FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Manawan – May, 14 2026. Mr. Émilien Dubé wishes to express his sincerest regrets following the release of his press release published yesterday, May 13, 2026, titled “Atikamekw Ancestral Family Territory Chief Strongly Opposes Nouveau Monde Graphite’s mining project in Manawan.”

After discussing the matter with his family members, Mr. Émilien Dubé now wishes to use the title of “Land Guardian” instead of “ancestral family territory chief.” Mr. Émilien Dubé wishes to emphasize, however, that the use of this title was in no way intended to cause offense; on the contrary, it was based on the humble and sincere belief that he was now entitled to use it in the tradition of his father and grandfather, who held this title on Lot No. 9, as is the custom among the Atikamekw people.

Indeed, in recent months, Mr. Émilien Dubé received an invitation from the Conseil des chefs de territoire de Manawan to take part in a meeting that led to the announcement, on April 9, of the creation of this body’s board of directors by the Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan.

“I acknowledge that my statement yesterday was not well received by some members of my family, and I would like to offer them my sincerest apologies.My intention was never to cause harm to anyone, but only to honor the legacy of the teachings on land protection passed down by my father, my grandfather, and my ancestors. It is today, with the title of Atikamekw Land Guardian, that I wish to continue my efforts for future generations,” – Mr. Émilien Dubé, Atikamekw Land Guardian.

Beyond his family members, Mr. Émilien Dubé also wishes to extend his sincerest apologies to anyone touched by the confusion following his yesterday statement, including the Conseil des chefs de territoire de Manawan, le Conseil des Atikamekw de Manawan, le Conseil de la Nation Atikamekw, and Nouveau Monde Graphite. The press release published yesterday has now been removed from all platforms, and today’s release has been sent as a clarification to everyone who received it.

“I now wish to put this episode behind me and thank my family, my community, and the company for their understanding” – Mr. Émilien Dubé, Atikamekw Land Guardian.

For more information :

Émilien Dubé – Atikamekw Land Guardian – Manawan

artisanatactorowin@gmail.com

Tel. : 579-500-1174