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EASTMAIN, QC - Earlier today, March 4, the Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee), Dr. Ted Moses, expressed his satisfaction over the announcement of the creation of several new protected areas in the James Bay Territory. Speaking from his family's trapline, the Grand Chief stated:

"I am pleased that the Government of Quebec is making headway on its promise to Quebecers to protect more of the natural heritage, particularly since many of these new areas are of special significance to the Cree Nation and to the people of Waskaganish."

        Included in Quebec's list of new areas are the Mistikawatin Peninsula, Boatswain Bay, the Missisicabi Plain, the lower section of the Harricana River and Muskuuchii, each of which is found in the territory of the Waskaganish First Nation.

        The latter area, Muskuuchii, is distinct because it was an identified joint Cree/Quebec project in the "la Paix des Braves" Agreement. Under the Agreement, both governments agreed to work toward protecting this environmentally and culturally sensitive site. After several months of work between various departments of the Government of Quebec, the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and the Council of Waskaganish the participants agreed on an area of suitable scope to protect the unique natural and historic importance of Muskuuchii.

Robert Weistche, Chief of Waskaganish said:

"Protecting Muskuuchii from logging has been a long-term project of Waskaganish since the forest companies first moved into that area. Muskuuchii is important to us because its natural abundance sustained our ancestors through times of hardship. It remains that way today and so we are happy to see that it will be protected."

        The announcement of five new protected areas in the Abitibi/James Bay Region follows on the announcement of last July, which set aside the Otish Mountains and Lac Albanel area north and east of Lac Mistissini that is also within Eeyou Istchee. Grand Chief Moses added:

"These recent designations are encouraging because it shows that the Government is recognizing the need to balance development with protection, which is an approach fully endorsed by the Crees. We started with one area and jointly decided to protect these other areas as well. This was the implementation of the spirit of our new relationship with Quebec."