Latest news with #InnuNation
Hamilton Spectator
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Sheshatshiu youth walking to Gull Island to join Innu land defenders
Two Innu youth have begun a 125-kilometre walk from Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation to Gull Island in Labrador. Angel Jourdain McKay and Percey Montague are walking to highlight historical Innu connections to the region and advocate for the rejection of a proposed agreement between Innu leadership and Hydro-Quebec. The two began their walk from Sheshatshiu Monday and will be joined by supporters at different times throughout the walk. 'I believe that this is very important, as it draws roots to our culture. Someone I know personally was born in Gull Island,' Montague said Monday after starting the walk. 'I believe that this walk is a way for me to connect to my ancestors, who would have been trekking into and out of Sheshatshiu.' The pair was inspired to coordinate the walk after spending hours researching a proposed deal between Innu Nation and Hydro-Quebec. On June 20, Innu Nation—which advocates for the rights of Innu in Sheshatshiu and Natuashish—and Hydro-Québec announced what they are calling a 'Reconciliation and Collaboration Agreement'. In a media release, Innu Nation said the parties signed an agreement-in-principle to settle past grievances and ongoing litigation by Innu Nation surrounding the construction, operation and maintenance of the Churchill Falls Hydroelectric Complex — and to set out new principles for future developments. 'Innu negotiators were able to reach a fair agreement to address the damage this project has done to our culture, our way of life and our lands and we will be pleased to bring this to our members,' Innu Nation Grand Chief Simon Pokue said in the release. Under the agreement, Hydro-Québec would contribute $87 million over 16 years to Innu Nation, and provide the Innu with three per cent of the dividends that Hydro-Québec receives from Churchill Falls Corporation into the future. 'The agreement in principle also sets out terms for Hydro-Québec's collaboration with Innu Nation in the development of future facilities in the region, such as the Gull Island Power Generating Station,' the Innu Nation media release states. The agreement will be presented to the Innu of Labrador for ratification this fall. But before the potential ratification, Hydro-Québec spent millions of dollars to start geotechnical and environmental studies at Gull Island, a culturally important site Innu use throughout the year, including each fall when members of Innu communities in Quebec and Labrador unite for a gathering. Hydro-Québec halted work at Gull Island last week after a group of land defenders blockaded a road into the site. In a statement to The Independent, Hydro-Québec said it is closely monitoring this situation with openness and a full commitment to better understanding the concerns of the demonstrators and suspended the planned geotechnical work out of respect for the concerns raised. The power utility said it will continue dialogue with community representatives to understand their concerns and discuss next steps in a spirit of mutual respect. Innu Nation did not respond to an interview request from The Independent. After the deal was publicly announced, Jourdain McKay and Montague began sharing their thoughts on the matter via social media and their community radio station; they encouraged others to do the same. Montague said money is not as important as Innu culture, traditions and lands. 'I personally believe that the deal is not beneficial to the Innu people; I believe that our land should be more important than making money right now,' Montague said. 'I do believe that money could help both Innu communities, but I also believe that our culture is much more important. I'm worried that we'll keep losing our values and trading them for money.' Montague said the potential reservoir could destroy Innu hunting and gathering lands, and the history the land holds. As well, the deal only lasts for 16 years and will have long expired when Montague's own children have grown up, he said. 'A future where our governments don't sell our land for money is certainly a better future,' he added. Montague and Jourdain McKay will join the land defenders already at Gull Island. They represent a growing number of Innu speaking out against the proposed agreement. Jerome Jack of Sheshatshiu calls the proposed deal a 'slap in the face for the Innu people of Labrador.' He attended the Innu Nation Annual General Meeting in Natuashish on July 1, and the parallel event in Sheshatshiu on July 3. At both meetings, leadership discussed the proposed agreement with rights holders. Jack said two months isn't long enough to have consultations and study the proposed agreement. 