A longstanding dispute between the federal government and the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation (MCCN) at Pukatawagan has come to a close, pending ratification by MCCN members, with the band receiving a $17-million settlement.
The dispute centres around the impact of diesel fuel leaks on MCCN in past decades. In 1967, diesel generators were introduced to the Pukatawagan Indian Reserve area to provide power. The generators - initially only used by the community church, the Hudson Bay Company, and federal employees before being extended to MCCN members in 1973 - remained the sole power source until electric power lines were installed in 1985. Over those 18 years, the land was contaminated due to numerous fuel spills.
On Feb. 15, it was announced by Indian Affairs Minister John Duncan and MCCN Chief Arlen Dumas that in exchange for the $17 million, MCCN would cease its litigation against the federal and provincial governments, as well as Manitoba Hydro, over the issue - a legal claim first filed by MCCN against those parties in 1997.
"While no settlement is perfect and no agreement is acceptable to everyone, we have achieved an overwhelming, positive outcome," said Dumas. "The potential that this settlement has will allow the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation to pursue various measures to help us heal from the legacy of this contamination."
Since 1992, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada has spent more than $36 million addressing the impact of the spills, on projects such as contamination studies, soil remediation, and even going so far as to demolish and rebuild contaminated buildings on the reserve.
"I would like to recognize the hard work of Chief Dumas, who has represented his community's interests in a positive way," said Duncan. "Chief Dumas and his council have engaged and worked with my department constructively to reach this important draft agreement."
"Resolution on this matter has been onerous," added Dumas. "However, I look forward to the opportunities which will come from this agreement for the Mathias Colomb First Nation. It has taken over 23 years to address this matter - now the community will decide how we proceed through a community ratification process."
The money will be spent on replacing buildings, which have been demolished but not yet replaced, as well as addressing the social, economic, and educational impact of the leaks. The draft agreement will be voted on by MCCN members in late February or early March.
