Quebec Innu nation lifts barricade after reaching agreement with Tata Steel

MONTREAL — Members of the northern Quebec Innu nation of Matimekush-Lac John have lifted a barricade after reaching a deal with Tata Steel Minerals Canada regarding the environment, jobs and training, Chief Tshani Ambroise said Thursday.

The Innu barricaded the entrance to the mining site for four nights and lifted the blockade late Wednesday after the deal was hammered out, Ambroise said in an interview.

“We pretty much won all the major points we wanted to settle with the company,” said Ambroise. “The major points were about the environment, jobs and training for our members.”

Tata Steel Minerals Canada develops iron ore deposits in Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ambroise said the company agreed to take steps to protect water and to control dust at its mining site on Matimekush territory.

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Agreements were also reached to train workers on the job site, Ambroise said.

The Innu nation of Matimekush-Lac John, whose council office is located within Schefferville, a small Quebec town near the Newfoundland and Labrador border, wants Tata to hire more of its members.

Ambroise said Tata told him it employs about 120 members of the Innu community, but his council office has a lower figure.

“We absolutely want more of our members hired by the mining company,” he said. “We asked for an official list from (Tata) of all our members currently working for them.”

A representative from Tata Steel did not respond to a request for comment.

The Canadian Press