Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL, September 18, 2026 – – NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) President Todd Russell today issued the following statement after the passage of the Churchill River Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly:
“Yesterday, the Churchill River MOU passed in the House of Assembly with a vote of 21 to 18. It is unfathomable that just 21 people, many of whom have no competency in their roles, have made such a consequential decision. A decision that will determine the fate of future generations. This alone demonstrates just how flawed this process has been.
NCC condemns the decision to approve the MOU. It is a bad deal for the people of this province and exponentially worse for the Indigenous peoples of Labrador and indeed all Labradorians. It echoes the Muskrat Falls fiasco and is a repeat of the mistakes of the 1969 Upper Churchill deal. It is undeniable that Quebec will be the primary beneficiary of this great Labrador resource. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is again selling out this province and, unfortunately, it will be our young people who will bear the brunt of this decision. The negative social, economic and environmental impacts will be irreparable, and it will be NunatuKavut Inuit and all the people of Labrador who will suffer the consequences.
NCC is issuing an urgent call for all Labrador Indigenous groups to set aside their differences to work together to ensure that, if there is to be a deal, our respective peoples are the primary beneficiaries. NCC calls on all communities in Labrador (and hopefully those on the Island) to fight this decision to work together for a better, fairer and more favourable deal. And we call on all Labrador-elected Members of the House of Assembly and the Member of Parliament to unite to fight this rotten and deplorable deal. Nothing is more important than protecting our lands and our people. This deal is a serious threat to our resources and future generations.
The Provincial government may be celebrating today but if there is no meaningful and substantive change, this will be their best day. There will be no further developments in and around the Churchill River without our full inclusion and agreement. As I have said before, we stand ready to defend our rights to our lands and to protect our people. Whether on the ground, in the Courts or in the political arena. There will be nothing about us without us.”
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About: The NunatuKavut Community Council (NCC) is a governing organization that represents the rights and interests of Inuit who come from south and central Labrador. NCC is committed to advancing section 35 rights, and the interests and priorities of NunatuKavut Inuit. Rooted in the rich traditions and culture of NunatuKavut Inuit, NCC works diligently towards self-government and self-determination, while fostering community growth and sustainability.
To learn more about NCC and NunatuKavut Inuit, please visit our website at www.nunatukavut.ca and we invite you to check out our “Our Story” page which helps tell our story. Please also join in the conversation at facebook.com/nunatukavut, Instagram @nunatukavutinuit and LinkedIn on our NunatuKavut Community Council page.
NCC Media Contact:
Kelly Broomfield
Chief Communications Officer
T. 709-280-5965
E. communications@nunatukavut.ca