Four First Nations acquire Hilton Quebec hotel [Video]

The James Bay Cree have partnered with the Huron-Wendat and Naskapi nations, and the Mi’gmaq of Gespe’gewa’gi, to become majority owners of the Hilton Hotel in Quebec City.

The deal was announced on Jan. 16.

The Cree have already invested in hotels in Val-d’Or, Dorval and Gatineau, but this is their first time partnering with other Indigenous nations.

“Our leadership was exploring the idea of working with other First Nations jointly to further showcase our culture and traditions,” said Henry Gull, president of the James Bay Eeyou Corporation, the James Bay Cree partner in the deal.

The four nations named their partnership Atenro, which translates to “friendship” in the Wendat language.

“What we’re trying to achieve here is really collectively putting your strengths together and becoming an economic force of change for the future,” said Fred Vicaire, the CEO of Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation, the partner company owned by the Mi’gmaq of Gespe’gewa’gi.

The Hilton Quebec is …