The First Nations of Québec - The Montagnais - Indian and Northern Affairs Canada

Picture of a young boys from Montagnais community

The Montagnais, also called Innu, belong to the Algonquian language family. They number more than 14,700 in Quebec, of whom over 10,400 live on-reserve. It is the largest First Nation in population in Quebec. Its territory extends from the North Shore to Lac Saint-Jean. There are nine Montagnais communities in Quebec: Betsiamites, Essipit, La Romaine, Mashteuiatsh, Mingan, Natashquan, Pakua Shipi, Schefferville and Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam. The Montagnais traditionally led a nomadic lifestyle.
They used skins and bones from animals to clothe and arm themselves.

When he became a boat captain in 1980, Gérard Ross had seen it all. From a very early age, he knew what the word "responsibility" meant. At age 15, Mr. Ross was a lumberjack with Consolidated-Bathurst, helping to support his family. At 18, he fulfilled a childhood dream: driving bulldozers. Although his life seemed destined for the logging industry, one day, he left it all to go into crab fishing.

"In New Brunswick, I bought a lobster boat that I adapted for crab fishing. It was an old boat and leaked constantly," recalls this Essipit Montagnais, who risked everything fishing. "I did not know anything about fishing, but I learned. My wife, Claire, helped me cook the crab for sale," a somewhat discouraging memory when they recall their first cooking efforts. "It took a few tries before realizing that we were not cooking the crab long enough." Such a detail may seem trivial at first sight, but it was important when income depended solely on that.

Gérard Ross and his wife spent countless time and effort. Up early at two o'clock in the morning to prepare the boat for fishing, check the weather,
get the bait ready and make sure all the necessary crew were available, Captain Ross thought of only one thing: making a living for his family. As father of two, he bore a great responsibility. Unfazed by the cold, ice floes, storms or wind, Mr. Ross began to see the results of his perseverance after three years. He purchased a new
boat, one which did not leak this time. Christened with the name of the
youngest child, as per fishermen's tradition, the new boat bore the name
of his daughter, Nancy Ross. The boat was electronically equipped with
radar, making fishing easier. "Now, we know exactly where to go to get the fish and where the best spots are," says Mr. Ross.

This captain has always been guided by one principle: respect for the
sea. When north-easterlies reach 75 or 80 km/h and the waves are too
high, he does not venture out to this risky place of abundance. Sometimes less conscientious fishermen who do not respect this principle put their lives at risk. "It's better to play safe," says Gérard Ross.

When crab fishing starts, at the beginning of April or as soon as
temperatures top 15 degrees Celcius (so the crab does not freeze), Gérard Ross and his team of fishermen fish on the St. Lawrence and start to fill their quotas. In the 1990s, Fisheries & Oceans Canada began supervising the crab fishery and has established a quota system to give this natural resource a chance to reproduce. "Quotas vary each year depending on the biomass," explains Captain Ross. "The snow crab cycle is 7 years. Depending on the available fish stocks and the age of the crabs, our quotas vary between 127,000 and 230,000 pounds." The older the crab is, the less is its market value. This year, the crab was in abundance and the maximum quota reached. "This has been a good year for fishing because we did not have to search for the resource," he recalls with satisfaction.

With five other crab fishermen and Manicouagan Fisheries, Gérard Ross owns a plant at St Anne de Portneuf, Les crabiers du Nord, which sells all
the catch. The United States is the biggest market for snow crab, but exports go as far as Japan. The crab bought by the Japanese must be perfect, without any brown spots. Mr. Ross has even gone to Japan to develop new markets, proving that from now on, a captains's livelihood has no frontiers.

"Becoming socially and economically stronger boosted the Essipit Montagnais’ pride in being Native and in being part of the community," says Marc Genest, the community's Economic Development Director. For over twenty years, the community has been working together toward improving their living conditions and opening up to the world. Today, thanks to tourism, Essipit has become one of the most dynamic Native communities in Quebec.

Located in the Upper North Shore tourism region, Essipit is home to a whale watching business, six outfitters and three camp grounds, including one of the most beautiful and popular ones on the North Shore, in Tadoussac. In the summer of 2001, the community will be adding a tourist accommodation complex with 32 condos, all with balconies with a view on the ocean and the whales.

