[IPSM] Nation occupies Manitoba hydro station

[Macdonald Stainsby]

Nation occupies Manitoba hydro station
Last Updated: Monday, April 16, 2007 | 2:20 PM CT
CBC News

Members of a northern Manitoba First Nation have occupied a 
hydroelectric generating station and say they will not leave until 
provincial officials agree to meet with them.

The Pimicikamak Cree Nation from Cross Lake has had band members camped 
out at the nearby Jenpeg generating station since last Thursday.

Band members are protesting against a long delay in implementing the 
Northern Flood Agreement, an agreement among the federal and provincial 
governments, Manitoba Hydro and five First Nations affected by flooding 
caused by hydroelectric projects on the Nelson and Churchill rivers.

Four of the five First Nations have settled their compensation under the 
agreement, but the process is still ongoing with the Pimicikamak Cree 
Nation.

Band official Mervin Garrick told CBC the band will stay on the site as 
long it takes to get a meeting with the government parties involved.

"We've been very, very patient, but with 30 years of waiting and nothing 
really concrete happening, then people have to take action," he said.

"We have to try and make the government responsible and get them to 
recognize and implement the agreements that were signed with the First 
Nations."

Manitoba Hydro officials had agreed to a meeting in Winnipeg today, but 
Garrick says it's pointless to get together with only one party.

The band will block Highway 6 if progress is not made soon, Garrick 
said.  The highway is the main link between southern Manitoba and the 
city of Thompson and other points north.

The premier's office was not immediately available for comment.
-- 
Macdonald Stainsby
Coordinator, http://oilsandstruth.org
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