Pukatawagan and six other First Nations are speaking out against a learning partnership involving the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO).
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), which represents most northern Manitoba reserves, recently agreed to have NWMO fund educational services for MKO communities to help them understand the process behind storing Canada’s nuclear waste.
While the agreement has nothing to do with finding a place to put the waste, the deal has drawn contempt from the Swampy Cree Tribal Council (SCTC), which represents seven northern and central Manitoba reserves.
“The SCTC Chiefs have lost all faith in MKO Grand Chief David Harper,” said Arlen Dumas, Chief of Pukatawagan’s Mathias Colomb Cree Nation. “His signing of this deal with NWMO without our knowledge or consent is a major breach of trust. MKO has absolutely no legal, political or moral authority to act on our behalf in relation to our Aboriginal or treat rights. This agreement has the potential to negatively impact our rights.”
In response to the NWMO deal, SCTC unanimously reaffirmed its opposition to nuclear energy and nuclear waste storage within Cree territory.
MKO Grand Chief Harper has made it clear that the agreement is based on education only.
SCTC includes Pukatawagan as well as First Nations in Moose Lake, Lynn Lake, Easterville, Grand Rapids, Pelican Rapids and
Birch River.
