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Échofête honors the Rupert River
Posted by Montreal Environment in Aboriginal, Energy, Montreal
Echofete posterWhen Mikaël and Sebstien Rioux formed Échofête in 2002, the Rupert River was yet to become an issue on their agenda. At the time, the Trois-Pistoles River was slanted for development by Hydro Quebec, and Mikaël spent 40 days suspended on a platform above the river in protest. His honorable effort sparked an intense media and citizen debate that stopped the project. Since 2003, the Riouxs have organized four environmental festivals with the goal of raising awareness of environmental issues in Quebec, focusing on specific themes such as forests, water, climate change and the outdoors.
This year they have extended a helping hand to the Cree Nation in supporting the three Cree communities of Nemaska, Waskaganish and Chisasibi in their fight to save the Rupert River. The “Cabaret de la Rupert”, which took place yesterday April 18, was a major unexpected hit. With numbers ranging form circus acts to new wave funk flamenco, artists and ecologists set the roof on fire. Among the performers the Cree group CerAmony paid tribute to the Cree youth and elders: “When the public hearings took place in 2002, the Cree youth were asked if they supported the Agreement, not one hand came up[...] This song, The Last Great Men is our tribute to the elders. It got 10,000 hits in the first days we posted it on our website“.
In the limelight, following a stressful week of juggling agendas, the three Cree Chiefs: Nemaska’s Josie Jimiken, Waskaganish’s Robert Weistche, and Chisasibi’s Abraham Rupert; took the night off from a Grand Council meeting in Gatineau to show their support and gratitude for their fellow Quebecois supporters. Greeted by a full house, they took the stage and spread their message. “I ask you to invite your friends to come and see the Rupert River…bloggers, all of you here and everyone please spread our message” said Chief Weistche, sporting a cowboy hat and looking much at ease. Chief Rupert spoke of the impacts felt by his community since the 1970s: “We [Chisasibi community] know all too well the impacts of these projects [...] Our safety is at stake, the conditions on the James Bay have changed, and where there was no danger, now our people face it. For me is the hardest thing to tell young parents that their child was lost on the river. I have been through it.”
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The three Cree Chiefs(left to right): Robert Weistchee, Abraham Rupert, Josie Jimiken
“We declare that the Environmental Assessment was manipulated, misused and abused. There was no alternative presented, and I know that we can find alternatives that are feasible, that will generate as much energy, provide as much jobs and bring as much economic benefits, if not more. Our fight is not over, we will not stop” said Chief Josie Jimiken.
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