Caroline Desbiens is a professor of geography at Laval University. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Historical Geography of the North.

Caroline Desbiens explores the nexus of hydroelectricity, Québécois identity, and the cultural narratives that are used by southern Québécois to justify resource development in the northern regions of the province. The result is a wonderfully personal and critical reflection on the culture of hydroelectricity in Québec and "the importance of reading economic development through a cultural lens." [It] is an excellent new contribution to the Nature History Society series from UBC Press. It connects beautifully with the other books in the series and will compliment work on the ways in which people conceptualize and transform the north through material, and particularly discursive, formations.- Morgan Moffitt, Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta (Journal of Polar Record)

• Foreword: Ideas of North / Graeme WynnIntroduction: Looking NorthPart 1: Power and the North1 The Nexus of Hydroelectricity in Quebec2 Discovering a New World: James Bay as Eeyou IstcheePart 2: Writing the Land3 Who Shall Convert the Wilderness into a Flourishing Country?4 From the Roman de la Terre to the Roman des RessourcesPart 3: Rewriting the Land5 Pioneers6 Workers7 SpectatorsConclusion: Ongoing Stories and Powers from the NorthNotesSelected BibliographyIndex

Caroline Desbiens is a professor of geography at Laval University. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Historical Geography of the North.

Caroline Desbiens explores the nexus of hydroelectricity, Québécois identity, and the cultural narratives that are used by southern Québécois to justify resource development in the northern regions of the province. The result is a wonderfully personal and critical reflection on the culture of hydroelectricity in Québec and "the importance of reading economic development through a cultural lens." [It] is an excellent new contribution to the Nature History Society series from UBC Press. It connects beautifully with the other books in the series and will compliment work on the ways in which people conceptualize and transform the north through material, and particularly discursive, formations.- Morgan Moffitt, Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta (Journal of Polar Record)

• Foreword: Ideas of North / Graeme WynnIntroduction: Looking NorthPart 1: Power and the North1 The Nexus of Hydroelectricity in Quebec2 Discovering a New World: James Bay as Eeyou IstcheePart 2: Writing the Land3 Who Shall Convert the Wilderness into a Flourishing Country?4 From the Roman de la Terre to the Roman des RessourcesPart 3: Rewriting the Land5 Pioneers6 Workers7 SpectatorsConclusion: Ongoing Stories and Powers from the NorthNotesSelected BibliographyIndex

Caroline Desbiens is a professor of geography at Laval University. She holds the Canada Research Chair in Historical Geography of the North.

Caroline Desbiens explores the nexus of hydroelectricity, Québécois identity, and the cultural narratives that are used by southern Québécois to justify resource development in the northern regions of the province. The result is a wonderfully personal and critical reflection on the culture of hydroelectricity in Québec and "the importance of reading economic development through a cultural lens." [It] is an excellent new contribution to the Nature History Society series from UBC Press. It connects beautifully with the other books in the series and will compliment work on the ways in which people conceptualize and transform the north through material, and particularly discursive, formations.- Morgan Moffitt, Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta (Journal of Polar Record)

• Foreword: Ideas of North / Graeme WynnIntroduction: Looking NorthPart 1: Power and the North1 The Nexus of Hydroelectricity in Quebec2 Discovering a New World: James Bay as Eeyou IstcheePart 2: Writing the Land3 Who Shall Convert the Wilderness into a Flourishing Country?4 From the Roman de la Terre to the Roman des RessourcesPart 3: Rewriting the Land5 Pioneers6 Workers7 SpectatorsConclusion: Ongoing Stories and Powers from the NorthNotesSelected BibliographyIndex