The Indigenous Sapotaweyak Cree Nation is continuing blockades to prevent clear-cutting of trees to make way for a hydro-electric line and other electric installations on the Cree Nation`s traditional treaty and hunting land in Canada`s western prairie province of Manitoba.
Chief Nelson Genaille says the project will destroy their livelihood and way of life. “They [the Cree] use the land as they did before. Living off the land with the animals. You know using the medicines from natural Mother Earth. And even the water systems. All of that habitat is going to be impacted.”
The community is located some 600 kilometres north of Manitoba`s capital, Winnipeg.
Blockades were held on Saturday (January 24), and there were reports at least one of the blockades was continuing on Monday.
Last Tuesday Chief Genaille voiced his anger with Manitoba’s courts after a judge dismissed an injunction he filed against the province and Manitoba Hydro December. 4. The goal of the injunction was to stop construction in an area known to the community as N4, until the province properly consulted with the community in January.
After the court judgement, and before the blockades Chief Genaille Genaille said he would leave it up to his band members to decide the next steps.
A spokesperson for Manitoba Hydro says workers are going into areas where they can access the site. Scott Powell says Hydro is trying to reach the leadership of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation to talk.
More information:
CBC News – Sapotaweyak Cree Nation sets up blockades to stop work on Bipole III – here
Winnipeg Free Press – Sapotaweyak Cree Nation sets up teepee to protest Bipole III transmission line – here
CBC News – Manitoba court shuts down First Nation’s bid to stop Bipole III – here
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