Innu leaders vowed to take whatever actions are necessary to protect Innu rights as they face proposed hydro development by Newfoundland and Quebec on Innu land.
“We are tired of being lied to, tired of being misled, and tired of having our rights ignored,” said Innu Nation Vice-president Daniel Ashini.
Much the same way Cree leaders were ignored in the early 1970s, Innu leaders are being brushed off by Premiers Brain Tobin and Lucian Bouchard who have refused to include the Innu in discussions about more hydro developments on the Churchill River.
According to Ashini, the Premiers are currently discussing what percentage of jobs will go towards Quebec, or Newfoundland workers.
“We were not even compensated for the (first) Churchill Falls hydroelectric development,”said Ashini, and yet the Premiers are already grabbing for money and jobs on a new project.
Ashini said the Supreme Court established that consultation with and compensation for Aboriginalpeople are fundamental requirements for any development on Aboriginal land.
“We will not be bulldozed again,” said Ashini. “They have to have our consent”
The 1969 Churchill Falls contract makes millions for Quebec . Newfoundland sells power at a lowrate to Quebec, which then sells it for high profits to the U.S. Tobin wants a better deal forNewfoundland. Bouchard has so far refused.
