Premier Greg Selinger visited Cross Lake Jan. 20 to apologize for the impacts of hydroelectric power projects in Manitoba’s north.
Pimicikamak Okimawin Chief Cathy Merrick says the people of Pimicikamak forgave the premier after he spoke. “We accepted the apology. It’s a work in progress. We’re now able to establish a relationship with the government, with Manitoba Hydro, and we want to move forward in a positive manner.”
Hundreds of Pimicikamak members travelled to Manitoba Hydro’s Jenpeg Generating Station on Oct. 16, and evicted Manitoba Hydro personnel from the housing complex. Protesters said they would not take the locks off until a process agreement was signed and Selinger came to Cross Lake. Selinger sent Merrick a letter on Nov. 25 committing to come to Cross Lake “as soon as practicable” to deliver the apology. The process agreement was signed on Nov. 27 and the locks came off the housing complex on Nov. 28.
In attendance at the event were representatives from the government, Cross Lake, and Manitoba Hydro. Merrick says the agreement is a great first step. “What Cross Lake and Pimicikamak have done is sign a process agreement, between the province, Manitoba Hydro and Pimicikamak. This is the road map to where we want to go in terms of implementing the Northern Flood Agreement.”
Selinger’s three-page written apology touched on changes residents saw due to hydroelectricity. “Hydroelectricity is a reliable, sustainable and secure source of energy for Manitoba. But as with all sources of energy, there are environmental effects of hydroelectric development. These effects include changes in water levels and flows on water bodies, particularly in Manitoba’s north and in areas where aboriginal people have lived for generations before European settlement and industrial development.”
Selinger said the government now understands how changes in water regimes on lakes and rivers affect the aboriginal communities. “The effects of hydro projects include effects on transportation in summer and winter, effects on hunting and trapping, effects on fishing, effects on water quality and, in some cases, include significant flooding of First Nation reserve land and other lands traditionally used by aboriginal people.”
“[C]ertain projects were developed before the recognition of the Crown’s duty of consultation with aboriginal peoples and before principles of environmental assessment and licensing were established in law,” the apology acknowledged.
Looking back, the premier says the interests of aboriginal peoples, especially in the north, were not looked after, and on behalf of the provincial government he expressed his sincere apology to any persons affected by hydro development.
Merrick says it was time Cross Lake was heard. “It did take a while for him to come here, but we felt his apology to his people and it gives us a reconciliation with the community and we want to move forward in implementing the agreement.”