It should be pointed out that, in the late 70's, economic activity within the community was still non-existent. Marc Genest thanks a positive attitude
to development and political and administrative stability for this impressive collective self-empowerment. "Chief Denis Ross, elected in
1978, along with his administrators, has fulfilled long-held dreams. The
community's view of socio-economic development is based on the community's progress, and revenues are reinvested in other common
projects."

Since then, Essipit has built a gas station, a convenience store, a community centre, a police station, a regional radio station, bowling alleys, a craft shop and a reservation centre for its tourism activities. For the past fifteen years, the community has also been involved in forest management, including pre-commercial clearcutting, and has acquired a
solid expertise in construction and roadbuilding. "Henceforth, we buy our
own services instead of hiring outside contractors. This feeds the local
economy and stems capital outflows," he adds, as a good Economic
Development Director.

"There is work for everyone in Essipit," says Marc Genest. Of the 180 employees of the Band Council, more than 65% are Native. "As a matter of fact, Essipit’s economy is growing faster than its on-reserve population of nearly 200. Consequently, non-Native staff have had to be recruited." Marc Genest says that there is still work to do, though, since most jobs are seasonal.

Since 1978, the people of Essipit have gained greater credibility in the
region. "People are dynamic and do not wait for development; they are proactive," says Marc Genest. In addition to being one of the first Native communities in Quebec to purchase outfitting facilities in 1983, it was the first one to have a liquor store, since July 2001. Clearly, all dreams are possible for those who are determined.

First photograph of M. Florent Vollant, a Montagnais singer-songwriter-composer from Maliotenam on Québec

Carving out a niche in the world of music demands a great deal of courage and determination. Florent Vollant, a Montagnais singer-songwriter-composer from Maliotenam on Quebec's North Shore, knows all about this. He first achieved fame as a member of the group Kashtin and is now enjoying a solo career. He received a Juno Award in 2001 in the category "Best Aboriginal Music of the Year" for his album "Nipaiamianan". To say that he loves music would be an understatement. For him, singing in his mother tongue is not just a job, it is his entire existence, and a way of preserving his culture.

"When I'm able to make people dance, sing, dream or cry, I feel I've
achieved something, that I've served a purpose," he says. He discovered
music early in his childhood. By the time he was five years old, he was
already fascinated by it, and as he grew up it became a fundamental part
of his life. "I didn't choose music, it chose me."

Second photograph of M. Florent Vollant, a Montagnais singer-songwriter-composer from Maliotenam on Québec

To make a living in the music business, as Florent Vollant has managed to do for several years now, you need not only to like music, but to love it
passionately. "I call it a vocation, because it's by no means an easy life, and it takes a lot of time and energy. But if you love music, it doesn't seem like work," he says.

In addition to determination, would-be musicians also need a fair amount of self-confidence. "It isn't always easy when self-doubt sets in. You need to surround yourself with people who believe in what you do, sometimes more than you do yourself," he explains. For Florent Vollant, his most valuable asset is the support of his family. "Without that, I don't know if I could have overcome all the obstacles in the music business - it's very difficult." As with everything in life, success depends not only on a combination of talent and technique, but also on the effort you put into it.

Third photograph of M. Florent Vollant, a Montagnais singer-songwriter-composer from Maliotenam on Québec

Florent Vollant's life is divided between Maliotenam and Montréal, where he records his songs. When asked if the need to leave his loved ones behind might have prevented him from realizing his dream, he has no hesitation in saying that the need to travel would not have stopped him
from doing what he loves. "When you decide to do something, you have to be ready to do whatever it takes to succeed," he says firmly. In his view, a
beautiful song is worth any sacrifice.

What Florent Vollant loves most is to create a melody and convey an
emotion through his songs and music. "When you sing in a language people don't understand, your challenge is to reach them other than through the words of your song. The Innu language is well suited to song and melody. When I can give people the impression, through my music, that they understand my songs, it's an extraordinary sensation."

Dr. STANLEY VOLLANT
Quebec Medical Association's First Aboriginal President
By Annabelle Dionne

On April 21 of this year, Dr. Stanley Vollant, a member of the Montagnais community of Betsiamites, was appointed President of the Quebec Medical Association. He is the first Aboriginal person in North America to hold
such a position.

Vollant, 36, has been practising medicine at the Centre hospitalier régional de Baie-Comeau - where he is head of the general surgery unit - since 1994. As President of the Quebec Medical Association, he is responsible for upholding the professional values of Quebec's doctors. Representing 6,000 of the 14,000 doctors in the province, the association brings together specialists, general practitioners, medical residents and students. It strives to maintain excellence in medical practice and promotes important health-related issues.

A major concern for Vollant is, of course, the health of First Nations
people. "Aboriginal people have specific problems and have a right to
specific solutions," he says, adding that he wants to make governments and the general public more aware of First Nations' health requirements.
Another issue that greatly concerns him is the need for doctors in
isolated regions of the province. "We have to think of increasing these
resources as of now," he stresses.

When Vollant talks about his profession, it's clear he is passionate about
his work. "The medical profession is a great one," he says, "because it
means dedicating ourselves to others. The relationship between the doctor and his or her patient is irreplaceable. People are looking for doctors who listen to them, and who are kind."

Vollant defines good doctors as people who care about their patients, take their role in society seriously, and demonstrate determination and
professionalism.

Determination, including the drive to overcome certain fears, played a big
part in Vollant's becoming a doctor. For example, he had to master his
phobia about the sight of blood, and admits he fainted the first time he
saw a dead body. "Since I wanted to become a doctor, I did what was
necessary to overcome this problem," he says simply.

Vollant sees life as made up of obstacles we must constantly learn to surmount. "They help you grow," he says. He maintains it was this philosophy that helped him become a surgeon.

Among his role models, Vollant draws inspiration from his grandparents.
"They used to canoe down the Betsiamites River for over a month and a
half, with children and belongings, in order to reach their hunting and
fishing grounds. They also had obstacles to overcome: they had to portage, to get over falls and to fight for their survival. If they hadn't overcome those obstacles, I would not be here today."

Vollant's outstanding success in the medical field, and his groundbreaking
appointment as President of the Quebec Medical Association, owe much to his own hard work, and his ability to seize the opportunities life offers,
transforming obstacles into strength of character.

"Mikuan" means "feather" in Montagnais. "A feather flies easily in the wind and is very soft, like the adventures I offer people," states Mikuan II Adventure President Gordon Moar. This tourism company, a member of the Quebec Aboriginal Tourism Corporation, located in the Ashapmushuan wildlife reserve in the Saguenay Lac-Saint-Jean region, opens up a different perspective on the region’s flora and fauna.

After visiting the encampment, where Montagnais tents, tipis and shaputuan stand side by side, tourists may go into the forest to discover medicinal plants, learn the rudiments of orientation in the forest using the
sun, trees, wind and lichens, follow trapping paths and learn more about
animals’ way of life, including beaver habitat. Excursions are also available to learn about tanning techniques, taste the thousand and one flavours of traditional cuisine or observe the making of handicrafts using ancestral techniques.

Those wishing to spend more than one day in this enchanting world, which is highly recommended, can sleep in a Montagnais tent, on ground cushioned with fir branches. "The aroma of the fir tree is excellent for the bronchial tubes," says Mr. Moar. Around a fire, you can listen to Mr. Moar's tale of the legend of the dream catcher, the feather or the battle between the bear and the man. Such a stay cannot fail to be enjoyable and captivating.

Mikuan II Adventure has been operating for ten years as an adventure tourism enterprise. By creating this company, Gordon Moar has been able to get back to his roots and learn more about his culture and traditions. "The needs are no longer the same, and there are certain things we used to do that we no longer practice today," he notes. Gordon Moar also exemplifies how his ancestors respected nature. "The land must be managed with respect and attention. Certain resources are thought of as inexhaustible, but this is not true. They are fragile, and we must take care of them."

A major part of his clientele is European. "These are people who want to
get off the beaten track of Quebec tourism." Gordon Moar's company employs as many as four guides, allowing it to cater to larger groups.

In spring 2001, Mikuan II Adventure was awarded a citation of excellence by the Quebec Aboriginal Tourism Corporation for its overall product. This award was granted to Gordon Moar for the authenticity,
quality and safety of his product, as well as for content and his mastery of his culture.

