Latest news with #InterlakeReservesTribalCouncil
Global News
23-05-2025
- General
- Global News
Manitoba First Nations hopeful flood channel design will reduce impact on treaty rights
First Nations communities in the Interlake, Man., region are hoping that new designs for a long-delayed flood mitigation project for Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin will address their concerns over its impact on Indigenous people in the area. 'We're old timers, we like the land the way nature made it,' Lake Manitoba First Nation councillor Dwight Paul said while walking along the shores of Watchorn Bay on Lake Manitoba, where a proposed flood outlet channel is slated to go. 'But progress and life is progress and life, I guess.' View image in full screen Lake Manitoba First Nation Councillor Dwight Paul stands along the shores of Watchorn Bay on Lake Manitoba, where the proposed flood outlet channel would start. Jordan Pearn / Global News After major flooding in 2011 devastated the region, and again in 2014, the province proposed two flood outlet channels, about 23 km each, which would divert flood waters from Lake Manitoba to Lake St. Martin and into Lake Winnipeg. Story continues below advertisement Lake Manitoba First Nation Chief Cornell McLean, who is also the chair of the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council, says First Nations need to be properly consulted and included in every step of the planning process — something he's been calling for for years. 'We're not against it, by any means. Lake Manitoba (First Nation), we're not against it, but we want to be part of the process. So does the Interlake Tribal Council,' Chief McLean told Global News. View image in full screen Lake Manitoba First Nation Chief Cornell McLean. Jordan Pearn / Global News The chief says it would have a major impact on their way of life and treaty rights for Indigenous communities in the area. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'There's going to be significant impact because of the fishing. We're not natural resources, but we know that the control structures they're going to put in place, either it will kill off the fish or are they going to be able to make it across those channels that they're proposing?' the chief said. 'But what we do know is from the livelihood that our people sustain for their hunting and their medicine picking, (it) will be deeply impacted by this channel, and the environmental assessment proves that.' Story continues below advertisement Almost a year ago, an environmental impact assessment report from the federal government stated that the channels could have significant adverse environmental effects for dozens of First Nations communities in the Interlake. The report is the reason why late last year, the province announced it was going back to the drawing board on the project, asking the federal government to pause environmental assessments in order to address concerns from First Nations. 'There was a good chance that the federal government would not approve the project. They felt strongly that the province had not met our obligations in terms of First Nations and the environmental issues,' said Lisa Naylor, Manitoba's minister of transportation and infrastructure. View image in full screen Lisa Naylor, Manitoba's minister of transportation and infrastructure, says the province is currently working on a MOU with the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council over the proposed flood outlet channels. Jordan Pearn / Global News 'This is a critical project for (preventing) flooding and keeping people safe and in their homes in the Interlake. So at that time, I asked them to pause the review to give us more time to rebuild the relationships with First Nations that were so badly damaged under the previous government.' Story continues below advertisement The province is currently working on a memorandum of understanding with the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council (IRTC), which represents seven communities in the Interlake, for the project. Karl Zadnik, the chief executive officer of the IRTC, says the new designs will need to strike a balance, and currently, they're feeling optimistic about the province taking their concerns seriously. 'We're usually … the ones to be the sacrificial lambs. The north, the reserves, the land — we still use for our livelihoods, its sustenance and its medicines. The land is very sacred to us,' Zadnik said. View image in full screen Karl Zadnik, the CEO of the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council, looks out over Watchorn Bay on Lake Manitoba. Jordan Pearn / Global News 'We don't know it's in the First Nations' best interest,' Zadnik added. 'Those two are at war with each other, public best interest versus First Nations best interest. So there's no proof it will protect us, but there is proof it will protect the cottagers, the City of Winnipeg, the City of Brandon. So that's where we've come to grips with our government; let's design something that is going to protect both.' Story continues below advertisement Although the province previously stated the new designs would be completed this spring, Minister Naylor declined to provide a timeline to Global News. 'It takes time to rebuild those relationships and it takes time to work together and so that is what my focus (is on),' Naylor said. 'I can't necessarily say if there will be any differentiation in design. What I can say is there may be some small alterations to avoid a burial ground, for example. We're working with First Nations on what are their priorities to make sure we can do this project and do it in such a way that we keep Manitobans safe from future flooding.'
