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OTTAWA, CANADA - The president of Makivik Corporation, Mr. Pita Aatami, and the Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), Dr. Ted Moses, signed an agreement yesterday in Kuujjuaraapik-Whapmagoostui to resolve the Cree and Nunavik Inuit offshore overlap areas in James Bay and Hudson's Bay.

        Numerous representatives from the Inuit communities of Inukjuak, Umiujaq, Kuujjuaraapik and of the Chisasibi Inuit participated in the discussions leading to the agreement as did numerous representatives of the Cree communities of Whapmagoostui, Chisasibi, Eastmain, Wemindji and Waskaganish. Many Inuit mayors and Cree chiefs participated in the discussions and were present at the signing.

        The terms of the Agreement provide for a shared Cree-Inuit overlap area from the Nastapoka Islands in Hudson's Bay to South of the La Grande river in James Bay.

        "I had a meeting with Grand Chief Moses a few months ago and we both agreed that the differences between the Cree and Inuit relating to the offshore region needed to be resolved through dialogue. I am very pleased to have reached this agreement with the Cree" stated Mr. Pita Aatami. "This agreement represents the continuation and renewal of the historic alliance between the Crees of Eeyou Istchee and the Nunavik Inuit which was established at the time of the negotiations and signature of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement" added Grand Chief Moses. Both parties also stated their interest to work closely together in other endeavors.

        Since 1974, both the Cree and the Inuit have been attempting to resolve with the government of Canada their aboriginal claims in the offshore region of James Bay, Hudson's Bay and Ungava Bay. In March of this year, Makivik Corporation and the government of Canada initialed an Agreement-in-principle concerning Nunavik Inuit offshore rights and interests. The Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and the federal government are still negotiating the terms of their own Agreement-in-principle relating to the offshore area in James Bay and in southern Hudson's Bay.

        "The agreement reached between us will facilitate the completion of the treaty process with the government of Canada by both the Cree and Inuit. We have always found ways to work together and share the resources of this land and we intend to continue to do so in the future" stated both Grand Chief Moses and Mr. Pita Aatami.

        The agreement will be submitted for ratification to Inuit and Cree communities within the next 30 days.