MAMU UITSHEUTUN / MAAMUU WIICHEUTUWIN – A Cree-Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation-to-Nation Agreement
MAMU UITSHEUTUN / MAAMUU WIICHEUTUWIN - A Cree-Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation-to-Nation Agreement
The Agreement — entitled MAMU UITSHEUTUN / MAAMUU WIICHEUTUWIN, meaning to accompany one another — notably states that each Nation recognizes the sovereignty of the other Nation on its territory. This mutual affirmation is accompanied not only by a recognition of the aboriginal title of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh on Nitassinan, but also, and in order to address a historical ommission, a recognition of the inherent rights of Cree families in an area shared with the Pekuakamiulnuatsh called Peschitaskau / Shashtuaussi located in Nitassinan.
“Since time immemorial, our two Nations have cohabited and gotten together on the territory and we have always been good neighbors. Over time, important ties were created between our families. It is a great honour for the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation to sign today such an important and significant agreement. It is wide in scope and its effects will resonate for a long time within our Nations. On behalf of my people, I wish to express my pride and my gratitude in being able to make such a significant gesture of reconciliation and collaboration today,” said the Chief of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation, Clifford Moar.
“This Agreement is a testament to the incredible leadership of our Chiefs and the vital wisdom of the land-users who have guided us on this new path. With the combined strength and innovation of the Cree Nation and the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation we will develop innovative ways to protect our way of life while integrating development, we will develop innovative ways for the integration of our traditional knowledge and expertise into Western management systems. I hope that our neighbours recognize that a strong Cree Nation, a strong Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation and more importantly a strong Cree Pekuakamiulnuatsh Alliance is good for the people of Quebec.” – Grand Chief Dr. Abel Bosum, Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee)/Cree Natio Government
In addition to recognizing rights, the Agreement also includes joint commitments regarding economic development and employment, forestry and traditional activities. In order to ensure its implementation and to strengthen political, economic and social relations between the two Nations, a standing Cri-Ilnu committee is formally created.
In terms of forestry, the two Nations undertake to collaborate and participate jointly in a working group with the Quebec government in order to establish management rules for Peschitaskau/Shashtuaussi. This collaboration will help settle a dispute arising from a 2002 letter of Agreement providing for the application of forestry rules outside the territory of the James Bay Agreement.
With regard to traditional activities and wildlife, the two Nations agree to propose, in collaboration with the families concerned, a cohabitation formula and rules for Peschitaskau/Shashtuaussi, to provide for the practice of activities and the exercise of rights of the Pekuakamiulnuatsh and Cree families. In addition, each Nation is open to the possibility of receiving guests from the other Nation on its territory for the practice of traditional activities. In addition, each Nation agrees to determine the modalities for exercising their right to receive guests of other Nations in their territories for the practice of traditional activities.
In terms of economic development, they also agree to collaborate and support each other in order to promote, for their members, access to jobs and contracts on their respective territories.
“Together, we will build new relationships between our Nations, based on our mutual recognition and respectful of our history. We will now talk to other governments with one voice when dealing with common issues and we will ensure that the orientations we have put forward today by signing this Agreement are clearly understood,” said in closing Chiefs Moar and Bosum.