First Nation accuses Hydro of sinking ‘lifeline’

A remote northern First Nation is calling on the province to order Manitoba Hydro to raise water levels in the area, after a “lifeline” ferry was grounded for the season.

York Factory First Nation Chief Darryl Wastesicoot said residents are essentially stuck because Split Lake’s level dropped too low for the provincially run ferry to operate.

“We do want an all-weather road. That’s the long-term goal here, but short-term is to get some help to get our supplies in so we can continue our projects and people’s (grocery) shopping,” he told the Free Press. “They’re holding back a lot of water, probably for the winter.”

Wastesicoot said the First Nation was previously told the lake is low because of drought.

York Factory sent a letter Aug. 1 asking Premier Wab Kinew and two cabinet ministers to order Manitoba Hydro, a Crown corporation, to release dammed water under the Emergency Measures Act.

The community, which made a similar request in 2003, said the move would help to restore M.V. Joe Keeper ferry service and protect a water supply.

The letter accused the utility of “engineering” low levels by holding back water on Southern Indian Lake and Lake Winnipeg, prioritizing electricity generation over essential ferry service, and making decisions without accountability.

Wastesicoot said York Factory’s council is scheduled to meet with provincial officials Tuesday.

Low water has caused ferry disruption in other recent years, he said.

Split Lake’s level on Sunday was 1.4 metres (4.5 feet) lower than the same time last year, as per Manitoba Hydro’s website.

The federal government forced the First Nation to move from its traditional lands at York Factory to its current location at York Landing when a Hudson’s Bay Co. depot closed in 1957.

“We do want an all-weather road. That’s the long-term goal here, but short-term is to get some help to get our supplies in so we can continue our projects and people’s (grocery) shopping.”– York Factory First Nation Chief Darryl Wastesicoot

Wastesicoot said the First Nation is located between two hydroelectric dams, with Split Lake’s levels controlled by Manitoba Hydro. About 480 people live in the community, about 900 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

Wastesicoot said the First Nation isn’t compensated when the water level is low.

York Factory declared a state of local emergency after the ferry came to a halt in July. The province’s website said the ferry is closed for the rest of the season.

M.V. Joe Keeper operates between York Landing and Tataskweyak Cree Nation, usually until late October or early November.

From Tataskweyak, residents can drive about 150 kilometres to Thompson, which has more grocery, health-care and other services.

Wastesicoot said flights between York Landing and other communities, including Thompson, come with expensive airfare or freight costs.

Several projects, including housing, infrastructure upgrades and a youth centre, have been halted because building materials or supplies cannot be delivered to the First Nation without the ferry, he said.

Wastesicoot is concerned about the low lake level’s potential impacts on the First Nation’s water supply and fish populations.

Sediment is getting into a water treatment plant, and algae is “all over” the lake, the chief said.

“Our government recognizes that the current low water conditions are having a real impact on the community, and the province, alongside the federal government and Manitoba Hydro, are working with the community to address these issues.”– email from a spokesperson for Finance Minister Adrien Sala

In addition to Kinew, York Factory’s Aug. 1 letter was addressed to Finance Minister Adrien Sala, who is responsible for Manitoba Hydro, and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor, who is responsible for the Emergency Management Organization.

“Our government recognizes that the current low water conditions are having a real impact on the community, and the province, alongside the federal government and Manitoba Hydro, are working with the community to address these issues,” a spokesperson for Sala wrote in an email. “We are in constant communication with community leadership and Manitoba Hydro has supplied additional boats to help with transportation.”

The spokesperson confirmed officials are scheduled to meet with leaders from York Factory and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc., which represents 26 northern First Nations.

Manitoba Hydro staff were not available to respond Sunday. The Crown corporation’s July update for the Nelson River watershed said watersheds that contribute to hydroelectric generating systems were experiencing abnormally dry to extreme drought conditions, with overall inflows well below average.

“Under these conditions, Manitoba Hydro must operate to save enough water in storage to meet provincial electricity requirements during the high load winter period,” the update said. “This is contributing to low flows and water levels on many of the lakes and rivers that our operations affect in the north.”

“I’m hoping that together we can support the community in whatever way we can, whether that’s interim or long-term.”– Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand

Wildfire smoke led to dozens of York Factory residents with medical conditions being flown to Winnipeg in a temporary evacuation in June. Tataskweyak was fully evacuated for about two months.

Aside from the ferry terminal and airport, York Factory First Nation relies on winter roads for part of the year, but the season has become much shorter, Wastesicoot said.

Last month, Wastesicoot and grand chiefs called on the federal and provincial governments to build an all-season road to the community.

Two external studies commissioned by the First Nation found a 60-kilometre road would cost about $150 million.

Naylor previously said discussions about an all-weather road were underway, and the project would require funds from Ottawa.

York Factory is in Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand’s riding of Churchill — Keewatinook Aski. Chartrand is scheduled to visit Tataskweyak Monday and York Factory First Nation on Tuesday.

The Liberal member of Parliament said she requested a meeting with the Manitoba government, and raised concerns with relevant federal ministers about the “serious” situation, which is impacting food security and access to health care.

“I’m hoping that together we can support the community in whatever way we can, whether that’s interim or long-term,” Chartrand told the Free Press.

She said she can’t speak to whether Ottawa will help fund an all-weather road, but the proposed project will be discussed with the province.

Last week, MKO called on the federal government to hold the provincial government and Manitoba Hydro accountable for “engineered” low water levels.

MKO wants the province and Manitoba Hydro to reimburse York Factory and Ottawa for emergency-related costs that were incurred as a result of the ferry closure.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca