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NELSON HOUSE, Manitoba – August 11, 2006 --The August 11, 2006 signing of an agreement to protect heritage resources discovered during construction of the Wuskwatim hydroelectric generating station project was the final step necessary to allow the Wuskwatim project to proceed. The agreement was signed at the Manitoba Legislative Building by Chief Jerry Primrose and Council of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation; Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson; and Manitoba Hydro’s Vice President – Power Supply, Ken Adams, representing the Wuskwatim Partnership comprised of Manitoba Hydro and the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.
The agreement recognizes that the Wuskwatim Partnership, NCN and the province all have an interest in protecting and co-managing heritage resources discovered during construction of the Wuskwatim project.
FIRST OF ITS KIND AGREEMENT IN MANITOBA
This is the first agreement of its kind in Manitoba and is based on principles of using ethinesiwin (traditional knowledge and wisdom) of NCN 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. Under the agreement NCN gets custody, control and ownership of aboriginal human remains and heritage objects.
“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.”
HERITAGE RESOURCES PROTECTION PLAN DEVELOPED
In preparation for construction, NCN and Manitoba Hydro, as partners in the Wuskwatim project, have worked collaboratively to develop developed a heritage resource protection plan that meets licensing requirements under the Environment Act. The plan requires 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.
NCN JOINT VENTURE COMPANY TO CONSTRUCT ACCESS ROAD
Signing of the Heritage Resources Protection Agreement triggered the Friday, August 11 start of construction on the first phase of the Wuskwatim Generating Project with work beginning on a 48-kilometre gravel access road to the site of the future generating station. The access road will run from a security gate at mile 17 on Provincial Road 391 west of Thompson to Taskinigahp Falls on the Burntwood River, near the outlet of Wuskwatim Lake, 45 kilometres southwest of Thompson, Manitoba.
Nisichawayasihk Construction Limited Partnership / Strilkiwski North Ltd. is the contractor for the $39 million access road project. “This construction start of the Wuskwatim project has been long-awaited and represents the beginning of a new era of opportunity for our First Nation,” said Chief Jerry Primrose.
“ Now its up to our Members, our council and our community to ensure we take full advantage of the project to build a stronger, more independent First Nation.”
INFRASTRUCTURE CONSTRUCTION WILL OCCUPY THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF PROJECT
The first two years of Wuskwatim construction activity will focus on infrastructure, including the access road, clearing of the construction site, erection of a power line to service the site, and development of the construction camp. “I am very pleased that after many years of hard work by so many people that we have now started construction to make this exciting project a reality,” said John Markowsky, Resident Manager, Wuskwatim Construction Department.
The $1.2 billion 200 MW Wuskwatim Generating Station is a low impact project being developed in partnership by Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation and Manitoba Hydro. Manitoba Hydro is managing construction on behalf of the partnership. Construction will take about six years, with an expected in-service date about 2012.
NCN members who are interested in training or employment related to the Wuskwatim project can contact the Atoskiwin Training and Employment Centre at Nelson House.
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