James Bay & Northern Quebec 35th Anniversary

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. It was Canada's first modern comprehensive land claims agreement and included 450,000 square kilometres of land, greater political autonomy for the Inuit of Northern Quebec through the creation of the Kativik Regional Government (KRG) and Makivik Corporation, and the formation of a distinct Inuit region called Nunavik.

The JBNQA was signed late at night in Quebec City on November 11th, 1975. This photo illustrates the signing ceremony, including Inuit leaders of the time Charlie Watt and Zebedee Nungak, then-Quebec Premier Robert Bourassa, and late Cree Chief Billy Diamond (signing at the far right)