Press Release
June 21st, 2013-Montréal, Qc – The President of Makivvik, Jobie Tukkiapik, the Premier of Québec, Pauline Marois, and the minister responsible for native affairs, Élizabeth Larouche, today signed the Complementary agreement No. 23 to the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA). The signing took place in the context of a nation-to-nation work session organized at the Premier’s office in Montreal.
The signing of this agreement will lead to transfer of ownership of Category I lands in Ivujivik to the Nuvummi Landholding Corporation. It will also establish Category II lands over which Nunavik Inuit have, among other things, exclusive harvesting rights.
“Today we make history where another indication of land claims agreements are not a “begin all and end all” developments in our relations with governments and other stakeholders. Although our forefathers signed the JBNQA 38 years ago, it continues to evolve with the times” said the President of Makivvik Jobie Tukkiapik.
The new category I lands encompass, from the centre of the community of Ivujivik within a radius of forty kilometres (40 km, 24.9 miles), an area of five hundred and twenty-four square kilometres (525 km2).
The new President of Nuvummi Landholding Corporation Adamie Qalingo added “My fellow Ivujivimmiut have expressed a desire to work with our fellow Inuit in Nunavik and with our fellow Quebecers. I’m pleased the signing today will enable us to duly administer and manage our lands and resources.”
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For additional information:
William Tagoona
Senior Communications Officer
Makivvik
819.964.2925
wtgaoona@makivik.org