The Cree Trappers Association, the Cree Hunters Economic Security Board and Mining & Exploration Companies Approve 2025 Funding to Continue t he Reconstruction of Cabins Burnt during the 2023 Forest Fires, James Bay, Quebec
The Cree Trappers Association, the Cree Hunters
Economic Security Board and Mining & Exploration
Companies Approve 2025 Funding to Continue t he
Reconstruction of Cabins Burnt during the 2023
Forest Fires, James Bay, Quebec
Quebec, QC, April 9, 2025 – The Cree Trappers Association (“CTA”), the Cree Hunters Economic
Security Board (“CHESB”), and 16 m ining and exploration companies (the “Companies”) are
pleased to announce that they have approved the 2025 funding to continue the reconstruction of
the cabins burnt by the wildfires in 2023 in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory of Quebec,
Canada. On October 31, 2024, the CHESB and the Companies had announced their voluntary
financial contribution totalling $750,000 for the Reconstruction Initiative Forest Fires Fund 2023
(“RIFFF”).
In 2024, the CTA launched a cabin replacement program in collaboration with the Niskamoon
Corporation, the Cree Nation Government and the Eenou- Eeyou Community Foundation to
construct replacement cabins for Cree hunters and trappers who occupy Cree land. A total of 50
cabins were rebuilt. Funding provided by the CHESB ($ 400,000) and the Companies ($ 200,000)
will be used to continue the cabin rebuild process in 2025. Additional funding will be provided in
2026.
Allan House, Chief Financial Officer at the CTA says: “We sincerely appreciate the outpouring of
support from different companies with our cabin rebuild project. Our people will continue to occupy
our lands by providing them warm new cabins, and we have the desire to help those in need, and
rebuilding has been our priority, Thank you.”
Serge Larivière, Director General of the CHESB says: “The mission of our organization is to support
Cree hunters who choose harvesting activities as a way of life. But in order to do so, Cree hunters
need a comfortable place to stay, a base camp that is located within the territory. Reconstructing
burnt cabins is the first step in helping hunters return rapidly to their traditional activities on the land!
This is why our Board was quick to offer financial support for this important initiative! ”
Normand Champigny, Chief Executive Officer of Quebec Precious Metals Corporation and who
leads this initiative for the Companies says: “ On behalf of the contributing companies, we are
delighted t o see this initial funding being deployed to assist with the cabins rebuild. We are
committed to provide funding in 2026 and seek additional funding from other companies including
services suppliers to the exploration and mining industry that operate in the Eeyou Istchee James
Bay territory.”
About the CTA
The CTA’s mandate and responsibility consist in protecting and promoting the interests and values
of Eeyou/Eenou trappers, traditional pursuits, and governance of hunting territories in Eeyou
Istchee. This mandate extends to the management of territory and wildlife resources and of
environmental matters. The main goal of the CTA is to foster, promote, protect and assist in
preserving the way of life, values, activities and traditions of the Eeyou/Eenou trappers of Quebec
and to safeguard the traditional system of Eeyou/Eenou traplines.
About the CHESB
The CHESB is a bipartisan organization composed of six members, three of whom are appointed
by the government of Quebec and three by the Cree Nation Government. The CHESB’s mission is
to administer the Economic Security Program for Cree Hunters, which was established in 1975
following the signing of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. The program is intended
for Crees residing in Quebec who practice wildlife harvesting activities as a way of life.
About the RIFFF
The RIFFF is a partnership between the CHESB, the Companies and the Eeyou Istchee James
Bay communities. The RIFF F will allow, starting in 2025, the reconstruction of burnt cabins and
complement the work underway by the CTA on the most impacted traplines. According to the
information collected by CNG Forestry, 11% of the land and nearly 60% of the traplines were
affected by the 2023 forest fires. The Companies are:
Austroid Corporation
Bonterra Resources Inc.
Champion Electric Metals Inc.
Critical Elements Lithium Corporation
Cygnus Metals Ltd.
Dhilmar Éléonore
Fury Gold Mines Limited
Gold Fields Limited
Harfang Exploration Inc.
Midland Exploration Inc.
Patriot Battery Metals
Power Metallic Mines Inc.
Quebec Precious Metals Corporation
Rio Tinto Exploration Canada
Sirios Resources Inc.
Troilus Gold Corporation
For more information please contact:
Allan A. House, Chief Financial Officer/Interim Chief Executive Officer
Cree Trappers Association
819-743-9451
Serge Larivière, Director General, Cree Hunters Economic Security Board
418-643-7300
Normand Champigny, Chief Executive Officer, Quebec Precious Metals Corporation
514-979-4746