Northern Quebec Cree announce first national park in their territory
Nibiischii Park and other protected area covers over 16,000 square kilometres — 1% of Quebec
The Cree Nation of Mistissini and the government of Quebec signed an agreement to create the first national park in Eeyou Istchee, called Nibiischii Park, which translates to "land of water."
For over 20 years, the Cree Nation of Mistissini (CNM) has been working toward making parts of its land a national park to protect it while increasing economic benefits from tourism. The agreement was signed on Nov 29.
"This will add an additional layer of protection when it comes to the land," said John S. Matoush, the deputy chief of Mistissini, which is over 700 kilometres from Montreal.
Usually, parks are run by Société des établissements de plein air du Québec, but through the agreement Nibiischii Park is the first Indigenous-run national park in Eeyou Istchee.
Nibiischii Park spans over 11,000 square kilometres east toward the Otish mountains and southwest across Mistassini Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Quebec.
Four other smaller areas around the territory also have protected legal status, making the protected area over 16,000 square kilometres, roughly 1 per cent of all of Quebec.
"Mistissini always looked at a longer-term agreement [for] a bigger funding envelope that would help establish the park and its infrastructure," said Matoush.
The CNM secured over $60 million over the next 10 years for infrastructure development and job creation in tourism, up from the $5 million initially negotiated about 20 years ago, according to Matoush.
Mistissini has several small businesses that run outfitting camps, which are some of the main attractions for tourists. Matoush aims to expand this further.
"The focus will be more on Mistissini having a welcoming centre," said Matoush, adding that it will be a workplace for park administration, staff, and management.
CNM emphasized the importance of involving family traplines and Cree tallymen, said Matoush.
"There was a strong message from the hunters, trappers, and tallymen that the protection and the rights remain and that the Cree way of life wouldn't be affected," said Matoush.
This means Cree can continue to hunt and fish in the park with no additional restrictions.
For the Cree Outfitters and Tourism Association (COTA), the newly named park opens more opportunities, not only for the community but for the entire region.
"Tourists are drawn to visit national parks … They highlight something special and unique," said Robin McGinley, the director of COTA, which is a non-profit organization responsible for cultural, environmentally friendly tourism and supporting small businesses.
McGinley was happy to hear that Cree will manage the park, and that's one of the things that make it special.
"This is an inhabited park … a park that's used the way it's always been used for thousands of years," said McGinley, who is Cree from Mistissini.
While the region is known for great spots for hunting, fishing, and trapping, McGinley hopes to develop more opportunities for outdoor recreational activities.
"Temiscamie River is beautiful for canoeing. I don't think there's a lot of rapids, it would be accessible for people," said McGinley.
Canoeing and fishing on the lake are not the only activities worth exploring; the land also holds its own unique charm, according to McGinley.
"I've hiked the Otish Mountains and they are [beautiful]. Being able to hike and see the territory, I think that's a wonderful opportunity," said McGinley.
While CNM plans to run the welcoming centre, COTA is open to providing promotional services.
It is unclear when the welcoming centre will be built, but CNM is in the early stages of planning, according to Matoush.
"We've always been very welcoming, so having people come from the outside wanting to know more about the park. We're already here," said Matoush.
"Teaching people the history of Cree, how we came to be, and where we are going."
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with files from Cole Bosum
