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The Port of Sept-Îles and its partners announce the construction of the Innu signature pavilion

Sept-Îles, June 14, 2024 – The architectural concept and exterior design of this pavilion will be inspired by the Innu culture. From 2025, it will become the permanent reception pavilion for cruise ship passengers who will disembark at the Port of Sept-Îles’ Cruise Ship Dock.

The cruise adventure began in 2007 when the Port of Sept-Îles, Ville de Sept-Îles and Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam reached an agreement to put in place the necessary infrastructure to make Sept-Îles a distinctive cruise ship port of call on the St. Lawrence. This partnership also led to the creation of Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu (DSIN), an organization responsible for coordinating the reception of cruise ship passengers.

Seventeen years later, a new permanent reception pavilion became more than necessary to replace the marquee used so far and thus allow the beginning of receiving winter cruise ships in 2025.

This $6.9 million project will be carried out with the financial contribution of the following partners:

  • $3 million – Canada Economic Development
  • $1.7 million – Société du Plan Nord
  • $594,000 – Ministère du Tourisme du Québec
  • $175,000 ($325,000 to come) – Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam (ITUM)
  • $175,000 – Ville de Sept-Îles
  • $887,000 – Port of Sept-Îles

The project development plans are brought to life by DMG and are inspired by an innovative co-creation process launched in fall 2022. This collaborative approach, involving the stakeholders of the Monseigneur-Blanche district and multiple from the local tourism sector, made it possible to establish the main elements to integrate into this project.

“We must acknowledge the contribution of all the actors who participated in the co-creation process and who allow us today to unveil a unique and representative concept of the only port of call on the St. Lawrence with a flagship product of discovering Innu culture. This new building and its exterior layout also join several priority areas of development resulting from the citizen consultation carried out in fall 2023. This is the first concrete step towards revitalizing the Sept-Îles riverfront,” said Pierre D. Gagnon, President and CEO of the Port of Sept-Îles.

 

 

In addition to the spaces for port of call entertainment, including the area dedicated to artists and artisans, the building will house the DSIN offices. Partners want this place of welcome and exchange to also host various activities to gather and spread local and regional cultures, all year round.

The construction period will begin at the end of June for a delivery of the new cruise ship pavilion in spring 2025. The pavilion’s development plans are available on portsi.com and destinationsept-iles.com.

In parallel, the 2024 port of call season will be in full swing, receiving 13 ships between August 9 and October 24, a record number of ports of call.

Quotes

“ITUM is pleased to know that the Innu culture will be at the forefront of thousands of cruise ship passengers visiting our beautiful region and territory. As a meeting and reception area, we hope that everyone will feel welcome as they land on the Nitassinan and immerse themselves in the culture of Indigenous peoples. The collaboration of all the organizations involved in this project demonstrates our ability to build together.”  — Mike Mckenzie, Chief, Innu Takuaikan Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam

“Our government is committed to supporting Quebec’s tourism industry and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous communities. That is why CED’s financial contribution to Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu is excellent news for developing the Côte-Nord and its appeal. Thanks to the Government of Canada’s investments in tourism experiences, we are ready to welcome tourists from around the world. ”
The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for CED

“This new permanent reception pavilion will become a focal point for tourism in the Sept-Îles region. The Port of Sept-Îles project will also better welcome visitors, in a site respectful of the region’s cultural diversity, whose richness will be highlighted. The financial assistance granted by Société du Plan Nord will translate into concrete benefits on the ground. This is tangible proof of the positive impact that projects can have for a community. ” — Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Minister responsible for the Société du Plan Nord

“The strong mobilization of our community, Sept-Îles and Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam around this ambitious project is at the heart of the success we are announcing today. It is a pleasure for me to unveil our government’s investment of $2.3 million for the construction of this permanent cruise ship reception pavilion. Much more than a welcoming place, this building is a real gathering space for all of us. ” — Kateri Champagne-Jourdain, Member for Duplessis, Minister of Employment and Minister Responsible for the Côte-Nord

“The construction of this reception pavilion is very good news. Its distinctive architectural signature will highlight the heritage and richness of the Innu culture. Ville de Sept-Îles is proud to be a partner in this project. With this significant investment, the positioning of the Sept-Îles port of call in international cruise circuits is well confirmed, which can only lead to interesting benefits for our community. ” — Denis Miousse, Mayor of Sept-Îles

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About the Port of Sept-Îles

Boasting diverse, state-of-the-art facilities, the Port of Sept-Îles is North America’s largest ore-handling port, with a projected volume for 2024 of more than 40 million metric tons. It is also recognized as the largest primary aluminum port terminal in the Americas in terms of operational volume. The facilities at the Port of Sept-Îles play a vital and strategic role in the economy of Eastern Canada. The Port is also deeply committed to sustainable development and has pioneered the first environmental observatory on the St. Lawrence to monitor the marine ecosystem as well as a research chair with Université Laval to study coastal ecosystems and port operations.

Source:
Frédérick Jolicoeur-Tétreault
Director of Communications and Public Relations,
Port of Sept-Îles
418-965-3764
ftetreault@portsi.com