Shoal Lake raises awareness during National Day of Action

Beef with Ontario, City of Winnipeg motivates protests over development efforts
Iskatewizaagegan No. 39 Independent First Nation (Shoal Lake #39) recently held a peaceful demonstration at the water channel where the City of Winnipeg draws some of its drinking water.
The demonstration was held June 24, the National Day of Action.
“Every year millions of gallons (of water) are removed from our territory … which we have never given our permission to use,” said Iskatewizaagegan Chief Eli Mandamin.
“The City of Winnipeg continues to enjoy clean, safe water that is taken from our watershed and for which we have never received fair compensation.
“Every time our nation attempts to undertake developments that will benefit and improve the lives of our people the City of Winnipeg raises objections using the issue of water quality as a reason for opposing or placing unreasonable demands on our development efforts.”
The resolution of the issues surrounding the Shoal Lake Watershed has been going on for 100 years.
Recently, the community opened talks with Ontario and is in the process of revisiting the outstanding issues with the watershed, which the community says is long overdue.
Iskatewizaagegan was also demonstrating against the twinning of Highway 17 through its traditional territory, which the community was never consulted about.
“This is a fundamental treaty issue,” Mandamin said. “The various plans we have seen for the proposed routes in Manitoba and Ontario have the potential of significant impacts on traditional cultural sites.
“The failure to consult with us in a positive and constructive manner can result in prolonged delays in accomplishing this project.”
Mandamin said the community has begun a working relationship with Ontario’s minister of transportation to address the concerns of the community, but still has not received any meaningful response from Manitoba.
“Our community has become increasing concerned as it felt that events were moving in a direction that could possibly impact our rights as well as our sacred sites within the proposed construction areas,” Mandamin said.
Mandamin said Shoal Lake #39 is not against development. All the community wants is for the honouring of the principles of the treaties: fairness, sharing and the working together as equals.
“By honouring these three principles we can go a long way to improve the quality of life for our people,” he said.
Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo said the AFN supported all the peaceful actions taken by First Nations citizens across Canada on the National Day of Action.
“Thousands of First Nations citizens and supporters participated in demonstrations including blockades, rallies and marches, on June 24 the day before Canada welcomes world leaders to the G8 and G20 meetings,” Atleo said.
“This at a time when First Nations leaders have called on Canada to advance fundamental rights recognition through endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”
Atleo said the AFN views this as an opportunity to re-set the relationship between Canada and First Nations regarding honouring the spirit and intent of the Treaties, respecting First Nations rights, strengthening First Nations language and culture, better education, better homes, better opportunities and stronger First Nations government and economy.
“We want movement on these issues,” Atleo said. “The message of June 24 is that First Nations people are no longer willing to wait. We have shown profound patience given the poverty of our people in the face of the nation’s prosperity.”