Southwestern Manitoba First Nation’s powwow a time to reflect after Clear Lake zebra mussel discovery: chief

July 21, 2024 Canuck

The discovery of zebra mussels in a southwestern Manitoba First Nation’s ancestral territory marks a time for reflection during celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Treaty 4, the community’s chief says.

Rolling River First Nation Chief Wilfred McKay says part of treaty is talking about climate change and the environment.

That conversation has taken on new urgency after Parks Canada found another adult zebra mussel in Manitoba’s Clear Lake this week, suggesting the invasive species has further established itself in the largest body of water in Riding Mountain National Park — the ancestral territory of Rolling River First Nation.

The water of the lake flows down through the community.

“It’s all about those little ones — the future generations — that’s why we’ve got to seriously look at what we’re doing to the climate [and] to the waters,” Wilfred said.

A woman smiling at a baby. — Rolling River dancer Ceana Shannacappo, 17, plays with her son Niigaanii Shannacappo at the Rolling River Traditional Powwow. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

Rolling River hosted a traditional powwow celebrating Treaty 4 over the weekend, days after the zebra mussel was discovered. Wilfred says this made it important to talk about how to preserve the language, culture and lands of Rolling River for future generations.

A small child in regalia holds a larger red drink, sipping from a straw. — ‘It’s all about those little ones,’ Wilfred McKay says of the focus on climate and the waters — and many little ones like Tariq Malcom, 4, shared in the Rolling River Traditional Powwow. Malcom is from Ebb and Flow First Nation, near Ebb and Flow Lake and Lake Manitoba. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

Aaron McKay, a member of Rolling River, says the community has been a steward of the land and water in Riding Mountain for generations. For him, Clear Lake is part of a larger picture of reclaiming and strengthening Rolling River First Nation voices, identity and land.

Aaron’s grateful for the traditional powwow because it’s a chance to come together as a community and reflect on how to protect the land for future generations.

“Even for my own mental and physical well-being, to be able to connect with the drums and to see the older generations, the younger generations all coming together in one circle, it’s going to remind me of what I … am fighting for,” he said.

A group of people sit around a big drum and sing. — Rolling River First Nation’s traditional powwow, which celebrated Treaty 4 over the weekend, came days after Parks Canada said it discovered another adult zebra mussel in Clear Lake. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

Aaron recently collaborated with the Martese — a commercial tour boat — to offer interpretive Anishinaabe cruises on Clear Lake through his company, Giiwe. He also offers guided tours around Lake Katherine to share the history of the area and introduce people to Anishinaabe perspectives on the land and waters in Riding Mountain National Park.

He has a lot invested in the health of the lakes and wants to do what he can to preserve and protect them, and he says Parks Canada has had some meaningful work with Rolling River First Nation community members and elders to better understand what the future should look like when it comes to Clear Lake.

“If anything, I am very disappointed in the public … people who don’t listen to the rules, because now it’s going to have a widespread effect on all these communities that are connected to these water bodies,” Aaron said.

A child holds his hands out amid a cloud of bubbles. — Ronny Guiboche, 7, chases bubbles at the Rolling River Traditional Powwow. Guiboche is from Pine Creek First Nation, on the shores of Lake Winnipeg. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

‘We have an obligation to fix it’

Rolling River First Nation councillor Derek McKay says celebrating 150 years of Treaty 4 is a major milestone, but they are still working with the government on reconciliation, which includes the impacts of climate change and the environment on First Nations.

“Climate change — settlers brought a lot of this in, because of what they’re taking from Mother Earth,” Derek said. “We’ve got to come to that agreement in where we’re going to help each other to make this Earth a much better place to live right now.”

A girl with a mitt on her hand looks up at a ball in the air. — Naveah Elk, 16, of Birdtail Sioux Dakota Nation plays catch under a hot, bright sun at the Rolling River Traditional Powwow. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

He says the traditional powwow is a chance to bring people together while celebrating and strengthening traditions. This will be the last year dancing at the current powwow arbour — an open-air arena where powwows take place — before it is decommissioned and moved further west to a larger area to accommodate the growing powwow.

Three men dance in a powwow. — Sam Jackson dances with grass dancers at Rolling River First Nation’s traditional powwow on Saturday. This will be the community’s last year at the current powwow arbour before it is decommissioned and moved to a larger area to accommodate the growing powwow. (Chelsea Kemp/CBC)

Parks Canada first found live zebra mussels in Clear Lake at Boat Cove in November. The decision to ban outside watercraft was made this spring.

Wilfred said the most important thing to do is respect the land and water and make sure they remain healthy for future generations.

Parks Canada plans to install an impermeable curtain around Boat Cove this week to seal off the area from the rest of Clear Lake. The federal agency has not yet decided whether to deploy potash to eradicate zebra mussels from the area.

If potash is deployed, Wilfred says he hopes it happens in a positive way that will help control the spread of zebra mussels.

When it comes to moving forward, Aaron wants to make ensure the health and protection of the lake based on expert advice, he said.

“I am for the science, I am for reasoning and I’m also for learning,” Aaron said.

“This [potash] is a man-made solution to a man-made problem. These zebra mussels were introduced by human beings. We have an obligation to fix it.”

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Southwestern Manitoba First Nation’s powwow a time to reflect after Clear Lake zebra mussel discovery: chief

‘We have an obligation to fix it’

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