several large open-pit mines on the Island. Each of these projects is to be developed in environmentally sensitive areas adjacent to the world s second largest coral reef. Members of the Ottawa staff were honoured with a visit from a delegation of Indigenous representatives from the Island of Kanaky-New Caledonia in the South Pacific. The eight delegates were on a fact-finding mission to review the political strategies of Canadian Aboriginal Peoples. They were interested in meeting with the Grand Council to discuss strategies and share experiences in the promotion and protection of their rights as Indigenous Peoples. The Canadian mining giant, InCO Limited, is currently seeking approval to develop several large open-pit mines on the Island. Each of these projects is to be developed in environmentally sensitive areas adjacent to the world s second largest coral reef. These areas are critical to the Kanak Peoples economy and culture. Philip Awashish briefed the Kanak delegation on the history of the Cree Nation and the political activities of the Grand Council. Romeo Saganash also provided information related to the Grand Council s international work and a review of the key features of the Cree-Quebec New Relationship Agreement. 37
New Protected Areas for Waskaganish Territory Early in March, Quebec Ministers of the Environment and Natural Resources jointly announced the creation of five new protected areas in the Waskaganish territory. Included in Quebec s list of new areas are the Ministikawatin Peninsula, Boatswain Bay, the Missisicabi Plain, the lower section of the Harricana River and Muskuuchii. Boumhounan One year later The New Relationship with Quebec Agreement is intended to favour a global approach to development while favouring greater autonomy and responsibility on behalf of the Crees. It also commits the parties to a development model based on the principles of sustainable development, partnership and respect for the traditional way of life of the Crees. One year after the signature of this historic agreement, it is too early to judge if the initiative is a success. However, we have begun our discussions with Quebec representatives and we believe that with continued dialogue and effort among the Crees, HQ and the government of Québec, there is every reason to believe the Crees will substantially benefit from the efforts of the parties. 38 The latter area, Muskuuchii, is distinct because it was an identified joint Cree/Quebec project in the La Paix des Braves Agreement. Under the Agreement, both governments agreed to work toward protecting this environmentally and culturally sensitive site. After several months of work between various departments of the Government of Quebec, The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and the Council of Waskaganish the participants agreed on an area of suitable scope to protect the unique natural and historic importance of Muskuuchii. Established Protected Areas: Biodiversity Reserves and Aquatic Reserves The Eastmain-1-A/ Rupert diversion project is in the feasibility and design-study stage. Intensive fieldwork The Eastmain-1-A/Rupert diversion project is in the feasibility and design-study stage. Intensive fieldwork to collect data was carried out from May to October 2002. Hydro-Québec plans to file an environmental impact assessment report in early 2004, in order to obtain the necessary government approvals. The construction should begin in 2005 if these approvals are granted. The diversion is presently targeted for completion in 2007 and the Eastmain-1-A powerhouse for commissioning in 2010. The Cree/Hydro-Québec Feasibility study group was created by the Boumhounan agreement and has met seven times since. Its last meeting took place on January 30 and 31, 2003 in the community of Waskaganish, while previous meetings have been held in Mistissini, Nemaska and Montréal. to collect data was carried out from May to October 2002. Hydro-Québec plans to file an environmental impact assessment report in early 39 2004, in order to obtain the necessary government approvals. Chief John Longchap
The group is composed of six members representing Cree entities and six members representing Hydro-Québec/SEBJ. The representatives of the Cree communities and entities are as follows: Vice-Chairman Paul Gull, Cree Regional Authority Donald Gilpin, Cree Trappers Association Stanley Gilpin, Eastmain Lawrence Jimiken, Nemaska Wilbert Shecapio, Mistissini Simeon Trapper, Waskaganish 40 There are also local coordinators in each of these four communities, as well as in Chisasibi and in Wemindji. They are as follows: Robbie Tapiatic, Chisasibi Roderick Mayappo, Eastmain Johnny Jolly, Mistissini Steven Neeposh, Nemaska Jeffrey Salt, Waskaganish David Visitor, Wemindji The SEBJ periodically informs and consults with the Cree representatives in the study group on the following issues: Study programs (technical and environmental) Inventory results (technical and environmental) Development and operations design concepts, impacts and mitigation measures Monitoring and follow-up programs Studies