Innu block access to mining projects on their territory
Innu Blockade, supported by the Innu Strategic Alliance. Photo: Cardinal Communication
Innu communities are blocking access to two mining projects in northeastern Quebec and western Labrador in an attempt to protect their Indigenous rights and ensure no mining can proceed on their territory without their prior consent.
At the moment, roughly 100 Innu from the communities of Matimekush-Lac John and Uashat mak Mani-Utenam are attending the blockade, which officially began on Friday, June 11.
That number could easily swell if the governments and the two mining companies, New Millennium Capital and Labrador Iron Mines Holdings (LIM), fail to act responsibly. Both communities are members of the Innu Strategic Alliance (ISA), which represents some 12,000 people or 70% of all Innu in the province of Quebec. The ISA supporting the blockade.
On June 9, the Alliance chiefs said they have no choice to set up a blockade, which "complies with the existing Innu traditional juridical system," because the Provincial and Federal governments are undermining their rights.
"We are open to constructive dialogue with the governments and the companies as long as our cultural, economic, social, environmental and spiritual aspirations are respected. We are not against all forms of development of the territory but we are against all development held without our consent," stated the Chiefs in a joint statement.
Matimekush-Lac John Chief Real McKenzie and Uashat mak Mani-Utenam Chief Georges-Ernest Grégoire also reaffirmed Innu ownership of the natural resources within their territory, stating, "We have never ceded, abandoned or renounced our Aboriginal rights or our Aboriginal title. The governments therefore have the constitutional obligation to consult us and to accommodate our rights and interests."
The ISA notes that, in 1927, the Quebec-Labrador border was imposed on them by the British Crown, which created an "artificial division of Nitassinan (Innu territory)".
The division opened the floodgates for Canada's standard aboriginal policy, including residential schools, the banishment of hunting Caribou (which the Innu heavily rely on) and, ultimately, the exploitation of Nitassinan.
The region was stripped of its resources in the 1950s and 60s; the Innu barred from exercising their rights and benefiting in any way meaningful.
"Our community will not be fooled like in the 60s. For many years, our territory was stripped of its resources without our consent and without any benefit for our community. When the governments completed their mining operations, [Schefferville] was destined for doom; the governments left it deprived of economic activity and resources and without taking account of our presence and without concern for our rights. If they now wish to take up mining again, they have to do so under our conditions," said Chief McKenzie, prior to a general meeting last month held to discuss the future of Innu lands.
More recently, Chief McKenzie said the blockade will stay up as long as it takes for the governments and the companies to act. "It's up to them."
- About
- Spread the Word
Let us all know if you need assistance. Just put the word out. Good luck and we’re all proud of you.
I have had long time contact with Friends of Nitassinin & know about the history of Quebec appropriation of native resourses Innu & other nations. However, I’ve been more aware of the huge, destructive hydro projects imposed by Hydro-Quebec, such as the Ste Margurite river project and now the proposed La Romaine project. These not only violate Innu rights but are destroying salmon spawning runs and leading to the decline of Atlantic salmon. What is the position of these same Innu groups on the La Romaine project? This is a project that Premier Charest is touting as so important to his plan to increase electricity sales to the USA so we can waste more energy (and more Quebec wilderness). I will be coming to the lower north shore in August and on to Sheshieu- goose Bay to acompany Elizabeth Penashue on her annual canoe trip on the Churchill River and I’d like to talk to people about the La Romaine plans.
Hey James. I imagine they’re opposed to it, but I’ll get in touch with the ISA in the next few days to be sure. You may also want to jot down a few details about your self here, or send it to me, so I can let them know who you are. They’ll probably ask.
Respecfully, A
I am sorry have been away but i am back now to assist where ever in the world needs powerful spiritual assistance.Now it seems to be in my own back yard here in Canada so my people stand strong and proud out there and know that powerful forces are watching over this situation out there.I am surprised that these Canadian governments are still acting in such a disrespectful way.I had thought that they were trying to make amends for all the sins of the past.Well for now i pray this all works out my people and know that all of us Shamans and medicine people are watching over you all out there in these trying times.I will monitor this situation until it comes to a peaceful and respectful conclusion.
Peace and love!!
Good! KEEP THE PRESSURE ON ‘THE OPPRESSORS’! (i promise to work on the “back-end”..(ie: stock holders)) This total corporate BS has to be STOPPED..(& at all COST’S)
It seems counterproductive to blockade the legal operations of mining companies (which have already agrred to job and support commitments with these groups) in order to take a position which can only be resolved with the Provincial and Federal governments.
Then again ,clear and focused strategy doesn’t seem to be in the vocabulary of these aboriginal groups.
Thanks for commenting, boxboss. I hear what you’re saying. It really does seem counterproductive, but if they don’t take a grounded stand and create some leverage, e.g., by setting up a blockade, then the companies and governments will just run over them, take what they want and then ditch out.
