Quebec First Nations angered by development plans

Exasperated with provincial and federal governments, the chiefs of Quebec's Assembly of First Nations say they're adopted a unilateral declaration on their territories' sovereignty.

The declaration is essential given how little attention has been paid to aboriginal issues in the Quebec provincial campaign, said Ghislain Picard, Grand Chief of Quebec's Assembly of First Nations.

Liberal Leader Jean Charest is talking up a storm about developing the province's northern regions, but he'll have to contend with First Nations communities first, Picard said Thursday.

"Jean Charest continues to announce his North plan, without taking into account what we've said, without understanding that this territory is ours," Picard said at a news conference in Quebec City.

The Liberal leader has spoken about his "Great North" development plan frequently during the fall election campaign, which aims to expand hydroelectric and mining installations to generate up to 3,500 additional megawatts of power, north of the 49th parallel.

No northern development will go ahead until Quebec recognizes the integrity of First Nations' territory, said Raphal Picard, band council chief of the Pessamit Innu.

"Affirming First Nations' sovereignty is first and foremost reappropriating our territory's integrity," he said.

Relations between First Nations and the governments have reached a low, and that state of affairs will become clear when aboriginal voters head to the polls Dec. 8, Picard said.

A recent provincial parliamentary committee on the forestry industry reflected general disinterest in First Nations' demands, said Gilbert Whiteduck, chief of the Algonquin Kitigan Zibi community.

"I can say having been one of the people sitting at the table, just how frustrating it was, as I watched these elected individuals, literally laughing at us, and we left very angry," he told CBC News.

"The regional chief reminded us, we've been here time and time again, we've put forward position papers, we've extended our hand, we've said diplomatically we're willing to sit at the table, but nobody is listening, or scant attention is given to what we're doing."

First Nations communities won't hesitate to use roadblocks to draw attention to their demands, if necessary, Whiteduck added.

"While we're suffering in our communities, nobody is listening to us, nobody care," he said.