An overhead picture of the Saskatchewan River Delta. (Garth Lenz)

By Nigel Maxwell

Protecting water ways

Northern Sask. First Nation claims government-owned hydroelectric station having negative impact on Sask. River Delta

Jun 11, 2021 | 5:00 PM

The Chief of Cumberland Cree House Nation says a hydroelectric dam built on the Saskatchewan River in the 1960s has choked the water and is hurting both the people and animal species that rely on the Saskatchewan River Delta for food and survival.

Rene Chaboyer made the comment Thursday during a special press conference in Prince Albert at Cumberland Crossing Inn. As a means to protect what’s left in the 10,000 sq. km. territory, the band is asserting its indigenous rights and taking control over any future economic development that may happen there.

“I am already in discussions as to how we will remove the [E.B. Campbell] dam, re-constrict it using environmentally safe procedures to turn those turbines,” he said.

Chaboyer added he has told Sask Power, Cumberland House Cree Nation will eventually own and operate the dam.

“So that we can see natural flow and the nutrients back into the Delta,” he said

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Cumberland House Cree Nation Chief Rene Chaboyer says the band can no longer tolerate treaties agreements being ignored. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

In a statement provided to paNOW, Sask Power said they have not had any discussions with Cumberland House Cree Nation (CHCN) regarding ownership of E.B. Campbell Hydroelectric Station.

“The station is currently undergoing a multi-year comprehensive refurbishment that will give the plant at least 50 more years of renewable power generation,” the statement said.

The Saskatchewan River Delta is the largest freshwater inland delta in North America. Consisting of a plethora of wetland ecosystems and forests, the Delta provides a home for a vast array of species including plants, birds, and mammals. The waters also provide the breeding, staging, and molting ground for over 500,000 migratory birds.

In recent years, locals have noticed certain species populations diminishing (moose, muskrat) and an overall decline in the delta itself, which in turn has had a direct impact on the Indigenous people who use the land for hunting, fishing, trapping, and gathering medicines.

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) Saskatchewan Executive Director Gord Vaadeland was also in attendance during Thursday’s press conference and mentioned his first trip to the delta was 12 years ago. He has since returned a couple dozen more times.

“The community has our support and we are very proud of the community for taking these steps,” he said.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Vice-Chief Heather Bear, whose portfolios include land and resources, explained The Delta represents both a life source and a way of life.

“The delta and the river feeding it have been negatively altered by changes to the flow caused by dams and the mismanagement of the water, as well as changes to the natural landscape,” she said.

Bear said the government has failed in its responsibility to consult with the members of Cumberland House Cree Nation. Those words were echoed by Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette.

“As the local MLA, I am going to be consulting with Cumberland House Cree Nation to discuss their concerns – unlike the Sask. Party government that has failed so badly in its own Duty to Consult,” he said.

paNOW reached out to the government for a response to the concerns, as well as to the overall declaration, but no one was available Friday for comment.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell