Grand Council of the Crees

Grand Council of the Crees. The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) is the principal political and administrative organization representing the approximately 18,000 Cree people of northern Quebec. Established in 1974 in response to the proposed James Bay Project, it has been instrumental in negotiating landmark agreements and advocating for Cree rights, sovereignty, and economic development. The Council serves as the central governing body for the Cree Nation, coordinating the efforts of its constituent communities across the vast territory of Eeyou Istchee.

History

The formation of the Grand Council of the Crees was a direct consequence of the 1971 announcement of the massive James Bay Project by the government of Robert Bourassa and Hydro-Québec. In response, Cree and Inuit communities initiated legal action, leading to the landmark 1973 ruling in Kanatewat v. James Bay Development Corporation, which temporarily halted construction. This legal pressure culminated in the 1975 signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, Canada's first modern treaty, which the Grand Council helped negotiate. Subsequent decades saw further pivotal negotiations, including the 2002 Paix des Braves agreement with the government of Quebec and the 2008 New Relationship Agreement with Canada, which further clarified governance and financial arrangements. The Council has also been active in international forums, engaging with bodies like the United Nations to advocate for Indigenous rights.

Governance and structure

The Grand Council of the Crees operates as a non-profit corporation under Canada's *Canada Business Corporations Act*, with its executive authority vested in an elected Grand Chief and Deputy Grand Chief. The legislative arm is the Cree Nation Government, which is composed of elected officials from each of the nine Cree communities: Chisasibi, Eastmain, Mistissini, Nemaska, Oujé-Bougoumou, Waskaganish, Waswanipi, Wemindji, and Whapmagoostui. This structure works in conjunction with the Cree Regional Authority, which administers regional programs and services. Key affiliated institutions include the Cree School Board, the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, and the Cree Nation Government Finance Commission, which manage education, health, and fiscal governance, respectively.

Land and rights advocacy

A core mandate is the unwavering defense of Cree rights, title, and jurisdiction over their traditional territory, Eeyou Istchee. This advocacy was foundational in securing the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, which recognized specific Cree rights and established the Category I and Category II lands system. The Council has consistently used litigation and negotiation to protect the environment from large-scale development, notably opposing projects like the Great Whale River project in the 1990s. It played a central role in creating the unique regional government model of Eeyou Istchee James Bay Territory, which shares public governance between Cree and Quebec authorities. The Council's leadership, including former Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come, has been pivotal in advancing these causes both domestically and at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

Economic development

The Grand Council of the Crees pursues a strategy of sustainable economic development and financial autonomy for the Cree Nation. This is largely channeled through the Cree Development Corporation and its subsidiaries, which invest in sectors such as air transport via Air Creebec, construction, forestry, and tourism. Revenue from impact-benefit agreements related to resource development, particularly the Paix des Braves which involved partnerships with companies like Hydro-Québec and AbitibiBowater, provides significant funding for community and economic initiatives. Other key entities driving this agenda include the Cree Nation Government Finance Commission, which manages impact funds, and the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, which is a major regional employer.

Relations with governments

The Council maintains complex, evolving relationships with multiple levels of government, characterized by a blend of negotiation, litigation, and partnership. Its most significant relationship is with the provincial government of Quebec, defined by treaties like the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Paix des Braves. Relations with the federal government of Canada have been formalized through agreements like the 2008 New Relationship Agreement, addressing governance and funding. The Council also engages directly with international bodies, having presented before the United Nations Human Rights Council and the International Labour Organization. Furthermore, it fosters alliances with other Indigenous peoples in Canada, such as the Inuit through the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, and the Naskapi via the Northeastern Quebec Agreement. Category:First Nations organizations in Quebec Category:Indigenous rights organizations in Canada Category:Organizations established in 1974