Innu Nation grand chief gives green light for new Churchill Falls deal

The Innu Nation grand chief says the newly announced memorandum of understanding on Churchill Falls power between Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec will greatly benefit the Innu.

On Thursday, Premier Andrew Furey and Quebec Premier François Legault signed the MOU to replace the original 65-year-old contract attached to the Churchill Falls hydroelectric project — one that is expected to pour hundreds of billions of dollars into Newfoundland and Labrador's coffers.

"This changes everything. It changes everything for all those who stood where we now stand," said Furey at the press conference at The Rooms in St. John's.

On hand was Innu Nation Grand Chief Simon Pokue, who also signed the MOU.

He called it a historic moment.

"Finally we, the Innu, are finally being included in [the] partnership," Pokue told CBC Radio's On the Go.

He says the Innu Nation was consulted during the negotiations leading up to the announcement, unlike the original 1969 contract where, he said, they were excluded from participation.

For years, Innu leaders have been vocal about the Churchill Falls hydroelectric plant being built without their consent on their traditional lands. In August, Pokue voiced concerns about being sidelined amidst discussions between Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro and Hydro-Québec over Churchill Falls.

 Pokue said the new deal is a sign that both provinces want to have a better relationship with the Innu.

"That's really, really good. You know, you have to develop a good relationship with us," he said.

He said he's also pleased the Tshash Petapen (New Dawn) Agreement is also going to be protected. That agreement sanctioned the Muskrat Falls project in 2008 and also promised $2 million per year to the Innu Nation until 2041 as well as three per cent of the province's revenues from Churchill Falls when a new deal is signed.

Upgrades and expansions at the Churchill Falls hydroelectric plant will increase the amount of energy available to N.L.

Pokue said the Innu Nation will economically benefit from those projects.

The commitment to develop the Gull Island hydroelectric project — a separate undeveloped project downstream on the Churchill River — will also benefit the Innu, he said, adding both governments recognize the connection the Innu have with the land.

"They have acknowledged that we have a special relationship with the river. This is part of our culture," Pokue said. "I'm proud of that."

Job priority

At its peak, the proposed projects will create an estimated 5,000 direct jobs. Furey said there is a plan to ensure there are skilled workers for that work.

He said jobs for developing the Gull Island project will be first available to the Innu Nation.

"They will go to Innu first, Labrador second, Newfoundland third and then to the rest of Canada," said Furey on Thursday, adding his government is committed to working with Innu Nation leaders to ensure their interests are protected.

"I have no question — there's a generation of teenagers who will have plenty of work to do."

Furey is in Labrador on Friday to further pitch the deal by meeting with Indigenous groups and residents in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. From there the Liberal government will travel to Churchill Falls. 

There is still work ahead before a formalized agreement is reached, which is expected to be concluded by 2026. The details of the MOU will also be debated in the House of Assembly during a special sitting in early January. 

Pokue said the communities of Natuashish and Sheshatshiu will have to be consulted on the deal.

"That's coming," he said. "We want to be transparent."

He said he will tell the communities what the deal would mean for the people, including positives and negatives outcomes.

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