| Band Status Fast Tracked | 23 March 05 |
 Many residents of South Indian Lake, Manitoba are questioning the timing, motives and ethics of the Governments of Canada and Manitoba to fast track their reserve status for April 1, 2005. They are currently members of Nelson House First Nation (NCN), Métis and non-status aboriginal. In the 2001 referendum on the Wuskwatim Agreement in Principle (AIP) between NCN and Manitoba Hydro over 80% of South Indian Lake NCN members voted against the project. Their 2005 referendum votes could kill the project. Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro have publicly stated the Wuskwatim Dam would not proceed without consent of NCN band members. Serious negotiations on the reserve started in December 2004, after decades of neglect and inaction. Steve Ducharme, former Mayor of South Indian Lake and representative for the Manitoba Métis Federation added "we'll have to do something- maybe ask for a court injunction to delay it." South Indian Lake Métis resident Hilda Dysart raised similar concerns in a February 16, 2005 letter to Manitoba Minister Oscar Lathlin. View the full Displaced Residents of South Indian Lake (DRSIL) press release (DOC) View the Hilda Dysart Feb. 16, 2005 letter to Minister Lathlin (DOC) View the Angus Dysart March 15, 2005 letter to Minister Andy Scott (DOC) Source: DRSIL |
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