Manitoba First Nations sue over Lake Winnipeg pollution

First Nations have sued all three levels of government over the Lake Winnipeg pollution.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) announced Wednesday that eight First Nations bordering the lake have filed a $4 billion lawsuit against the federal and provincial governments, as well as the City of Winnipeg. The communities involved in the complaint are Brokenhead Ojibway Nation, Black River First Nation, Terek River First Nation, Sagkeeng Anicinabe Nation, Berens River First Nation, Hollow Water First Nation, Misipawistik Cree Nation and Kinonjeoshtegon First Nation.

According to these First Nations, contamination of Lake Winnipeg and the Red River by sewage discharges and ongoing discharges is a recurring problem. Associations noted that the most recent incident was in February, when more than 221.2 million liters of raw sewage was spilled into the Red River.

“When the Department of Indian Affairs says the water coming out of my lagoon is cleaner than the water in Lake Winnipeg, that's a problem,” Missipawistik Cree Nation Chief Heidi Cook said at a news conference Wednesday.

This legal action by First Nations focuses not only on the removal of pollution, but also on their fundamental rights. Those lawsuits highlight governments' fiduciary duties to First Nations.

With this lawsuit, the First Nations hope to recover financial losses caused by the pollution. Communities are open to dialogue with all levels of government.

“As First Nations people and as part of our teachings, we protect water,” said AMC CEO Kathy Merrick. “Unfortunately, this has to happen at this point.”

Merrick said the time for apologies is over and the communities are now seeking action from the government.

Meanwhile, Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt said she could not comment on the lawsuit.

However, he said, “The government is very serious and deeply committed to protecting Lake Winnipeg.”

He said the province would “soon introduce legislation to strengthen the Environment Act to better respond to such situations.”

“We know that Lake Winnipeg is a national and international treasure,” Schmidt said.

With files from CTV's Kimberly Rio Wertman