Cree and Quebec sign agreement to resolve dispute over forestry practices

The Quebec government and James Bay Cree representatives have signed a partnership and co-operation agreement aimed atresolvinga forestry dispute about territory that stretches from Lac St. Jean toJames Bay.

The agreement between the Quebec government and the Grand Council of the Creeswas signed in the National Assembly on Mondayby PremierPhilippe Couillard and Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come.

"Today, we set another significant milestone in the nation to nation relationship between Quebec and the Crees," said Couillard.

The Cree hadaccused the provinceand the forest industry, specifically Resolute Forest Products,of clearcuttingon theland in question, in violation of the Baril-Moses agreementsigned in 2002.

"This agreement secures the harmonization of forestry operations with Cree hunting, fishing and trapping activities in theBaril-Mosesarea." said Cree Nation Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come.

The Baril-Moses agreement, signed at the same time as the Paix des Braves, was concluded by Minister Jacques Baril and then-Grand Chief of the CreesTed Moses. It provided for the application of special rules for the forestry industry.

The Cree saythe provinceviolatedthe provisions of this agreement, allowing the forest industry to exploit traditionalhunting and fishing grounds.

In 2013, the Cree Nationfiled a$13-million lawsuitagainst the provincial government and as recently as April 2015sent a formal notice to Resolute Forest Productsasking it to stop its operations in the area.

In January 2015, Quebec appointedformer premierLucien Bouchardto act asmediator in this matter.

Details of the agreement

The agreement provides for the harmonization of forestry activitiesby December 2015.It also sets out the creation of ajoint working group with representation fromCree andInnu NationsandQuebecto reach a consensus regardingforest management standards in the area.

Additional protective measures will be implemented to promote the recovery of woodland caribou in Quebec.

Members of the Cree FirstNation ofWaswanipitravelled to Quebec City toopposethe agreement. They say they are concerned how it will affect their efforts to create a protected area south of their communityintheBroadbackRiverwatershed.

"We felt left out when it came to what we wanted within the agreement," saidWaswanipichief MarcelHappyjack.

"It's been over 30 years now that our hunting territory is affected by forestry. We see the effects on the land and the devastation. The animals are affected by it; the hunters sees the deforestation due toforestry. This is what we don't want."

Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come says the agreement signed today willnot affectthe Broadback River Watershed Conservation plan.

"There will not be any forestry development in that area, only where it was agreed on in the 2002Paixdes Braves," said Coon Come.