Agreement Respecting a New Relationship Between the Cree Nation and the Government of Quebec facts for kids

The Agreement Respecting a New Relationship Between the Cree Nation and the Government of Quebec is a special deal. It's also known as La Paix des Braves, which means "The Peace of the Braves" in French. This agreement was made between the Government of Quebec and the Grand Council of the Crees. It was signed on February 7, 2002, in a place called Waskaganish, in Quebec. This agreement came after many years of disagreements and court battles between the Cree people and the Quebec government. The name "Peace of the Braves" was inspired by a very old peace treaty from 1701, called the Great Peace of Montreal.

What is the Peace of the Braves Agreement?

This important agreement was worked out by Bernard Landry, who was the Premier of Quebec at the time, and Ted Moses, the Grand Chief of the Crees. It helped to put into action parts of an older agreement from 1975 called the James Bay Agreement. This was important because the Cree and the government had been in court for a long time.

Sharing Resources and Land

The new agreement set up a way for the Cree and the Quebec government to work together. They would share the money made from things like mining, forestry, and hydroelectric power on traditional Cree lands. These lands are known as the Eeyou Istchee. The agreement also aimed to make sure that Cree people had more chances to get jobs and earn money in these industries in Northern Quebec.

A "Nation to Nation" Agreement

The agreement starts by saying it's like a "nation to nation" deal between the Cree people and Quebec. This means it recognizes the Cree as a distinct nation. This agreement lasts for 50 years. It allows the Quebec government and the Cree to share power in seven areas around James Bay. In return, the Cree agreed to let Hydro-Québec build hydroelectric projects on the Eastmain and Rupert Rivers.

A New Way Forward

This agreement followed ideas from a group called the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples. This group suggested that First Nation peoples shouldn't have to give up their land claims to settle disputes. Grand Chief Ted Moses said that Quebec became a leader in respecting Indigenous development. He believed Quebec could show that respecting Indigenous peoples works well with its own interests. He also hoped the federal government would learn from this agreement when working with Indigenous peoples across the country.

Moses praised Premier Landry for his new approach. He said, "He understands that the Crees must be part of Quebec's vibrant economy and a living part of its economic and cultural mosaic." Matthew Coon Come, a former Grand Chief who had disagreed with the Quebec Government before, also supported the agreement. He said, "This is the type of cooperation and financial engagement that the federal government should offer to other native nations." He encouraged the federal government to follow the recommendations of the Royal Commission.

See also

• Politics of Quebec
• James Bay Agreement