This week, Prime Minister François Legault traveled to Newfoundland to meet with his counterpart Andrew Furey in connection with the renewal of the contract for the Churchill Falls megaproject. Note that this contract was signed between Hydro-Québec and Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation Limited (CFLCo) in 1969 and expires in 2041.
However, the entire construction of the Churchill Falls and Muskrat Falls hydroelectric facilities, including the transmission lines which are inseparable from the complexes, is located on the traditional territories of the Innu communities that are part of the Great Innu Nation. of Quebec “.
Since their construction, these hydroelectric projects have been operated without the consent and without the meaningful consultation or accommodation of the Innu communities and in violation of their ancestral rights, including their Aboriginal title, and their treaty rights to their Nitassinan. .
Moreover, several Innu communities have instituted proceedings to have their ancestral rights legally recognized and respected. Hydro-Québec, CFLCo, Nalcor or the governments of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador never obtained the consent of the Innu communities to operate these projects, which caused irreparable damage to the ancestral territory, to the way of life and to the cultural identity of the Great Innu Nation “of Quebec” and who have dissected the territory through its transmission lines.
Even before discussions are launched between the Premiers of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador regarding the renewal of the Churchill Falls contract, it is essential that the question of repairing the damage caused by this project to the Innu people be addressed.
It is inconceivable that the two provinces consider the continuation of the project before discussing with the Innu communities the measures to be taken to repair the damage suffered.
In addition, discussions related to the economic and energy development of the province of Quebec cannot take place without the participation, consultation, collaboration, accommodation and agreement of the Innu communities.
We should be essential partners with the governments of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador in order to maximize the economy and the energy sector.
The Great Innu Nation “of Quebec” reminds the governments of the two provinces that the energy development of our Nitassinan necessarily involves respecting the ancestral rights and titles of our communities and our involvement as real partners.
* Co-signatories: Chief Jean-Charles Piétacho, Ekuanitshit; chef Martin Dufour, Essipit; Chief Réal Mckenzie, Matimekush Lac-John; Chief Gilbert Dominique, Mashteuiatsh; Chief Réal Tettaut, Nutashkuan; Chief Bryan Mark, Unamen Shipu; chef Denis Mesténapéo, Pakua Shipi; chef Marielle Vachon, Pessamit