2010-2011 and 2011-2012: Combined Annual Reports: James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement

Inuit Forum

The Inuit Forum is a high-level committee dedicated to discussing strategic JBNQA implementation issues. It includes an Inuit delegation as well as a federal delegation for whom the representative is the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for claims issues. The Inuit Forum, created in 1993 shortly after the signing of the Agreement Respecting the Implementation of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement between Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada and Makivik Corporation, provides the opportunity to discuss issues related to the implementation of the JBNQA. In 2009-2010, the Inuit Forum was reformed to focus discussions on strategic issues rather than on strictly operational issues. The Inuit Forum met twice during the reporting period.

Cree-Canada Standing Liaison Committee

The Cree-Canada Standing Liaison Committee is a high-level committee dedicated to discussing strategic JBNQA implementation issues. The Cree-Canada Standing Liaison Committee includes a Cree delegation as well as a federal delegation for whom the representative is the Senior Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for claims issues. The Cree-Canada Standing Liaison Committee was created in 2008 following the signing of the Agreement Concerning a New Relationship between the Government of Canada and the Cree of Eeyou Istchee (New Relationship Agreement). As provided for in Chapter 8 of this Agreement, the Committee meets at least twice each fiscal year. The Committee met twice during the reporting period.

Cree-Naskapi Commission

The Cree-Naskapi Commission was created in 1984 following the enactment of the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act. The Cree-Naskapi Commission consists of three commissioners appointed by the Governor General in Council upon recommendation of the Cree Regional Authority (CRA) and the Naskapi community of Kawawachikamach. Its mandate, among other responsibilities, consists of investigating claims related to the application of the Cree-Naskapi (of Quebec) Act. The Cree-Naskapi Commission must also prepare reports on the application of the Act to be tabled in Parliament by the Minister of AANDC. IB is responsible for addressing the recommendations made by the commissioners in these reports.

In 2012, IB participated in the Cree-Naskapi Commission Special Implementation Hearings to discuss various concerns and issues raised by the commissioners in the preparation of their report.

In 2010, and again in 2012, the minister of INAC re-appointed the three commissioners of the Cree-Naskapi Commission; Mr. Philip Awashish, Mr. Robert Kanatewat and Mr. Richard Saunders as the chairman, for two - year terms.

Operational, Technical Tables and Working Groups

IB participates in three operational tables (Cree, Inuit and Naskapi) dedicated to the discussion of various matters and challenges at the operational level, relating to the implementation of both the JBNQA and the NEQA. IB also sits on a number of technical tables and working groups used to discuss specific matters or issues regarding housing, environment, transfer payments, etc.

Interdepartmental Table

The JBNQA and the NEQA Interdepartmental Table is a caucus that enables federal partners responsible for the implementation of these Agreements to deliberate and make recommendations to resolve various operational matters related to implementation activities. During the reporting period, the federal partners met twice.

Advisory Committees

The Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Coordinating Committee (HFTCC), the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment (JBACE) and the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee (KEAC) are the three advisory committees created under Sections 22, 23, and 24 of the JBNQA. These three committees oversee the implementation of special regimes established under the JBNQA, particularly with regard to environment and wildlife harvesting rights. INAC and its federal partners fund and regularly participate in these committees meetings by offering technical expertise in many areas, while also ensuring continued participation in the land and environmental management regimes.

Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Coordinating Committee The HFTCC was formed under Section 24 of the JBNQA. It consists of Aboriginal representatives and representatives from the Governments of Quebec and Canada. The permanent federal representatives on the HFTCC are from INAC, Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. HFTCC's mandate is to study, manage and in certain cases monitor and regulate the hunting, fishing and trapping regime. HFTCC plays an advisory role and makes recommendations to both provincial and federal governments. It holds annual meetings in the Northern communities to explain its activities and consult with local people about its mandate and broad objectives. Sub-committees have been formed to deal with specific issues such as game animal, parks, fishing, outfitting operations, marketing of caribou meat and land use. For more information, please visit HFTCC website.

James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment and Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee
The JBACE and the KEAC were formed under Sections 22 and 23 of the JBNQA to provide advice to both provincial and federal governments on policies and regulations likely to have an impact on the natural and social environments of Aboriginal communities in the Agreement territory. JBACE is responsible for the territory located south of the 55th parallel while KEAC is responsible for the territory north of the 55th parallel. Each committee consists of Aboriginal representatives, as well as representatives from Governments of Quebec and Canada. At the federal level, the representatives are from INAC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. For more information, please visit the JBACE and KEAC websites.

