Cree open Quebec embassy

The Quebec Cree opened an embassy in Quebec City on Friday, a little more than 35 years after they signed the historic James Bay Agreement with the province.

The First Nation says it is taking the unusual step to ensure a permanent presence in the provincial capital to pursue negotiations on several arrangements stemming from the 1975 agreement and the province's ambitious plan to develop northern Quebec.

"We are working with the government of Quebec on various projects and we felt it was necessary that we establish an office here," said Matthew Coon Come, grand chief of the Quebec Cree.

He said the bureau, located on the Grande-Allee near the province's national assembly, is more than just a symbolic gesture.

"We call it a Cree embassy. It's only right because it's a nation-to-nation relationship and we take that relationship very seriously," added the leader of the 18,000 Cree of northern Quebec.

Quebec Premier Jean Charest, who attended the official opening ceremony, stressed the province welcomes the Cree presence in Quebec City.

"Texas calls itself the Republic of Texas and they have their flag. I'm not bothered by that at all. I think it speaks to the pride of who they are," Mr. Charest told reporters outside the embassy.

The Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa said, to its knowledge, the Cree appear to be the only First Nation in the country to have opened such an embassy.

The James Bay Agreement was signed on Nov. 11, 1975, and saw the Cree and other northern native communities compensated for lands lost to Hydro-Quebec through the James Bay hydroelectric project.

The Cree sued the Quebec government over the lack of implementation for the James Bay Agreement and settled for $4.5-billion in 2000.

"That paved the way for a real partnership and laid the foundation on which we can build our future," Chief Coon Come said.

The Cree are also gearing up for Mr. Charest's Plan Nord, which will develop the economy in Quebec's northern reaches.

Under the plan, Quebec will produce 300 MW of wind energy along with 3,000 MW of hydroelectric power.

"We are working hard together with the Cree on the Plan Nord," said Pierre Corbeil, the province's Native Affairs Minister.

Mr. Charest stressed the progress made since the signature of the James Bay Agreement will facilitate discussions with the Cree on future development.

"As we talk about the Plan Nord, we are going to build on that foundation and key [to] the relationship is respect."