Protecting land and culture

ᐁ ᓵᒋᐦᑖᑲᓂᐎᒡ ᐊᔅᒌ

Eeyou Istchee is the most precious gift entrusted to the Cree people.

It shapes our language, our culture and our values. The continuation of the Cree way of life is critical to our ability to protect Eeyou Istchee:

  • We need to make every effort to guarantee future generations will live out on the land and practice the Cree way of life.

  • We need to treat the professions of tallyman, hunter, trapper, land user with the respect they deserve, which includes empowering the Cree Trappers’ Association.

  • There should always be public dialogue. Concerned local Governments and Cree families must be prioritized in all discussions relating to environmental protection measures, development activities or wildlife protection measures.

Principle

Section 22 of the James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement was the first of its kind in ensuring that a First Nation played a meaningful role in assessing any project on their territory. Our ancestors have sacrificed too much for us not to exercise this constitutional right to protect the land and our way of life.


Calls to Action

  • We need communication protocols, educational material and information campaigns to promote greater regional and local coordination on the environmental and social impact assessment regime under Section 22.

  • The Environmental and Social Impacts Assessment (ESIA) team at the Cree Nation Government must be prioritized and provided with the resources to increase coordination with local administrations.

Principle

The integrity of Eeyou Istchee and the Cree Way of life depend on one another; we need to make every effort to promote the continuation of the Cree Way of life to ensure that our people maintain the sacred knowledge of the land and animals we are entrusted to protect.

Calls to Action

  • Working with organizations like the Cree Trappers’ Association to support the tallymen and their families in having a greater presence on Eeyou Istchee;

  • Expanding revenue sources beyond the Income Security Program for Cree land users.

  • Fostering more land-based programs related to health, education, youth, elders and justice.