b'CULTURE SHIFTHydro-Qubec CEO Sophie Brochu (right) has been instrumental in spearheading a cooperative approach to the utilitys work with Indigenous communities. Pictured left is the signing of an accord with Ekuanitshit Chief Jean-Charles Pitacho in 2021Delisle agrees with this assessment ofadjustments, Boucher says. Leadershiphappens at least as much after the project Hydro-Qubecs current CEO. She ischanged three times at Hydro-Qubec,as before, and we want the communi-personable; she is down to earth, andand many times at the community level. ties to reap the economic benefits with she wants to learn. It was refreshing tocontracts and employment. You explain hear her perspective, he says. MonthsNonetheless, Hydro-Qubec negotiatedall this, and then you try to work around before the announcement was madethree agreements with the four Innuthe challenges, and you build that relation-[about the Hertel partnership], she didcommunities of Ekuanitshit, Nutashkuan,ship or partnership in a way thats unique an interview with Radio-Canada. TheUnaman-shipu and Pakua Shipi that takefor this project alone.reporter asked her, Why are you dealinginto account their values, legal rights and with the Mohawks? She said, Becausecultural and environmental concerns. TheyDelisle says that the utility no longer just were crossing their home. Simple asenable the communities to actively partic- hires subcontractors to go in and work on that; that told us a lot. ipate in the project and environmentalIndigenous land. Instead, they come in and monitoring program, and also to benefitsay, This is what we believe needs to be PARTNERSHIPSfrom the resulting economic spinoff. Aboutdone. In the most recent example, they The Hertel project is only one type of120 Innu from the region worked at thewere removing 33 hydroelectric towers partnership among many current projectconstruction sites, and 30 contracts werethat were traversing our community but agreements that Hydro-Qubec hasgiven to First Nations. didnt serve our community. Our contrac-forged with Indigenous communities.tors bid on the contract, took the wires Another model is the Romaine Complex,In yet another recent initiative, in Februarydown, disassembled the towers, and it which involves the construction of four2021, an agreement was signed withwent very smoothly, notes Delisle.hydro power generating stations that isQuebec Innu communities on the Apuiat scheduled for completion in 2022, afterwind farm that will see Hydro-Qubec almost two decades of feasibility studiespurchasing power generated by theToday, the utility is discussing with us a and construction. wind farm. major contribution to a heritage project within Kahnaw:ke, says Delisle, adding When you start negotiating an agree- Not only agreements, but relationshipsthat the relationship between Kahnaw:ke ment, but you know its going to be 10,around the projects depend on manyand Hydro-Qubec is groundbreaking 12, 14 years, you dont know what isfactors: project, community, legal aspects,on many levels. It will pave the way going to be the capacity of the commu- location, says Boucher. We build on afor Hydro-Qubec to be able to work nity in terms of employment and sofew basic principles: early engagementwith other Indigenous communities, on, and you have to keep an openwith the communities involved, ensuringcomments Delisle. I think its looking like mind and leave room for changes andthat the practice of traditional activitiesa very bright future for all of us.46A CCAB PUBLICATION2022'