have been carried out with the cooperation and participation of the communities and the Cree hunters concerning the following matters: Geomorphology Fish studies Sturgeon studies Vegetation and rare species Large and small game Avifauna Cree land use, hunting, fishing and trapping Social aspects Regional economy and economic spin-off Non-native land use and access roads Archeology Forestry Throughout the summer, a number of Crees worked with specialists and technicians on the above mentioned studies. The overall number of hours of work by the Crees on these feasibility studies has amounted to 60,000 hours, through various service contract agreements. The Boumhounan Agreement created various committees and working groups to address technical issues and to facilitate the carrying out of the various studies needed for Hydro-Québec to get the necessary environmental permits to build the EM1A-Rupert Diversion project. Although these committees meet regularly, the results of these meetings are as yet limited as it is early in the process. More feedback is needed to inform the community representatives of the actions taken to respond to their concerns about the shape and content of studies being carried out. Hélène Leduc Deputy Grand Chief Paul Gull In January 2002, Deputy Grand Chief Paul Gull met with community representatives on the HQ-Cree feasibility study working group to get their impressions on a range of issues. Although community representatives were quick to point out that there were no strong preferences in the communities for or against the EM1A-Rupert Diversion project, there has yet to be sufficient information provided by SEBJ or Hydro-Québec on the scope, impacts and potential benefits of the project to the entire community. In particular, there are growing concerns that training programs will not be in place or will not have been completed sufficiently prior to construction to enable the Crees to benefit from employment opportunities to be created by the project. The community representatives on the HQ-Cree feasibility study group are feeling a sense of isolation, as it is as yet unclear who they could ask for assistance within the CRA and Band Councils. The focus of Hydro-Québec studies and local consultations has been on the families potentially impacted by the project, not the community at large. In addition, more and more people want to know the status of the EM1A-Rupert Diversion Project. There is a general consensus among the communities impacted that studies are proceeding too quickly, and that there has not been enough time to respond. Summary of issues raised by community representatives: Due to time restrictions and restrictions imposed on mandates by Hydro-Québec, researchers are focussing their information gathering on the families impacted, and not on the community at large. There are concerns about the training programs, and whether they will be completed in time for the youth to get jobs. The studies are going very quickly, and people are just beginning to understand what it involves. The important issue that many ask about is how a project of this size could be finalized on the basis of studies covering only one year. There is great concern about the residual flow and the placement of the weirs below the diversion point. The communities would like a visual tool to show them what it would look like with 20% to 50% residual flow as the volume of water gradually increases down the river to its mouth. 41
Weh-Sees Indohoun and Ad-Hoc Committee Together were created pursuant to the Nadoshtin Agreement for the purposes of the Eastmain-1 project. Control the access to fish and wildlife and manage the harvesting thereof during the construction phase of the project. Provide opportunities to promote the development and diversification thereof during the construction phase of the project. Jean Paul Murdoch 42 Ad-Hoc Committee In March 2002, the committee submitted its proposal to the Minister responsible for the FAPAQ and it was approved. The first of its discussions began in January 2002. This committee was created to assist the Weh-Sees Indohoun Corporation. Mandated to draft a proposal, in which it defines: the area for wildlife management the conditions of harvesting in the said area a plan in conformity with the JBNQA the human, financial and material resources needed a methodology for evaluating the harvest and the results of enforcements of the regulations. In March 2002, the committee submitted its proposal to the Minister responsible for the FAPAQ and it was approved. Composed of representatives from the Cree parties, Hydro-Québec and the Société de la faune et des parcs du Québec. Members of the committee: Cree party René Dion Hydro-Québec Rejean Gagnon Richard Laforest Société de la faune et des parcs du Québec David Erdely Denis Vandal Rules govern small game hunting and fishing and also govern sports moose hunting, except in the sectors closed to both fishing and moose hunting. Members of the committee Deputy Grand Chief Paul Gull Chief John Longchap Hugo Hester Lloyd Mayappo Matthew Wapachee Richard Laforest Réjean Gagnon Richard Verdon Hélène Leduc Cree Regional Authority Cree Nation of Mistissini Crees of the Waskaganish First Nation Cree Nation of Eastmain Cree Nation of Nemaska Hydro-Québec Hydro-Québec Hydro-Québec Hydro-Québec The Special hunting and fishing zone (Zone 22) came into effect on June 1, 2002. Covering a total area of approximately 9,000 km 2. Within the zone there is a sector that is closed to moose hunting and another sector closed to fishing. Rules govern small game hunting and fishing and also govern sports moose hunting, except in the sectors closed to both fishing and moose hunting. 