In the first 10 to 15 years of the existence of the Northern Flood Agreement, its implementation was slow. The parties to the Northern Flood Agreement had different views as to what their respective rights, responsibilities and obligations might be. Some matters were agreed to and others went to arbitration. In the late 1980's all five First Nations (tribes) agreed to negotiate with the other parties to the Northern Flood Agreement, and to see if an Implementation Agreement could be structured. The initial attempt was not successful, but in June of 1992, Split Lake Cree (Tataskweyak), after tremendous community effort and support, with guidance from its elders and membership, signed an Implementation Agreement with Canada, Manitoba and Manitoba Hydro. Members of Split Lake Cree (Tataskweyak) voted overwhelmingly (93%) in support of this Implementation Agreement. Four of the five Cree Nations who are parties to the Northern Flood Agreement have now signed Implementation Agreements, namely Split Lake Cree (Tataskweyak), York Factory (Kitche-Waskahigan), Nelson House (Nisichawaysihk) and Norway House Cree Nation (Kinasaso Sipi).

Split Lake Cree (Tataskweyak) say the 1992 Implementation Agreement is a building block based upon the foundation of the Northern Flood Agreement. The 1992 Implementation Agreement gives definition and a practical application to the provisions set forth in the Northern Flood Agreement. It also gives Split Lake Cree (Tataskweyak) additional rights relative to future development within the Split Lake Resource Management Area. It is an ongoing Agreement giving rights and having monies available in perpetuity, longer than the life of the dams themselves.

Click here for the full text of the 1992 Implementation Agreement (opens a new browser window).

Click here for a list of benefits of the 1992 Implementation Agreement.


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