The studies found herein have put local communities at the center of the transportation infrastructure development process. This way of working, initially proposed by the Cree Development Corporation, strives to shift the dominant paradigm away from natural resources as the main lever of development, towards community development. Natural resource development remains a vital element to this equation but is no longer the sole driver. In this sense, La Grande Alliance goes beyond a standard regional transportation plan but rather proposes a new model for how the Cree and the Jamesian populations can work together to sustainably develop the existing network, thereby allowing the movement of natural resources in a manner that promotes the betterment of all.
The Feasibility Studies attempt to seek out and understand ways in which the proposed transportation infrastructures can improve the communities’ quality of life. Transportation corridors are explored with the utmost respect for the land, its inhabitants, and Cree heritage. In this sense, the study fully embraces the concept of sustainable development, such that the infrastructures under study can only proceed if they are feasible from a technical, environmental, and economic perspective. Furthermore, it is understood that, to proceed, the proposed infrastructures will require the social acceptability of all communities in the region.
The Client’s requirement to involve Cree and Jamesian communities at such an early stage of development reflects their requirement that local stakeholders be actively involved in the planning and management of land and economic development in Eeyou Istchee Baie-James. The organization understands that Eeyou Istchee Baie-James is extremely rich in natural resources, but firmly believes that it must not be seen simply as a source of raw materials for resource exploitation. The CDC is clear that development of the territory must be in accordance with traditional customs and founded on values of respect and gratitude to the land. Finally, it rejects the idea that infrastructure development and environmental protection are opposing, but rather are both key to harmonious development of a territory and its people.