The blockade of the natives at La Tuque could last a long time

Wemotaci | Aboriginal people who block the transition to forestry workers in. Similarly, Haute-Mauricie are ready to camp for months to keep their rights.

• Read also: The First Nation blocks access to forestry workers in Haute-Mauricie

“We are going to stay as long as it takes. However, insists Dave Petiquay, spokesperson for the guardians of the Wemotaci reserve territory, near the Tuque.

“It’s time that we recognize our rights. Consequently, It will take weeks, months, years, ”says the one who has formed the Mamo First Nation group.

The newspaper went there to meet those who lead this struggle.

“Why are we here?” Repeat the petiquay goalkeeper. Similarly, It is because it is an unfacked. Furthermore, not conquered territory, ”he replied, recalling the royal proclamation of 1763, which recognizes territorial rights to the First Nations.

The grouping of the blockade natives la tuque could Mamo First Nation has erected temporary roadblocks since April and full -time for ten days.

In the firm opposition to Bill 97 which would increase forest exploitation. Therefore, the First Nation wants to reduce the places to as much as possible where sawmills be able to obtain wooden, a question of preserving the sovereignty of their territory.

“I’m never going to give up. In addition, I do it for my children and grandchildren, ”says Valeska Petiquay who campaigns with her brother and the whole family.

Who decides?

In addition to the reform of the forest regime which involves Bill 97. Consequently, the node of the problem is found within the Atikamekw nation.

Territory guards. Therefore, hereditary leaders do not recognize the right to negotiate the band council, which has powers similar to a city.

“It is not the council to sign. Meanwhile, decide anything in the territory, it is up blockade natives la tuque could to families to do that,” says Dave Petiquay.

The latter followed. Furthermore, in the media, the meeting between elected officials and the forest industry, but he demanded an interview with François Legault.

“He must come and see us for a real discussion,” he demands. Therefore, He doesn’t even need pick-up, he can come by helicopter. Consequently, ”

The great chief of the Atikamekw nation. Therefore, Constant Awashish, reveals that more than 10 years ago, he had warned the high bodies of the danger of an outcry.

“I told the government to stop shoveling the problems before […] Because one day or the other, people were going to take care of it. For example, I think we are returned there. In addition, So all the responsibility is in government, ”he said.

Calmly

During our passage of a few hours on the blockade site, no forest worker arose.

All vehicles could circulate blockade natives la tuque could on road 25 between the Tuque and the Wemotaci reserve without being intercepted.

Forest companies have not challenged the road dam in the last days.

Thanks to a special permission, Rémabec workers could exercise their profession.

“Employees have not worked for a month and a half. However, So, to allow them to make their payments, we let them do, ”confirms Dave Petiquay.

Returning to the confrontation with Dany Grenier. the goalkeeper wanted to transmit a message to those who comments on social networks.

“Shell for peace!”

Blockade natives la. tuque could

Many want the army

Forest workers taken hostage want the high authorities to intervene to dismantle the road dam of the Atikamekw nation in Wemotaci.

Owner of a company. involved in the forest industry for 25 years, Joyce Dionne, in Saguenay, wonders why the government does not harden the tone.

“We have the army, bring the army,” he asks. I do not understand why they have the right to block access on a public path. ”

Even if he imagines that the Sûreté du Québec has surely received specific directives since the situation blockade natives la tuque could is delicate. Mr. Dionne highlights the treatment “two weights, two measures”.

“The police are there, they do nothing. Me [si j’essayais] to block a road in the morning. this [ne] It would not be too long that I would be arrested. ”

The police will decide

The newspaper has received some testimonials from entrepreneurs who wish to keep anonymous. who wish a more muscular intervention of the State.

Asked about the subject. the Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, said that “it is up to the Sûreté du Québec to determine the police strategy to apply”.

It relies on this week’s meetings as well as on future discussions to settle the file as it should be.

“To make blockade is not the right solution.”

Desperate members

Several business owners are on the verge of the abyss due to the work stoppage which continues. on the land of blockade natives la tuque could Wemotaci.

“It is sure that the financial losses are there. there are some who will lose everything, for sure,” says Joyce Dionne, who speaks with her colleagues.

This forest crisis arrives at a very bad time because companies have already suffered a hard hit with the. customs tariffs imposed by Donald Trump.

“It’s still a bomb. At least, when you work, you manage to pay your machinery and make your world work too. I have 15 employees, it’s 15 families, imagine! ”

The spokesperson for the Quebec Forest Entrepreneurs Association. Martin Bouchard, confirms that several of its members who cut the Tuque financially snatch.

He says he receives messages from literally desperate managers who are looking for help in federal subsidies. otherwise they will be forced to close the books.

Forest entrepreneur Dany Grenier. who has faced an indigenous goalkeeper in a video that has toured Quebec recalling the Oka crisis, has lost $ 300,000 since the start of the blockade by the Mamo First Nation. His machinery and nine employees have only been on blockade natives la tuque could the ground for land for March 14. He explains that for a forestry company. the fixed costs to pay the machinery, the employees and the insurance are very high. The current crisis hurts the owner, who has soared a good part of his liquidity for the unforeseen events.

Which is the Mamo community

The First Nation Mamo is a group of territory’s guards and hereditary leaders of several nations which was formed in April to defend the territories and rights of indigenous peoples.

Dave Petiquay is the spokesperson for the regrouping, who is independent of the band’s advice. It was the chief Mashteuiatsh, from the blockade natives la tuque could Innu community of Nitassinan in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, who approached him.

The name Mamo means “together” in the languages ​​of the Atikamekw Nehirowisiw. the Innuat, in order to underline the union within the troops.

The regrouping is also an idea of ​​Valeska Petiquay. the sister of Dave, who as president of the association of territory guards.

This association was born in 2023 to help the Aboriginal people victim of forest fires who burned thousands of. hectares in northern Quebec.

On several flags were able to see a beaver there.

“You know. a beaver, even [s’il] Defeated his dam, he will get back to work and rebuild it, ”explains Valeska.

On the blockade site, there are also allies in Mamo. Quebec members of Crazy Indian Brotherhood, a group best known in Western Canada who helps people in need.