Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg has initiated legal action against the Quebec and Canadian governments, asserting ownership over vast areas of land in western Quebec. Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck emphasized that the claim aims to safeguard the future interests of the First Nation’s members in western Quebec by ensuring sustainable management of resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
The land title claim, filed in Quebec Superior Court on Oct. 24, includes a $5-billion lawsuit alleging violations of constitutionally protected rights by the Canadian and Quebec governments and Hydro-Québec. Legal counsel Julian Riddell, representing Kitigan Zibi, cited the substantial nature of the land area in question and the breaches of rights as factors justifying the damages sought.
The claim encompasses several key areas, such as Gatineau Park, the Baskatong Reservoir, and the Papineau-Labelle wildlife reserve, as well as various islands in the Ottawa River. According to Whiteduck, Kitigan Zibi never ceded these lands and the claim is not intended to impact private landowners within the disputed territory.
The legal dispute is rooted in the 1760 Treaty of Swegatchy between the British government and the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation, as well as the Royal Proclamation of 1763, which guaranteed protection of the Algonquin Anishinaabe Nation’s lands and way of life. Allegations include breaches of these agreements, such as the transfer of Gatineau Park to the National Capital Commission (NCC) and authorization for the construction of the Mercier hydroelectric dam by the Quebec government.
Notably, the case has the potential to establish a precedent in Quebec as the first successful Indigenous title case in the province. Riddell highlighted the historic treaty aspects of the case and emphasized the significance of addressing these specific issues that have not been previously resolved.
Whiteduck mentioned that the successful land claim by the Quw’utsun Nation in British Columbia inspired Kitigan Zibi to pursue its legal action, especially after facing refusal from the Quebec government to negotiate ancestral territory claims. The hope is for a mutually beneficial agreement between Kitigan Zibi and the governments to ensure resource sharing and development of the First Nation’s ancestral lands for the well-being of its people and the preservation of their homeland.