Glenn Hudson, chief of flood-ravaged Peguis First Nation, and Southern Chiefs Organization Grand Chief Morris Shannacappo argue recent flooding is the result of artificially high water levels created on Lake Manitoba and several rivers due to Manitoba Hydro's regulation of lake levels for use as hydro-reservoirs.

They were in New York City in May 2011 at the United Nations 10th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. They met with UN aboriginal and legal bodies to seek funding for impact studies on damage caused by artificially increasing lake levels. Shannacappo addressed the general assembly calling for an environmental audit into Manitoba Hydro practices.

"All they're thinking about is their money-making machine in Manitoba Hydro," said Shannacappo.

Flooding in 2011 has forced approximately 1,400 people from their homes on southern First Nations such as Peguis, Lake St. Martin and Dauphin River. Peguis has experienced four floods since 2009. In 2011 nearly 900 people were evacuated from the community, and nearing end of May 2011, more than half had still not returned home.

"We want to force this issue, because we're seeing the impacts of Hydro's practices," Hudson said.