The following remarks were given by George Neepin from Fox Lake Cree Nation at the Keeyask Generation Project Public Hearings.
“As summarized in our evaluation report, our way of life was forever changed as a result of hydro development. For many generations we have lived, travelled, and derived our livelihoods and well-being from the Nelson River, its tributaries, and surrounding land base. It has been one of major highways connecting our people throughout the region. It facilitated a variety of social and political relationships, including trade, marriages and alliances between Cree people and nations. […] Each of these projects affected more and more of our homeland with the consequence that the people of Fox Lake were separated from their land, alienated from their water, and forced to refocus our activities in area less affected by hydro development.” – George Neepin, Fox Lake Cree Nation
Testimony of George Neepin from Fox Lake. Manitoba Clean Environment Commission (MCEC). Keeyask Generation Project Public Hearings. (November 6, 2013). Transcript of Hearings Held at the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg, MB. Volume 11; page 2363-2364. Retrieved from the MCEC website: http://www.cecmanitoba.ca/hearings/keeyask-generation-project/doc/Transcripts/Transcripts_-_Keeyask_Winnipeg_Hearing_Nov_6,20131.pdf
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For more information about the impacts of hydroelectric development, specifically in Manitoba, Canada, visit the Wa Ni Ska Tan website. Wa Ni Ska Tan Alliance of Hydro-Impacted Communities is a community-academic research partnership that emerged out of the priorities voiced by hydro-impacted Indigenous communities.
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