Interlake Region

WINNIPEG — First Nations in western Manitoba say they are determined not to allow a proposed Manitoba Hydro transmission line to cross their territories until Ottawa and the province complete an environmental audit of "past impacts and effects" of hydro operations on southern First Nations.

The First Nations made the announcement after a meeting earlier this week in Dauphin.

"Manitoba Hydro must be held to account for its past practices before it talks about going through our traditional territories for anything new," said Southern Chiefs Organization Grand Chief Morris J. Swan Shannacappo. Manitoba Hydro's activities have had a significant impact on southern Manitoba, first nations leaders say.

They say the relationship between the dams and economic consequences is not as obvious as in northern Manitoba, but impacts of artificial water levels has serious consequences in terms of flooding of First Nation lands and harvesting of traditional foods.

"We are going to be standing up for our treaty and standing together as treaty people. This gathering wasn't the end of something. It is the beginning," said Chief Derek Nepinak of Pine Creek First Nation.

Within Manitoba there are 16 First Nations that belong to either Treaty 2 or Treaty 4 territory. They are on the west side of the province or in the Interlake.

Dr. Craig Willis, a wildlife biologist from the University of Winnipeg, shared his enthusiasm for the flying mammals to 25-30 youth at a special “Bat Talk” today sponsored by the Fisher River Cree Nation and Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS).

“Bats are intriguing animals,” Dr. Willis said. “After all, what other mammal can fly?”

Willis explained why Manitoba is such a great place to study bats. He also plans to dispel some of the common myths. A bat would never get stuck in your hair – its sense of echolocation is too good for that. What is true is that Little Brown Bats love to eat insects – up to 500–1000 an hour!

Manitoba is prime territory for bats because of our large numbers of limestone caves. At least two species of bats hibernate in the caves, because they maintain constant temperature and humidity. “The Little Brown Bat, one common species, hibernates up to eight months at a stretch,” explained Willis.

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