Have we whetted your appetite for adventure? Better not forget your bug repellent!

Mikuan II Adventure
Tel. :( 418) 275-2949 or (418) 679-6087 at the "beep", dial 33
Fax : (418) 275-6691

¹ A video on this company is available at the Quebec regional office
of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

THE LAND InSIGHTS OBJECTIVE :
PROMOTING RAPPROCHEMENT
By Annabelle Dionne

LAND InSIGHTS was founded in 1990 with the mission of making the public aware of Aboriginal culture and bringing together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Présence autochtone is a multidisciplinary festival that serves this end.

For ten days or so in June, people can attend various shows performed by Aboriginal artists, marvel at their visual arts and their traditional dances, sample typical meals, listen to stories and legends and admire various talents of Aboriginal people from all over Canada and elsewhere in the Americas. This year eleven countries participated in the festival, among them Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Guatemala and Peru. Présence autochtone is also a unique opportunity to view animated movies, experimental cinema, documentaries and both short and full-length fiction films showing the various concerns of Aboriginals here and elsewhere. According to André Dudemaine, Cultural Activities Director and founder of LAND InSIGHTS, Aboriginal people are turning out ever more quality productions, many of them from Aboriginal people living in other countries under more precarious conditions.

Recipient of the 2001 Mishtapew Gala culture award, LAND InSIGHTS on two occasions was also finalist for the Quebec Citizenship Award of the Department of Immigration and Community Relations for intercultural
rapprochement, in 1998 and 1999. Headed by a board of directors with representation from the Mohawk, Huron-Wendat, Abenaquis, Montagnais, and Cree nations, LAND InSIGHTS is chaired by a Mohawk, Myra Cree, a CBC radio and TV commentator for several years. Half of the eight LAND InSIGHTS employees are Aboriginals, but this proportion will increase to 75% during festival months, as the number of employees reaches 45.

LAND InSIGHTS also serves as a consultant and intermediary for other
organizations. For either information on Aboriginal culture or shows with Aboriginal artists, LAND InSIGHTS is the first place to look.

The town of Schefferville lies in the heart of the black spruce belt 510 km north of Sept Îles. With its vast stretches of lichen, the surrounding region is a veritable paradise for caribou. It is also a place where humans can find solitude as easily as the animals find shelter in the forest. There is but one word to aptly describe this northern region: isolation.

After World War II, many prospectors came to the area to seek their
fortune in iron mining. In 1953, shortly after large iron deposits were found, the Iron Ore Company (IOC) made plans to operate a mine just
outside Schefferville. The mine opened in 1954 as soon as the railroad
line linking Sept-Îles to Schefferville was built, bringing more than 2,000 workers who would make the rugged northern territory their home.

When the mine closed in 1982, IOC left everything behind - ore dumps, buildings, heavy equipment complete with water hoses - vivid reminders of its presence, even twenty years later. IOC had become synonymous with
upheaval in this part of the region. Giant rainbow-coloured craters cut deep into the once pristine wilderness. The damage caused by the mining extends for many kilometres in every direction and can be clearly seen from more than 1,000 metres above the Earth. The former Schefferville mine remains a lunar landscape.

The mine's closing brought even more upheaval to Schefferville. After most of the people had left, the closing of part of the town was authorized. But the Montagnais of Matimekosh, who didn't leave, still needed the services (e.g., sewer and water system, school, arena) that the town had formerly provided. The decision was made to extend the reserve into a deserted part of the town.

In1986, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) decided to acquire part of the old section of Schefferville that had been demolished after the mine closed in 1982. INAC hoped to use this land to expand the Matimekosh reserve. In 1992, after six years of negotiations, the Canada-Quebec Agreement transferring the area from the provincial government to the federal government was signed by the Quebec government, the Canadian government and the Matimekosh Band Council.

A project to relocate the residents of Block 16, a part of the Matimekosh
reserve, has been underway since 1997 and will continue until 2002. To
date, INAC has invested $14 million in the project, which has transformed
the reserve into a sprawling construction site.

