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Territory

• What is the difference between Innu Assi and Nitassinan?
  
• What will become of the portion of the Côte-Nord that is not situated in the Nitassinan stipulated by the agreement-in-principle?
  

What is the difference between Innu Assi and Nitassinan?

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Innu Assi would belong to the Innu; Innu governments would have a general power to enact laws on these lands. The Innu Assi would be created from the territories of the current Indian reserves, the status of which would be abolished, and from added territories.

The territory of the Innu Assi of Betsiamites, Essipit and Mashteuiatsh would total 522 kilometres². A different formula was chosen for Nutashkuan. The Innu Assi would be more vast (about 2 500 kilometres²), but Québec would retain ownership over the hydraulic and underground resources.

Globally, Nitassinan corresponds to the territory of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, the RCMs of Haute-Côte-Nord and Manicouagan, the southern part of the RCM of Caniapiscau and the eastern part of the RCM of Minganie. There would be no change to the status of this vast territory. It would remain under full Québec jurisdiction, and the current laws of Québec and Canada would continue to apply there.

However, on these territories, except with respect to Anticosti, the Innu governments:

• would be entitled to a share of the royalties collected by Québec for the exploitation of natural resources;
  
• would supervise the traditional hunting and fishing activities of the Innu according to a regime agreed upon with the governments of Québec and Canada;
  
• would participate in the government processes to manage the territory, natural resources and the environment;
  
• would take part in socioeconomic activities (e.g. : exploitation of natural resources, park management).

In certain precise sectors, the proposal for an agreement-in-principle provides for the negotiation of special arrangements to protect heritage sites.

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

Back to the questions

What will become of the portion of the Côte-Nord that is not situated in the Nitassinan stipulated by the agreement-in-principle?

The Nitassinan stipulated by the agreement-in-principle is that of the communities of Betsiamites, Essipit, Mashteuiatsh and Nutashkuan. There has been less progress in the negotiations with the other Innu communities. However, it is plausible to think that the Nitassinan would extend over the entire Côte-Nord and that there would be an Innu Assi for each Innu community in the event of a final agreement with the entire Innu nation.