EventStatement
Innu Nation urges Newfoundland and Labrador MHAs to vote against the Churchill Falls deal
Minutes before the House of Assembly vote on 17 September 2026, the Innu Nation asked members to vote against proceeding with the Churchill Falls agreement: 'Development on Innu lands must benefit Innu. We cannot support an agreement that asks Innu to accept the impacts and risks of major development while the financial benefits go elsewhere' (CBC News). After the vote, Grand Chief Jodie Ashini told CBC the new deal cuts Innu royalties and profits 'by over half' compared with the 2024 MOU and that the Innu were not told of the change.
- Date
- Kind
- Statement
- Where
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Evidence
- Statement: Something was said. Weighted lowest: words cost less than actions. How evidence is weighed
- Who
- Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly (target); Innu Nation (Labrador) (acted); Jodie Ashini (spoke)
Sources
- VOCM, “VOCM: Innu Nation letter / archaeology review” (external site), . source record
- CBC News, “House of Assembly votes in favour of moving forward with Churchill River power agreement” (external site), . source record
- CBC, “Innu Nation stands against progression of new Churchill River deal: grand chief” (external site), . source record
- VOCM, “VOCM: Innu Nation urges MHAs to vote no” (external site), . source record
Quotes
“Development on Innu lands must benefit Innu. We cannot support an agreement that asks Innu to accept the impacts and risks of major development while the financial benefits go elsewhere.”
From CBC News: House of Assembly votes in favour of moving forward with Churchill River power agreement, Innu Nation letter (quoted in coverage, not taken from the original)