A sustainable society through sustainable development: Towards a regional development strategy for Northern Quebec

In the Kativik region of Northern Quebec there is a need to support the growth of the culture and values of the indigenous population, to satisfy the basic human needs of all residents in the region, and to contribute to an increased quality of life through the provision of economic opportunities for growth and development.

The proposed Kativik regional strategy emphasizes the need to achieve sustainable development — the development of living resources that does not exceed their capacity to reproduce. As such, the strategy is consistent with the principles and objectives of the World Conservation Strategy and those contained in the resolutions of the Inuit Circumpolar Conferences on subsistance rights, environmental policy and economic development. The Inuit Circumpolar Conference was established in 1978 and includes native people from Alaska, the Northwest Territories of Canada, Greenland and the Scandinavian Countries. Delegates meet tri-annually to discuss issues of common concern.

In order to achieve sustainable development and thus a sustainable society in the North, environment, settlement and development must be integrated into a common framework. The key components of this strategic framework that will require careful analysis and then policy and program proposals include those listed below.

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  - Managing information and knowledge in a manner consistent with the principles developed in the on-going Inuit Harvest Research project in the Kativik region. The Harvest Research Study is a project designed to monitor and assess the wildlife harvest by the Inuit of Northern Quebec. The project is run by the Inuit themselves and supported by an Inuit corporation.

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  - Conserving and harvesting wildlife in a manner consistent with the wildlife management principles established by Anguvigaq Wildlife Commission. The Anguvigaq Wildlife Commission is a component of the Kativik regional administration — a regional body established as a result of the “James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement” — that supports and regulates hunting, fishing and trapping in Northern Quebec.

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  - Protecting fragile ecosystems in a manner consistent with the principles of the World Conservation Strategy and the Inuit Circumpolar Conference.

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  - Providing opportunities for economic growth in a manner consistent with the principles of large-scale development adopted by the Makivik Corporation. The Makivik Corporation is wholly owned by the Inuit of Northern Quebec. Established as a result of the “James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement”, the Corporation receives and manages the compensation funds derived from the agreement on behalf of all Inuit.

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  - Organizing the community and improving the quality of life in a manner consistent with all the principles outlined above.