Autonomy of Nunavik | Quebec will negotiate with the Inuit

Quebec and the Makivik corporation, which represents the Inuit of Nunavik, will return to the negotiating table to assess the region’s self-government.

The announcement was made Wednesday by Prime Minister François Legault, the president of Makivik, Pita Aatami, and the minister responsible for Relations with First Nations and Inuit, Ian Lafrenière. All proceeded to sign the agreement which should govern the negotiations, scheduled for 2024.

“Our nations share territory and we must continue to work together for the good of our people,” the Prime Minister said. “For our government, reconciliation with Indigenous people is important,” he added, affirming that this announcement provides an opportunity “to work from nation to nation.”

Mr. Aatami, for his part, estimated that this negotiation was one that the Inuit had dreamed of “for more than 55 years”.

“Since the arrival of the Europeans, we have been of great help […] not knowing that one day we would no longer be in control. What we want for the future is to have control, in partnership with Quebec. » In short, he said he was enthusiastic about the idea of ​​renegotiating an agreement on Inuit autonomy with the government.

For Quebecers, very few of whom have seen Nunavik for themselves, Mr. Aatami wanted his territory to be perceived not as a “place to obtain minerals”, but rather as a “place of beauty “.

The most recent negotiation between Quebec and the Inuit dates back to 2011, when a referendum on the merger of the three main public institutions of Nunavik (Kativik Regional Administration, Nunavik Regional Health and Social Services Board and Kativik School Board) was held. rejected by two-thirds of Nunavimmiuts.