Cree chiefs are presenting a unified front on forestry, even as Quebec has decided to suspend the 1995 MOU and up to $117 milion in promised funding.
“Quebec has always tried to divide and conquer, but in this case we’re all together,” said Nemaska Chief George Wapachee. “We’re showing you can’t approach each chief with goodies to get what you want.”
Whapmagoostui Chief Matthew Mukash is pleased Crees are standing together. “I’m glad we’re fighting because forestry is as bad as the mega-projects for people living on the land.”
Mukash said he feels what Quebec is doing is a form of oppression. He questioned why Quebec is tying the MOU to forestry in the first place.
Mukash pointed out that the MOU was negotiated due to the 300 breaches of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, identified in the Crees’ $5-billion Coon Come court case.
“The MOU was linked to the dams, not forestry,” he said. “They’re trying to use this as leverage to stop a court case. It doesn’t work that way.”
Mukash said his community will discuss launching a public-relations campaign on forestry. “We’ll offer our expertise and support on this issue. We’re returning the favour for when they supported us on Hydro’s Great Whale project.”
Ouje-Bougoumou Chief Louise Wapachee said she felt Chevrette’s letter is a violation of Cree rights. “We were penalized for exercising our rights and then they accuse us of not acting in good faith?” she said.
“It’s almost like Quebec is acting like a dictatorship when it comes to Crees.”
Deputy Grand Chief Violet Pachanos, who is also chief of Chisasibi, said, “It’s wrong for them to use such things as essential-services projects that are urgently needed by the Cree communities as hostages to our ‘good behavior.’”
Pachanos said the letter shows there are principles and limits that Crees will band together to protect, and forestry is one of them. “We are standing pat on this one.”
