Summary
In February 2021, the Muteshekau-shipu Alliance announced the adoption of two parallel resolutions recognizing the Magpie River (Muteshekau-shipu in the Innu language) as a legal person with rights. The first resolution was adopted by the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit in January 2021, followed by the Minganie Regional County Municipality (RCM) resolution in February. The resolutions recognize the river as possessing nine rights, including the right to evolve naturally and be protected, to be free of pollution, and to have standing in court. The members of the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit were named as the river’s legal guardians, holding the primary responsibility for ensuring that these rights are respected. This is the first such case in Canada. The founding members of the Muteshekau-shipu Alliance are the Innu Council of Ekuanitshit, the Minganie RCM, CPAWS Quebec and the Association Eaux-Vives Minganie.