The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement: The First Modern Treaty
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 led to the start of 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.
In 1978 an amendment to the JBNQA, called the Northeastern Quebec Agreement was signed with the Naskapi, giving them similar rights under the JBNQA.
Since 1975 the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA) has been modified by some 20 additional accords affecting the implementation and details of the original agreement. Unlike historical treaties, this first “modern treaty” was comprehensive and detailed, covering:
- Lands
- Environmental and social protections
- Economic development and financial compensation
- Education
- Local government
- Health and social services
The JBNQA quickly became the prototype for the many modern treaties signed since 1975.
