Amnesty International said in a report this week that climate change is affecting and threatening the culture and lifestyle of the Innu of Quebec's pessamite community. “In the short term, all of Quebec and Canada will pay for it.
However, the know-how of the indigenous people of the ancestors is a key tool in the fight against climate change. We have a duty to listen and learn,” the report says. About 20 years ago, members of the Innu nation noticed that the banks of their territorial waters were eroding.
This erosion has been exacerbated by “increased temperatures, milder winters and the increase in freezing and thawing periods,” according to Amnesty. In addition, according to Amnesty, since the 1950s, 13 hydroelectric power plants and 16 Hydro Quebec Dams have been built on the territory "without free, prior and informed consent, without even the appearance of consultation.
Other problems faced by Native Americans include the industrial clearing of millions of acres of Canada's boreal forest. Jennifer Skene of the Natural Resources Defense Council says that much of the boreal forest is “irreplaceable ancient forest uniquely rich in carbon”. And every time new roads are created for forestry," Amnesty said, "they are used by non-native hunters and tourists.
[which] poses an additional threat to traditional Innu activities.” The human rights group says local and Canadian governments issue “logging and tourism permits without regard for the Innu.” History cannot be rewritten,” Amnesty said, seeking informed consent from the entire community.
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