Objective and Process The election in the Province of Quebec of a government whose fundamental goal is the separation of Quebec from Canada raises serious issues regarding the status and rights of the James Bay Crees -Eeyou.
The Cree Eeyou Astchee Commission is mandated to provide the Cree people and others with a timely opportunity to express their opinions and concerns on any aspects of this context, including Cree rights, Cree institutions, our way of life, the environment, and our relationship with our lands, waters and resources.
The Commissioners will meet with Cree Elders, youth, women, hunters and trappers, and Cree organizations in their homes, gathering places, classrooms, hunting camps to ensure a consultative process that is consistent with Cree values, traditions and practices. The work of the Commission will be undertaken in a grassroots manner throughout the Cree territory.
In order to facilitate access to the Commission for the media, non-Crees and other aboriginal peoples, the Commission will hold a national hearing or hearings towards the end of the process.
Cree Eeyou Astchee commission on the future of the Cree nation Terms of reference The Cree Nation (Eeyou) in accordance with the wishes of its People and Leadership shall proceed with the following: 1. To consult the Cree people on the status and rights of the Cree Nation, throughout the Cree Territory including in all Cree communities and in Cree camps, traplines and gathering places.
2. The purpose of the Commission will be to inform and hear from Eeyou in regard to matters relating to the position of the Cree Nation, its relationship to Aboriginal and other governments and, in particular the current debate in Quebec on possible secession from Canada.
3. The Commission will ensure a consultative process consistent with Cree values and will meet with Cree Elders, youth, women, hunters and trappers, and Cree organizations in their homes, gathering places, classrooms, and hunting camps.
4. In order to facilitate access for the media and non-Crees, the Commission will hold a national hearing or hearings. Submissions from non-Crees will be accepted in written form or other form at the discretion of the Commission.
5. Following its consultations, the Commission shall appear before the Cree Nation in constituent or general assembly to report on its findings and make any recommendations deemed appropriate.
6. The Commission shall establish its own Secretariat to deal with logistics, scheduling, budget administration, language and translation, recording of the process, legal and technical issues, and other related matters.
