Hydroelectric Development and Impacts
During the 1960s and 1970s, the Government of Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro began the Nelson River Hydroelectric Project centered on the Churchill and Nelson rivers. The project included the Churchill River Diversion, which directly affected Nisichawayasihk members living at Nelson House and at South Indian Lake. Consequently, large areas of traditional hunting, fishing and trapping lands were flooded. The people of South Indian Lake were forcibly relocated to their current location.
The Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) is a signatory to the Northern Flood Agreement(NFA) between Canada (the federal government), Manitoba Hydro, the Province of Manitoba and several First Nations Communities. In 1996, NCN signed an NFA Implementation Agreement. Using settlement proceeds paid pursuant to this implementation agreement, NCN purchased the Mystery Lake Motor Hotel in the nearby city of Thompson, Manitoba. In 2006, the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation signed a Project Development Agreement with Manitoba Hydro regarding the Wuskwatim hydroelectric project on the Burntwood River, about 30 km from Nelson House. When it is completed in about 2012, Wuskwatim will generate about 200 MW of electricity. The Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation is involved in the construction of the project and, if it chooses to be a partner in the project, will receive a share of the future revenues. This arrangement is the first of its kind in Manitoba.
In 2006, the Atoskiwin Training and Employment Centre (ATEC) opened its doors in Nelson House. ATEC is also a Manitoba first. It will train NCN members and other aboriginals for northern hydro projects and other job opportunities.
Read more about this topic: Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation
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