NASHAKEPANAIS I.R. (BROKENHEAD OJIBWAY NATION), Manitoba – The Province of Manitoba highway modernization project plans that include highway 59 also include a plan to close the access road to Brokenhead Ojibway Nation’s Treaty Land Entitlement 7.5 acres of land, which has Indian Reserve status as of eight (8) years ago (2009) and is named Nashakepanais I.R. after the first Chief of Brokenhead.
“Brokenhead and the Province of Manitoba have been engaging in good dialogue concerning the modernization and expansion of Highway 59, where it affects our land bases.”, says Chief and Council of Brokenhead, “Safety will always remain a priority among the progress our Nation experiences. In the era of reconciliation, we are optimistic that mutually accetpable solutions can be achieved that will be reflective of the promises of our Treaty and redress that impact of our Aboriginal and Treaty rights”.
Brokenhead was able to purchase the 7.5 acres of land because Canada did not allocate the land Brokenhead was entitled to be allocated after the Treaty No. 1 signing in 1871 (146 years ago) which created a land allocation shortfall.
Brokenhead signed the Treaty Land Entitlement Framework Agreement in 1998 (19 years ago) to redress its land allocation shortfall. Our Nation purchased the 7.5 acres located within the RM of East St. Paul fourteen (14) years ago in 2003.
Brokenhead also purchased an additional 460 acres located within the RM of East St. Paul1hat is now in the Reserve creation stage. The ability to use and benefit from our shortfall land is a lengthy process that has taken almost twenty (20) years now to date.
The 7.5 acres had been purchased because of the access road and potential economic development opportunity. Brokenhead has delayed its development plans due to the Province of Manitoba – Manitoba Infrastructure plan to close off the access road to Brokenhead’s land.
Brokenhead sent a letter to the Province of Manitoba in December 2016 requesting the access road be left in place due to the detrimental impact the road closure will cause for our Nation. Brokenhead has also met with the Province of Manitoba on a regular basis, to no avail, there is no indication that Brokenhead’s request to leave the road access way in place that leads into our Nation’s land.
BON continues to anticipate a positive response from the Province of Manitoba regarding the road access closure that will negatively impact our land.