James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement Signatories: The Key Players Who Shaped a Historic Treaty

The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, signed in 1975, was a landmark treaty between the government of Canada, the province of Quebec, and the Cree and Inuit peoples of northern Quebec. The agreement established a framework for cooperative management of the natural resources of the region, recognized the rights of Indigenous peoples, and paved the way for future agreements and negotiations. At the heart of this historic agreement were the signatories – the key players who helped shape the treaty and ensure its success.

Here is a closer look at some of the signatories of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and their contributions to the treaty:

1. Billy Diamond

Billy Diamond was the Grand Chief of the Cree Nation when negotiations for the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement began in the early 1970s. He was a key figure in the Cree`s efforts to secure recognition of their rights and negotiate with the governments of Canada and Quebec on equal footing. Diamond`s leadership and diplomatic skills helped the Cree secure important concessions in the agreement, such as the recognition of their rights to hunt, fish, and trap in their traditional territories.

2. Inuit Tapirisat of Canada

The Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (ITC) was the national organization representing Inuit interests during the negotiations for the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. The ITC played a key role in ensuring that the treaty recognized and protected the rights of Inuit people to use and manage the natural resources of the region. The organization also advocated for the establishment of Inuit-owned and controlled businesses and helped negotiate the creation of the Makivik Corporation, which represents the economic interests of the Inuit in northern Quebec.

3. Rene Levesque

Quebec Premier Rene Levesque was a controversial figure in Canadian politics, known for his separatist views and push for Quebec independence. However, during the negotiations for the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, Levesque played a key role in securing a fair and equitable deal for the Cree and Inuit. He recognized the need to work collaboratively with Indigenous peoples and helped negotiate important provisions in the agreement, such as the establishment of an environmental monitoring board to oversee resource management in the region.

4. Jean Chretien

Jean Chretien was the federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development during the negotiations for the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. He was a strong advocate for Indigenous rights and played a key role in securing funding for the treaty`s implementation. Chretien also helped negotiate the creation of the Cree School Board, which gave Indigenous people the power to control their own education system and promote their language and culture.

5. The Cree and Inuit Peoples

Of course, the most important signatories of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement were the Cree and Inuit peoples themselves. These Indigenous communities had been living in northern Quebec for thousands of years, and their knowledge and expertise were essential to the success of the treaty. The Cree and Inuit played a central role in negotiating the agreement and ensuring that their rights and interests were recognized and protected.

In the end, the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement was a triumph of diplomacy and collaboration. The key signatories – including Billy Diamond, the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, Rene Levesque, Jean Chretien, and the Cree and Inuit peoples themselves – worked together to create a treaty that recognized the importance of Indigenous rights, protected the natural resources of the region, and established a framework for cooperative management. Today, the legacy of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement can be seen in ongoing efforts to recognize and protect the rights of Indigenous peoples across Canada.