The Vancouver Sun, a broadsheet daily paper first published in 1912, has the largest circulation in the province of British Columbia.
Guest editorial from the Montreal Gazette
Matthew Coon Come has proven himself to be no pushover when it comes to defending the interests of his people.
Grand chief of Quebec’s Grand Council of the Crees and a former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, he has been an outspoken activist in the assertion of aboriginal rights, gaining an international reputation for his efforts in the process.
Therefore it was saying something when Coon Come effusively hailed as a landmark achievement the agreement signed last week between the Quebec government and the Cree Grand Council on resource development, land management and regional governance in the James Bay territory.
The deal covers an area of 330,000 square kilometres, roughly the size of Italy. As a result of it, the municipality of James Bay will cease to exist and be replaced by a regional authority jointly governed by aboriginal and non-aboriginal residents of the territory.
It will initially be headed by a 22-member council, half of which will be Cree representatives and half Jamésiens, as non-aboriginal residents of the territory have come to be known. After 10 years, representation will be based on the size of each group’s population, a change that, in light of demographic realities, will probably mean a Cree majority. The adoption of the annual regional budget as well as other matters of major importance will require a two-thirds majority for approval.
The agreement also provides for an additional $30 million in funding for the Cree Nation over five years, as well as $9 million for the joint regional government’s first five years of operation.
The agreement is integral to the Liberal government’s ambitious multibillion-dollar Plan Nord development scheme, which aims to mine the rich resource potential of Quebec’s vast northern region. It does not give the Cree veto rights over future mining projects, but it does give the joint government increased say over what projects will be developed on lands traditionally set aside for hunting and trapping. The Cree are also granted exclusive jurisdiction over smaller-scale hydroelectric projects as well as some wind-power projects.
For the rest of this editorial, please go to the Vancoucer Sun website: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Editorial+accord+hailed+model+first+nations+negotiations/7033298/story.html