Blog Posts

In this video, we hear from members of the Norway House Cree Nation in Manitoba, Canada, who are speaking out about the devastating effects of extreme erosion in Lake Winnipeg. The erosion is a result of the construction of Eight Mile and Two Mile channels by Manitoba Hydro in the 1970s, which were designed to increase the flow of water from the lake into hydroelectric generating systems. The channels were dug in soft soils and peat, leading to continuing erosion that negatively impacts the treaty rights of fishing and trapping for the First Nation, as well as the local economy, water navigation, and access to traditional lands. Chief Larson Anderson and other members of the Norway House Cree Nation speak about the severe impacts of the erosion on fish habitat, including the creation of islands from sediment, and how it has affected their ability to exercise traditional activities. Commercial fisherman,...Continue Reading

In this video, you will see how Manitoba Hydro’s Churchill River Diversion project has harmed the community of South Indian Lake and its environment. The project, which started in 1976, diverts water from the Churchill River southward to increase power generation at the Nelson River dams. The video shows how Manitoba Hydro failed to lower the water levels of South Indian Lake in 2017, despite knowing that a record-breaking snowfall would cause a massive runoff and flooding in spring. The result was unprecedented erosion and damage to the community’s roads, docks, fish plant, and shorelines. The damage occurred while there was still ice on the lake, which means more destruction is expected once the ice melts completely and the wind and waves increase. The video features interviews with Les Dysart who shares his frustration and anger with Manitoba Hydro’s lack of communication and consultation with them. He accuses Manitoba Hydro...Continue Reading

Are you aware of the environmental impacts of hydroelectric power? Hydroelectric power is often considered a clean and renewable source of energy, but it also has some negative consequences for the ecosystems, water quality, and greenhouse gas emissions. In this video, we will explore how hydroelectric development can cause shoreline erosion and deadheads, and what can be done to prevent or mitigate these problems. Shoreline erosion is the process of wearing away the land by water and wind. It can affect the stability, biodiversity, and aesthetics of the shoreline. Hydroelectric development can accelerate shoreline erosion by raising water levels, submerging beaches, and restarting the creation of a beach further inland. Shoreline erosion can destroy vegetation, habitats, and migration paths for wildlife, as well as cause property loss and damage for humans. These environmental impacts have disproportionately affected Indigenous Peoples who live in the territory of Manitoba. Hydroelectric development has disrupted...Continue Reading

For Immediate Release  Afer enduring nearly 50 years of harm arising from a massive hydropower project constructed against their wishes, O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Naton (OPCN), along with two related community associatons, filed a statement of claim in Manitoba Court of King’s Bench on May 19, 2023. The statement of claim seeks: 1) compensation for damages from impacts of the Churchill River Diversion project that foods 837 square kilometres and raises the level of Southern Indian Lake, the fourth largest lake in the province and the heart of OPCN, by about 3 metres; 2) an order that Manitoba Hydro restore the ecological integrity of Southern Indian Lake, which was home to a highly successful commercial fishing sector that served as the economic anchor of the community; and 3) injunctions restraining Manitoba Hydro from operating the Diversion in a way that interferes with the use and enjoyment of lands and Treaty rights. The...Continue Reading

Winnipeg, MB  — As the 22nd Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) comes to a close at the United Nations in New York City, a number of hydro-impacted First Nation representatives are returning home to Manitoba. The two-week event was an opportunity to liaise and connect with dignitaries and Indigenous representatives from around the world, raising awareness at an international level about the ongoing impacts of hydropower on First Nations in Northern Manitoba. In the first week of the UNPFII, five Cree women from northern Manitoba held a talk titled, “Hydro-impacted: Cree Women Protecting Earth and Water” at the American Indian Community House in New York City. The women spoke about their personal experience of hydro projects in their communities, sharing powerful stories with attendees that touched on topics such as forced relocation, health issues, loss of livelihoods and thriving industries, living in the shadow of a megadam, lack of...Continue Reading

Taylor Galvin was part of a UM delegation chosen to attend the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York City in March 2023. The conference brought together water experts from around the world. Taylor was joined by Dr. Myrle Ballard, Claire Herbert, Dr. Nicole J. Wilson, and Colleen James (Ghoóch TIâ) and Jewel Davies (Yekhunashîn/Khatuku) from Carcross/Tagish First Nation.  Read below to learn about her experience and thoughts on the event. Continue Reading

By: Ashley Wolfe On our first morning, Bobbie Mangeli and I made our way to the Little Limestone Camp, located about forty-five minutes north of Grand Rapids, Manitoba. On our way up, Bobbie was able to see her first house being moved by truck, which took up both lanes of the highway. We were greeted in camp by our Wa Ni Ska Tan contact Gail Ledoux, and her wonderful family and community. Our Elders and Knowledge Keepers for the week were Burnell, Ivan and “Mugsy,” the Kitchen crew; Carol, Catherine and MaryAnne (these women kept us so well fed, and I can still taste the berry jam, made right in camp), along with, Shanna, Tyler and Brad; they were our additional camp helpers, making sure the fires were always lit, and shelters always up. After we set up camp, Ivan took us out on the boat; we were going to...Continue Reading

by Eliza Maharjan There is a global urgency to act against the impacts of climate change. With the recent COP 26, countries across the globe have planned to phase out fossil fuels and aim for emissions well below 1.5 degrees Celsius. It was emphasized that countries need to “phasedown” coal and support developing economies to achieve this global goal. With such urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), the transition to alternative energy was highlighted. Alternative energy thus is gaining momentum with promises to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. The global efforts to limit the warming to under 1.5 degrees Celsius might be possible with a boom in the alternative energy sector. Alternative energy uses renewable sources of energy such as the sun, wind, biomass, and water to generate energy. One such example of alternative energy that is new in the energy market is hydrogen. Hydrogen exists in abundance...Continue Reading

Environmental Personhood as a Decolonizing Environmental Protection Strategy  By Amy Cherpako  What is environmental personhood?  Legal personhood, Rights of Nature, environmental personhood…This concept has many different names and applications all around the world. In recent years, this environmental protection strategy has gained momentum, throughout various countries’ domestic laws, legislative actions, and international legal systems, forging strong connections and interpretations of existing environmental laws and human rights.   The general ideology behind environmental personhood is attaining legal rights for natural entities, for the purpose of protection or preservation. More specifically, it involves a critical “paradigm shift” which places the natural environment as “a holder of the right to be protected, as opposed to an object of protection” (Cárdenas, 2000, para. 4). Therefore, natural entities have value in and of themselves, which is completely independent from its short-term value to human beings.   This idea was famously introduced into the Western legal system by...Continue Reading