National chiefs echo Manitoba First Nations' stance on flood diversion plan

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has joined the chorus of voices criticizing the federal and provincial governments' planned investment in flood prevention projects in Manitoba, arguing the focus should be on helping displaced First Nation flood victims.

On July 31, the provincial and federal governments announced a commitment of $495 million to flood prevention projects around Lake Manitoba communities like Lake St. Martin, a reserve that has been flooded-out since 2011. About 2,000 evacuees have been living in hotels and apartments since then.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) came out against the announcement earlier this week, claiming First Nations were not consulted ahead of the decision.

While the assembly isn't against flood diversion projects in general, Grand Chief Derek Nepinak said until outstanding damages and reimbursement claims are settled, AMC "[does] not support any more bypass surgery on the Interlake."

• Manitoba flood diversion plan raises ire of First Nation leaders

• Governments promise $495M to ease flooding around Lake Manitoba

• Flooded out First Nation demands Manitoba government step up with help​​

And on Friday, AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde sided with the AMC.

"I fully support the position of First Nations in Manitoba as they assert their rights to be directly involved in designing and implementing a long-term solution to flooding in their region," Bellegarde said in a statement.

"First Nations families in Manitoba have been displaced for more than four years as a result of the 2011 flood evacuations. We need immediate action to help the evacuees and victims. It is unacceptable that agreements and plans are being made by governments without First Nations decision-making."

Eric Robinson, Manitoba's aboriginal affairs minister, told CBC News earlier this week that allotting a specific amount of money to the project was a critical first step toward helping affected First Nations recover.

"The first thing that we had to do was identify the federal and provincial dollars. They were matching and we did that, and now the consultation phase has to commence," he said.

The flood infrastructure plan calls for a second outlet channel from Lake Manitoba to Lake St. Martin to be constructed and for the current one to be enlarged. The new channel will be a permanent one with an outlet to Lake Winnipeg, bypassing Dauphin River First Nation.

Bellegarde added First Nations have already been "working to rebuild their communities and mitigate future flooding."

"These efforts must be respected and supported and First Nations must be involved in any decisions that impact their families, homes and work territories. It's not only the right thing to do, it's a Crown obligation."

The province has pledged to spend $330 million, while the federal government promised $165 million, on the pending diversion project

"The permanent structure will significantly reduce the economic burden that chronic flooding has had on the Province of Manitoba," the province said in a statement on Friday.