The proposed Lower Churchill hydroelectric project in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador has taken another step closer to development following news that the Innu of Labrador has signed a series of agreements with the country’s government and the province, known as the New Dawn agreements.
Innu Nation’s Grand Chief, Joseph Riche, and Deputy Grand Chief, George Rich, joined Deputy Chief of the Mushuau Innu First Nation, Simon Pokue, and Chief of the Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation, Sebastian Benuen to welcome guests to Natuashish.
Guests included the Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada; the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; and Ed Martin, CEO of Nalcor Energy. They were also joined by the newly appointed Honourable Nick McGrath, provincial Minister of Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Labrador.
The three documents signed during the ceremony included the Land Claim and Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle, the Upper Churchill Redress Agreement and the Lower Churchill Innu Impact and Benefits Agreement which, collectively, have become known as Tshash Petapen or the New Dawn Agreements.
“This signing is a proud moment for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, for Canada, and especially for the Innu people,” said Premier Dunderdale. “Our government and the Innu have worked together to build an effective partnership to ensure that the interests of the Innu are respected. The signing of the Innu AIP and other New Dawn Agreements will secure important benefits for the Innu and represents another major step forward towards the development of Muskrat Falls, which is a significant project with benefits for this province and for our country.”
The Lower Churchill River system is comprised of Muskrat Falls with 824MW of power (first phase) and Gull Island with 2250MW (second phase).
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