43 Weh-Sees Indohoun The boundaries of the established zone include: Number of meetings: 2 The founding meeting was held in Nemaska on November 26, 2002. The second meeting in Montréal on February 13, 2003. It s mandated to: Promote the conservation of fish and wildlife and ecosystems in accordance with the definition of conservation in the JBNQA. All of the land and bodies of water affected by the future Eastmain-1 reservoir and the future Rupert Diversion. All permanent or temporary access infrastructures and reception facilities associated with both projects. Nemaska Category I and II lands. Habitat of wildlife that is thought to be vulnerable in the short term.
Vocational Training Centre to be Built in Waswanipi The Cree School Board, with financial support from the Quebec government, will build a Vocational Training Centre in the community of Waswanipi. In addition to training facilities, the centre will provide residences for students and for training and support staff. The $18.3 million required to build the centre will be provided by the Province of Quebec s Ministère de l éducation. The money will cover the cost of the facility, the residences and any equipment required for the study programs. Sylvain Simard, Quebec s Minister of State for Education and Employment, says the vocational centre will allow young people as well as adults of the Cree Nation to increase their qualifications and to receive the training they need in their own territory. That sentiment is shared by the Cree School Board s Gordon Blackned who says the centre s flexibility it has the ability to adapt its training programs to meet the needs of the region s businesses will go a long way to supporting the continuing growth of the Cree Nation. The partnership that led to the creation of the Vocational Training Centre is the result of the new relationship that now exists between the Government of Quebec and the Cree Nation. 44 The new centre will offer a wide variety of study areas. Proposed programs include: cooking, carpentry, cabinet making, worksite equipment mechanics, landscaping work, fitting and welding, northern building maintenance, secretarial skills, accounting and starting a business. Officials had originally planned to release plans for the training centre in December 2002 but a number of issues had to be resolved. As a result, the time frame for construction has been moved back as well. The Director General of the Cree School Board, Gordon Blackned, says there is a strong possibility that construction will commence in the fall or early winter of 2003. The centre is expected to open in December 2004 or January 2005. While the Cree School Board already offers a variety of vocational training workshops, they are currently spread over several communities in the region. Mr. Blackned says the new facility should make it easier for students throughout northern Quebec to obtain the training they need. The new centre will offer a wide variety of study areas. Proposed programs include: cooking, carpentry, cabinet making, worksite equipment mechanics, landscaping work, fitting and welding, northern building maintenance, secretarial skills, accounting and starting a business. Also, the school is being established on a sectoral approach. That means programs will be offered on an alternating basis. 45
46 The Troilus Agreement The Cree Nation of Mistissini and Inmet Mining Corporation (formerly known as METALL) entered into an agreement in 1995 respecting the Troilus Mine, before startup of the project in 1996. The negotiations leading up to the agreement were difficult as the community of Mistissini needed access to a fair share of the economic benefits and the mining corporation was faced with the marginal economics of the project. At the time, both parties were faced with restrictive interpretations of the Quebec Government on Cree participation in development. The Agreement establishes a working relationship between the community and the corporation concerning: Cree employment, training, contracts and business opportunities and other issues such as the environment and certain mitigating works. An Implementation Committee was set up where representatives of the community and corporation discuss all matters relating to the Agreement. This committee played a key role in the development and planning stages reviewing the hiring process, working conditions, job descriptions and training to ensure that Crees could access the jobs at