'It's a really, really low ball—the deal that [Hydro-Québec] is trying to present to the Innu people. And what is more concerning to me is they're only giving Innu people two months to consider this deal, which is a very, very short amount of time.' Jack says the deal is being pushed through because members of Innu Nation's negotiating team are involved in businesses that wish to bid on the work that would happen at Gull Island — so the project would benefit some Innu far more than others. The Independent asked Innu Nation specifically about this allegation but did not receive a response. Jack said the meeting in Sheshatshiu ended when Innu Nation leadership and negotiators 'got up and walked out' prior to the traditional closing prayer at the end of government meetings. Jack said that disrespect is why he refuses to let them display the photograph of his late father Bart Jack at the Innu Nation office, and why he will be requesting to remove his grandparents' photographs as well. 'The way these individuals are behaving is like they have no moral respect for the people they're representing,' Jack said. 'They want us to make them look like they're knights in shiny armor, but they treat us like dirt. How can we have them represent us when they treat us like dirt?' Jack is calling for an immediate election for Innu Nation leadership prior to Innu voting on the agreement. At the AGM in Sheshatshiu earlier this month, Jack said a motion to call an election was put on the floor three times, and each time was ignored by leadership. Innu Nation has not responded to the allegation. 'All these negotiators—elected members—are going to be collecting money, raking in the money for themselves, and don't even care for the people that they represent,' Jack said. He hopes the Gull Island project waits a few more years so it can be done in the right way, and that Hydro-Quebec officials will visit Labrador to hold direct consultations with Innu community members. Chenille Rich, a 22-year-old mother from Natuashish, also hopes a vote on the proposed deal will be pushed back to allow Innu time to consider the terms and fully discuss the future with Elders. 'This deal, it happened all of a sudden. It was like a big smack in the face for every Innu, every Elder. They don't even talk to the Elders either,' she said. 'I don't get why they just want a quick paycheck and just destroy the land.' Ancestral burial sites were with the creation of the Upper Churchill Falls project in the 1960s, and Rich is worried a potential reservoir at Gull Island would flood more burial and other traditional sites. Rich grew up going out on the land with her grandmother and fears this would limit Innu children learning on the land in the future. She wants to see open communication about the proposed development, the inclusion of more Innu community representatives—including youth—and for agreements to take the form of ongoing treaties instead of strictly financial agreements. Rich said Innu Nation leaders were elected to do better for both communities, but 'this is not better.' She said it's more important to think about the land than the money. 'It makes you feel mad for the Elders, for the future children,' she said. Innu Nation did not grant The Independent an interview on Montague, Jourdain McKay, Jack and Rich's concerns. Montague said it has been disappointing to see Innu Nation not respond to media requests, and that he and Jourdain McKay's group of youth have also been trying to get a response from Innu Nation leadership without success. 'I believe that they should be more mature about the situation and actually try to respond to us,' Montague said. 'It's very telling of the type of leadership that we have. It's really disappointing as a young person to have to experience this. It feels like we're being ignored. It feels like we don't matter.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBC
20 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
Sheshatshiu youth walk 130KM to protect Gull Island
Several younger residents of Sheshatshui are taking it upon themselves to have their concerns heard over the proposed hydroelectric project at Gull Island. "I want our government to treat the youth like they matter. I want my voice to be heard," Percey Montague, 17, told CBC News on Monday. Montague said he doesn't have faith in leadership to represent his community's concerns, after an agreement in principle was signed between between Hydro-Québec and Innu Nation in late June. On Monday, Montague began walking the 130 kilometres from Sheshatshiu to Gull Island to raise awareness of his concerns and those of his community. Joining him are Angel Jourdain, Patrick Jourdain and Mya Pone. The walk is expected to take just over two days. "My concerns are for the protection of our history and our culture and whatever artifacts may be still out there in the land," Montague said. "If this land gets flooded or developed, we may lose a large part of our history." WATCH | The walk is expected to take around 50 hours to complete: Sheshatshiu youth protesting proposed Gull Island project by walking 130 km to site 3 hours ago Duration 2:16 High temperatures and flies didn't stop four youths from Sheshatshiu from protesting the proposed Gull Island hydroelectric project. They're walking the 130 km road from Sheshatshiu to Gull Island, which was blocked off late