How the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement of 1975, the first modern land claims treaty in Canada, has shaped the creation and development of Nunavik (Northern Quebec).
The signing of the James Bay Agreement in 1975 was a turning point in relations between the Inuit and Cree of Northern Quebec and the federal government. Designating specific areas of land in Northern Quebec that the Inuit could own and use, the agreement laid the groundwork for the development of several influential institutions such as the Makivik Corporation - essentially the beginning of modern-day Nunavik, which now serves as the economic and political motor of Northern Quebec. Marking the fortieth anniversary of the agreement, Volumes 9 and 10 of Voices and Images of Nunavimmiut offer the Inuit perspective through a series of articles portraying the unique process of creating and implementing the first modern-day land claims treaty in Canada. With an introduction by Senator Charlie Watt, one of the original Inuit negotiators of the agreement, these richly illustrated volumes cover the period from 1975 to the present day, applauding the many achievements of the treaty while identifying the work that still needs to be done.
