This Pre-Development Agreement is living proof that when the Crees stand united, we accomplish great things.  This Pre-Development Agreement will provide meaningful participation of the Crees of Oujé-Bougoumou in the pre-development activities of BlackRock Metals but more importantly, it sets a proper tone of cooperation and partnership as we embark on discussions for a final agreement on the project, which we know will provide benefits in the form of employment, training, business opportunities and economic benefits.

The lobbyist-consultant has said in the newspapers that a real war is being prepared.  This is not what the Cree Nation of Mistissini wants.  We are certain that it is not what the tallymen want.  But it seems to be what the lobbyist-consultant wants:  to set Cree against Cree, to divide the Cree, to weaken the Cree.  And who will benefit?  Certainly not the Cree.  Perhaps the lobbyist-consultant, perhaps the southern “partners”, but certainly not the Cree.

The Cree Nation of Mistissini remains open to meeting with the tallymen concerned and Uuchii at any time in order to discuss their concerns and find solutions that benefit them and the entire community.

Clearly, a new way of doing things is called for. If we are to fix the “Attawapiskats” across this country; If we are, once and for all, to change the nature of the relationship between ourselves and Canadian society as a whole, then we must start thinking about things differently. The Federal Government, the provinces, and we ourselves, must all have the courage to “think outside the box” and to find the workable and practical solutions this country needs now, and to do so in a way without jettisoning an understanding of, and adherence to, aboriginal rights.

"We may have a different way of relying on the land today than we did in the past, and there is little doubt that in the future it will be different also, but there is no question that the land, and our relationship to the land, will be the basis of our future."

"I am disappointed and very disturbed when all parties are playing the blame game. The solution is to move away from pointing fingers and focus on the families."

States of emergency have been declared in the northern Quebec communities of Chisasibi and Wemindji, which have been without power for more than 24 hours.

Full story available at the CBC.

As a result of the three articles published in Le Devoir on November 1, 2011, November 12, 2011 and November 26, 2011, the Cree Nation of Mistissini wants to correct and re-establish some facts.

Chibougamau, April 12, 2010:

"The Eeyou Communications Network, le Réseau de communications Eeyou, will connect the peoples, institutions and businesses of the North and enable a full range of telecommunications services. It will advance the ways our communities work and advance the work of our communities. ECN will be more than the delivery of telecommunications services. It is new technology with a social dimension. It can benefit future economic and social development, productivity and increased potential for the region. It is also about employment, about creating technical and management jobs. It will help create an environment where job-creation will reflect our innovative interests."

"In the end, it is not a story of 'us' versus 'them'. It is a story of 'us together'. And the story is not over. There are new chapters to write, together. The Final Agreement on Governance will help us to do so."