CBC
05-05-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Wildfires rage near communities in Manitoba's Interlake, Opaskwayak Cree Nation
Social Sharing A state of emergency has been declared due to wildfires threatening First Nations in Manitoba's Interlake region, where homes were lost to flames, while further north, near Opaskwayak Cree Nation and The Pas, people are on high alert. The Interlake Reserves Tribal Council made the emergency declaration Monday as fires spread in Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation and Pinaymootang First Nation. A state of emergency also was called in Peguis on Sunday as a grass fire pushed through the southern part of that First Nation, although the flames were contained Monday morning. "Tragically, homes in both Fairford and Peguis have already been lost to the flames. Currently, two wildfires on each side of the road into Kinonjeoshtegon are rapidly approaching toward the community," which has started evacuation procedures, a news release from the IRTC said Monday. Fuelled by dry conditions and strong winds, the fires pose an immediate danger to the safety and well-being of residents, the news release says. The flames in Peguis were contained as of late Monday morning, said Doug Thomas, the community's communications director. Firefighters from Peguis and surrounding communities and neighbouring First Nations worked through the night and into the early morning hours to contain the blaze and save most homes. One house and several other structures, including garages, were destroyed. About 340 people have been forced to leave the community, with several suffering smoke inhalation from the thick air. Some are staying in Selkirk, others in Winnipeg. The IRTC has established an emergency command centre at the Hilton Winnipeg Airport Suites to co-ordinate response efforts and support for those affected. Residents in high-risk areas are being urged to evacuate the area immediately and seek shelter "as directed by emergency management officials," the release says. Updates on the situation are being posted on social media channels for the communities, the release says. In Opaskwayak Cree Nation, a sister community to The Pas, residents in the Bracken Dam area are under a mandatory evacuation order. Those who were evacuated from homes in the Big Eddy and Carrot River areas are now allowed to return but have been told to remain on high alert. "Conditions are still being monitored and residents should be prepared for potential changes," says a news release from the office of the OCN chief and council. Anyone from Big Eddy and Carrot River who is uneasy about returning home can get temporary shelter at the OCN Veterans Hall or Gordon Lathlin Memorial Arena in The Pas. A reception centre for evacuees has been set up at the Wescana Inn Rendezvous Room in The Pas. Lori Forbes, emergency co-ordinator for the rural municipality of Kelsey, which includes all of the affected communities, said the fires were first spotted Sunday but were still quite a distance from any structures. "There was some knowledge that the wind direction was going to change last night, which it did. It was very hot and it was very dry, and the wind was gusting up to 40 [km/h]," she said. "So that's when our concerns really came in." That prompted the evacuations in Carrot River and Big Eddy while Manitoba Wildfire Services brought in water bombers. "We are extremely dry in Manitoba. There was snow but there wasn't a lot of moisture in that snow, so we need some really good rainfall," Forbes said. The RM has put a ban on recreational fires and backcountry travel. "We need some people to be wise about fires," Forbes said.