Cree and Naskapis Lands

During the study period, the Surveyor General's Branch of Natural Resources Canada carried out several activities related to the registration of Cree and Naskapi lands, particularly the following:

• Preparation of 31 plot plans for the registration of interest in land on Cree lands;
• Updating of the registration plans of Cree and Naskapi communities and of map sheets;
• Taking of 1:8000 scale aerial photographs of the communities of Waskaganish, Eastmain, Chisasibi, Whapmagoostui, Wemindji, Némiscau, Mistissini and Oujé Bougoumou for the production of map sheets and digital orthophotographs showing the village parts of these communities;
• Computerization of the Cree/Naskapi land registry to facilitate the registration of these lands, simplify operating procedures and ensure the integrity of data through automation based on information technology;
• Holding of information and training sessions to help the central registrar and local registrars;
• Participation in negotiations concerning the transfer of Mistassini lands following the official establishment of the Oujé-Bougoumou community;
• Preparation of survey plans for the territorial boundaries (Category I-A) of the Oujé Bougoumou community.

Complementary Agreement No. 22

During a signing ceremony held in the community of Oujé-Bougoumou on November 7, 2011, the federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, the Quebec Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and the traditional Chief of Oujé-Bougoumou signed Complementary Agreement No. 22 establishing the Oujé-Bougoumou Band as the ninth Cree community associated with the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. The inclusion of the Oujé Bougoumou Cree community in the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement fulfills the commitment made by Canada in the 1992 Oujé-Bougoumou/Canada Agreement.

Health Programs and Initiatives

The federal government contributes to the health of the Cree, the Inuit and Naskapi living on JBNQA and NEQA territory through a number of health programs and initiatives, the funding for which is primarily assumed by Health Canada's First Nations and Inuit Health Branch (FNIHB). These programs and services support those offered by health authorities in the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities. During the reporting period, FNIHB paid out $35,005,200 for the operation of 16 programs and initiatives related to First Nations and Inuit health. Please see Appendix 1 for a breakdown of the expenses by program.

Transfer Payments to the Government of Quebec

As established by the JBNQA and the NEQA, the federal government provides funding for the Cree School Board, the Central Quebec School Board and the Kativik School Board on the basis of annual budgets, providing for operating and capital costs. The Government of Canada contributes annually to the Government of Quebec 75% of the approved budgets for the Cree School Board and the Central Quebec School Board, and 25% of the approved budget for the Kativik School Board.

During the reporting period, INAC transferred $277,796,600 to the "Ministère de l'éducation, du loisir et du sport" in order to fulfill its obligation in education under these agreements.

New Paths for Education

The objective of this federal program is to build the capacities of communities to exercise their authority in the area of education, improve the quality of classroom teaching, promote community and parental participation in student learning, and facilitate transitions from school to the labour market. During the reporting period, INAC allocated a total of $4,282,100 for various projects carried out in Cree, Inuit and Naskapi communities. As a result of this program:

• The Cree School Board developed teaching materials in the Cree language for students in the nine schools in its area, thus significantly increasing the Cree language literacy levels of the students attending those schools;
• The Central Quebec School Board equipped Jimmy Sandy Memorial School classrooms with new information technology (smart boards, video projectors and digital tablets) to facilitate the interactive learning of languages, mathematics and science, facilitate student participation, and encourage students to complete their training programs;
• The Kativik School Board set up a "nimble hands" project for students at the Nuvviti School in Ivukivik. The objective of this project is to reduce school absenteeism and provide extra-curricular activities for Secondary 1, 2 and 3 students on a voluntary basis. Through this project, noteworthy results have been obtained in terms of student attendance and raising students' self esteem through their achievements and creations and ultimately in terms of students feeling more confident about continuing in school.

Naskapi Justice Healing Program

The Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach has entered into a contribution agreement with the Department of Justice Canada to manage the Naskapi Justice Healing Program. The goals of the Program are to deal with conflicts and crimes using approaches that emphasize healing for individuals, families and the community. The Program responds to the needs of Naskapi offenders, victims and families and reinforces the role of community members in the administration of justice. Through this Program, the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach have educated the community and members of the justice committee on various topics such as communication, conflict resolution, peacemaking and Native justice; established collaborative procedures with police, court workers and the Crown attorney; offered support in criminal or conflict situations; and encouraged youths to be involved in the community in a constructive manner. During the reporting period, Justice Canada has contributed $37,900 for this program.

Cree Justice Committees

The Cree Regional Authority has entered into a contribution agreement with the Department of Justice Canada to provide training to members of the community, to allow them to carry out community based justice programs. The objective for the Cree Regional Authority was to establish Cree Justice Committees in communities without Justice Committees and to continue to support existing Justice Committees. During the reporting period, Justice Canada has contributed $159,100 for this program.

