Basically..and Bruce, please correct me if I've got this arse over whatsit, it would appear that the original agreement over the dam is now in jeopardy, as more mega dams are wanted by government.plus the dam has caused many environmental problems..



The effect of James Bay on The Cree People

Below are just a few quotes from the link above:

>>>Jimmy Mianscum, Ouje-Bougoumou:

Today the people have problems because the white man is working all over the place, destroying the land and the people. It's really hard to hunt and live off the land...All the trees have been cut on my land. The only trees you see are on the side of the roads; past that, it's all cut. There is no place for the animals to shelter, it is all destroyed.. The government keeps stealing...They built towns, airports, hydro stations and sawmills (on my land) and yet I was never compensated.
Willie Moses, Eastmain:

Today when I think back before the white man came around, anywhere an Indian wanted to drink water was good. But today you can't do that because of the dam. Only from the lakes on the side of the road and creeks...They are the only places to get water. Here in Eastmain not everyone drinks the water that we have. Rain water is another source but there is no other place...only some clean water comes through the store but it's hard for people to get because it's so expensive... It wasn't explained to us what would happen to our hunting ground. We started to lose our livelihood when they made the dam....We used to go up the river all the time. It was nice the way people made their living before the white man came. People from far away used to stay here and hunt. They didn't have a lot of stuff from white society...But now it's good for nothing. The people have no use for the land because you can't use it. We have lost it.
Abraham Weapinacappo, Eastmain:

The people are against the building of dams. This land is what they lived off, and that is why they are against it. I know it's going to be bad for the people with grandchildren and those yet to be born. That's why people are not happy when they hear there are going to be more dams....The future doesn't look good for the people if they go ahead and do what they want to do. The traditional way of life will be destroyed, I know that....It disagrees with me from what I have seen so far. I feel like I have been punched...I have been hurt inside... I never felt that way before. That's how I feel when I think about the project. The Cree way of life is totally lost. That's what I have seen since the beginning of the project.

The following opinions were collected by Glen Cooper for the Grand Council of the Crees:
Clarence Gull, Waswanipi

I have seen the damage logging companies have done to our land, and as the tree line fades the animals disappear with it. This has had a devastating effect on the people. They have come to destroy the forest, the wild life and the people. The white man is taking away from us any opportunity for any development that we might have done for ourselves as a nation, but most importantly for our children.
Annie Eagle, Waswanipi

I have true and honest feelings when I hear someone speak of the land, for I can understand them. For years I have depended upon the land as a way of life, it's kept my children from being hungry, as it kept my ancestors alive for many years. I ask myself: how will we be able to survive if there are no trees? <<<<<