A millennial relationship bindsAtiku and the Innu. Indeed, because the salvation of our Nation is enabled, it is part of our identity, our spirituality and our culture.
This is why the leaders of the nine Innu communities in Quebec (Mashteuiatsh, Essipit, Pessamit, Uashat mak Mani-utenam, Ekuanitshit, Nutashkuan, Unamen Shipu, Pakua Shipi, and Matimekush-Lac John) firmly believe that the protection ofAtiku is one of their responsibilities in the validity of the ancestral rights and titles they hold in Nitassinan, ancestral territory, while ensuring the conduct of their ancestral activities and the food security of their members.
L ‘Atiku therefore it is important for Innu and our knowledge must be passed from generation to generation. Until recently, our company was built aroundAtiku, its movements and its hunting. Its decline necessarily leads to the loss of our identity, what our ancestors, grandparents and parents defended. It’s time we take the necessary steps to ensure the maintenance of our thousand -year -old relationshipAtiku for seven generations to come.
In recent years, Innu Nation has devised strategies and assumed part of its responsibility for the protection of Mushuau-Atiku (George River Herd and Leaf River). Together with other groups of Aboriginals in Quebec and Labrador, through the Ungava Peninsula Caribou Aboriginal Roundtable (TRACPU), we have developed an important management strategy for the species for the next 100 years entitled: Long Into the Future: Caribou and the Ungava Natives (October 17, 2017). Our first actions were fruitful, as George herd was so timid that his herd began to multiply.
In January 2022, nine Innu Nation communities signed a historic agreement Matinueu mashinaikan atiku e uauinakanit with Cree Eeyou Itschee Nation for finding Mushuau-Atiku (rivière aux Feuilles herd) in the territory of the Cree to achieve the common goal of reducing the yields of the populations of Minashkuau-Atiku (caribou from the depths of the forest), while promoting their respective cultural ties and respecting the TRACPU approach.
About Minashkuau-Atiku, its protection stakes are large and complex (some communities are currently engaged in legal proceedings), due to the industrial and human jobs in this territory on which its safety depends. This project deserves more effort from everyone, including our hunters, especially since some Innu communities are facing intense pressure from the forest and regional industry.
As First Nations and Indigenous Guardians in northeastern British Columbia have been able to triple the dwindling herd of caribou, Innu leaders are arranging matters in their own hands to find solutions specific to their communities. To this end, the Chiefs of Innu Nation will launch internal consultations with Minashkuau-Atiku. These will conclude with a national conference so that the Innu Nation can decide on its strategies for the protection ofAtikuand agree on actions to be taken.
We are also at the origin of a forum on the protection of Minashkuau-Atiku which includes the governments of Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada. Unfortunately, Innu Nation noticed the lack of seriousness and willingness of the Quebec Government in this process, resulting in no progress observed in recent years. The interventions of the Innu communities with the Quebec Government have proven unsuccessful. We consider that Quebec has failed to respect our ancestral rights, including title, by inadequate consideration of our duties, our interests, our values, our knowledge, and our needs aboutAtiku. The latest actions of the Government of Quebec – clearly without consultation with the First Country -, specifically the decision to create a commission free and to re -postpone the publication of its strategy for forest and mountain caribou conservation, clearly shows that Quebec prefers the protection of the interests of forest companies at the expense of preserving this important species both for Innu and for biodiversity conservation in the Quebec and Canadian landscape.
We recall that this so-called tripartite Table plotted four priority areas, namely population management, Innu culture, communication, harvesting and cross-border issues.
Our knowledge, expertise and experience in careAtiku give Innu Nation in Quebec a central role in creating, implementing and monitoring any strategy aimed at maintainingAtiku. We have solutions. Mamu (together) forAtiku.
signed by : Chef Mike Mckenzie – Uashat mak Mani -utenam, Chef Gilbert Dominique – Mashteuiatsh, Chef Martin Dufour – Essipit, Chef Jean -Marie Vollant – Pessamit, Chef Jean -Charles Pietacho – Ekuanitshit, Chef Réal Tettaut – Nutashkuan, Chef Bryan Mark – Unamen Shipu, Chief Guy Mestenapéo – Pakua Shipi, and Chief Réal Mckenzie – Matimekush -Lac John.
Source: Radio-Canada
