On the front line of Indigenous resistance to Bill 97, Robert Echequan is camping by the roadside to defend his family territory. For 25 years, he has dedicated his life to protecting the forest and denouncing the abusive exploitation of resources.
In an interview with Alex Tyrrell, leader of the Green Party of Quebec, who came to camp on site to show support and solidarity, Robert shared his story and issued a call for unity.
“I will never stop saying what I am doing right now to protect our territory at all times.”
An Overexploited and Endangered Forest
Robert denounces the devastation caused by industry. The trees being cut are younger and younger, and the replacement species being planted do not have the same ecological value. He explains that wildlife is suffering: animals do not recognize these new trees and struggle to find food.
“Our children, the future generations, they will have nothing to survive on… Because in 30 years the trees will have grown, but it will not be the same forest.”
The forest, he reminds us, is the pantry of his community. Its destruction jeopardizes hunting, fishing, and the ecological balance that future generations depend on.
The Need for Support and Solidarity
Alone with his brother on the land, Robert is asking for human and financial support. He calls on people to come to the blockade, to stand with them, and to contribute donations, emphasizing that every expense is documented.
“I am asking for a lot of help… because we are the only surviving family here in our territory.”
He insists: without reinforcements, this struggle may weaken, despite his determination to remain “until death” if necessary.
Band Councils and Government: A Divisive System
Robert is sharply critical of the Legault government, which only meets with band councils and refuses to consult hereditary chiefs. According to him, this system—imposed by Ottawa—undermines ancestral rights.
“It is us, the hereditary chiefs, who must be consulted. Not the band council, not the government.”
He stresses that decisions made without real consultation only deepen abuse and disrespect for the land.
The Wounds of Colonialism
The interview takes a personal turn when Robert recalls his past. A survivor of residential schools, he explains that he was treated as disabled because of a hearing impairment, which prevented him from properly learning French.
“I still carry the fear we had when we were young. Even our parents carried that fear too.”
He also reflects on the tragedy of his niece, Joyce Echaquan, who died at Joliette hospital in 2020 in a context of systemic racism. Robert describes a profound loss and the total absence of justice for her nine children, who are still left without concrete support.
Toward a Joyce Protected Area
Despite the challenges, Robert is pursuing a project: to have his territory recognized as a protected area in memory of his niece Joyce. The government, which he accuses of systemic racism, rejected this name and proposed a generic one instead, which he refuses.
“We wanted to call it the Joyce Protected Area. But the government refused, they don’t want that.”
Nevertheless, he remains determined to carry this project through, convinced that it is the best way to honor her memory and protect the forest for future generations.
A Peaceful and Determined Struggle
Robert emphasizes the peaceful nature of his action. For him, solidarity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people is essential.
“We don’t want violence at our blockade. We want to work together—for our children, for the forest.”
Tired, marked by life’s hardships and even by serious health problems, he reaffirms that he will remain on the land, even through winter, and continue his struggle without ever giving up.
The Support of the Green Party of Quebec
At the end of the interview, Alex Tyrrell expressed the official support of the Green Party of Quebec for this struggle.
“Know that the Green Party of Quebec supports you in this fight. It is crucial that there are people like you who stand up every day to protect nature. You are fighting not only for your family’s territory, but also for Quebec as a whole and for the planet.”