Or, at the very best, they’ll get a couple short-term jobs and a small payout (not to mention all that mining waste). Now, that may sound like a pretty fair deal. But if we hold it up to life on reserve, it looks more like a dollar store band-aid for a mortal wound… Throughout Canada, reserves have water that looks like sludge and houses filled with black mould, skyrocketing rates of cancer, TB and diabetes. Kids killing themselves left and right. And the government expects everyone to just sit back and let them take, take, take.
That’s one of the main reasons we’re seeing so many blockades nowadays.
Also, technically, the mining operations aren’t legal at this point. The government is really obligated by the constitution to “consult and reasonably accommodate” the Innu before they can give the green light. They haven’t done it yet.
The Innu are also asserting their right to consent, which is something that the Provincial and Federal governments are denying them (like all other Indigenous Nations in Canada).
Something like this can only be achieved through action, hopefully peaceful.
Any word what the labrador innu have to say on this, or just the quebec innu who poach endangered caribou?
Despite all the previous posting’s rhetoric, there remain certain facts that I would like to see someone answer in a manner not comparing a small group of Innu to some sort of opressed martyrs:
1. Why was it not a problem for the Iron Ore Company of Canada to mine these sites from 1954-1982, only closing down due to a lack of demand from steel makers?
2.Why did the majority of Quebec and Newfoundland Innu reach a compromise agreement with Labrador Iron Mines if this agreement is so distateful that it results in a blockade?
3.Why is the only Innu group protesting from the Matimekush-Lac-John reserve?
4.Why do the Newfoundland Innu and government intend to stop Quebec Innu from illegaly hunting an endangered species (caribou) in Labrador (so much for the aboriginal myth of living in harmony with nature).
Let’s be realistic and separate what constitutes a fair settlement from the same sort of irrational behaviour currently on display by the Grand River band in Ontario.
I won’t be able to answer your questions from a “professional” standpoint, but I can share a few reasonable thoughts:
1. Do you know what Innu life was like in the 1950s? Let me put it this way: The residential school system was still stealing their kids. And they had absolutely no rights as human beings. “Aboriginal rights” as they’re known today, weren’t embedded in the constitution until the mid 80s. Before then, you weren’t allowed to freely walk off the reserve or enter a court room; and you most certainly couldn’t say “NO” to development. It was, for all intents and purposes, delusional to even think it.
2 & 3: Just because the majority says it’s ok, it does not make it so. You can call it rhetoric if you want, but it’s a simple truth. The majority can be wrong. And in this case they have intentionally and mistakenly excluded Matimekush-Lac-John; and that is why they’re leading the effort. But, as I noted in the article, they have the support of the ISA, and if the government acts irresponsibly than I’m sure they will show up to support them. It’s a part of the strategy.
4. I can’t say that I agree with the protest, but the caribou weren’t simply slaughtered like what Canada did to the seals a couple years back. They are using them to feed their families (They do in fact depend on the caribou for subsistence). In any case, there is some question as to whether or not the concerned Caribou species is actually endangered. Some Innu Elders believe that the gov’t is only counting one herd.
Maybe it’s true, I don’t know. But either way, it doesn’t diminish the fact that the Innu have rights and the provincial and federal govenrment is obligated by law to protect and preserve those rights, just like the rights of any Canadian citizen.
Rhetoric huh boxbossy?Back in the day the police and or military would of attacked our peaceful protests back in the 50′s and 80′s well things have changed powerful forces now watch out for our people threwout Canada and the world now.Such powerful forces that can alter the very reality around the police and military either it be in afghanistan or in their own detachments the government is very aware of the power that watches over the lost tribes ie us.We only want respect and treated fairly and with any corporations that opts to come onto our lands and try to destroy for profit.To respect our wishes as a sovern peoples we are the first nation here and we are connected to the earth in ways that could boggle some people’s minds.For even if it is a government or corporation that opts to try to steal and destroy our lands our sacred waters for their mines and oil and gas ect they must be respectful and enviormentally consience about the effects of their actions and how it could effect the tribes in the area and the lands sacred waters sacred sites burial grounds and critters in the area and come to an agreement and understanding with the wise peoples in the area or such blockades will continue with powerful repercussions taking place in the capitols of the areas that disrespect my peoples wishes and that of the great spirits and spiritual protectors of mother earth and her children.
Well put and very articulate, Sir! I’m trying to ‘fight’ Gas Fracturing in WV…the ‘lure’ of $$ causes otherwise sane & ‘conservative’ farmers to “go along w/ ‘the program’ for a monthly pittance…little do they really know what they are giving away to their children….
Is this blockade of the mine getting close to a resolution?
Don’t worry. As soon as the first snowflake is seen they will all head back to the warmth of their subsidised housing in their vehicles running on subsidised gas awaiting their monthly cheques from the Provincial and Federal governments.
They may show up in the spring depending on how bad the black flies are, or how many spawning fish they can net.
Thank you for the comment, boxboss. It says alot that you would rather characterize the Innu as animals than talk to me like a responsible adult.
That said, any more comments like this from you are going straight to the trash.