Indigenous Group: The Innu First Nations of Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam (Uashaunnuat) and Matimekush-Lac John

Business: Iron Ore Company (IOC) (wholly owned by Rio Tinto)

Issue: IOC caused harm by operating a large mining complex and railway on traditional territory in northeastern Quebec and Labrador since the 1950s without their prior consent.

Comment: Sept. 22, 2014: CBC – The Innu claim that IOC’s mines and other facilities have ruined the environment, displaced members from their territory and prevented them from practicing their traditional way of life. They also said the 578-kilometre railway between Schefferville and Sept-Îles has opened up their territory to “numerous other destructive development projects.”

A Quebec judge rejected the Iron Ore Company of Canada’s efforts to dismiss a class-action lawsuit filed by two Innu communities in March 2013 which claim the miner has violated their rights for nearly 60 years and are seeking $900 million in compensation.

Latest Updates: Nov. 15, 2018: Bloomburg – The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear an appeal by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador on the issue of the jurisdiction of Quebec Courts in respect of the Innu’s $900 million lawsuit against Rio Tinto (IOC). After the Quebec Superior Court and the Quebec Court of Appeal had found in favor of the Innu on the issue, there will now be a hearing before the Supreme Court of Canada to determine whether Quebec Courts have jurisdiction over violations of the rights of the Innu caused by the mining operations of Rio Tinto (IOC) in Labrador.