last week in a fellow protest. The CBC's Regan Burden reports. The group is walking to join several other members of the community who have been holding up a blockade since Wednesday. The blockade protests Hydro-Québec's preliminary site survey work. The agreement in principle between Hydro-Quebec and Innu Nation can only be finalized once it is presented to and voted on by the community in September. Montague said that if the community voted for its ratification, he wants to see the agreement completely renegotiated. He said he would like to see more Innu ownership of the dam or an annual percentage of power that his community would get free of charge. "I believe that since these projects are taking place on Innu land that we should be getting way more, not just cash," Montague said. In a statement to CBC News on Thursday, Hydro-Québec spokesperson Caroline Des Rosiers said the company is in the process of establishing a "mechanism for dialogue with members of the community," and hopes to do so in collaboration with the leadership of Innu Nation, in keeping with their customary practices. "I call this deal a slap in the face," said Jerome Jack, who has been protesting with the blockade. Jack said the compensation in the agreement does not account for the cultural and environmental damage the development would cause. To Montague, Gull Island is an important place for his family and his community. His mother has a cabin on the island. Every September, hundreds from communities across the region come together for a gathering and quality time on the land and with each other. In the lead up to the community's vote in the fall, Montague said he wants his community to think about the lack of response from the Innu leadership to his calls for concern. "I think this is very disappointing and I think it's really telling of our government's inability to listen to us," he said.
CBC
20 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
Sheshatshiu youth walk 130-km to protect Gull Island
New Percey Montague says Innu leadership must hear the concerns of the youth "I want our government to treat the youth like they matter. I want my voice to be heard." Percey Montague, 17, opposes the proposed hydroelectric project on Gull Island. He also said he doesn't have faith in the Innu Nation leadership to represent the community's concerns with the agreement in principle made between Hydro-Quebec and the Innu Nation in late June. On Monday, Montague began walking 130 kilometres from Sheshatshiu to Gull Island to raise awareness of his concerns and those of his community along with Angel Jourdain, Patrick Jourdain and Mya Pone. The walk is expected to take around 50 hours to complete and they will arrive sometime this week. "My concerns are for the protection of our history and our culture and whatever artifacts may be still out there in the land," Montague said. "If this land gets flooded or developed, we may lose a large part of our history." Image | Percey Montague Caption: Angel Jourdain, Percey Montague, Patrick Jourdain, Mya Pone (l to r) are started the 130 kilometre walk from Sheshatshiu to Gull Island on Monday. (Regan Burden/CBC) Open Image in New Tab The group are walking to join several members of the Innu community who have been holding up a blockade on the island since last Wednesday. The blockade protests Hydro-Quebec's preliminary site surveying work for the proposed hydroelectric project. The agreement in principle between Hydro-Quebec and the Innu Nation can only be finalized once it is presented to and voted on by the community in September. Montague said that if the community voted for its ratification, he wants to see the agreement completely renegotiated. He said he would like to see more Innu ownership of the dam or an annual percentage of power that his community would get free of charge. "I believe that since these projects are taking place on Innu land that we should be getting way more, not just cash," Montague said. In a statement to CBC News on Thursday, Hydro-Quebec spokesperson Caroline Des Rosiers said, "Hydro-Québec is in the process of establishing a mechanism for dialogue with members of the community. That said, we wish to do so in collaboration with the leadership of Innu Nation, in keeping with their customary practices." "I call this deal a slap in the face," said Jerome Jack, who has been protesting with the blockade. Jack said the compensation in the agreement does not account for the cultural and environmental damage the development would cause. To Montague, Gull Island is an important place for his family and his community. His mother has a cabin on the island. Every September, hundreds from communities across the region come together for a gathering filled with activities, quality time on the land and with each other. In the lead up to the community's vote in the fall, Montague said he wants his community to think about the lack of response from the Innu leadership to his calls for concern. "I think this is very disappointing and I think it's really telling of our government's inability to listen to us," he said.
