[IPSM] Dissent over rights interrupts signing of Innu agreement

[Jaggi Singh]

[The Innu elder who interrupted the ceremony described below -- Jeanne
Mance Charlish -- is someone local activists have welcomed to Montreal
before. She was a featured speaker at a CLAC teach-in prior to the Quebec
City protests. She was also supposed to attend the Peoples' Global Action
(PGA) international gathering in Cochabamba, Bolivia in September 2001
(but cancelled due to 9-11). Jeanne Mance and her sister also spoke very
eloquently at the anti-war teach-in at Concordia in May 2002, describing
their struggles in Innu territory, and the history of abuse that native
youth have suffered and struggle with.

I know there's been lots of work and support with Grassy Narrows, Sun
Peaks, Oneida and Kanestatake, and it would be great to bring Jeanne Mance
to Montreal to expose what's happeing with the so-called "historic" land
agreement between Quebec, Canada and the Innu.  Jeanne Mance only speaks
French and her native tongue, and would help us reach local francophone
solidarity activists.

If there's interest and money, perhaps she can be invited to speak in the
Solidarity Room of the Anarchist Bookfair on May 15 (and do events after
that as well). Just suggesting some ideas ... Jaggi]
-----

Friday » April 2 » 2004

Dissent over rights interrupts signing of Innu agreement

ALLISON LAMPERT
The Gazette

Thursday, April 01, 2004
Jeanne Mance Charlish of the Ukauimau Aimu coalition turns away after
stating her disapproval of an agreement-in principle that was signed in
Quebec City.


Innu chief Denis Ross was about to sign a historic land agreement with the
Quebec and federal governments yesterday, when a woman in a black
embroidered vest stole the attention of the TV cameras.

Our rights aren't being respected in the agreement, Jeanne Mance Charlish,
an Innu from the Mashteuiatsh reserve West of Lac Saint Jean, told
reporters.

But after more than 20 years of negotiations, Charlish's pleas didn't stop
Ross and three other chiefs from signing the agreement-in-principle, which
would grant self-government to about 9,300 Innu.

It would also recognize the ancestral rights of four Innu communities to
vast lands the size of Italy, located north of the St. Lawrence River,
from Quebec City to Baie Comeau.

But with Innu leaders and the provincial government already facing
opposition from Charlish and nonaboriginal critics, the deal won't be
completed for at least a couple of years.

"This is not something that happens overnight," said Andy Mitchell,
Canada's Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. "This is
historic, it's important and it has taken a substantial amount of time to
achieve it."

First, a majority of Innu must approve the deal in referendums.

"We can't presume anything," said Ross, chief of Essipit, a reserve
located north of the St. Lawrence River, near Les Escoumins Bay. "But
since we are convinced that the deal is good, we will hopefully be able to
convince the population."

The deal would cede ownership of about 3,022 square kilometres of federal
and provincial lands - including the four communities' reserves - to the
Innu. Currently, the Innu can't mortgage their houses, or take out loans
to fund development projects because they don't own their own homes.

"It would change the entire dynamic," Ross said. "How do you expect us to
get a loan to do projects when we know that the banks won't help us?

"We're at the mercy of the federal government."

The Innu would also get a $377-million cash settlement.

But Charlish, spokesperson for the opposition group Coalition Ukauimau
Aimu (mothers of families), said the treaty does not go far enough to
recognize Innu rights over the exploitation of natural resources on the
land.

At the same time, residents from the Saguenay, which is considered part of
the Innu's ancestral land, have expressed concern over the impact such a
deal would have on their homes. In response, Gilbert Dominique, chief of
the Mashteuiatsh community, tried to appeal to French Quebec's sense of
nationalism.

"During their history, Quebecers, just like the Innu, have learned the
importance of defending and affirming their rights, their culture and
their language," Dominique said.

"Our fight is of the same nature."

alampert at thegazette.canwest.com
© Copyright  2004 Montreal Gazette