Blockade Against Hydro-Quebec’s SM-III Project

29th May

“We the Innu traditionalists have begun blockading the access road leading to the construction site of Hydro-Quebec’s Sainte-Marguerite III (SM-III) hydroelectric project. We are challenging the complete disregard of our right to self-determination on our lands. Hydro-Quebec (H-Q) is coming to carry out the systematic destruction of the cultural, spiritual and socio-economic basts of the Innu Nation.

"The government and H-Q are planning to build 3 large hydroelectric projects on Innu land. This project only serves as a political campaign tactic for the present Quebec provincial government that is facing an upcoming election. No one needs this mega-development project. Our biodiverse territory is threatened and the electricity produced will be exported to the US. The project will divert two tributaries of the Moisie River into a giant reservoir, endangering the salmon of the Moisie River on which we depend.

"We intend to maintain a Peace Camp and to engage in non-violent direct action until the governments of Quebec and Canada cancel their authorisation of the SM-III project. The Coalition for Nitassinan denounces the inaction of the Canadian Government which has failed to assume its constitutional and international responsibilities towards the Innu and their land, Nitassinan. The Quebec government’s own environmental public hearing board published a report in June of 1993 which concluded that the SM-III project should be rejected. This has subsequently been ignored by both Canadian and Quebec governments.”

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On 4th June 30 protesters occupied H-Q’s office in Montreal. So far, 12% of the adult Innu population of Mant-Utenam have been charged in Quebec courts for their opposition to SM-III. More arrests are imminent. The Coalition for Nitassinan intends to carry out an international boycott campaign of H-Q. Support groups in Quebec, Canada and the US will hold demonstrations to show their firm opposition to the SM-III project.

In March, the peace camp was visited by workers from the road-widening crew in charge of clearing the forest who threatened to plough through the blockade. The response of Innu Mark Volant was simple, direct and committed: “If you plough through the blockade, the bridge will be burned and I will douse myself in gasoline and burn my own self. You are responsible for my life.”

Stop Press!!

The blockade fell in the early hours of June 14. Reports say that about twelve Innu traditionalists along with three U.S. observers were arrested.