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Territory

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The agreement-in-principle distinguishes two types of territory:

• Innu Assi, territory of which the Innu have full ownership;
• Nitassinan, Québec territory on which the Innu would have certain rights.

Innu Assi

Betsiamites, Essipit and Mashteuiatsh

In the case of the communities of Betsiamites, Essipit and Mashteuiatsh, the agreement-in-principle stipulates that the Innu would have full ownership of lands totaling 522 kilometres². These lands would be made up of the current Indian reserves which cover 269 kilometres² and which no longer would be considered federal lands, additional lands and finally, a few sites having a major heritage value, such as burial grounds.

These territories would basically be the same as those that had been recognized in the Joint Approach, except in the case of Essipit where new boundaries would make it possible to better address the concerns of the community.

Good neighbour agreements would be negotiated to guarantee, on the Innu territories:

• the free circulation for everyone on public roads and waterways;
• construction of public services and access to infrastructures;
• access for the purpose of public safety;
• protection of wildlife habitats;
• preservation of the quality of water;
• management of environmental impacts.

Nutashkuan

As for the community of Nutashkuan, located in a territory where there are very few urban centres, a different formula was chosen; it draws inspiration from an agreement in May 1999reached with the Inuit of Labrador. The Innu Assi territory would be vaster here (about 2,500 kilometres²), but Québec would retain ownership over water and underground resources if mining operations were carried out there. However, Québec would give the Innu 25% of the mining royalties collected. In addition to the good neighbour agreements, there would be a special agreement guaranteeing the residents of local communities access to the territory for recreational purposes or to gather firewood.

Revisable boundaries if necessary

The boundaries of Innu Assi are not definitive. They could be modified if necessary between now and the signing of the final agreement. In this respect, the Government of Québec intends to negotiate in order to avoid, for example, a property being split in two.

A certain number of private properties that do not belong to the Innu are located within the territory of Innu Assi. The Government of Québec intends to establish clear rules with a view to reaching mutual agreements with the owners concerning the preservation, relocation or buying out of these properties in the event that a final agreement is reached with the Innu. The Government of Québec intends to proceed in the same manner for the residents of Pointe-Parent, near Natashquan.

Nitassinan

Basically, Nitassinan corresponds to Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean, the Regional County Municipalities (RCM) of Haute-Côte-Nord and Manicouagan, the southern part of the RCM of Caniapiscau and the eastern part of the RCM of Minganie.

The status of this vast territory would in no way be altered. It would remain under Québec jurisdiction and the current laws of Québec and Canada would continue to apply. However, on this territory, except for Anticosti, special provisions are planned. They are listed below.

• The traditional hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering activities of the Innu (Innu Aitun) would be regulated in a specific agreement clearly established prior to the signing of the final agreement to ensure that these activities take place in harmony with the activities of Quebecers in this field. Québec intends to protect the rights of vacationers.
  
• The Innu would be able to participate in the government processes for managing the territory, natural resources and the environment. Appropriate mechanisms would be tested and evaluated prior to the signing of the final agreement.
  
• The Innu could also take part in development projects that are likely to affect their rights. In the event of a disagreement, they could receive financial compensation set by arbitrator if damages were suffered.
  
• Finally, the Innu would receive a share of the royalties collected by Québec on the exploitation of natural resources. Determined within the context of a final agreement, this share would be at least 3%.

The agreement-in-principle also provides for the negotiation of special arrangements in certain sectors of the territory. These arrangements would deal with the protection of heritage sites, wildlife reserves or development areas.

For the time being, Anticosti is part of Nitassinan for the sole purpose of sharing royalties.

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