
What did the James Bay Cree agree to give up? 11, 1975, the Cree and Inuit give up their claim to certain land in northern Quebec in return for $225 million in compensation. The far-reaching James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement also gives the Native people special hunting and fishing rights and more opportunity for self-government.
What was the result of the James Bay Treaty?
With this arrangement in place, the Indigenous peoples stopped all legal action and agreed to negotiate with the government directly. The latter committed to reach an amicable settlement on the issue of Indigenous land rights for the James Bay and Northern Quebec region through a bilateral treaty (see Charlie Watt).
What is the James Bay and northern Quebec Agreement?
Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia. The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) is a legal agreement signed on 11 November 1975 by the government of Quebec, the government of Canada, Hydro-Québec and two of its subsidiaries, the Grand Council of the Crees of Quebec and the Northern Quebec Inuit Association.
What is the James Bay hydroelectric agreement?
The Agreement was set within a dual historical context: the government’s ambition to increase the James Bay hydroelectric potential and that of the region’s First Nations to advocate for their rights on these lands ( see Hydroelectricity ).
What is the purpose of the James Bay native Development Corporation?
With provincial assistance, they created the James Bay Native Development Corporation. The mandate of the Corporation is to encourage the economic development of the Cree people and to allow them to have a say in any future development of the region, especially when it concerns the environment.

What is the James Bay Cree agreement?
The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement gives expression to the inherent Cree right of self‑government, providing key support for modern Cree Nation governance. It establishes a partnership between the Cree, Quebec and Canada in the governance and development of Eeyou Istchee.
Was the James Bay agreement good?
The James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement (JBNQA) was reached in 1975. This is arguably the first modern land claims agreement in Canadian history and is often considered one of the most successful agreements for Indigenous peoples in terms of monetary compensation.
When was the James Bay agreement?
November 11, 1975The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) was signed on November 11, 1975, by the Cree and Inuit representatives, the Governments of Quebec and Canada, the "Société de développement de la Baie James", the "Société d'énergie de la Baie James" and "Hydro-Québec".
What was the reason for the James Bay Project?
The over CAD$20 billion project was intended to be built in two phases 1) La Grande and 2) La Grande Baleine and was meant to dam and divert water flow from nine rivers and eventually flood an area the size of Belgium [1, 3, 11].
What is the significance of the James Bay and Northern Quebec treaty?
The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement is widely regarded as the first modern treaty in Canada. It has facilitated the reconciliation of the protection of the traditional way of life of the signatory nations and natural resource development in the territory.
Who are the James Bay Cree?
Eeyou Istchee (James Bay), Quebec The Crees have lived in this homeland, located in Boreal and Taiga ecozones, for thousands of years. There are more than 18,000 Crees, with 16,000 residing in nine Cree communities, and a tenth community is currently in the process of being established.
What did Treaty 9 promise?
Treaty 9, like other Numbered Treaties, contained provisions for cash treaty payments, the creation of reserves, education and hunting, fishing and trapping rights. Treaty 9 lands.
Who signed the James Bay Treaty?
The James Bay Treaty - (Treaty No. 9) is an agreement between Ojibway (Anishinaabe), Cree (including the Omushkegowuk) and other Indigenous Nations (Algonquin) and the Crown (represented by two commissioners appointed by Canada and one commissioner appointed by Ontario).
Where was the James Bay Treaty signed?
It covers 90,000 square miles in the northern region of Ontario. Treaty 9 was signed in different locations; July 12 it was signed at Onasburg, July 18 at Fort Hope, July 25 at Marten Falls, Moose Factory August 9 and in New Post August 21.
What is the Great Whale project?
The Great Whale Project combines a touristic whale watching operation with whale and dolphin conservation research, involving guests and volunteers in a philosophy of sustainable eco-tourism that supports conservation research.
When did James Bay Flood?
In September of 1984 the James Bay Project created a flooding impacting the wildlife and the Native American way of life. 4,000 square miles of water backed up eight huge dams up to 40 stories high were muddy dead waters.
Where is the James Bay?
eastern CanadaJames Bay, the southern inlet of Hudson Bay in eastern Canada, is located between the provinces of Quebec (right) and Ontario (left), Canada. The bay, 443 km long and 217 km wide, contains numerous islands. The crescent-shaped Akimiski Island (visible) is the largest with an area of 3002 sq km.
Historical Background
Negotiation
- On 15 November 1973, after a trial spanning several months, judge Albert Malouf rendered his decision to the Superior Court. He ruled in favour of the Indigenous peoples and demanded that the provincial government stop building the dams, recognize the unceded Indigenous rights and negotiate in good faith. Despite its desired effect, the ruling was quickly suspended by Quebec’s …
Terms of The Agreement
- The JBNQA is a complex legal and political document which redefines the organization of the James Bay and Northern Quebec territories between the Quebecois state and the Cree and Inuit nations. The Agreement formulates and codifies the specific recognized rights of the Indigenous peoples, whether territorial or cultural, with the core idea of preserving their independence and in…
Aftermath
- The Agreement’s scope and comprehensiveness regarding the redefinition of Indigenous rights on a specific territory had major repercussions on Quebec and the rest of the country. While the Canadian government saw a foundation on which to build future resolutions for Indigenous lands, other parties held a more negative view of the accord. George Manuel, Indigenous activist from …