Ontario sued by Quebec Cree F.N. over Northern Ontario land

The James Bay Cree Nation is filing a lawsuit against Ontario over land they claim is theirs across their Quebec border.

The lawsuit was filed to the Superior Court of Ontario looking to take ownership o 48,000 square km of lands located south of James Bay and immediately west of the Ontario-Quebec boundary.  They’re also seeking nearly $500 million in damages.

“This action is the latest chapter in the Cree Nation’s long struggle to ensure  our pre-existing rights over all of our traditional lands are properly respected”, said Grand Chief Dr. Matthew Coon Come, the lead representative plaintiff in the lawsuit. “The imposition of the Ontario-Quebec boundary cut through our homeland of Eeyou Istchee. Our people have used, occupied, governed and protected these lands in Ontario since time immemorial, but our rights in these lands have never been addressed in any treaty.”

The parcel of land is near the traditional lands of Ontario’s Moose Cree First Nation, encompassing Moose Factory and Moosonee.  Chief and Council of Moose Cree First Nation is asking for immediate halt to the legal proceedings.

“The Quebec Cree’s decision to file a lawsuit making a claim to our Homeland is disrespectful and wrong. Abandoning this lawsuit is the right thing to do and is what Moose Cree’s people expect from our neighbours in Quebec,” said Chief Norm Hardisty Jr.

“The actions by the Quebec Cree serve only to pit Cree against Cree. Filing this lawsuit, and making this claim to the Moose Cree Homeland, is deeply disrespectful to us and is not in keeping with the Cree way. We should be working to strengthen the relationships among all Cree people, not weaken them by starting lawsuits” continued Chief Hardisty.

Grand Chief Coon Come said it’s about re-establishing what was already rightfully theirs.

“I am proud to be part of this next step in the Cree Nation’s fight for the full recognition and fulfillment of our rights over our entire traditional territory. Our people are committed to advancing and defending our rights in Ontario, despite the provincial boundaries that have been imposed upon us.”

Chief Hardisty Jr. was quick to defend his own band’s stance.

“Should the Quebec Cree reject our call and proceed with their lawsuit, Moose Cree First Nation is committed to taking any and all steps to protect our Homeland and our Treaty rights.”