The biggest obstacle to Cree economic development is the government of Quebec’s view that Cree lands are a vast frontier waiting to be exploited for its resources, says Philip Awashish.
“Quebec policies perpetuate the notion that Cree territory is a frontier for the development and exploitation of resources for profit and greed, and disregard the rights and interests of the people who permanently inhabit the land,” says the long-time former vice-chair of the Cree Regional Authority and executive chief of the Grand Council, now a consultant. “The government has so far simply left the Crees out of the development of resources.”
Back in the 1970s, Awashish was one of the young Crees who alerted other Crees about Hydro-Quebec’s plans to build dams on Cree lands after hearing about the plans through the media. He held top positions in the CRA and Grand Council for 17 years. Awashish spoke with The Nation about the ongoing controversy over the sagging profits and poor job-creation record of the Cree economic-development companies.
“Creeco. should not deal with economic development the way it has in the past. The Cree Nation has to deal with it with a clear vision and direction. Economic development goes beyond thinking of Creeco. Crees have to reassert their sovereignty.”
Creeco. may claim to pursue the economic interests of the Cree people, but Awashish said it is subject to the same rules as any other company conducting business
in the North. “It should be subject to the rules, sovereignty and jurisdiction of the Cree Nation, not all the corporate laws and policies of Quebec,” he said.
“The only way the Cree Nation can make any advance in economic development is for us to get involved in the development of resources in a way that’s compatible with the hunting-and-fishing way of life. If we, both native and non-native people, are not going to practice sustainable development, we’re lost. All wealth comes from the land.”