Winnipeg Free Press
05-05-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
Hundreds evacuated because of Peguis wildfires
A house was destroyed and 340 people were evacuated because of wildfires in Peguis First Nation this weekend. Peguis, which has the biggest population of Manitoba's First Nations, said 217 evacuees were registered in Winnipeg and 123 were registered in Selkirk. The Interlake community declared a state of emergency at about 4 p.m. Sunday. In addition to the home, several garages and outbuildings were destroyed, Peguis stated in a Facebook post late Monday morning. High winds, hot temperatures and dry conditions threatened homes across the community, and power outages were widespread because of downed power lines. The main wildfire was under control late Monday morning, but small bush fires continued to burn, Peguis said. Damage is still being assessed. Fire crews and other people from several other First Nations helped in the effort, Peguis said. The First Nation previously said it has temporarily banned the use of off-road vehicles in the community to reduce the risk of more fires. Peguis had earlier asked community members to stay away from roads leading to areas affected by fire. The Interlake Reserves Tribal Council, a partnership composed of Peguis and six other First Nations, said two other Interlake communities — Kinonjeoshtegon (also known as Jackhead) and Pinaymootang (also known as Fairford) — are also affected by the fires. 'Tragically, homes in both Fairford and Peguis have already been lost to the flames,' the council said in a news release Monday. Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. Further north, Opaskwayak Cree Nation said late Sunday that a mandatory evacuation order for residents of the Bracken Dam area because of wildfires remains in effect. Residents of the Big Eddy and Carrot River areas, who were also evacuated Sunday, were allowed to return home but told to remain 'on high alert.' Two schools and a child care centre on OCN, which is located near The Pas, were closed Monday because of the situation. In Winnipeg, fire crews extinguished two grass fires Sunday. Crews were sent to the 300 block of McPhillips Street at 8:08 p.m. and declared the fire under control by 8:55 p.m. At 8:29 p.m., crews were sent to a blaze in the green space behind Dakota Community Centre at 1188 Dakota St. The fire was about the size of four football fields and was threatening nearby structures. Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service had the blaze fire under control at 9:57 p.m. fpcity@
CBC
04-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Interlake tribal council withdraws from 2 Manitoba sports groups, cites lack of supports for young athletes
Social Sharing The chair of a tribal council representing seven First Nations communities in Manitoba's Interlake region says his group has received more financial support from a charity associated with the Toronto Blue Jays than it has from two major provincial sports organizations. The Interlake Reserves Tribal Council withdrew from Sport Manitoba and Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council, citing frustration with both organizations and saying both have paid poor attention to the needs of their athletes and communities, a news release said Thursday. The tribal council represents seven First Nations communities about 190 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba: Kinonjeoshtegon, Peguis, Lake Manitoba, Pinaymootang, Little Saskatchewan, Lake St. Martin and Dauphin River. Lake Manitoba First Nation Chief Cornell McLean, who chairs the tribal council, says the two sports organizations have shown a lack of accountability when it comes to supporting athletes from their communities. "There's no relationship," he told CBC News on Thursday. The tribal council has received more financial support from the Toronto-based Jays Care Foundation — which helped create a recreational softball league for IRTC's seven communities — than it has from the two sporting organizations, McLean said. "The main priority here for us is that we want to be included, not excluded, from Sport Manitoba," he said. A spokesperson for Sport Manitoba declined to comment on this story. The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council has not yet responded to CBC's requests for comment. The organization, also known as MASRC, aims to connect Manitoba's sports sector with Indigenous communities in the province in order to develop sustainable programs that enhance sporting and recreational opportunities for Indigenous people in Manitoba, its website states. Rural Interlake 'forgotten about' Many of the communities represented by the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council were impacted by severe flooding in 2011, which forced thousands of people from their homes and often left few play options for children and youth, said Karl Zadnik, CEO of the tribal council. The tribal council has run free basketball training camps for children and youth of its member communities over the last six years, but neither Sport Manitoba nor MASRC have financially supported them, despite the council's efforts to secure funding, Zadnik said. "Our requests have fallen on deaf ears," he told CBC News. The tribal council will re-evaluate how sports and recreation are handled within its communities and explore alternative ways of supporting athletes, the news release said. "We're better off taking care of our own sporting dollars [and] initiatives housed within our own communities, as it seems that the rural area of the Interlake region is forgotten about," said Zadnik. Zadnik says the tribal council plans to speak with Sport Canada representatives and the federal sport minister about the issue following the federal election later this month. Both Zadnik and McLean said they want to see the two Manitoba sporting organizations try to identify service gaps alongside the tribal council. Zadnik said the tribal council would ultimately like to work on a solution with both organizations. "If they wanted to change their tune and how they approach us, we'd be willing to sit down with Sport Manitoba and MASRC and figure out a path forward, so that our people are not neglected any further."
