At the invitation of Yale University: AFNQL will speak to the negative impacts of Northern Pass Project for the Innu Français
WENDAKE, QC, March 31, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Innu First Nation leaders from the community of Pessamit (Quebec), accompanied by the Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador (AFNQL), Ghislain Picard, will state their case concerning Hydro Québec's Northern Pass Project during a conference to be held today at Yale University under the auspices of the Yale Environmental Student Coalition.
The implementation of the Northern Pass Project involves the contribution of peak-load power stations, used to meet short-term peak demands. Since the Bersimis-2 plant, located on the Betsiamites River, is being used for this purpose, massive exports to the New England states are expected, which will continue or even increase the degradation of the river.
"Hydro Québec is making a mockery of the prior and informed consent principle by limiting consultation with the Innu to its own definition. New England states need to know and understand the impacts Northern Pass Project will have on the life of the Innu. Only the Innu are in a position to speak to these issues", said Ghislain Picard, Chief of the AFNQL.
All stations built on the Pessamit Nitassinan have been implemented without impact assessments, without authorization and without compensation. Among other important negative impacts and from the '50s onwards, the government has exerted pressure forcing the displacement of the Pessamiu Innu families, thus preventing them from practicing their way of life entirely dependent on hunting and fishing. Hydraulic management also has a devastating impact on salmon productivity as it caused dramatic drop in numbers since the establishment of the dams in the early 50s. Northern Pass could potentially put an end to the efforts of the Innu to restore the Pessamiu River.
Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, will host the presentation and has invited a number of selected guests, students, professors and local media representatives.
About the AFNQL
The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is the political organization of 43 Chiefs of the First Nations in Quebec and Labrador. www.apnql-afnql.com
SOURCE Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador
AFNQL: Mélanie Vincent [email protected]; Pessamit: Louis Archambault: 819-574-0405
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