Nunavik Community Justice Initiatives

The Makivik Corporation has entered into a contribution agreement with the Department of Justice Canada to manage the Inuit Justice Project of Makivik. The objective of the Project is to use culturally appropriate approaches to the administration of justice that emphasize healing individuals, families and the community, and which deal with the underlying problems that bring community members in contact with the justice system. The Project aims to promote and maintain social peace and harmony in the community; respond to crimes and conflicts in a way that recognizes Inuit culture, values, ways and knowledge; and empower Inuit that have been affected by crime or conflict. During the reporting period, Justice Canada has contributed $419,000 for this program.

Eeyou Istchee Family Violence Symposium

The 2010 Eeyou Istchee Family Violence Symposium was held in Mistissini, Quebec in November 2010. It was the first event of its kind in the Cree Nation, designed to provide an intensive forum for the discussion of issues related to family violence and their impact on the people of Eeyou Istchee. It was designed to further the dialogue on family violence issues across the Cree Nation, gather input from multiple stakeholders including front line workers, advocates and women who have experienced violence, and discuss approaches in respect to family violence prevention and reduction. It is expected that the forum will result in a shared consensus in terms of solutions and therefore the start of an integrated, evidence based approach in respect to family violence. The project was co funded between the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program ($89,800) and Health Canada's Brighter Futures and Building Healthy Communities Program ($15,000).

Aboriginal Courtwork Program

Federal funding for the Aboriginal Courtwork Program in Quebec is provided under contribution agreements between Canada and Quebec ($529,694 per year). The current agreement is in effect from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2018. The Quebec government is sharing the costs of the Aboriginal Courtwork Program and drawing up service delivery contracts directly with suppliers of Aboriginal services in Quebec. In the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement regulatory area, the services are provided by Aboriginal court workers residing in the area. The Aboriginal Courtwork Program helps Aboriginal people having trouble with the criminal justice system (whether they are charged with a crime, victims of crime, witnesses to a crime, or family members of said individuals) to obtain access to fair, equitable and culturally adapted services throughout the legal process. All Aboriginal people are eligible for the services provided under the Aboriginal Courtwork Program, regardless of their marital status, age or place of residence.

First Nations Policing Program

During the reporting period, Public Safety Canada, through its First Nations Policing Program, provided $14,830,346 to the Cree, $15,948,506 to the Inuit and $706,394 to the Naskapi in order to implement the agreements regarding funding for the police forces of these communities, as provided for by the JBNQA and NEQA.

Canadian Ranger and Junior Canadian Ranger Programs

The second Canadian Division (formerly the Quebec Area Land Force) is responsible for activities related to the delivery of the Canadian Rangers and the Junior Canadian Rangers Programs in their area of responsibility, namely the province of Quebec. During the period under review, the Department of National Defence has paid $16,000,000 for the implementation of these two programs which may have benefited to the Cree, Inuit and Naskapis.

Research Projects of the CRA

In 2010-2011, Environment Canada funded the research project of the CRA entitled "Public Participation under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement Environmental Assessment and Review Process". The main objective of the project was to identify ways to encourage greater participation from the public in implementing the social and environmental protection regime established under section 22 of the JBNQA.

In 2011-2012, Environment Canada participated financially in the second component of the project entitled "Creation and Development of a Model for an Electronic Public Registry for the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement Environmental Assessment and Review Process".

Environment Canada provided total funding of $49,700 to the Cree for these two projects.

"Vanadium" Decision

Lastly, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency participated in negotiations for the enforcement of the legal decision resulting from the dispute commonly known as the Vanadium Case (Moses c. Canada). The series of judgments handed down by the Quebec Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada in connection with this dispute each resulted in major changes in the implementation of the regimes under the JBNQA and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act on lands covered by the agreement. These negotiations also resulted in an agreement with the Cree that assures them of significant and systematic participation in environmental assessments carried out on the lands.

Species at Risk Program

Under the Species at Risk Act (SRA), Fisheries and Oceans Canada held consultations with two Inuit communities, Kuujjuarapik and Umiujaq, and one Cree community, Whapmagoostui, concerning the addition of the harbour seal (Lacs des Loups Marins subspecies) to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk. Consultations were also held in a few Cree communities concerning the addition of lake sturgeon (Southern James Bay population) to the List of Wildlife Species at Risk. The HFTCC was also consulted on this matter.

Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management Program

The Aboriginal Affairs Division (AAD) of Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for negotiating and implementing Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management Program agreements with the KRG. Under this agreement, AAD monitors marine mammal hunting statistics. With the help of local Fisheries and Oceans Canada's fishery officers, AAD also coordinates an Inuit patrol officer program (Uumajuit wardens).

Community Economic Opportunities Program

During the reporting period, INAC paid $265,000 to the Inuit and the Naskapis for various projects eligible under the authority of the Community Economic Opportunities Program.

