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dam-l University of Winnipeg article
To: Aboriginal Coalition
From: Will Braun
Date: 3/29/2000 4:30:52 PM
Subj: University of Winnipeg article
This article appeared in the University of Winnipeg campus newspaper.
Trip to Canada's Third World backyard holds lessons for students
The Uniter
23 March 2000
p.5 Features
by Robin Neustaeter
In mid February, a delegation of 10 University of Winnipeg students followed
the hydroelectric transmission line north into Canada's Third World
backyard. They went to find out what lies at the other end of the wires
connected to their southern light switches. After 530 km pavement, gravel
and winter road, the students found themselves welcomed to the territory of
the Pimicikamak Cree Nation (PCN) at Cross Lake.
Interest in issues related to PCN and the effects of northern hydro
development has been rapidly growing at the University over the past year.
After hearing PCN leader tell university audiences of the social and
environmental destructiveness of hydro dams, students - many of whom have
studies and followed it for some time decided they wanted first-hand
exposure to the issue. Approximately 4300 PCN citizens live on the shores
of Cross Lake and the Nelson River in the remote boreal environment. On the
surface, the students saw snow covered northern wonderland, yet they heard
first hand of PCN's high-voltage battle with governments and Manitoba Hydro
that lurks deceptively under the snow.
The students were told of the "environmental sacrifice" and "ecological
catastrophe" resulting from the Churchill-Nelson River Hydro Project and the
Jenpeg Dam, 19 km upstream from the community.
Built in the early seventies, Jenpeg regulates the levels of Lake Winnipeg
and the Nelson River, which, after flowing through 5 dams empties into Hudson
Bay. This re-creation of the northern environment allows for the provincial
utility to hold back the waters of Lake Winnipeg during summer when water
flow is high, for release through the Nelson River power corridor in winter
when power demand is high.
In this way, Lake Winnipeg acts as a battery for the province, and Jenpeg is
the switch that turns it on and off to meet the needs of comfortable southern
customers. The project causes a reversal of seasonal highs and lows in
water levels on the Nelson, unnatural water fluctuations, and destructive
destabilization of the northern ecosystem.
Commenting on the imposition by mega-development in his people's backyard,
Cross Lake resident Jackson Osborne said "the mighty Nelson River has a boss
now and that boss is Jenpeg, the big cement block."
Illustrating the ecological inappropriateness of a massive concrete
structure in a once pristine river, Osborne said "beavers don't build cement
blocks... the beavers have it rough now." The once harmonious natural
balances are now under the concrete dictatorship of Manitoba's public
utility.
Looking over his lands and waters during a community tour Osborne, who is a
PCN employee, lamented the loss in quality of life that the environmental
destruction has brought about.
"This used to be beautiful," he said.
In 1977, governments and Manitoba Hydro signed the Northern Flood Agreement
(NFA) with Cree people affected by the dams (Cross Lake included). The NFA
states that affected people will be "dealt with fairly and equitably",
toward "the continued viability of the communities", for the lifetime of the
project."
"We will no longer beg on hands and knees... We will no longer be beaten up
in silence," the PCN declared two years ago.
Since then, they have launched a massive international education campaign
for both implementation of the NFA and a balanced distribution of benefits
reaped off their territory.
Reflecting on the continuing struggle for the survival of his people,
Osborne states "This is the real thing folks, this is not a John Wayne
movie."
The weekend visit included a tour of the community and meetings with members
of the PCN Youth Council, the PCN Executive Council, traditional healer
Bobby Brightnose and the suicide crisis line workers. Students also toured
Jenpeg Generating Station and viewed video footage of the extensive and
dramatic environmental disruption on PCN lands by the mega-development.
This is not the end for the students. Inspired to address energy inequity
from the consumer end, a group of students (members of the delegation and
others) continues to meet to develop and implement strategies for addressing
the governments and Manitoba Hydro on these issues.
If you would like to become involved with a group concerned with Cross Lake,
please email Robin Neustaeter at <robinneustaeter@hotmail.com>.
(Photo caption 1: The effects of hydro dams on fragile boreal shoreline on Cross
Lake land. Erosion is expected to continue for 200-300 years before shorelines
restabilize.
Photo caption 2: A sign at the Jenpeg generating station warns people of the
unpredictable levels of the Nelson River.)
Information distributed by:
________________________
Will Braun
Mennonite Central Committee
134 Plaza Dr.
Winnipeg MB R3T 5K9
Canada
wjb@mennonitecc.ca
ph (204) 261-6381
fx (204) 269-9875
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