Settlements and Other Agreements
The Manitoba government is signatory to numerous settlement agreements relating to the adverse effects of hydroelectric development and self-government agreements. Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations serves as the provincial lead in the negotiation and implementation of these agreements.
Hydroelectric Related Settlement Agreements
Hydroelectric related settlement agreements are agreements that will, collectively and individually, resolve land and other issues that relate to the effects of hydroelectric development on communities and their residents. These agreements may include provisions for financial compensation, land and cooperative natural resource management between the community and Manitoba.
- The Northern Flood Agreement (1997)
- Tataskewayak Cree Nation (Split Lake) Comprehensive Implementation Agreement (1992)
- Nischawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House) Comprehensive Implementation Agreement (1996)
- Grand Rapids Forebay Agreements
- Chemawawin Cree Nation Comprehensive Forebay Agreement (2004)
- Easterville Community Forebay Agreement (2004)
- Moose Lake Community Agreement (2005)
- Mosakahiken Cree Nation Comprehensive Forebay Agreement (2008)
- Fox Lake Settlement Agreement (2004)
- War Lake First Nation Past Adverse Effects Agreement (2004)
- O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation (2005)
- Nelson House Community Settlement Agreement (2006)
- Cross Lake Community Settlement Agreement (2010)
- Cormorant Community Association Settlement Agreement (1991)
The Northern Flood Agreement (1997)
The Northern Flood Agreement (1997) (NFA) was developed and signed by the Manitoba government, the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board, the Government of Canada and the Northern Flood Committee (representing Nelson House Cree Nation, Norway House Cree Nation, Cross Lake First Nation, Split Lake Cree Nation and York Factory First Nation). To assist the signatories in the implementation of the NFA, implementation agreements were negotiated to reach a mutually agreed upon way to implement the NFA. Implementation agreements have been reached with four of the five NFA First Nations.
- The Northern Flood Agreement (1997)
- Tataskewayak Cree Nation (Split Lake) (1992)
- Nischawayasihk Cree Nation (Nelson House) (1996)
- Norway House Cree Nation (1997)
- York Factory First Nation (1997)
Grand Rapids Forebay Agreements
The Grand Rapids Forebay Agreements address outstanding matters related to the adverse effects of the Grand Rapids Hydroelectric Project (1960s). These agreements include provisions for financial compensation, land and cooperative natural resource management between the community and Manitoba. Four agreements were developed and signed between the Manitoba government, the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board and the following four communities:
- Chemawawin Cree Nation (2004)
- Easterville Community (2004)
- Moose Lake Community (2005)
- Mosakahiken Cree Nation (2008)
Other Agreements
Individual agreements have been signed with other First Nations or community councils relating to the adverse effects of hydroelectric development which are not part of Grand Rapids Forebay or Northern Flood Agreements. These communities include:
- Fox Lake Cree Nation (2004)
- War Lake First Nation (2004)
- O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation (2005)
- Nelson House Community Council (2006)
- Cross Lake Community Council (2010)
- Cormorant Community Association (1991)
Self-Government Agreements
Self-government agreements establish arrangements for Aboriginal groups to govern their internal affairs and assume greater responsibility and control over the decision making that affects their communities.
Manitoba is signatory to the Sioux Valley Governance Agreement, alongside the Government of Canada and Sioux Valley Dakota Nation (SVDN). The agreement, signed in 2013, sets out SVDN’s government arrangements and provides for a government-to-government relationship between Canada and SVDN.