Aboriginal Business Development Program

During the reporting period, INAC paid $2,618,200 to the Cree, the Inuit and the Naskapis for various projects eligible under the authority of the Aboriginal Business Development Program.

Income Assistance Program & First Nations National Child Benefit Reinvestment Program

The communities of Mistissini, Waswanipi and Kawawachikamach receive income assistance services directly from INAC. These services are provided by the Government of Quebec in the remaining communities covered by the JBNQA. During the reporting period, INAC paid out $4,752,65  to the Cree and $1,881,451 to the Naskapi under these programs.

National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities & Family Violence Prevention Program

The Government of Canada also contributes to social development by funding programs and activities designed to improve health and quality of life in communities. During the reporting period, INAC paid out $324,568 to the Cree, $389,888 to the Inuit and $26,798 to the Naskapi to implement these programs.

Housing

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation participates in the implementation of the JBNQA and NEQA via the application of Article 95 of the National Housing Act and the Housing Rehabilitation Assistance Program. For the Inuit, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation offer them programs through the Housing Corporation of Quebec under federal-provincial cost-sharing agreements. In this sense, the Housing Corporation of Quebec is the prime contractor in the delivery and management of these programs for Inuit.

During the period under review, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation awarded a financial contribution of a total amount of $10,000,000 to the Crees and Naskapis for the construction of rental housing in their communities. These funds were paid under operating agreements under Article 95 of the National Housing Act, which allows the awarding of annual grants. Moreover, the Crees and Naskapis also received a total of $450,000 through the program to aid the state of housing. This financial contribution was used either to repair housing not governed by Article 95 of the National Housing Act to make them conform to minimum health and safety standards, or to modify housing to make it more accessible for persons with disabilities. Finally, the Crees and Naskapis also received an amount of $4,700,000 in grants from Canada's Economic Action Plan to make their rental housings comply with health and safety standards.

Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy

The Aboriginal Skills and Employment Training Strategy (ASETS) was launched April 1, 2010, as the successor program to Employment and Social Development Canada's (ESDC) Aboriginal Human Resources Development Strategy (AHRDS). The ASETS enables Aboriginal organizations in Quebec to implement their own job market programs that foster clients' integration to employment. The Naskapi received funding through the ASETS. The Cree and Inuit continued to receive funding under AHRDS agreements while they negotiated modified ASETS agreements^Footnote4. During the reporting period, the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi received a total of $39,310,500 for implementation of the AHRDS and ASETS. The funding enabled the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi to provide various employability measures for their clientele, notably by promoting the return to work or school for more than 3,291 Inuit and over 947 Cree.

Aboriginal Skills Training Strategic Investment Fund

In 2010-2011, the Cree and Inuit received a total of $836,700 through the Aboriginal Skills Training Strategic Investment Fund (ASTSIF). The ASTSIF was a two-year (2009-2011) program linked to the Economic Action Plan and designed to support short-term initiatives that helped Aboriginal people obtain the specific training needed to benefit from employment opportunities. The ASTSIF was project-based and focused on three objectives:
training-to-employment projects with job opportunities through partnerships with small and medium-size employers; assisting Aboriginal people with barriers to employment, including literacy and essential skills challenges; and testing innovative approaches in Aboriginal labour market programming.

Skills and Partnership Fund

During the reporting period, the Naskapi received $758,000 through the Skills and Partnership Fund (SPF). The SPF was launched in 2010 for five years as a responsive, short-term funding mechanism for organizations that are ready to test innovative approaches to Aboriginal labour market programming. Programming is focused not only on meeting government priorities, but also on targeting emerging or untapped economic development opportunities.

Aanischaaukamikw Cultural Institute

The official inauguration of the Aanischaaukamikw Cultural Institute located in Oujé-Bougoumou was held on June 8, 2012. During the reporting period, Canadian Heritage paid out $1,643,400 for the construction and opening of this Cree cultural center.

Air and Rail Transport Infrastructure

During the study period, Transport Canada paid $30,464,647 to the Cree, Inuit and Naskapi people for air and rail transportation infrastructure under various programs, as follows:

• Funding amounts of $2,126,100, $791,660 and $382,946 were paid to the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) to manage the Kuujjuaq Airport, make airport improvements and carry out various soil decontamination projects at Kuujjuaq Airport;
• The amount of $11,638,415 was paid to the Cree Regional Authority to operate the Wemindji, Waskaganish and Eastmain airports as well as make improvements to the tarmacs, install new airport lighting, connect the airports to water supply and sewage systems of the communities, build a new parking lot, and construct a new terminal building at the Waskasganish Airport;
• The sum of $726,472 was paid to the Naskapi community as a contribution towards the management of the Schefferville Airport and for capital projects.