In memory of the Late Elder Elmer Courchene from Sagkeeng Anishinaabe First Nation, Treaty 1, who passed on Dec. 5/2018 at the age of 83, we wanted to pay tribute to the respected leader by sharing his speech from last year’s World Water Day on March 22nd 2018 at the Thunderbird House in Winnipeg Manitoba....Continue Reading

On Human Rights Day, December 10th, a group of about 35 supporters ended an eight-month long postcard campaign with a rally and march to the Manitoba Legislative building. Guests who spoke to our calls to action at the event included Rita Monias and Jackson Osborne from Pimickimak Cree nation, who have experienced hydro impacts in...Continue Reading

This summer, our students worked on a large variety of projects! They travelled up north with us, and came to our gatherings. They assisted us with documentary project’s, and assisted in organizing events, archiving and documentation, and communications. Read more below about what some of our summer students did: KSENIYA ZAIKA Originally from Belarus, Kseniya...Continue Reading

By Justin Brake and Ashley Brandson Originally published on September 18th, 2018  in APTN News Rays of sunlight peek through the trees and illuminate two dozen wooden crosses hidden in a small patch of bush surrounded by the desolate rocky landscape of an abandoned quarry. Gerald McKay of Misipawistik Cree Nation examines a necklace someone has appended to...Continue Reading

The cross-examination portion of the National Energy Board (NEB) hearings came to a close last Friday, the 22nd of June, at the Delta Hotel in Winnipeg. Legal representatives of Indigenous First Nations stood before the NEB to question Manitoba Hydro on the construction and consultation process of the Manitoba-Minnesota Transmission Project (MMTP). Pursuant to First...Continue Reading

By Jack Lovell I had the opportunity during the 2016 Annual Spring Gathering in Brokenhead Ojibway Nation to engage with Chief Gordon Bighetty Jr. of the Pickerel Narrows First Nation, a traditional Cree community currently based in Leaf Rapids, Manitoba. Like many Indigenous communities in Northern Manitoba, their story shares a common but tragic theme...Continue Reading

The third publication of our annual Alliance newsletter is now available. Inside you will find articles, stories, interviews and poems and recipes, all related to hydro. A community project and research updates indicate some of the projects we’ve both funded and taken part in this past year. On a more national context, in this issue...Continue Reading

The importance of language, Anishinaabe law, and the water came together at this year’s Anishinaabe Nibi (Water) gathering. The theme for the gathering was Nibi Nagamonan – Water Songs. Each day began with a water ceremony and teachings at the teaching lodge, then proceeding to afternoon workshops in various formats. There was a lot to...Continue Reading

From May 15th-May 17th, community members, researchers and NGO’s met in Thompson for the annual Spring Gathering. This year we gathered as a group for large discussions at the Friendship Centre, where key priorities were discussed and stories were shared amongst one another. We also had presentations from Lake Winnipeg Indigenous Collective, and Sylvia McAdam,...Continue Reading

Dispelling the Myths of Hydro in Manitoba On World Water Day, March 22nd, we wanted to challenge the notion that hydropower is clean and green. It was a chance to walk in solidarity with and support of hydro-impacted communities across Manitoba. It was also an opportunity for Winnipeggers to hear directly from Indigenous people living...Continue Reading