Charlie Watt facts for kids

Charlie Watt was born on June 29, 1944. He is an Inuk leader from Nunavik, Quebec. He used to be a Canadian Senator. A senator is like a representative who helps make laws for the country.

Charlie Watt was a hunter and a businessman. He worked to protect the rights of Indigenous people in Canada. He helped the Inuit people of Quebec in important talks. These talks led to a big agreement called the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.

In 1984, he became a Senator in Canada. He was the second Inuk person ever to hold this important job. In 1994, he received a special award called the Officer of the National Order of Québec.

After 34 years, Charlie Watt left the Senate in 2018. He did this to become the President of Makivik Corporation. This company works for the Inuit of Nunavik. He is also the brother of a famous activist and writer, Sheila Watt-Cloutier.

What is the James Bay Agreement?

Charlie Watt was a key person in creating the Northern Quebec Inuit Association. This group is now known as the Makivik Corporation. In the early 1970s, the Quebec government wanted to build a huge hydroelectric project. This project would create electricity using water power.

However, this project was planned on the traditional lands of the Inuit and Cree people. It did not respect their rights. So, in 1972, the Inuit and Cree groups went to court. They wanted to stop the project.

Even though an early court decision in their favor was changed, they kept fighting. By 1975, they successfully negotiated a major agreement. This was the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA). It was signed in November 1975. This agreement was very important for recognizing the rights of First Nations in Canada.

Charlie Watt also worked with many Indigenous businesses. These include Makivik Corporation, Air Inuit, Seaku Fisheries, Uttuulik Leasing, and Kigaq Travel. He also helped lead other Inuit organizations. These include the Inuit Committee on National Issues and the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada.

Charlie Watt's Time in the Senate (1984-2018)

Charlie Watt became a Senator on January 16, 1984. He was appointed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. He was 39 years old, making him one of the youngest Senators at that time. He represented Quebec and the area called Inkerman. He served in the Senate for 34 years, until March 16, 2018.

During his time as a Senator, Charlie Watt did many important things.

• He started the Special Committee on Aboriginal Peoples in 1984. This committee later became a permanent committee.
• He served on other important committees, like Fisheries and Oceans.
• He also started and chaired the Senate Special Committee on the Arctic in 2017.

Championing Inuit Rights

Senator Watt is well-known for fighting for Inuit rights in Canada. He also made history by speaking his language, Inuktitut, in the Senate. He helped change the rules so that his mother tongue could be used. He also helped create the first materials about the Canadian Parliament in Inuktitut.

He also worked closely with First Nations and Metis communities. In 2007, he helped write a report about Aboriginal and Treaty Rights. This report was called "Taking Section 35 Rights Seriously."

Helping Northern Communities

In 2007, he introduced a bill to help people in Nunavik. This bill aimed to make Nunavik a GST-free zone. GST is a sales tax. He wanted to show how expensive it is to live in northern Canada. Even though the bill didn't become law, it helped bring attention to the high costs of goods and services in the North.

In 2011, he introduced another bill about Aboriginal and treaty rights. This bill also aimed to protect these important rights.

In his last year in the Senate, Charlie Watt started the Special Committee on the Arctic. He was its first leader. This committee continues to work on issues important to the Arctic.

Charlie Watt went to schools in many different places. These include Kuujjuaq, Yellowknife, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, Halifax, and Brandon. In 1997, he received the Aboriginal Achievement Award. This award recognized his work in community development. It is now called the Indspire Award.

Charlie Watt is married to Ida (Epoo). They have five children: Donald, Robert, Lisa, Billy, and Charlene.