In the News

WINNIPEG—January 26, 2011—Manitoba and Ontario First Nations leaders led an eight-person delegation to New Zealand this month to share lessons with environmentalists, researchers and Aboriginal people from around the world on how First Nations here are working with governments to protect traditional lands through projects like the Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Site project and land use planning. It was evident to the Pimachiowin Aki (pim MATCH cho win – ahh Key) team that Manitoba and Ontario First Nations had some good lessons to share with their Maori counterparts who are also struggling with how to work with other interests groups in efforts to protect the land. “It was amazing  how similar our stories and our connections with the land are with the Maori we met. After the conference we ...

Last month the Winnipeg Free Press published a full page of criticism regarding the decision to run the Bipole III transmission line down the West Side of Lake Winnipeg. The critique consists of two parts, namely, an open letter by 18 retired engineers titled, “Engineers united on east side,” and an article by Jim Collinson, “’All or nothing’ wrong approach on east side.” These articles contribute little to the discus­sion regarding hydroelectric development in Manitoba because they are based on narrow and out-dated ways of thinking about the issues at hand. Their favoured plan – trying to build the new line down the east side of the lake -- would endanger Hydro’s exports and stall or even stop construction of the new BiPole. We should keep in mind that Manitoba consumers and businesses are still paying for similar ...

The province set aside two northern wilderness areas today to be provincial parks. Colvin Lake and Nueltin Lake Parks hug the Nunavut boundary and cover about 610,000 hectares, a total area 10 times larger than Winnipeg, Premier Greg Selinger said. The Colvin Lake Provincial Park, known as the Land of Little Sticks, protects a total of 163,070 hectares. Nueltin Lake Provincial Park totals 447,190 hectares. Both fall in an area of transition between boreal forest and the tundra and are within the traditional hunting and trapping territories of the Northlands Denesuline First Nation and Sayisi Dene First Nation. Chief Joe Dantouze of the Northlands Denesuline First Nation said the wilderness area designation means both areas will be protected from development such as mineral exploration and mining. Lands included in a wilderness land-use category under the Provincial Parks Act also legally prohibit commercial logging hydroelectric development, oil and gas ...

A GRASSROOTS group working to help Lake Winnipeg is hoping that what worked in the Columbia River watershed will aid our ailing lake. Bruce Smith of the Lake Winnipeg Foundation said that's why the local foundation has joined forces with B.C.-based Wildsight, to create the Living Lakes Network Canada. "They have a good track record with the Columbia River and they are 15 years old and we're five," Smith said on Monday after a press conference announcing a two-day summit dealing with Lake Winnipeg. The two day conference, starting today, is pulling together government officials, business leaders, academics and students. Heather Leschied, program director of Wildsight, said the idea to create a national group came when they started giving advice to the Lake Winnipeg Foundation. Wildsight has been working for years to reduce nutrients in the Columbia River watershed. She said one of the ...

[caption id="attachment_694" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Credit: Valerie Courtois, Canadian Boreal Initiative"][/caption] It's beginning to be the time of year when caribou, as reindeer are known in North America, show up on holiday cards and tree ornaments. But not all is well with this iconic species, which has been in retreat from humans for decades. Now new thinking about the conservation and restoration of North America's wild herds of caribou combines not only the latest western approach to science but also the tried-and-tested ancient knowledge and perspectives of indigenous cultures that co-existed so long and so successfully with these northern animals. Caribou, known as reindeer, are tough, adaptable creatures--and it's no wonder they are attributed with the power of flight in Christmas stories. Yet the current reality is a far cry from the folklore: these animals are in severe decline. Circling the northern ...

Caribou are disappearing at an alarming rate. But some think they know how to save them.

For years, First Nations groups and scientists have been warning about the decline of caribou. Now, with some herds wiped out completely and others suffering declines of up to 97 per cent since the 1980s, governments and resource companies are finally taking note. [caption id="attachment_701" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Photo Source: Valerie Courtois, Canadian Boreal Initiative"][/caption] The threat to caribou was an especially hot topic last month in Winnipeg at the 13th annual North American Caribou Workshop, normally a low-key event dominated by scientists and researchers. First Nations—asked to consult based on their millennia-long relationship with the animal—made up more then half of the participants, and the workshop attracted representatives from the governments of Greenland, Russia, the Canadian Prairies and territories, and ...

[caption id="attachment_679" align="alignright" width="182" caption="Click image for print-quality poster"][/caption] November 19, 20, 21, 2010 – 91 Albert Street For Immediate Release – November 15, 2010 The Water of Life is a three day exploration of our relationship with water through art, music and speakers. Art on display is by James Hogaboam, paintings and photographs of Lake Winnipeg, Thomas Frick, photos from Lake Winnipeg, Hecla and more.  His work was featured in last month’s Canadian Geographic and has appeared in the Globe and Main and the New York Times; Roger Rempel, aerial photos of the east side of Lake Winnipeg running up to Poplar River and taken from a float plane, in June, have never been shown publicly; soap stone carvings by Michael ManyEagles and more. Speakers on Friday, November 19, are Lyle Lockhart and Sheila Grover of the Lake Winnipeg Foundation to ...

Seeks to prove value of lake's east side

[caption id="attachment_657" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Sophia Rabliauskas says future employment for First Nations people is at stake. (Photo by WAYNE.GLOWACKI@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)"][/caption] Five First Nations communities on the east side of Lake Winnipeg hope you open your wallet to help tell the world their ancestral home is worthy of a United Nations world heritage designation. The goal of the Pimachiowin Aki World Heritage Project is to raise $20 million with the help of the Winnipeg Foundation. Details of the endowment fund were released Monday and are available on the Campaign for the Land that Gives Us Life website. Pimachiowin Aki spokeswoman Sophia Rabliauskas said the $20-million fund will help show the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) that the project has a viable financial plan to take care of the land well into the future. The Manitoba government ...

Local Residents to Participate in Wildlife Monitoring Program Including Use of Satellite Tracking, Infrared Camera

A high-tech wildlife monitoring program will be part of the environmental-licensing process for the all-season road project from PR 304 near Hollow Water to Berens River First Nation, Aboriginal and Northern Affairs Minister Eric Robinson, minister responsible for the East Side Road Authority, and Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie announced today during an international caribou conference in Winnipeg. “The wildlife monitoring program will ensure high-quality and meaningful information is available regarding moose and woodland caribou on the east side of Lake Winnipeg,” said Robinson. “As part of the program, local residents and trappers will be hired to collect field data that will help us make responsible decisions as we move forward building this critical link to east-side communities.” The $2.475-million wildlife monitoring program will involve the collection of wildlife distribution and movement data that will assist the East ...

Three Manitoba First Nations on the east side of Lake Winnipeg have taken steps to permanently protect their traditional lands and ensure that any new development be conducted with their collaboration, Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie announced today. The three First Nations are Poplar River, Pauingassi and Bloodvein River. Each First Nation has requested planning area designations within their respective traditional land-use areas under the East Side Traditional Lands Planning and Special Protected Areas Act. The three First Nations are represented on the Wabanong Nakaygum Okimawin Council of Chiefs which was established to ensure the First Nations within the east side are involved in decisions that will affect their communities and traditional territories. “I commend east side First Nation communities for all their work as they develop plans for their traditional lands and to protect forests, lakes and rivers that have significant cultural and environmental value,” said Blaikie. “We are ...