Attached is a press release from the Innu Coalition for Nitassinan,
Mani-Utenam, along with a letter of support (translated from Spanish)
from Rigoberta Menchu. Please circulate this information as widely as
you can, and please send inquiries and letters of support to the Coalition
at the address below.
Jamie
COALITION POUR NITASSINAN
182 de l'Eglise
Mani-Utenam, QC
Canada G4R 4K2
Tel: 418-927-2102
Press Release May 29, 1994
* The Coalition for Nitassinan Establishes Blockade to Stop
Construction of Hydro-Quebec's SM-III Hydroelectric Project *
Mani-Utenam, on the north shore of the Gulf of St-
Lawrence, Quebec - Today, we the Innu traditionalists have
begun blockading the access road leading to the
construction site of Hydro-Quebec's Sainte-Marguerite III
(SM-III) hydroelectric project.
We intend to maintain a Peace Camp until the governments
of Quebec and Canada rescind their authorisation of the
SM-III project. The construction of the access road began
on April 18, 1994.
The Coalition for Nitassinan denounces the inaction of the
Canadian Government which has failed to assume their
constitutional and international responsibilities towards
the Innu and their land, Nitassinan.
The SM-III project only serves as a political campaign
tactic for the present Quebec provincial government that
is facing an upcoming election. No one, either in Quebec
or the United States, needs this mega-development project.
The electricity from the project will be exported to the
United States.
The government of Quebec and Hydro-Quebec are planning to
build three large hydroelectric projects on Innu land (SM-
III, Ashaupmushuan and La Romaine). The entire ecosystem
of unceded Innu territory is threatened by these projects.
The SM-III project, which includes the diversion of two
tributaries of the Moisie River into a giant reservoir,
threatens the salmon of the Moisie River on which the Innu
of Mani-Utenam depend. The Innu are challenging the
complete disregard of their right to self-determination on
their lands. Hydro-Quebec is coming to carry out the
systematic destruction of the cultural, spiritual and
socio-economic basis of the Innu Nation.
The Quebec government's own environmental public hearing
board, the Bureau d'audiences publics sur l'environment
(BAPE) published a report in June of 1993 which concluded
that the SM-III project should be rejected. The Canadian
and Quebec governments have completely ignored this
report.
The Innu traditionalists are thus initiating a series of
non-violent actions to block the unjustified SM-III
project, a project which constitutes a violation of the
Innu's human rights.
The Coalition for Nitassinan demands the immediate
cessation of all construction related to the SM-III
project and seeks respect for the Innu Nation's right to
self-determination. We invite the governments of Quebec
and Canada to change their ways and adopt a strategy of
sustainable development, which the Innu have the firm
intention of pursuing in Nitassinan.
So far, 12% of the adult Innu population of Mani-Utenam
have been charged in Quebec court for their opposition to
SM-III. More arrests are imminent.
The Coalition for Nitassinan intends to carry out an
international boycott campaign of certain economic
activities led by Hydro-Quebec as long as the government
maintains its sanction for of the SM-III project.
Support groups in Quebec, Canada and the United States
will hold demonstrations to show their firm opposition to
the SM-III project.
- 30 -
Office of Rigoberta Menchu
Nobel Prize Laureate
Barcelona, Spain, 26 May 1994
Innu People of the
Territory of Nitassinan,
Quebec, Canada
Innu Brothers and Sisters,
In 1993, the International Year of Indigenous Peoples, we
observed that the theft of Indigenous Peoples' lands
continues. Day after day, in the name of development that
does not even reach our own communities, our territories
are contaminated, destroyed and desecrated as are our
ceremonial sites and our sacred sites.
There is a major degradation of the environment and an
irrational use of our natural resources. The supposed
'modernity' tramples over our culture, our rights and our
Mother Earth.
It was with sadness that I heard about the construction of
a dam project on the Sainte-Marguerite River in the
territory of Nitassinan for which Hydro-Quebec is
responsible. This river, which feeds the Innu community
through the traditional fishing practices, is now
threatened with mercury contamination.
The legitimate struggle led by the Coalition for
Nitassinan for the respect of the self-determination of
the Innu People, however, brings us hope for a better
future for our children. Your voice is not alone, it is
joined by all who struggle for the dignity of our peoples.
Innu Brothers and Sister, we will find the strength of our
convictions in unity. A wound in the territory of
Nitassinan is a wound in the lungs of our Mother Earth.
In unity with you all,
Rigoberta Menchu Tum