In response to is article, many commenters have lauded Grand Chief Coon Come.  Says one of many: "This leader acknowledges the past but has moved on and taken his people with him. This is how the indigenous people can solve their problems."

What I understand is this: after a 40 year struggle, the Cree peoples replaced the Indian Act with a degree of self-governance and a level of "recognition and protection of rights, guarantees and benefits" (as negotiator Philip Awashish termed it in 2016), most bands have not yet achieved. 

The 2009 Cree's annual report--last one available on-line through the Cree Nation of EEyou Istch (Grand Council) website underscores that the 18,000 Cree people who enjoy this self-governance are still reliant on government funding. In a Cree-Quebec "New Relationship" Agreement, the province paid out $73,242,623 for various services and programs.  

Let there be no mistake: self governance outside the Indian Act, is NOT the same as achieving self-sufficiency.