Torn between the distrust inherited from a difficult past and the optimism born from a new historic collaboration, the community of Pessamit dared to hope for the path to possible economic reconciliation. The dialogue, renewed with this framework agreement concluded between the band council, Quebec and Hydro-Québec, marks the happy beginning of a road map towards a new egalitarian relationship. Responsibility for its success will now fall to the government and the Crown corporation.
The signing of this two-year truce, with a view to the conclusion, at the end of negotiations, of an “egalitarian partnership” for the development and exploitation of the Innu territory, was far from assured. The scars from decades of building dams and hydroelectric plants without consultation, as well as the flooding of land and a cemetery, remain deep. The tensions were such, just a year ago, that Minister Ian Lafrenière, to whom the role of head of Relations with the First Nations and Inuit obviously suits very well, himself doubted the outcome of the talks. His work on the ground, until the very last hours of this tense climate preceding the arrival of Prime Minister François Legault, helped to calm people’s minds. Without him, the announcement of this $45 million framework agreement would probably have gone very differently.
The admission by the boss of Hydro-Québec, Michael Sabia, that the modus operandi of the past was less than adequate also suggests a real paradigm shift.
A shift that was becoming difficult to refuse, in light of the case law of recent years. In 2014, the Supreme Court recognized the “exclusive right” of an indigenous community to be consulted about its ancestral lands. The unanimous decision adopted a less rigid interpretation of ancestral character, accepting as a criterion for recognizing it the cultural activities practiced by semi-nomadic communities in these territories, such as fishing and hunting. The ancestral right of the Innu of Pessamit, traditionally nomadic, to Nitassinan territory has not been established by the courts. The chief of the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador, Ghislain Picard, nevertheless predicted 10 years ago that the balance of power between communities and governments had just changed. Amnesty International in turn called for the establishment of a “co-management” process of the territory and its resources between Pessamit and Quebec, in a 2022 report on the impact of climate change and industries already threatening culture and the traditional way of life of the community.
To achieve carbon neutrality in 2050, Hydro-Québec plans to increase its energy production by nearly 10,000 megawatts within 11 years, thanks to hydroelectricity and wind power. The Innu territory alone could bring together a significant part of this coveted exploitation. To make it possible, the state corporation and the Quebec government have no other option, in the current era, than to develop new projects through dialogue and collaboration.
A $500 million lawsuit filed by Pessamit against Quebec is suspended, for the duration of the truce only. The community is also demanding five billion dollars from the government. So many expensive incentives to favor negotiation.
A salutary route that the government of François Legault has therefore taken. This is to his credit. However, this remains riddled with fears, within a community which, like any other, is not monolithic in its support or its reluctance with regard to this promise of a renewed relationship. Band council member Christine Vallée demonstrated this, warning the Prime Minister in front of the cameras that “other millions would be needed” and Michael Sabia that the rest “remains to be negotiated” since “it doesn’t work.” more like in the old days.” A trust deficit remains to be overcome. Because this good faith that Pessamit is ready to demonstrate is subject to years of empirical proof on its territory which will not be instantly forgotten.
Like this referendum, relating to a broader agreement, which narrowly rejected the Micoua-Saguenay transport line (with 54% of the votes, expressed by 540 members of the community of 2,400 souls). And which was subsequently ignored. The line was built, and Pessamit, who had refused it, benefited from little economic benefit.
It was a few years ago. The Government of Quebec and Hydro-Québec have today taken an important first step with the community towards a renewed equitable relationship. It remains to be hoped that together they will be able to overcome the rest of this road.