Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN) is more commonly known in the predominately English-speaking world of North America as Nelson House, Manitoba. NCN is located 88 km west of Thompson, Manitoba, and accessible via the mixed paved and gravel Manitoba Provincial Road 391.

History

NCN is a Cree-speaking community in northern Manitoba, Canada. The people of Nisichawayasihk are largely ancestral descendants of indigenous Cree peoples who have populated the Canadian Shield region of northern and central Canada for 10,000 to 35,000 years.

Largely left alone by the Government of Canada during initial colonization and settlement of the New World, by the late 19th century a move was made by the government to isolate and relocate members of the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation to a single, pre-defined location which no European Settlers had expressed an interest in. This area was defined by the government in the agreement known as Treaty 5, a document which established that NCN Band Members and their descendants were guaranteed certain rights and benefits.

Hydroelectric Development and Impacts

During the 1960s and 1970s, massive hydroelectric developments were underway in northern Manitoba. Consequently, large areas of traditional hunting, fishing, and trapping lands were severely flooded. The people of Nisichawayasihk were forcibly relocated to their current location.

NCN is a signatory to the Northern Flood Agreement between Manitoba Hydro, the Province of Manitoba, and several First Nations Communities. Since 1999, NCN has been engaged in talks with Manitoba Hydro regarding a 33% share in the construction and ownership of another hydroelectric project called Wuskwatim . Successful completion of this agreement would see NCN as an equal partner in this project, sharing in both construction and startup costs, as well as earning revenue from this development.

Community

With a population of approximately 2,000, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation is a large and widespread community. Many of its residents are still living in third-world conditions. The local infrastructure does not support full water and sewage services to all residents, and many still rely on fresh water and liquid waste to be hauled in and out by truck from holding tanks.

Urban Reserve

In early February, 2004, the nearby City of Thompson, Manitoba announced their approval to Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation to convert a parcel of NCN-owned property within Thompson to Treaty Land . This was possible due to shortages in land area controlled by NCN under the Treaty Land Entitlement agreement in the mid-1970s. This event marks one of the few transitions from privately owned land, purchased by a First Nations community, to being declared an Urban Reserve .

This plan has been quietly discussed between city and band administration since the narrowly-lost plebescite held in Thompson on September 18th, 2001. With a 45% voter turnout for the plebescite, and amid allegations of inappropriate voter disqualifications, the "no" side won by a margin of 250 votes. During the three years following the plebescite, the majority of Thompson City Councillors have publicly stated that the results of the vote were not binding upon city council, as the council has been elected to act in the best interests of the citizens of Thompson.

See also

• CBC News article on announcement - February 8th, 2005
• CBC News article on 2001 plebescite - September 20th, 2001
• Manitoba Hydro hosted Wuskwatim Agreement (PDF)