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Riding the Great Whale

Some people call it an engineering triumph. The Cree and Inuit refer to it as cultural genocide. This provocative documentary exposes the controversy surrounding the James Bay hydroelectric project in Northern Quebec. Phase I of this mega-dam project caused massive wildlife and environmental damage. Phase II was stopped due to pressure from aboriginal groups. What is James Bay really about? Hydroelectric power or territory? Fuelled by the media, the struggle assumes epic proportions. Is reconciliation possible in this great northern saga?
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Some people call it an engineering triumph. The Cree and Inuit refer to it as cultural genocide. This provocative documentary exposes the controversy surrounding the James Bay hydroelectric project in Northern Quebec. Phase I of this mega-dam project caused massive wildlife and environmental damage. Phase II was stopped due to pressure from aboriginal groups. What is James Bay really about? Hydroelectric power or territory? Fuelled by the media, the struggle assumes epic proportions. Is reconciliation possible in this great northern saga?

Technology Environment and Conservation Indigenous Peoples in Canada (First Nations and Métis) Indigenous Peoples in Canada (Inuit) Politics and Government - Canada All subjects
  • director
    Diane Beaudry
  • producer
    Éric Michel
    Jacques Vallée
    Hillie Molenaar
  • script
    Georges-Hébert Germain
    Pierre Turgeon
  • camera
    Martin Leclerc
  • sound
    Flip Van Den Dungen
    Serge Beauchemin
  • editing
    France Pilon
  • sound editing
    Myriam Poirier
  • re-recording
    Jean-Pierre Joutel
    Serge Boivin
  • music
    Claude Milot
  • host
    Georges-Hébert Germain
    Pierre Turgeon
  • participation
    Matthew Coon Come
    Daniel Granger
    Matthew Mukash
    Robert Bourassa
    Guy Joron
    Gaëtan Hayeur
    Marc Chénié
    Serge Dubé
    Claude Otter
    Eli Weetaluktuk
    Robert, Jr Kennedy
    Louis-Gilles Francoeur

Education

Ages 16 to 17

Notes

Divide the class into two clans: First Nations people and the provincial government. Then screen the film and ask students to note all of the points that are relevant to their clan, the ideologies and the political, economic, cultural and social issues, and then prepare arguments for or against hydro-electric megaprojects in northern Quebec. Follow this up with an in-class debate from which the group must draw a conclusion.

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Riding the Great Whale
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