Overview
- Filed in Quebec Superior Court on Oct. 29, the claim asserts Aboriginal title across roughly 10,000 square kilometres in eight areas of western Quebec, including Gatineau Park, islands in the Ottawa River, the Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve and the Baskatong Reservoir region.
- The lawsuit names Canada, Quebec, Hydro-Québec and the National Capital Commission as defendants and seeks $5 billion in compensation.
- Chief Jean-Guy Whiteduck says the action targets only government-owned or managed lands and is not intended to dislodge private property owners.
- The claim cites historic obligations under the 1760 Treaty of Swegatchy and the 1763 Royal Proclamation, and points to the 1927 dam that created the Baskatong Reservoir as an example of development without approval or compensation.
- The First Nation says meaningful reconciliation requires a say in decisions over water, wildlife and forestry, while the named governments and Crown corporations had not provided immediate comment at the time of filing.