Heiko Wittenborn
Plannord.gouv.qc.ca
PLAN NORD iMproving living
conditionS For
the FirSt nAtionS
And inuit
David Rouault Aboriginal concerns must be addressed. It is therefore essential that
aboriginal peoples take an active part in developing the Plan Nord and in every step of its implementation.
For this reason, the gouvernement du Québec invited the four aboriginal nations present in the Plan Nord area to take part in an inclusive and unprecedented consultative process to develop the Plan Nord. These four nations (Cree, Inuit, Innu, and Naskapi) have a total population of 33,000—about a third of the total area population.
The Cree, Inuit, and Naskapi nations as well as Innu communities decided to participate fully in the Plan Nord development process, in a relationship based on mutual respect and respect for each other’s aspirations and situation. Decision-makers in the gouvernement du Québec and aboriginal nations and communities involved have agreed on a certain number of framework principles, such as the maintenance of a nation-to-nation relationship and adherence to existing agreements.
These aboriginal nations and communities have participated fully in all Plan Nord proceedings. They formed the Aboriginal Partners’
Discussion Table, whose role has been to discuss aboriginal issues relating to the areas in question. They have also acted as active members of the Partners’ Discussion Table on northern development issues and challenges, and have participated in working groups and steering committees.
The James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement (JBNQA) and the Northeastern Québec Agreement govern relations between the gouvernement du Québec, the federal government and the Inuit, Cree, and Naskapi nations. These agreements assign aboriginal nations substantial responsibilities in regulation of health and social services, education, hunting, fishing, and trapping. They also include measures dealing with land management, create administrative structures, and provide funding for these responsibilities.
THE Plan nord: iMProving living condiTionS For
THE FirST naTionS and inuiT
Since 2004, the Innu communities of Mashteuiatsh, Essipit, and Nutakuan, all signatories to the Agreement in Principle of a General Nature between the First Nations of Mamuitun and Nutashquan, and the Governments of Québec and Canada (APGN), have continued negotiations in view of signing a treaty. Recognition of ancestral territory and greater Innu community participation in the development of natural resources are part of the agreement in principle and will be addressed during negotiations.
The economic space opened up by the Plan Nord will allow aboriginal participants to greatly increase their options for creating jobs, forming business partnerships, and undertaking their own developmental projects. This economic activity will raise their standard of living through improved access to the job market, notably through labor training programs. Likewise, the Plan Nord will promote social partnerships through concrete programs in such areas as housing and education.
The Plan Nord will thus serve as an additional tool through which the First Nations and Inuit can increase their participation in the area’s development in the years to come. The success of the Plan Nord will be measured in the quality of relationships involving aboriginal nations. Harmony among communities is essential to creating genuine synergies in this new economic space: fostering partnerships between aboriginal groups, entrepreneurs, regional entities, and the gouvernement du Québec. Such relationships also encourage constructive dialogue in which the complementary nature of means and needs can arise naturally. From such a dialogue, initiatives will emerge that are profitable and beneficial to all.
a relaTionshiP WiTh The firsT naTions and inuiT based on ParTnershiP and MuTual resPeCT
Throughout the Plan Nord process, the First Nations and Inuit involved have expressed the desire to participate as full-fledged partners in its development and implementation in a framework that respects their aspirations and situation. More specifically, the following framework principles have been established:
n Maintenance of a nation-to-nation relationship
n Obligation to properly consult the population
n Participation of aboriginal peoples in the decision-making process and in the implementation of development projects
n Adherence to the principles of sustainable development
n Respect for aboriginal cultures and identities
n Compliance with treaties, agreements, and conventions, both existing and to come