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Hydro-Québec suspends work at planned hydro plant in Labrador amid blockades
ST. JOHN'S - Protesters have blockaded a Hydro-Québec work site at a proposed hydroelectric project in traditional Innu territory in Labrador, prompting the utility to suspend its operations in the area. Jerome Jack was among the demonstrators gathered at the site at Gull Island on Thursday afternoon. Innu people in Labrador, he said, were not properly consulted by the Innu Nation nor Hydro-Québec about the proposed power plant. He also said Hydro-Québec is offering the Innu too little to make amends for past harms. 'They're surveying trees, monitoring the river, taking samples and everything, and we didn't even give a go-ahead about it yet,' Jack said in an interview Thursday about the preliminary work going on at the site. '(Hydro-Québec) should come to the Innu communities in Labrador and discuss this, man to man, and say, 'people, how can we help you? How can we fix this problem?'' Hydro-Québec spokesperson Lynn St-Laurent said the utility is monitoring the situation with a commitment to understanding the demonstrators' concerns. 'We recognize the cultural, historical, and spiritual importance of the Gull Island territory for Innu communities,' St-Laurent said in an email. 'We respect the right of community members to express their concerns.' Meanwhile, the Innu Nation says there have been public meetings with communities and elders, and there are more to come. 'Innu Nation wants to assure the Innu public that there will be no final agreement without a ratification vote, their consent is required,' said an emailed statement emailed from Grand Chief Simon Pokue. 'Innu Nation also welcomes all Innu members to attend the sessions and ask questions.' Hydro-Québec said earlier this week it was set to begin geotechnical and environmental studies in the area, in preparation for future construction work. The utility announced a tentative agreement last year with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro that includes plans to build a hydroelectric generating station at Gull Island, along the Churchill River in Labrador. The power companies are still hammering out binding deals, and Hydro-Québec said in a news release that the studies are 'necessary for the signing of the final agreement.' The Churchill River cuts through the traditional Innu region of Nitassinan, which includes parts of eastern Quebec and much of southern Labrador. Innu from Quebec and Labrador gather each year in September in the Gull Island area, Jack said. They set up hundreds of tents and live there together for about a week. 'There's games, there's eating, there's contests,' he said. 'We connect, we bond together and we stay strong.' Hydro-Québec said last month it had signed an agreement in principle to end a lawsuit launched in 2020 by the Innu Nation in Labrador seeking compensation from the utility for its involvement in building and operating the Churchill Falls hydroelectric station on the Churchill River. The Churchill Falls power plant is jointly owned and operated by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Hydro-Québec. As part of the draft agreement, Hydro-Québec said it would make annual payments over 16 years totalling $87 million to a reconciliation fund for the Innu in Labrador, according to a press release. The instalments work out to about $5.4 million a year, split between the two Innu communities in Sheshatshiu, in central Labrador, and Natuashish, along Labrador's northeast coast. The reconciliation deal also lays out the terms of Hydro-Québec's collaboration with Innu Nation on future developments, including the proposed power station at Gull Island. Jack said the money is not enough to cover such things as health expenses for his people. 'It wouldn't cover anything in the community,' he said. And he accused the Innu Nation of trying to rush the tentative deal through to a final agreement without properly consulting people in the communities. Hydro-Québec did not say Thursday when work at Gull Island might resume. 'We will continue the dialogue initiated with community representatives to better understand their concerns and to discuss next steps in a spirit of mutual respect,' St-Laurent said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 10, 2025. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Hydro-Québec suspends work at planned hydro plant in Labrador amid blockades
ST. JOHN'S - Protesters have blockaded a Hydro-Québec work site at a proposed hydroelectric project in traditional Innu territory in Labrador, prompting the utility to suspend its operations in the area. Jerome Jack was among the demonstrators gathered at the site at Gull Island on Thursday afternoon. Innu people in Labrador, he said, were not properly consulted by the Innu Nation nor Hydro-Québec about the proposed power plant.
