Hydro-Quebec has announced it wants to start preliminary studies on its proposed Rupert River diversion scheme and refurbish an old exploration camp near Nemaska to house its workers.
The utility wants to hire about 15 Crees to help with the studies, which were scheduled to start by mid-July. Hydro also offered to open a liaison office in Mistissini to inform residents about the project.
Hydro made the announcements in Mistissini on July 12 at a meeting with the talleymen who would be affected by the proposed Eastmain hydro-electric project, which would divert the Rupert.
The Cree Nation of Mistissini has granted Hydro permission to proceed with the plans.
Réal Courcelles, Hydro-Quebec’s advisor in charge of First Nations relations, was open with the trappers. He said the utility’s current plan for the project isn’t accurate and that is why Hydro-Quebec wants to do aerial photos and surveys.
Courcelles said surveyors and construction experts will make changes to the plan after analyzing the summer’s work. The new data might even change the number of dykes in the project, he said. He also stressed work is only preliminary and exploratory in nature to see if the project is possible.
Courcelles told the talleymen he recognizes they came to speak to Hydro in a spirit of openness and respect for the land. He said Hydro-Quebec wants to involve the trappers because of their knowledge of the area and offered to pay for their services.
He once again brought up the three points by which Hydro-Quebec would determine whether or not projects would go ahead – economic feasibility, environmental impact and community consent. But he was vague on whether Mistissini or Nemaska – the two communities he named as the most affected – would be able to veto the project by themselves. Courcelles said only that Hydro is leaving it to the Crees since this is a project that would affect more than one Cree community.
Courcelles did say there is no deadline; the Crees have to decide on whether or not to say yes to a partnership on the project with Hydro. But the utility’s plans set the winter of 2001 as the date for the completion of the final environmental impact study.
Courcelles said any Crees working for Hydro during these studies won’t have to speak French and they are willing to look at training some Crees.
At the meeting, Mistissini talleyman Robert Jimikin said he has no problems with Hydro doing studies, as long as it doesn’t imply Cree consent to go ahead with the project. He said information must be made available so Crees can make an informed decision. He said he is aware of Mistissini’s unemployment rate and the large population of youth waiting to enter the job market. “But I’m attached to the land,” said Jimikin, who is also the band’s public-works director. He said the Mistissini First Nation will consult everyone to get their feedback, including talleymen, their families and other users of the trapline.
George Longchap, one of the first talleymen to speak out, remembered in the past that when he and other Crees worked for Hydro-Quebec, there was no proper consultation or information given out. It is the same type of work they are being asked to do today, he said. He also criticized the way Hydro’s existing projects affected the Caniapiscau area.
“You can see they never slashed anything before filling the reservoir. During the past years the water has been quite low and you can see the trees,” he said. “It’s a disgrace to the eyes and the people.”
If the project goes through, Longchap said he hopes slashing will be one of the remedial measures. “The reason I’m commenting on this is my trapline is under water.”
