(Val-d’Or) The Aboriginal community of Kitcisakik, which is still not connected to the Hydro-Québec network despite being located about a hundred kilometers south of Val-d’Or, could soon see this essential public service arrive in the village, while the band council, the Crown corporation and Quebec promise an important announcement this Monday morning.
Posted at 5:00 a.m.
The Anicinapek Council of Kitcisakik, Hydro-Québec and the Legault government called a press conference “during which an important announcement will be made concerning an electrification project for the community of Kitcisakik”, underlines the joint press release of the three parties released last week.
Located near the Dozois Reservoir, which supplies the hydro power stations on the Ottawa River, the Anishnabeg community of Kitcisakik is still not connected to the public network. Residents must use gasoline generators, and public buildings in the community are powered by a diesel generator.
The community had also taken a public position last year against the Hydro-Québec transmission line project to Massachusetts, in coalition with the Anishnabeg of Lac-Simon and Abitiwinni, the Atikamekw of Wemotaci and the Innu of Pessamit.
The chief of Kitcisakik, Régis Pénosway, had accused Hydro-Québec of having “sold the skin of the bear before having killed it”. The coalition notably accused the state company of “illegitimately” producing electricity on its territories.
Discussions have taken place with the indigenous communities that are members of the coalition, Hydro-Québec reported later. The Atikamekw Council of Wemotaci had indicated in October that it had agreed to work on projects with the state corporation.
“Open the way”
The CEO of Hydro-Québec, Sophie Brochu, has also clearly expressed her desire to bring the Crown corporation closer to Aboriginal people.
“We must open the way and go to meet the indigenous peoples,” said Ms.me Brochu in interview with The Press last November.
Being connected to the electricity grid would be tangible progress for the residents of this community established in the La Vérendrye wildlife reserve, but it is not the only public service that is still sorely lacking. The village, which does not have reserve status, also does not have a water distribution system, so the houses do not have access to running water. A sanitary block located in the village offers toilets, showers and a laundry room.
With the collaboration of Hélène Baril and Fanny Lévesque, The Press