A group of First Nations in Manitoba’s Interlake region united to dismantle a gravel blockade on an access road near Lake St. Martin earlier this week. The demonstrators, carrying signs with messages like “274 Our Land” and “First Nations Treaties Matter,” gathered as an orange track loader removed gravel from the new access road leading to a flood-outlet channel diversion.
Chief Lawrence Letander from Dauphin River First Nation expressed disappointment that the province had not informed Interlake First Nations before restricting access to their hunting grounds and traditional medicine harvesting area. The reason for the blockade and its timing remained unclear to Letander and the group.
Letander emphasized the importance of treaty rights, stating that their community had a long history of hunting in the area and collecting traditional plant medicines. Concerns were raised about the potential impact of construction on wildlife and plant resources in the region.
Following a devastating flood in 2011, the province constructed an emergency outlet channel to divert floodwaters from Lake St. Martin. Plans are underway to develop a permanent flood-outlet channel, repurposing the existing emergency channel and incorporating additional infrastructure like a water-control structure and bridge.
Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor acknowledged that a gate had been installed at the junction of the new access road and Idylwild Road as part of environmental licensing procedures to manage increased access during construction. However, due to feedback from First Nations, reconsideration of the gate installation is underway.
Karl Zadnik, the executive director of the Interlake Reserves Tribal Council representing seven First Nations in the region, accused the province of violating treaty rights by blocking access to traditional hunting lands without adequate consultation. Zadnik criticized the lack of transparency and good faith in negotiations, highlighting the broken promises made by the government.
Zadnik disclosed plans for Interlake First Nations leaders to meet with Minister Naylor and Premier Wab Kinew in the coming month to address these issues and reset the relationship with the government. Emphasizing the importance of open dialogue and preserving cultural practices, Zadnik emphasized the need for unimpeded access to their lands for livelihood activities.
The ongoing dialogue between the government and Indigenous leaders aims to build trust and find mutually acceptable solutions for all parties involved.