The Innu Nation has filed a $4-billion claim against Hydro-Québec for damages caused them with the flooding of the Smallwood Reservoir. The claim has been filed in the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Grand Chief Etienne Rich says they were never consulted on the project. Quebec and Newfoundland developed the Upper Churchill in the late 1960s with the bulk of the profits going to Quebec.

The Innu’s slogan at today’s news conference was “50 Years Past Due.”

They say their ancestors’ burial grounds are under water, and that the hydro project caused enormous damage to their land. They have never been compensated for the use of their land.

They say Nalcor has partially compensated them but they have not received a single penny from Hydro-Québec, so now it is their turn to pay up.