Québec Premier François Legault, accompanied by Grand Chief of the Cree Nation Abel Bosum and former Cree Chief Ted Moses, have paid a posthumous tribute to Bernard Landry by renaming the Eastmain-1 dam and the Eastmain-1-A hydroelectric facility in memory of the former prime minister. In addition, the reservoir associated with these works will now be called the reservoir of the Peace of the Braves, in commemoration of the historic agreement reached in 2002 between the Cree Nation and the Government of Quebec, then led by Bernard Landry.
This announcement was made on November 4th in the presence of Bernard Landry's widow, Chantal Renaud-Landry, and her children, Pascale, Julie-Anne and Philippe Landry. Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Simon Jolin-Barrette, Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration, Sylvie D'Amours, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, and President-General General Manager, Éric Martel, joined this tribute.
The Premier also took the opportunity to announce that the Minister of Culture, Nathalie Roy, had appointed Bernard Landry as a historical figure, under the Cultural Heritage Act.
"When a nation loses a character of the magnitude of Bernard Landry, we have the duty to pay tribute to him. We must find a way that can be measured by our recognition of man's immense qualities and achievements,” said Premier Legault. “Combining economic, cultural, social and environmental development, these designations reflect Bernard Landry's ambitions for Quebec. Premier Landry will remain a model and inspiration for me. I salute his memory, on behalf of the entire Quebec nation, and I am pleased that we have been able to strengthen the symbolic power of our action by sharing with the Cree Nation. "
"Bernard Landry's courage and compassion are greatly admired by the Cree Nation,” added Abel Bosum, Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Crees, Government of the Cree Nation. “What we are experiencing today at Eeyou Istchee Baie-James is proof that Premier Landry was also a visionary. The Cree Nation and the Government of Quebec have made and continue to make great strides in terms of collaboration. In 2002, Premier Landry had a vision and made a commitment to the Cree Nation so that we could assume the roles and responsibilities of the government in a concrete way. This commitment has had and will have lasting benefits for the province of Quebec. Seeing this potential well in advance and allowing two peoples to express their will, change direction and walk together require visionary leaders who are true to their convictions. "
