Northern Quebec Cree announce first national park in their territory

The Cree Nation of Mistissini and the government of Quebec signed an agreement to create the first national park in Eeyou Istchee, called Nibiischii Park, which translates to "land of water."

For over 20 years, the Cree Nation of Mistissini (CNM) has been working toward making parts of its land a national park to protect it while increasing economic benefits from tourism. The agreement was signed on Nov 29. 

"This will add an additional layer of protection when it comes to the land," said John S. Matoush, the deputy chief of Mistissini, which is over 700 kilometres from Montreal. 

Usually, parks are run by Société des établissements de plein air du Québec, but through the agreement Nibiischii Park is the first Indigenous-run national park in Eeyou Istchee. 

Nibiischii Park spans over 11,000 square kilometres east toward the Otish mountains and southwest across Mistassini Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Quebec. 

Four other smaller areas around the territory also have protected legal status, making the protected area over 16,000 square kilometres, roughly 1 per cent of all of Quebec. 

"Mistissini always looked at a longer-term agreement [for] a bigger funding envelope that would help establish the park and its infrastructure," said Matoush.

The CNM secured over $60 million over the next 10 years for infrastructure development and job creation in tourism, up from the $5 million initially negotiated about 20 years ago, according to Matoush.

Mistissini has several small businesses that run outfitting camps, which are some of the main attractions for tourists. Matoush aims to expand this further. 

"The focus will be more on Mistissini having a welcoming centre," said Matoush, adding that it will be a workplace for park administration, staff, and management. 

CNM emphasized the importance of involving family traplines and Cree tallymen, said Matoush.

"There was a strong message from the hunters, trappers, and tallymen that the protection and the rights remain and that the Cree way of life wouldn't be affected," said Matoush. 

This means Cree can continue to hunt and fish in the park with no additional restrictions.

For the Cree Outfitters and Tourism Association (COTA), the newly named park opens more opportunities, not only for the community but for the entire region.