James Bay Cree hydroelectric conflict facts for kids

The James Bay Cree hydroelectric conflict was a big disagreement that started in 1971. It was between the James Bay Cree people and the Quebec government. The Cree were trying to stop or change the huge James Bay Hydroelectric Project. This project aimed to build many dams and power plants in their traditional lands.

The First Big Plans

In April 1971, the Quebec government announced plans for a massive hydroelectric project. This project was in the northern Quebec area called Baie-James. The government did not tell the Cree people living there about these plans. They also did not think about how the project would affect the Cree. The Cree decided to work together to protect their lands and their future. This helped the different Cree communities connect more and start to feel like one big group.

Fighting for Rights

A group called the Quebec Association of Indians tried to stop the project. On November 15, 1973, they won a court order (an injunction) to block construction. Their lawyer, James O'Reilly, became an expert in Indigenous law. However, the very next day, two appeals were launched against this court order. One week later, the Court of Appeal of Quebec suspended the order. This meant construction could continue while the case was heard again. In 1974, the Court of Appeal completely overturned the original order. Even though the order was suspended and then overturned, it showed that Quebec had a legal duty to make a treaty with the Cree.

The Grand Council and the Agreement

To better protect their rights, the Grand Council of the Crees was formed in 1974. This group represented all the Cree villages in Northern Quebec. They negotiated with the governments of Quebec and Canada. On November 11, 1975, the governments and representatives from Cree and Inuit villages signed the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. This was the first time Indigenous people's rights were clearly written down in a contract. This agreement became an example for future land claim issues. The agreement allowed hydroelectric development on Cree lands. In return, the Cree received money, more control over their own affairs, and better health care, housing, and education. This agreement made the Cree stronger socially and politically. However, it also caused some disagreement with other Indigenous groups. They worried it set a bad example for how land claims could be settled. The Cree wanted to protect their way of life and land as much as possible. They aimed to keep their traditions strong while also joining the modern economy.

Construction Continues

Even while these negotiations were happening, roads and dams for the project kept being built. The Cree had no legal way to stop this. This meant that even if they won all their claims, much of their land would already be flooded. They knew their culture and land would be damaged. So, they wanted money to help fix things. Sadly, the governments often did not keep their promises about money. The Cree had to use their own compensation money for basic improvements, like water and sewage systems. In 1981, a new village called Chisasibi was built. It replaced the old Fort George settlement. Fort George had been home to people who had to move because of earlier hydroelectric projects. The first part of the James Bay Project was finished in 1986.

The Second Phase

In 1986, the Quebec government announced plans for the second part of the project. This was called the Grande-Baleine hydroelectric project. It would create three power plants and flood about 1,700 square kilometers of land. This land was upstream from the Whapmagoostui village.

Different Views on the Project

For many people in Quebec, the Grande-Baleine project meant new jobs. For environmental groups, it meant big changes to nature. But for the Cree and Inuit in the area, the project would cause serious changes to their environment and their way of life. It was hard to figure out if social changes in the communities were caused by the project or if they were already happening. The Cree community of Whapmagoostui faced new social changes because of the Grande-Baleine project. However, Hydro-Quebec (the power company) and the government did not think these social effects were their problem. They felt these issues would not affect decisions about the project.

Protests and Agreements

The Cree and Inuit worked with environmental groups to protest the project. The main debate became about political power. It was about whether the Inuit and Cree could have a say in the project and what form it would take. In 1991, under Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come, the Cree held a very public protest against the Grande-Baleine project in New York City. In 1992, a new Cree village called Oujé-Bougoumou was created. This was for about 600 Cree people from the Chibougamau area. This happened after agreements in 1989 and 1992 with the governments of Canada and Quebec. In 1994, the Quebec government canceled the Grande-Baleine hydroelectric project. This was partly because people were worried about its effects on the environment and on First Nations communities.

What Happened Next

In 2002, the Cree and the Government of Quebec signed a very important agreement. It was called the Agreement Respecting a New Relationship Between the Cree Nation and the Government of Quebec, also known as La Paix des Braves (The Peace of the Braves). This was more than just a money deal; it was seen as an agreement between two nations. This agreement allowed for the building of the Eastmain-1 power station, which was the final part of the original James Bay Project. In 2004, the Cree and the Government of Quebec signed another agreement. This one was about working together to study the environmental impact of the Rupert River Diversion. This diversion was approved in 2007, and construction began.