August 11, 2006

Heritage resources discovered as a result of the Wuskwatim Project will be protected through an agreement signed today at the Legislative Building by Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson; Jerry Primrose, chief, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) at Nelson House; and the Wuskwatim Partnership (as represented by Manitoba Hydro and the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation).

“The agreement signals that the new economic future for Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation within the Wuskwatim Project Partnership will be based on a firm foundation respecting, honouring and continuing First Nations cultural traditions,” said Robinson.  “This agreement formally recognizes that partnerships between Manitoba and First Nations for the protection of heritage resources can and should be an integral part of environmental planning and future economic development decision-making.”

The agreement recognizes that the Wuskwatim Partnership, NCN and the province all have an interest in the protection and co-management of heritage resources that may be discovered during construction of the Wuskwatim project.

This is the first agreement of its kind in Manitoba which is based on the principles of utilizing traditional knowledge of First Nations and working within existing heritage legislation and policy.  The co-management strategy respects the interests and governmental authorities of both the province and NCN for the management of heritage resources on lands owned by the Wuskwatim Partnership.

Before the project begins, NCN and Manitoba Hydro, as partners in the Wuskwatim project, will have a heritage resource protection plan which meets licensing requirements under the Environment Act.  The plan will require that traditional practices and customary law respecting heritage resources will guide the conduct of all persons entrusted with responsibilities for the protection of heritage resources.

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