2023-10-12 08:00:00
Although the Innu of Unamen Shipu still say they disagree with the construction of a possible dam on the Petit Mécatina River, the CEO of Hydro-Québec, Michael Sabia, plans to soon meet the indigenous community to hold discussions .
However, the Innu of the Basse-Côte-Nord region regularly denounce the lack of communication of information from the authorities surrounding the hydroelectric project which, potentially, plans to flood an area of 228 km2.
The First Nation, which has approximately 1,200 people, criticizes the state corporation for carrying out initiatives in their territory without its consent. Last September, the head of Unamen Shipu, Raymond Bellefleur, already pointed out several activities, notably helicopter overflights which he describes as unacceptable.
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Raymond Bellefleur, chef d’Unamen Shipu
Photo : Facebook Raymond Bellefleur
The indigenous chief and several members of his council made this known to the head of the state corporation during a meeting organized in Montreal on September 28.
We explained to Mr. Sabia our position on the issue, that we do not want to hear anything regarding a preliminary study, declared Raymond Bellefleur in an interview.
We want our rights to be respected and to undertake this type of action without our consent, well, that is not respecting us.
The chief traveled to Montreal to respond to the invitation of the CEO of Hydro-Québec, but also to ensure the support of the Innu communities of Quebec. Several chiefs are behind us, assuring us of all their help so that our rights are respected, confirms Mr. Bellefleur, citing the support, among others, of chiefs Réal McKenzie and Jean-Charles Piétacho, who respectively lead the communities of Matimekush and ‘Ekuanitshit.
Following this meeting, Mr. Sabia wrote a letter to the head of Unamen Shipu to announce the suspension of the company’s activities, in particular the controversial helicopter overflights, but also field interventions and permit applications.
We are happy to see that we have been heard on these contentious points, but there are still a lot of concerns on our part, explains Mr. Bellefleur. We don’t want a dam here.
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Michael Sabia, CEO of Hydro-Quebec.
Photo : Radio-Canada
In the missive that Native Spaces was able to consult, the CEO of Hydro-Québec now wishes to initiate a dialogue with the population and the members of the council in order to answer questions.
Our teams will make themselves available to answer questions and present to the community the reasons why the preliminary study is required, he writes, confirming several exchanges of information such as the results of the overviews, the different stages of the development of a project hydroelectric or avenues of collaboration.
As such, Mr. Sabia promises to soon meet the chief and the community at Unamen Shipu so that we can take the time to understand each other better and discuss the best way to build the future together, continues- he.
No is no!
The CEO took the opportunity to make his mea culpa by adding that he had read the file for the construction of the Lac-Robertson power station, also on the North Shore. It is very clear to me that the ways of doing things at the time are unthinkable today.
For his part, the chief does not see the usefulness of a visit by the CEO to the Innu, but is not once morest the idea of Mr. Sabia meeting members of the community. It’s his right. We have already told him that we are not interested in the dam. What matters to us is protecting our territory from destruction and pollution.
A speech that he intends to hammer home to the authorities during the official inauguration on Thursday of the Romaine hydroelectric complex, near Havre-Saint-Pierre. I’m going to be here to say that no means no!
Hydro-Québec has been eyeing the hydroelectric potential of the Petit Mécatina river for several years, already mentioned in its 2022-2026 strategic plan. On September 15, Hydro-Québec took a further step, revealing the conclusions of a summary study sent to the communities concerned, confirming its interest in continuing studies in the field.
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