What's at Stake

WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR THE CREE NATION
IN THIS ELECTION FOR GRAND CHIEF?

• A vote against Moses is a non-confidence vote. This is extremely important for the outsiders especially the governments. It will determine how the governments will react to the change.

• Normally the governments will sit back and wait for the first meeting. This first meeting could take awhile to get because the governments will gather information about the leader and its followers. In other words it won’t happen right away and nothing serious is going to get resolved in the first year.

• A non-confidence vote will question the Cree Nation’s intentions. In the case for Quebec they will want to know if the Cree intend to continue the new relationship and the agreement? This will be the main question for them.

• The pending issues before the parties will most likely be put on hold until they have the answer to this question. They will want to hear it from the new leader.

• In the case of Canada they will most likely wait for Quebec to react. This is the political protocol between the federal government and the provinces. All internal provincial matters are dealt with first before the federal authorities make a move.

• How long this “waiting period” will last is anyone’s guess. Depending on the new leader it could take one year or more. It took Ted Moses 5 years before anything serious happened.

• Now the question for people in the Cree communities is what is at stake for the community or what will the community benefit from the new leadership? 

SO, WHAT IS AT STAKE?

Political Consequences:

• No proper implementation of the JBNQA by Quebec.

• Lack of seriousness on the part of the Federal Government to negotiate implementation of JBNQA.

• Cree Nation will not be viewed as credible people to negotiate with.

Financial Consequences:

• Potential loss of up to $70 million annually pursuant to “paix des braves”.

• More Cree expenditures for resuming legal battles, with significant legal costs.

Local Development Consequences:

• Potential loss of millions of dollars every year for each community for construction projects and local programs.

• Loss of employment opportunities.

• Loss of police officers.

• Loss of game wardens

• Loss of forestry protection.

• Loss of Niskamoon projects.

• Loss of funding for expanded health services.

• Loss of funding for expanded social services for issues such as suicide prevention.
   

• These benefits will most likely flow on regular bases in as long as the relationship is positive. If and when the relationship turns negative the governments will resort back to delaying tactics. The flow of the benefits will not be predictable causing the communities to resort back to short term planning.
   

• In summary the Cree communities have a lot more to lose than to gain if there is a non-confidence vote for Ted Moses. Is this the risk we want to take at this time?