Last week, Quebec Premier François Legault delivered his first major speech post-election, which mentioned new dams in Quebec. Concerned by his remarks, Chief Daisy House delivered the following statement:

“Premier Legault’s words last week drew consternation from the Council of the Cree Nation of Chisasibi and many of our community members when he solicited Quebec to ‘seriously envision the construction of new dams’ in his recent speech.

As Chief of Chisasibi – the largest Cree community in Eeyou Istchee and the community most impacted by hydroelectric development in the territory – I simply cannot stay silent.

This was anticipated, as we heard Premier Legault’s promise of additional dams during his election campaign in October. He made that statement during the campaign without consultation with First Nations leaders in Quebec.

Unsurprisingly, his remarks in this speech convey the same message, underscoring his intent to build new dams. It’s clear the impacts on Indigenous land, people, and Rights continue to be an afterthought.

As a Chief with a passion for education, I urge First Nations, Inuit, and non- Indigenous people in Quebec to learn from Chisasibi’s history. I am aware some people consider hydroelectric dams to be ‘green’ and ‘sustainable’, but they are far from it. There are endless effects from our dammed river that loom over us every single day. In Chisasibi, we have eight of the 11 dams in Eeyou Istchee. And they all have an impact on us and the flow of our river.