Wabanong Nakaygum Okimawin (WNO)

      "East Side of the Lake Governance"

(Formerly known as the East Side Planning Initiative)

An East Side Round Table (ESRT), consisting of 21 members from local communities, First Nations, Métis, industry, environmental and recreational organizations, and a First Nation Council, consisting of one Chief from each of the First Nations within the planning area, were commissioned to develop the Broad Area Plan (BAP).  An East Side Advisory Committee, consisting of various stakeholder organizations, local governments, etc., was also assembled to provide input from their individual perspectives.

With the knowledge that a final BAP was not possible to achieve within the time frame specified by government, due greatly to the lack of traditional information, a status report was submitted to the Province.  The status report, “Promises to Keep…” Towards a Broad Area Plan for the East Side of Lake Winnipeg, makes over 100 recommendations.

Another highlight of Phase II was the signing of a historic memorandum of understanding (MOU) with First Nations on the east side of Lake Winnipeg.  The MOU recognizes a government to government relationship between east side First Nations and the Province and is a is a first step in ensuring that those First Nations have a strong say in land use decisions into the future.