MONTRÉAL, July 18,
2024 /CNW/ - Chantal
Kistabish, Chief of the Abitibiwinni First Nation,
Lucien Wabanonik, Chief of the
Nation Anishnabe of Lac Simon,
Dylan Whiteduck, Chief of Kitigan
Zibi Anishnabeg, Ian Lafrenière, Minister Responsible for Relations
with the First Nations and the Inuit, and Michael Sabia, President and CEO of
Hydro-Québec, signed an agreement in principle regarding the past
and future relationship between these communities and the
state-owned corporation.
The parties have formally undertaken, in accordance with
specific provisions, to negotiate in good faith and with respect a
settlement of past disputes relating to the installation and
operation of Hydro-Québec facilities and equipment on the
Nitakinan of the First Nations signatories. The
common objective is to begin negotiations in Fall 2024.
Further, the parties have agreed on parameters of a community
consultation process applicable to the study of new Hydro-Québec
projects on the Nitakinan.
This agreement between Kitigan Zibi, Abitibiwinni, Lac Simon and Hydro-Québec allows for the
negotiation of the final agreement, which will specify the nature
and scope of compensation related to the past, in addition to the
terms of collaboration for the future.
In 2021, Hydro-Québec undertook a major shift in its approach to
the First Nations and the Inuit, allowing for the conclusion of
reconciliation agreements in connection with its existing
facilities.
Joint declaration of the parties:
The partners in the agreement invite all Anishnabeg First
Nations to adhere to the established framework and take part in the
final negotiation, in keeping with the respect of their ancestral
rights on their respective nitakinan.
Quotes:
"The Nitakinan of Abitibiwinni was transformed in the mid
20th century by the installation of a hydropower
reservoir and transmission equipment in the upper stretch of the
Rivière des Outaouais. We look forward to the possibility of
restoring justice to our ancestors and to future
generations."
Chantal Kistabish, Chief of
the Abitibiwinni First Nation
The dikes, reservoirs and related infrastructures installed
on our Nitakinan since 1948 have created vast expanses of water and
transformed the land and water environments that remain at the core
of our culture, our traditions, and our food source.
Hydro-Québec's openness gives us hope for the future of
our First Nation.
Lucien Wabanonik, Chief
of the Nation Anishnabe of Lac
Simon
"The Kitigan Zibi Nitakinan was impacted by numerous
hydroelectric projects starting in 1915. We are delighted with
Hydro-Québec's willingness to negotiate a fair and equitable
settlement regarding the changes made to our living
environment."
Dylan Whiteduck, Chief of
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg
This agreement is another great step that I hope will allow
us to move forward in our nation-to-nation negotiations to ensure a
better future for generations to come."
Ian Lafrenière, Minister Responsible for Relations with the
First Nations and the Inuit
"To achieve Quebec's energy
transition, we need to strengthen relations with Indigenous
communities. With this agreement-in-principle, we are paving the
way for promising partnerships that are essential to the success of
tomorrow's energy projects and to Quebec's decarbonization."
Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation and
Energy, Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development and
Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal
Region
Economic reconciliation rests on an acknowledgement of the
past and an openness to settlement, as well as on collaboration and
– potentially – equity investment in future projects. I am
grateful to Kitigan Zibi, Abitibiwinni and Lac Simon for taking this first step toward
reconciliation with us.
Michael Sabia,
Hydro-Québec
SOURCE Hydro-Québec