The idea for the Study Centre for Indigenous People’s Economic Autonomy (IPEA) emerged in 2017 following joint reflection between former Quebec Premier Bernard Landry, Émilie Fortin-Lefebvre, professor of management at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), and Indigenous representatives from various nations.
Economic reconciliation with First Nations and Inuit is of undisputed importance among our society’s current challenges. Initiated some twenty years ago, the commitment towards economic reconciliation was notably influenced by the signature of the Paix des Braves on February 7, 2002. The Paix des Braves is a political agreement between the Quebec government, then under the leadership of Mr. Bernard Landry, and the Cree Nation, then led by Ted Moses. This historic moment paved the way for continued collaboration, “Nation to Nation”. The IPEA Study Centre was founded in memory of Mr. Bernard Landry, to perpetuate his vision and pursue this collaboration for the economic autonomy of First Nations and Inuit.
The IPEA Study Centre was formerly known as the Economic Autonomy for First People and Inuit (EAFPI) Study Centre.
2019
Early 2019: Creation of the IPEA Study Centre at UQAM.
Late 2019: The Centre begins to develop relationships and initiate collaborations with socio-economic development stakeholders in Nunavik.
2021
September 2021: The IPEA Study Centre participates in the 6th edition of the National Forum on Reconciliation, where it presents its vision of academic research based on collaboration with Indigenous peoples.
November 2021: Participation in the “Grand cercle économique des Peuples autochtones du Québec” to present a portrait of the particularities of First Nations entrepreneurship and disclose the results of a research partnership with the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Economic Development Commission (FNQLEDC). The main objective of the event was to breathe new life into the socio-economic development of First Nations.
2022
March 2022: The IPEA Study Centre team travels to two Nunavik villages to lead discussion workshops and stimulate conversation about the territory’s local economy.
May 2022: The IPEA Study Centre attends the Nunavik Roundtables on Indigenous Entrepreneurship and presents the diversity of the economy’s components, as well as ideas developed by Inuit for setting up businesses.
November 2022: A vignette of a “discussion” between Bernard Landry and Ted Moses, 20 years after the signing of the Paix des Braves in 2002, is shown at the Cercle économique régionale de Val d’Or.
2023
November 2023: Presentation of The Cree Way capsule to the Val d’Or Economic Circle.