AMC supports the Cree Nations in northern Manitoba against the injunction served on behalf of Manitoba Hydro
May 19, 2020
Treaty One Territory, Manitoba
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Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) Grand Chief Arlen Dumas today is expressing solidarity and support for Treaty 5 First Nations that have set up a check-stop on provincial highway 280. The Treaty Nations set up this check-stop as a measure to limit the possible spread of COVID-19 into their Nations by workers returning to the Keeyask Hydroelectric project. This Hydro project is located within the traditional land-base of the Tataskweyak Cree Nation and affects several other First Nations across northern Manitoba. This past long weekend these Nations were served an injunction to remove this check stop.
Grand Chief Arlen Dumas says, “The Assembly stands with our First Nations in the North as they continue to protect the lives and health of their communities. It is unfortunate that Manitoba Hydro continues to manipulate and abuse regulatory and legal constructs to achieve their fiscal goals. Despite the good faith efforts of these First Nations to bring forward workable solutions, Manitoba Hydro chose to advance their agenda by contracting testing with a third-party lab not recognized by the Shared Health and not providing any oversight to ensure self-isolation requirements for its returning workers are followed.”
“The Assembly requested a meeting with the CEO of Manitoba Hydro in order to address this issue in a transparent way, but she was dismissive and instructed discussion through her prescribed underlings. Although we have been able to advocate for changes to Manitoba Hydro’s pandemic plans with the support of our own experts and the Chief Provincial Public Health Officer, Dr. Brent Roussin, all Manitobans should be alarmed that this project will move forward with bringing in workers from outside our province and even some from the United States, despite the state of emergencies the province and First Nations have instituted,” continued Grand Chief Dumas.