The Ongoing Impacts of Northern Hydro Development By Manitoba Energy Justice Coalition (originally published on MEJC's website on August 28th, 2017) Manitoba celebrates the “clean energy” that comes from Manitoba Hydro’s damn systems in the province’s North. But to call this energy “clean” is a misnomer. MEJC members recently participated in a tour of northern communities affe
If we could sum up the 2017 Spring Gathering in a phrase it would be, "Less talk, more action!" Breakout sessions during the Gathering identified priorities around five major themes: health, youth, fisheries, legal action, and activism and outreach. Each group identified action items to improve environment and community health, increase youth engagement, support the recovery and management of fis
The Research and Steering Committees got together in mid-October to review proposals that were submitted for our fall intake date, September 18th, 2017. We received three project proposals of which two were approved. The third was sent back for more information and revisions. Here are the two community projects that were approved. The next intake date is January 15th, 2018. Grand Rapids Doc
Manitoba isn't the only province dealing with overzealous hydroelectric developers. At the moment the Peace River Valley in British Columbia is the site for the controversial Site C dam. The proposed mega-project is expected to flood over 100 km of river valley, decimating some of the most fertile land in northern BC, along with hunting, fishing, and trapping grounds, old growth boreal forests, a
From June 7th to the 10th, 2017 community members, researchers, and NGOs met in Norway House Cree Nation for our annual Spring Gathering. Over the course of four days over eighty people from 15 Metis and First Nations communities came together to discuss and address the impacts of hydropower. Youth and elders were well represented and it was a privilege to hear everyone's stories and work together
Things have really been picking up! We have many community and research projects getting started and the Research Committee just approved four more. Here they are. Mapping Geographically and Spatially Northern Manitoba Hydro-Impacted Indigenous Communities’ Traditional Environmental Knowledge $16,687 Victoria Grima, Graduate Student with advisor Stef McLachlan The current understa
Nibi Onje Biimaadiziwin: ‘Water is Life’ Recently, water has become a high profile resource with terms such as ‘water is life’ and ‘water protectors’ gaining a foot hold in the national dialogue. Despite this wider understanding of waters’ sacred, life-giving role in our lives, there are few places left where different nations can gather together to share traditions, teachings, and
The Research Committee recently met to discuss and evaluate five research proposals submitted in January 2017. Out of the five, two were approved. The other three required more information and revisions, we're hoping these will be submitted for our upcoming Spring intake in April. For now, we're pleased to share with the two latest projects to be added to Wa Ni Ska Tan research activities. An o
The Anne Lindsay Protecting Our Earth Award (Earthie Award) is an annual award recognizing groups and individuals for their contributions in promoting sustainability and protecting ecosystems. First established in 1990, the Manitoba Eco-Network has acknowledged the creativity, diligence and commitment of their peers in presenting the award. In 2011, the award was renamed in honour of Anne Linds
On February 16th we had a chance to showcase some of the research taking place within the WHA and network with new students interested in getting involved. Usually we host community gatherings for our partners outside of Winnipeg. These are opportunities to network, share experiences, and work together to formulate research priorities. The Research Open House was an opportunity to host an event