Historic Agreement for Cree in Quebec won't be forgotten

"February 21 is a date that will not be forgotten by the Cree Nation," said Matthew Mukash, Grand Chief of the Quebec Cree. That is the date he and the Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and non-Status Indians signed an Agreement Concerning a New Relationship between the Government of Canada and the Cree of Eeyou Istchee.
The Cree of Eeyou Istchee live in nine communities on the shores of James Bay and Hudson Bay, as well as further inland.
"Our Government's commitment and decisive approach puts the past to rest, and will clear the way for the Cree to become a full partner in economic and resource development in northern Quebec," said Minister Strahl. "Our new constructive relationship with the Cree of Eeyou Istchee will help them become more self-sufficient, resulting in a brighter future for the Cree and for all Canadians."
The agreement includes $1.4 billion in compensation.
It brings resolution to litigation over past implementation of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), and resolves other disputes not necessarily related to the JBNQA.
The signing is the culmination of over 30 years of activity.
"This agreement is forward-looking as it provides the Cree the resources to implement outstanding obligations of Canada in the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement," said Grand Chief Mukash.
"It also sets in motion what is probably the most important initiative since 1975, the development of a new Cree Government."
"I look forward to working with Canada and Quebec in the near future to make this a reality that benefits all."
The Agreement is in place for 20 years and clarifies the federal responsibilities the Cree Regional Authority will administrate. It establishes a two-phased process for modernizing Cree governance and a dispute resolution mechanism.
Originally signed in 1975, the JBNQA was, according to an INAC News Release, Canada's first modern treaty. It dealt with land and other issues dating back to the late 1800s.
The Quebec Cree will now assume federal responsibilities primarily in the areas of administration of justice and economic and social development.
In the second phase of negotiations, the Grand Council of the Cree and the Government of Canada will address the modernization of the Cree's governance regime.
The first step will be to determine which "jurisdictions and authorities" will be the subject of self-government negotiations with the Cree government.
This process will begin in the next few months.
"We will begin negotiations toward the creation of a Cree Nation Government, by way of a Cree Constitution," said Grand Chief Mukash.
"We're hoping to have an Agreement in Principle within two years. Then there will be an additional three years to negotiate a Final Agreement. If no agreement is reached by then, there is a provision that the parties can decide if more time is required."
"What we hope is to come up with a model of government that other First Nations can use in their negotiations with the federal government."
Quebec will be a part of the process, and the Grand Chief said that the relationship with the provincial government has been good for some time.
When asked what changed in the relationship with the Government of Canada, he said, "we signed a separate agreement with Quebec in 2002, and the federal government saw that as an opportunity to conclude this agreement.
"This is a new beginning for our people," said Grand Chief Mukash.