Mamakwa statement on Supreme Court decision in favour of Lac Seul in Southwind case

SIOUX LOOKOUT, TREATY 3 TERRITORY — Sol Mamakwa, MPP for Kiiwetinoong and NDP critic for Indigenous and Treaty Relations, released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision in the Southwind case:

“I join Chief Clifford Bull and Lac Seul First Nation in welcoming the Supreme Court’s decision in the Southwind case. The decision marks an important step forward in the community’s tireless pursuit of justice after the Crown unlawfully took and flooded Lac Seul traditional lands in 1929.

With close to one-fifth of the reserve rendered unusable, the community is still living with the consequences of the Crown’s actions to this day. The flooding has damaged the gravesites of community ancestors and disturbed the hunting, fishing and manoomin (rice) harvesting that are ways of life for Lac Seul First Nation. The trauma of erosion exposing burial sites and washing away remains takes on fresh pain in the wake of the discovery of unmarked burial sites at residential schools.

Today I continue to stand in solidarity with Lac Seul First Nation as their nation takes next steps to secure a just resolution with the federal government. I urge the federal government to uphold its fiduciary and treaty responsibilities, instead of dragging this out in the courts any longer and re-traumatizing Lac Seul families.”