The impacts of hydro-electric energy on the Boreal Forests of Canada

Picture on the right:
Pimicikamak Elder Charlie Osborne surveys dried up shoreline near the Jenpeg Dam. Unnatural water fluctuations have debilitating impacts on the environment.
Photo by Jackson Osborne,
Spring 2001

More and more hydro-dams to feed increasing USA demand for cheap electricity are causing ecological and social havoc in Canada's Boreal Forests.
The hydro dams severely disturb wood-water ecology, islands and shorelines are destroyed, water quality is deteriorating, and there is extensive flooding. Apart from the destabilisation of the environment, the hydro-power industry has a devastating social, cultural and spiritual impact.
Since a time beyond memory, daily life and the economic self-sufficiency of the Pimicikamak Cree have been intimately linked to the river system along which they live in northern Manitoba.
The industrialization of the river was undertaken with minimal understanding of, and regard for, the environmental and social effects.
In 1977, various levels of Canadian government and the utility signed an agreement  with the Pimicikamak Cree. It promises “fairness and equity” including cleanup of the waterways and sharing of economic benefits. This solemn covenant between peoples at either end of the transmission lines has yet to be honoured.

We were curious to find out more and asked Will Braun, the coordinator of the Canadian Campaign for Pimicikamak for information. He has kindly send us the articles below and some photographs to put us in the picture.

Impacts of Hydroelectric Development

Joint Statement of Pimicikamak Cree Nation & Sierra Club of Canada

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