Cree sign deal with Quebec government

The Cree people of Northern Quebec are signing a deal with the province Friday. The Native American group is regaining control over certain parts of the province.

The deal indicates the creation of a regional Cree governement on their ancestral land of Eeyou Istchee. This will give them control of over 65,000 square kms of land.

Premier Jean Charest is making the announcement Friday, along with Matthew Coon Come, the grand chief of the Crees of Quebec. Negotations began over two years ago, when an independent study revealed Quebec’s failure in honoring its obligations towards the Cree nation. 

The cree are one of the largest groups of First Nation people in North America with, over two hundred thousand members living in Canada alone. There are 18,000 Crees living in Northern Quebec.