September 3, 1999
(Mines and Energy)

Energy minister announces three additional contracts for 
Churchill River Power Project's 1999 Field Program

Mines and Energy Minister Roger Grimes today announced the awarding of three additional contracts worth over $800,000 for the Churchill River Power Project's 1999 field season.

"We're especially pleased to continue the historic resources contract because it will enable us to better understand the history and pre-history of Labrador," said Minister Grimes. "With the assistance of Innu researchers, we'll be able to identify and protect historic resources, providing long-term benefits for both the Innu and the province."

Innu Environmental Ltd. in partnership with Jacques Whitford Environment Limited (JWEL) were awarded an estimated $300,000 contract to continue studying historic resources in Labrador. The work will build on studies conducted in 1998 and involves investigating potential and documented Innu sites in the area of the Gull Island reservoir; delineating the Hudson's Bay Company trading post site at Fort Winokapau; and examining and characterizing a pre-contact site discovered in 1998. The work will be conducted by professional archaeologists and trained Innu archaeological researchers. The training will be conducted in Sheshatshiu.

"We were very pleased with the results of the 1998 archaeology program and look forward to equally exciting results this year," said Daniel Ashini of the Innu Nation. During the 1998 historic resources program, study teams found two long-lost Hudson's Bay Company trading posts, in addition to 20 pre-contact sites and 65 trapper tilts and Innu campsites.

The other two contracts awarded were:

• Canadian Helicopters Ltd. and Universal Helicopters C A $350,000 contract to provide helicopter services for the 1999 environmental program. The companies established a joint-venture last year for the 1998 field program. Both companies are experienced in supporting environmental research and have offices in Labrador.

• Labrador Catering Ltd. Partnership C A $165,000 contract has been awarded to provide camp and office facilities for up to 25 people at the Gull Island Camp, which was set up last year. Labrador Catering was formed by Innu Development Limited and East Coast Catering Limited.

Media contact:

Carl Cooper, Mines & Energy, (709) 729-4890 
Kelly Hickman, Labrador Hydro Project, (709) 737-1823.

1999 09 03 4:05 p.m.