Why The Offshore Agreement is a Good Agreement for the Cree Nation

Protection of rights, Cree Ownership of Land and Resources

Posted: 2010-03-01

Among other benefts, the Cree Offshore Agreement includes:

Constitutional protection for our collective and ancestral rights
Cree ownership of 80% of islands in Eastern James Bay and Southern Hudson Bay
Cree ownership of subsurface resources on Cree islands
Cree right to decide on future development of the offshore area
$50 million capital transfer and $5 million for the implementation of the Agreement
Cree preferences in contracts and procurement in offshore
Creation of a Land Use Planning Commission, a Wildlife Management Board and an Impact Review Board, all with substantial Cree representation
Important role for Cree Trappers Association in the carrying-out of wildlife studies with a $5 million fund set up for that purpose
Separate implementation agreement providing for the operation of various Cree bodies of public government in Eeyou Istchee communities
Guarantee that the Cree Nation will not be impeded by the agreement in the extension of its government to offshore region