Due to the severe northern climate, the project is worked on only three months each year, from the end of June to the end of September. The rest of the year, the earth is either frozen or snow covered. Working in
such conditions requires good planning and additional outlays. In order to complete the project on schedule, the Matimekosh Montagnais Band Council has sought the help of professionals, including Eric Tremblay, who is overseeing the work.

Forty of the 64 houses to be built through the project have been completed and are now occupied by former residents of Block 16."Block 16's houses are badly in need of repair, and its water system needs very costly maintenance work," said Eric Tremblay.

Other work also needs to be done to extend the reserve. Workers have to lay asphalt on the roads, install concrete curbs and a sewer and water
system, build a municipal garage and administrative center, renovate certain buildings and even outfit a beauty parlor.

Picture 1 of garage Transport Matimekosh Inc.

In order to make the project cost-effective, the Band Council has invested close to $2 million for heavy equipment, a garage, and new headquarters for Transport Matimekosh Inc., a company which is run by the Band Council and is making a strong contribution to the region's economy. Approximately 80% of its employees are Montagnais, and during the summer, it provides jobs for about 30 people.

The extension of the Matimekosh reserve has thus created a number of jobs for the Montagnais in this isolated area. It took close to eleven years for the project to get off the ground, but the delay is due in part to the various environmental concerns which had to be dealt with beforehand. To address these concerns, an environmental assessment was made in 1992, followed by an environmental inspection in 1995.

Picture 2 of garage Transport Matimekosh Inc.

The two studies highlighted the impact that mining had on the area between 1953 and 1982. In certain areas, the groundwater and the soil had high concentrations of hydrocarbons (e.g., heating oil). Of the six sites analysed, only the arena did not meet established standards and criteria for the health of persons in residential areas. The groundwater could not be tapped for drinking water. Hence, the arena site had to be quickly decontaminated and measures adopted to prevent the further deterioration of other at-risk sites.

Over the past four years, the Ministère des Ressources naturelles du Québec and the Iron Ore Company have been discussing the possibility of restoring the site of the old mine on the outskirts of Schefferville. They have signed an agreement-in-principle for some of the work to be done. The remaining work (demolishing buildings, stabilizing open-pit facilities, repairing roads, etc.) is yet to be determined. The agreement being worked out with IOC is not covered by the Mines Act, which was passed in 1989, seven years after the Schefferville mine closed. Consequently, there is no legal framework for this Quebec government department to undertake the work.

Jean Dionne, of the Ministère des Ressources naturelles, has confirmed that the restoration of the Quebec side of the mine site could start as early as next year. The work will be spread out over several years, given
that work may only be done during the summer months. For their part, the Montagnais of Matimekosh are ready to provide the work force that is needed. INAC is currently assisting them with project negotiations and the public consultations planned for the community. Accordingly, financial aid will be provided to help the Montagnais gain the technical skills they require to become more fully involved in the restoration.

The extension of the Matimekosh reserve, now underway, is the result of
several years of negotiations and arduous work, made all the more difficult by a still untamed wilderness, where each step forward is a challenge in itself.

The Montagnais community of Mashteuiatsh, located in the heart of the Lac Saint-Jean country, manages close to $30 million annually and takes the expectations of its 4,365 members seriously. The Mashteuiatsh Band Council has created a sense of trust and belonging within its community.

Mashteuiatsh was the first Aboriginal community in Quebec to offer its
population an annual report, in the 1991-1992 fiscal year. This report, which defines each bureau's role and sets out the various issues faced by the community, serves as the basis for an annual assessment and promotes ongoing development. Thus, the report allows the Council to be transparent, enables members to understand the Band Council's responsibilities, and informs the community as to where its funds are invested. Furthermore, for several years already, a public meeting has been held on financial statements.

The Mashteuiatsh Council shows a willingness to inform its people of political decisions made during Band Council meetings. As a unique way of quickly and effectively fulfilling this mandate, a Band Council member each week summarizes the Council meeting and decisions made on the community radio station.

To serve its members well and improve the quality of services, the Mashteuiatsh Band Council introduced a phone-in line where residents can voice their complaints. Written policies have been prepared for the community, telling members how to access programs.

The Band Council also set up discussion circles for politicians and community members. Discussions of various topics, such as the economy, social issues, culture and land use, have proved valuable to all, as a constructive and respectful atmosphere has facilitated the search for solutions to complex problems.

