Hundreds of protesters from Cross Lake, a community of about 5,000 Cree Indians (Cross Lake First Nation) in northern Manitoba, Canada, were poised to end their three-week occupation of the 135-MW Jenpeg Dam Generating Station on Nov. 7. On Nov. 5, Cross Lake Chief Cathy Merrick announced all sides signed an agreement to resolve a treaty-related dispute unfolding at Jenpeg Dam. The facility is located 525 km north of the city of Winnipeg. Beginning Oct. 16, with the exception of a skeleton crew to keep the dam in operation, Cross Lake First Nation members blocked personnel from entering or exiting Jenpeg Dam Generating Station. Manitoba Hydro owns and operates the facility.
Cross Lake First Nation contends Manitoba Hydro is violating their Treaty 5 agreement signed Sept. 24, 1875, in Norway House, Manitoba, with the Government of Canada. The courts regard Treaty 5 between the Crown and Aboriginal people and Cross Lake First Nation is included in the Aboriginal group.
Additionally, Cross Lake First Nation signed the National Flood Agreement with Manitoba Hydro in 1977. However, the Algonquian-speaking people complain their traditional lands are being regularly fooded, the fragile shoreline is eroding, and they claim Manitoba Hydro has not done enough to eradicate mass poverty and unemployment in their community. Merrick reportedly said the locks would come off the grounds of the Jenpeg generating station after an agreement is finalized and Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger agrees to personally deliver an apology to the community.
— Hydro Review, December 2014