Montreal Inuit plan JBNQA Day feast Nov. 8

The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement was signed at a late-night ceremony in Quebec City on Nov.11, 1975, by Inuit leaders Charlie Watt and Zebedee Nungak, then-Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa, and late Cree Chief Billy Diamond (far right), pictured here. (FILE PHOTO)

Nunavik Inuit in Montreal will get a chance to celebrate the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement on Nov. 8.

That’s when a group called the Urban Inuit of Montreal plan to hold a potluck feast at Sarto-Desnoyers Community Center on Lakeshore Blvd. in Dorval from 1:00 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Nunavik beneficiaries generally observe Nov.11, also Remembrance Bay, as JBNQA Day — and Nov. 11, 2014 marks the 39th anniversary of the signing of the historic agreement.

The land claim was signed at a late-night ceremony in Quebec City on Nov.11, 1975, by Inuit leaders Charlie Watt and Zebedee Nungak, then-Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa, and the late Cree Chief Billy Diamond.

Canada’s first modern comprehensive land claims agreement included 450,000 square kilometres of land, greater political autonomy for the Inuit of Northern Quebec through the creation of the Kativik Regional Government and Makivik Corp., and the formation of a distinct Inuit region called Nunavik.

Organizers of the Nov. 8 event in Dorval are urging people to bring their food of choice and, in exchange, earn a chance to win a ticket to Nunavik.

Each dish will give the cook a raffle ticket for door prizes, which include hockey tickets and various gift certificates.

Inuit musicians will play some hometown tunes, and games are also planned.

For more information on the celebration, you can contact Laina Grey at (514) 745-8880.