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Ottawa should find solution with dam-affected Grand Rapids bands: Premier

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 07/27/2010 4:30 PM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

GRAND RAPIDS FIRST NATION -- Premier Greg Selinger has thrown his weight behind three northern Manitoba First Nations who are seeking compensation from Ottawa for failing to protect their interests nearly a half century ago when the hydro dam was built at Grand Rapids.

"I believe the federal government should negotiate a solution with the communit(ies)," the premier said during a visit here this afternoon.

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A settlement could mean tens of millions of dollars to the Chemawawin, Misipawistik (Grand Rapids) and Opaskwayak First Nations. Several years ago, they sued Ottawa for disregarding its fiduciary duty to protect their interests when the Manitoba government and Manitoba Hydro approached First Nations about building the dam.

The Grand Rapids project flooded 500,000 acres of land, forcing the relocation of Chemawawin First Nation to present day Easterville. Misipawistik also saw large tracts of its land flooded while all three First Nations suffered the loss of what was once considered some of the best wildlife habitat in North America.

Manitoba Hydro has paid tens of millions in compensation to the First Nations over the past few decades while the province has offered them land. Ottawa has refused to negotiate with them, and the lawsuit is now bogged down in procedural issues.

It could take two years for the case to go to trial. Meanwhile, the First Nations say they cannot afford to keep paying lawyers and are pleading with Ottawa to settle. They argue that they have a clear-cut case.

This past March, the First Nations argued in Federal Court in Winnipeg that hundreds of secret federal documents they say could bolster their case should be turned over to them. But Ottawa is arguing the documents should be kept confidential because they are protected by lawyer-client privilege.

Selinger, who arrived in Grand Rapids by jet, said it’s time for Ottawa to negotiate with the Cree communities. Chiefs from two of the First Nations greeted him at the local landing strip and took him to a burial site that had been partly destroyed by the construction of the dam in the early 1960s.Twenty-four graves were located at the site that date back to the late 1800s.

The premier, accompanied by Deputy Premier Eric Robinson, and Finance Minister Rosann Wowchuk, the MLA for the area, are to attend a powwow here tonight.

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