Apr 19 2005
CBC News

WINNIPEG – Some members of Tataskweyak Cree Nation say they've been kept in the dark about a recent trip by two band members and executives from Manitoba Hydro to the World Bank in March.

The delegation traveled to Washington, D.C. to make a 90-minute joint presentation at the World Bank about the proposed Keeyask dam on the Nelson River. The presentation was called "Benefit-sharing with Indigenous People on Hydro Dam Developments: the Case of Manitoba Hydro."

If the Tatskweyak band agrees to go ahead with the project, the 640-megawatt Keeyask dam would export power to the United States by 2012. The dam would cost $3.5 billion to build and would flood 46 square kilometres of land.

Earlier this month, a CBC investigation revealed Manitoba Hydro has already paid the band more than $14 million worth of expenses related to preparing the community for the Keeyask Dam. However, Tataskweyak members have not yet voted on the project, and some band members say the presentation makes it look like the dam is a done deal.

A representative from the Manitoba government attended the World Bank presentation; so did Daryl Fields, a senior water-resource specialist for the World Bank.

"The Manitoba Hydro person gave the PowerPoint presentation, but a number of the questions and ancillary information were provided by the chief Cree Members," says Fields.

Tataskweyak chief and council refused our requests for an interview, but two men represented the band in Washington: Coun. Curtis Beardy and member Jonathan Kitchekeesik.

The CBC obtained a copy of Manitoba Hydro's PowerPoint presentation about proposed dams near Nelson House and Tataskweyak. It talks about a new era of negotiation, highlighting investment and employment opportunities for aboriginals from Nelson House and Tataskweyak, as well as environmental assessments.

"It looks like it's already been – like everything's been signed when you look at it," band member Norm McIvor says of the presentation. "Like the money is in place and everything."

But Hydro spokesman Glenn Schneider says that was not the utility's intention. He says the presentation was simply intended to market the utility and enhance its reputation.

"What we're doing is getting Manitoba Hydro's name out there as a company that acts in an environmentally responsible way and with the endorsement and co-operation of the local First Nations communities," he says.

Schneider says Manitoba Hydro is well aware that the community must approve the project for it to go ahead.

Band members at Tataskweyak are expected to vote on the Keeyask project later this year.

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