The Common Approach, announced July 6, 2000, will allow for the negotiation of an Agreement-in-Principle on land use and self-government. In the years to come, Mashteuiatsh will study other means for financing the community so that it can eventually exercise fully its governmental autonomy. Through its initiatives, the Mashteuiatsh Band Council has shown concern for and commitment to a healthy and cordial political environment for the whole community.

When the Montagnais of Lac St Jean began negotiating with the private sector two years ago to develop part of the forest close to the Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve, they faced opposition from an unusual source - members of their own community. “We had a tough time bringing the trappers on board,” explains Band Council Secretary-General Alain Nepton. “There were some fierce debates about whether we should be doing any cutting in the area. I can understand it. After all, we’ve always been hunters and trappers, not loggers.”

The Council managed to convince the trappers that any cutting of the mixed forest near Roberval would be done in a way that would have minimal impact on the environment. That opened the way to co-management contracts with Abitibi-Consolidated and jobs for the community. Forty members of the Montagnais du Lac Saint-Jean First Nation work full time between May and September, doing pre-commercial clearing - thinning dense stands of spruce, birch and aspen to allow the remaining trees to grow. It’s very labour intensive work, but it’s essential. An overly dense forest grows very slowly, which eventually limits the amount of marketable timber that can be harvested.

Maximizing profits is important, but protection of the environment is still one of the community’s top priorities. “We have to find a balance between development and conservation,” stresses Alain Nepton. “That’s why it’s essential that we find the right partners.”

Since June 2000, the Montagnais of Lac St Jean have been partners with
Abitibi-Consolidated on a timber salvage project that uses the environmentally-responsible block cutting method. Also known as the “cut and leave”, or “checker board” method, it’s designed to leave as much timber as is taken. The cutting is done with consideration given to the lakes and rivers, wildlife habitat, erosion control, seed source and
aesthetics. The blocks of timber left standing are designed to provide a
protected corridor in the forest for wildlife.

“It’s a controlled approach to cutting,” stresses Nepton. “People talk today about ‘sustainable development’ as though it’s something new. But it’s always been the First Nations tradition to make decisions not just for us, but for generations to come. That’s sustainable development!”

The Band Council also has a contract with Hydro Quebec. Between 16 and 20 members of the community work each season, clearing power transmission line corridors. “The jobs are important,” says Nepton, “But just as important is the way in which the work is done. We wanted the contract because we’ll clear manually rather than use heavy chemical pesticides which poison the soil.”

Like many communities in Quebec, the Montagnais of Lac St Jean are looking beyond forestry contracts for other economic opportunities. The Band Council is currently preparing to negotiate the co-management of recreational and tourism areas of the Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve.

$110,000 has already been invested in the preparations for negotiations: $30,000 from the Band Council and $80,000 from the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, through its Resource Access Negotiation Plan.

Photo : Conseil des Montagnais du lac Saint-Jean

Forestry workers clear a section of the mixed forest near the Ashuapmushuan
Wildlife Reserve. The block cutting, or “cut and leave” method is designed to leave as much timber as is taken. The trees left standing provide a protected corridor in the forest for wildlife.

“Co-management of the recreational and tourism areas of the Ashuapmushuan Wildlife Reserve would be a natural fit for us,” says Gilbert Courtois, the Band Council’s Director of Heritage, Culture and Land. “The Montagnais were traditionally nomadic. Our people used to travel all over the territory, hunting, trapping and trading. We know this land.”

The community’s plans for the future involve capitalizing on tourism opportunities. “People are looking for a different kind of experience,” explains Courtois. “Europeans are particularly fascinated by the First Nations ‘wilderness experience,’ and that’s something we can give them.”

Some of the plans currently in development include three-day guided canoe trips between Lake Marquette and Lake Ashuapmushan, and other traditional routes travelled by the Montagnais, Cree, and Atikamekw. Lake Ashuapmushan is key to the region’s history. This was where, years ago, members of various First Nations met to trade.

“It’s important to get people in the community involved in these
projects,” says Gilbert Courtois. “We have such a rich culture. Sharing
our language and our stories is one way of keeping it alive.”