Quebec Inuit, Cree to finalize offshore agreement-in-principle

Negotiators from Makivik Corporation and the Grand Council of the Crees met Jan. 28 to 30 in Chisasibi to add the last, fine details to their offshore agreement-in-principle.

The Cree and Quebec’s Inuit have been trying to resolve their overlapping claims to the offshore region of James Bay, Hudson’s Bay and Ungava Bay with the federal government since 1974.

The overlap agreement should ease the completion of the treaties both groups are independently negotiating with the federal government.

The agreement must still be ratified by the Makivik Board and the Cree Grand Council before it is submitted to the House of Commons for approval.

The two organizations hope to present a completed document within a month.