the site. The hiring of a Cree Employment Coordinator was a key to the success at the mine site and throughout the life of the project. Cree employment levels at the mine site have consistently met or exceeded the target levels of 25% of direct employment, amounting to some 75 direct employees. In addition, some 15 additional full-time Cree jobs were created through subcontracts to Cree-related enterprises and an additional 10+ positions are provided through other contractual opportunities. The community gives great importance to the Agreement and the Chief regularly attends meetings of the committee. The local Council visits the mine site to recognize and express appreciation for the efforts of the employer. The mining company has also appointed a senior head office official to sit as a regular member of the committee. The depressed metal prices and marginal economics associated with the project required that the Cree party work with the employer to meet the challenges. At the same time, INMET has consistently recognized the importance of the Cree workforce and has invested time and money to ensure that the Crees play an important role at the mine site. The Troilus Agreement is a positive example of how a developer and local Crees can work together for the common interests. Exercise and Healthy Eating: Solutions to Childhood Obesity Weight problems, including obesity, are becoming a serious health problem among Cree school children and adolescents in Eeyou Istchee. A recent study, carried out by public health departments, schools and clinics in three communities in cooperation with the Public Health Department of the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, revealed the seriousness of the problem. The study compared the heights and weights of 6- to 12-year-olds in schools today with Cree children of the same age 50 years ago. Two officials who took part in the study in Chisasibi Rose Iserhoff, a CHR, and Violet Bates, a Public Health Officer described the study s findings as alarming. Between 1930 and 1950, only two Cree children in every 100 (aged 6 12) were considered obese, they said. Today, that number is closer to 35 out of a 100. By contrast, only 17 school children out of 100 throughout Quebec are considered obese. The study, which was conducted in Nemaska and Wemindji as well as Chisasibi, found that almost as many children are also overweight. This means that in Eeyou Istchee, up to six of every 10 Cree children are either overweight or obese. Solomon Awashish, who works with the regional Public Health Department, says the solution lies in relearning healthy lifestyles, eating healthier foods and becoming more physically active. In the old days, Cree society was physically active. Kids always played outside. As parents, we must learn more about nutrition and start doing more physical activity with our children, just like our ancestors did, says Solomon. In this age of technology, with computers, Internet, TV and video games, we need to find healthier ways to entertain ourselves. We should look to our Cree Elders for guidance." Dr. David Dannenbaum warns that childhood obesity can cause a number of health problems, including diabetes. In fact, diabetes among Aboriginal children and youth has increased dramatically in recent years, the result of children being overweight, less active and eating unhealthy foods. In Manitoba, for example, youth diagnosed with diabetes are having heart attacks, kidney failure and even dying by the age of 25. The Cree Health Board is also supporting the work of Noreen Willows, a University of Alberta Professor of Nutrition who is studying the increase in obesity among Cree children. She believes that a marked decrease in physical activity and a major change in diet largely due to store foods are contributing to the increase. She also cited the fact that many Crees see fat in their food as nourishing and consider extra weight as a sign of robustness and strength. In the past, most Crees associated thinness with weakness, infectious diseases or tuberculosis. In light of the seriousness of the problem, the Public Health Department is beginning to work with local and regional Cree officials to develop effective and culturally sensitive strategies to prevent weight problems among Cree children. Here are a few ways you can help your children overcome weight problems: Limit children to 30 minutes of TV, video and computer activities a day or to certain days of the week. Promote healthy food in the home; if there are no chips, pop or other junk food in the house, your children can t eat them. Encourage your children to walk to school and play outside. Be a healthy role model; choose healthy food, eliminate junk food, limit TV time and walk to work if possible. For more information, contact your local clinic or the regional Public Health Department. 47
We re not just isolated communities. We have access to the world and we re known around the world and we re recognized. We re one of the strongest Aboriginal nations people know the Crees. It s because of public awareness. Ted Moses