Cree Nation moves to approve constitution and governance agreement, despite opposition – CBC

Chief of Waskaganish says her community was not properly consulted, others worry process rushed

Apr 20, 2017

After heated debate, the Cree Nation Government in the James Bay Region of Quebec has moved to approve two key documents that could change the way the region is run, despite a petition asking for a delay and one chief who says her community has yet to have its say.

“At some point you have to make a decision,” Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come told those gathered at an all-day special council board meeting on the matter Wednesday in Mistissini.

Since January, Quebec’s Cree Nation Government has been holding consultation meetings in its communities to present and get feedback on a draft Cree constitution and governance agreement that would give the Cree greater control over the lands immediately surrounding their communities, as well as stable funding into 2040 and the power to collect their own taxes.

Read More: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/cree-nation-government-constitution-approval-1.4078441