GREIBJ-EIJBRG

On February 7, 2002, more than 25 years after the signature of the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement (JBNQA), the Gouvernement du Québec and the Cree Nation entered into a nation-to-nation agreement to establish a partnership on economic and community development for a term of 50 years. This agreement was described by then Grand Chief Ted Moses as the “Paix des Braves”. It marked the beginning of a new era in relations between Québec and the Crees. In fact, the Paix des Braves is based on a cooperative approach to the implementation of the JBNQA, adapted to the economic and social reality of the Crees, in a context of increasing modernization.

The Paix des Braves seeks primarily to develop a new nation-to-nation relationship between the Crees and Québec based on trust and mutual respect. This agreement also promotes respect for the principles of sustainable development and the traditional way of life of the Crees, as well as increased Cree autonomy and responsibility for development.

This agreement, innovative in more ways than one, enables the parties to work together to develop the territory’s natural resources. These are conditions that allow development of hydroelectric, mining and forestry projects, thereby ensuring better sharing of resources with the Crees.

The Paix des Braves therefore makes it possible to look forward with confidence to the economic development of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory and a future of shared prosperity and cooperation.