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Meeting the new boss Hydro-Québec head shares her vision for working with the Cree in a Nation interview by Ben Powless | Photo provided by Hydro Quebec
S
ophie Brochu says she has a lot to learn. Brochu took over as the first woman President and CEO of HydroQuébec April 6. And when she finally met Cree Grand Chief Abel Bosum August 14, she began with an apology – not for the pandemic-related delay to the meeting, but for what she was never taught in school. “One of the things I am trying to learn is everything related to Indigenous communities,” Brochu told the Nation in an interview. “We learned nothing in school – I need to better understand the reality.” Before joining Hydro-Québec, Brochu spent 12 years as President and CEO of Énergir, Quebec’s largest provider of natural gas. But only after joining Hydro-Québec did Brochu say she began to understand the relationship the company has with Cree communities and how significant it was for both parties. Brochu says she understands the challenge over the past decades to build that relationship from one of distrust to where it is today. “We have to take nothing for granted, we
have to constantly work on it like any relationship.” Brochu said she hopes that at the end of her time with Hydro-Québec that the relationship with the Cree will be even stronger than when she took over. “What I would like to do is build on the foundations that we have built up today. And by building on those foundations I think we can do more between Hydro-Québec and the Cree
24 the Nation October 23, 2020 www.nationnews.ca
Nation, notably with the youth,” she said. The Hydro-Québec president also wanted to offer an apology in advance: “I’m sure I will make a mistake one day, and I want people to know it won’t be on purpose, it will be by not understanding something. So, I apologize in advance and look forward to better understanding the Cree people and getting to meet the
Cree on their territory when we are allowed.” Noting that about 100 Cree are currently working for Hydro-Québec, Brochu described her vision to increase the opportunities for youth who may be interested in working with the Crown corporation, including things like summer jobs and full-time positions. As for the present, Brochu confirmed that there are no new projects
