Let’s take a closer look at two modern treaties: the first, and one of the most recent.

In the 1970s the Government of Quebec began constructing hydro-electric megaprojects in Northern Quebec without consulting the Naskapi, Cree, and Inuit, whose land was profoundly affected.

In 1973 the Cree and Inuit won an injunction to stop construction, which started negotiations.

In 1974 an agreement in principle was signed between the Government of Canada, the Quebec Government, Hydro Quebec, the Grand Council of the Crees, and the Northern Quebec Inuit Association.

The final agreement–The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA)–was signed in November 1975. The era of modern treaties had begun.