Innu Nation Supports Muskrat Falls Development and Loan Guarantee

HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR--(Marketwire - Dec. 17, 2012) - Grand Chief of the Innu Nation Prote Poker and Deputy Grand Chief Jeremy Andrew affirmed today their continued support for the development of Muskrat Falls and the associated federal loan guarantee.

"We believe the Muskrat Falls project and the agreements we have entered into allowing this project to proceed on Innu land are not only good for the Innu Nation but good for all peoples of Labrador and Newfoundland." says Grand Chief Poker. "The development of Muskrat Falls will provide clean, renewable energy to the Atlantic Provinces and beyond and will generate significant employment and business opportunities in Labrador and across this country. We are proud to support a project of such national importance and I would like to thank Prime Minister Harper, Minister Penashue, Premier Dunderdale, Minister Kennedy and Premier Dexter for personally bringing the announcement of the federal loan guarantee to Labrador on November 30^th."

The Innu Nation's endorsement of the overall project is conditional upon compliance with Tshash Petapen, also known as the New Dawn Agreements. These agreements commit all parties involved in the development of Muskrat Falls to show proper respect for the environment and give Innu people priority with respect to business and employment opportunities. " As we all move forward, the Innu Nation will continue to be vigilant in ensuring that the spirit of these agreements is lived up to so that the environment is protected for everyone and our people are given every opportunity to prosper," Grand Chief Poker added.

The New Dawn Agreement is a three part agreement including the Land Claims and Self-Government Agreement-in-Principle, Upper Churchill Redress Agreement, and Lower Churchill Innu Impact and Benefits Agreement signed by the Innu Nation, federal government, and provincial government in 2011.