Ref. #2-3569
Oujé-Bougoumou, Quebec (November 7, 2011) – The Premier of Québec, Jean Charest, was in Oujé‑Bougoumou today to witness the signing of a major agreement related to the Cree community of Oujé-Bougoumou. The Grand Chief of the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee, Dr. Matthew Coon Come (as Chairman of the Cree Regional Authority – accompanied by his Vice-President, Ashley Iserhoff), and the Chief of the community of Oujé-Bougoumou, Reggie Neeposh, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, the Honourable John Duncan, and the Minister responsible for Native Affairs, Geoffrey Kelley, all signed Complementary Agreement No. 22. This Agreement, an amendment to the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) will formally incorporate the Cree community of Oujé‑Bougoumou. The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for Northern Québec, Pierre Corbeil, was also present.
“The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement set down the terms for a lasting relationship between the Crees and Québec. Several years later, La Paix des braves Agreement provided for additional innovative commitments. Today, the Complementary Agreement which formalizes the status of the Crees of Oujé-Bougoumou has fulfilled the previous commitments. Thus strengthened, the relation of partnership between the people of Québec and the Cree Nation is all the more promising. We can now work together more easily with the Cree Nation within a cohesive vision of development in Northern Québec,” stated the Premier.
“Today is an historic occasion not only for the community of Oujé-Bougoumou, but also for the Cree Nation as a whole. It is, in addition, an historic occasion for the region as a whole. Today represents the culmination of our long efforts to redress an injustice and to finally make right the circumstances which the community of Oujé-Bougoumou should never have experienced. Today is a day to acknowledge the willingness on the part of both Canada and Québec to participate in making things right,” said the Grand Chief of the Cree Grand Council, Matthew Coon Come.
After having been displaced from previous village sites throughout its history, Oujé-Bougoumou, with the assistance of the Cree Nation, negotiated earlier agreements with both the Government of Québec (1989) and the Government of Canada (1992) which provided funding for the community to construct a new village, and also provided for negotiations to amend the JBNQA to include Oujé-Bougoumou.
At the time of the signing of La Paix des braves Agreement in 2002, and the Agreement concerning a New Relationship between the Government of Canada and the Cree of Eeyou Istchee in 2008, Québec and Canada reiterated their intention to conclude a Complementary Agreement to the JBNQA in order to formally recognize the community of Oujé-Bougoumou. This is the commitment that has been fulfilled by the Complementary Agreement No. 22.
Under the Complementary Agreement, Québec will transfer 100 km2 of land to the Government of Canada, which will reserve it for the exclusive use of the Oujé-Bougoumou Cree, and it will transfer an additional 67 km2 of land to Oujé-Bougoumou. This allocation, as well as a contiguous 2,145 km2 territory on which the Cree will have exclusive hunting and fishing rights, will allow for the creation of a land regime comparable to that of other treaty communities on which to practice their traditional activities.
Minister Duncan stated that the full inclusion of the community of Oujé-Bougoumou has been an issue for too long. "This is a great moment for the community and we congratulate Oujé‑Bougoumou and the Cree Nation," he added.
“This agreement puts an end to a situation of exception and promotes a more harmonious environment for all residents of the James Bay territory. With full and official recognition, Oujé‑Bougoumou will henceforth be treated on an equal footing with the other Cree communities. I am very happy about this historical moment happening today for the community of Oujé-Bougoumou,” stated Minister Kelley.
For Reggie Neeposh, Chief of Oujé Bougoumou, this day likewise marks a turning point in history. “We are very happy today to finally see the fulfillment of the dream of our Elders – some sadly departed, and others still with us – to have a permanent home and to see Oujé‑Bougoumou take its rightful place in the social, political and economic landscape of the region. Today is truly a day to honour our Elders who guided us to this occasion and to celebrate together as a community and with our friends,” he said.
In the mid 1990s, the Oujé-Bougoumou community constructed their new village situated approximately 30 kilometres north of Chapais. Over 750 Crees live there today.
Moira Wolstenholme
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable John Duncan
819-997-0002
Media Relations
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
819-953-1160
Abel Bosum
Negotiator
Oujé-Bougoumou
(514) 774-7077
Paul Wertman
Advisor
Oujé-Bougoumou
(613) 794-6153
Hugo D’Amours
Press Officer
Office of the Premier
(418) 643-5321
Marie-Josée Paquette
Press Officer
Office of the Minister responsible for Native Affairs
(418) 646-9131
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