Monday, September 8, 2014, the Attikamek nation declared independence of Quebec.
The Attimakets are protesting against the exploitation of natural resources in their traditional territory.
Unlike many other indigenous nations, Attikamek never signed treaties with the French colonists, British or the Canadian government, and thus did not give up their land.
In June the Supreme Court of Canada made one of the most important decisions on Aboriginal rights by granting the demands of the Tsilhqot’in Nation, who had not signed a treaty with British Columbia.
The court recognized the Tsilhqot’in territory, giving them the power to decide which economic activities can take place there.
The Declaration of Independence of the Attikameks involves 80 000 km2 of land in Quebec.
In an interview with The Canadian Press, the great leader of the nation, Constant Awashish said that Attikamek communities were not opposed to economic development in itself.
“They are opposed to the way it is done in Attikamek territory, so it threatens our culture and our way of life,” he has said.
Already in 2012 Attikamek had set up several road blockades to protest against logging in their territory.
You get to see our record on the issue of indigenous peoples in Canada.
