By Dennis Anderson, Samantha Blais and Bobbie Mang'eli Tour of hydro-affected communities - Misipawistik (Grand Rapids), Kinasoa Sipi (Norway House), Pimicikamak (Cross Lake), Makeso Sakaihikun (Fox Lake), Tataskweyak (Split Lake), O-Pipon-Na-Piwin (South Indian Lake), Nisichawaysihk (Nelson House) with Professor Peter Kulchyski and group of 12 on Wednesday, July 10 - Tuesday, July 16. Three re
By Joseph Dipple, Ph.D. Candidate Department of Native Studies University of Manitoba My research focuses on relationships with the land and its connection to the inherent rights of Indigenous communities and nations to self-government. In particular, I am looking at how Manitoba Hydro’s operations in the north are impacting relationships with the land and as a result the ability of communit
By Mathew Scammell On May 29th, 2019, members from Wa Ni Ska Tan attended a protest in front of the Manitoba Legislature in support of residents of Hollow Water First Nation. These residents were advocating against a silica sand mine project that had been approved by their Chief and Council, the Manitoba Government, and is being run by Canadian Premium Sand. The extracted sand is to be shipped
In April, Dr. Peter Kulchyski and a few members of Wa Ni Ska Tan went up to Camp Morning Star on Hollow Water First Nation. The Camp was set up to delay and eventually stop the mining of Silica-rich sands. The site proposed by Canadian Premium Sands covers 300 acres and is to be used in various fracking operations across Canada. The land in question also houses numerous traplines for the community
By Taylor Galvin On the morning of May 23rd I woke up excited, ready to pack up and head to the Nibi Gathering at Bannock Point, Whiteshell Provincial Park. Since I had never been before, I knew that I was going to learn so much about the lands and water as well as hearing stories and teachings shared by Elders and scholars. We were not disappointed. The gathering began with everyone walking
By Michael Tyas In April, Wa Ni Ska Tan had a rare and incredible opportunity to share some personal stories on a world stage at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City. Our delegation was: Shirley Ducharme, Chief of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation Leslie Dysart, a fisherman of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation Betty Lou Halcrow, Women’s Chief from Cross La
I’m Kianna Durston, a summer co-op student researcher for Wa Ni Ska Tan. During my first week with the team, I had the chance to travel to Kenora for the Treaty 3 Nibi (water) Declaration National Forum with two other research students. During this trip, we were able to attend and learn from those leading the water declaration, which was developed in collaboration with the Treaty 3 Women’s Cou
In May 2018, the PUB ruled in favour of a new rate category and rate for on-reserve residential customers. The ruling stated that this new category was to receive 0% increase for the 2018/2019 year. This is compared to the rest of Manitoba that would see a 3.6% average increase in rates from the 2017/2018 year. On August 2018, Manitoba Hydro filed to appeal this ruling based on two key points.
Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering: Anishinaabemowin dago Aki (Language and the Land) The connection that Languages have to the land constitutes an integral part of Indigenous people. You are invited to listen and learn from Elders who shall share their stories and teachings. Keynote speakers: The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair and Dr. Michael Hart. Event Inf