The 45-day work stoppage was issued by the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

provincial park

LLRIB councillor upset with work stop order at culture camp

Aug 26, 2020 | 4:50 PM

Lac La Ronge Indian Band Coun. Gerald McKenzie is not happy with a work stop order he received from the provincial government.

On Tuesday, staff with the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport showed up to a culture camp near Grandmother’s Bay after receiving a complaint from a member of the public, McKenzie said. He added he was told by Parks staff the complainant was concerned about too much work occurring in the area as the band works to further develop a culture camp in the Lac La Ronge Provincial Park.

“They gave me a call and said they were shutting us down and giving us a 45-day work stoppage,” he said. “I told them I wasn’t accepting the work stoppage. I will continue doing what I’m doing. This is our culture camp. This is our sacred land.”

The band has been using the site as a culture camp for four years, but the history of it goes back much further. The area is part of the First Nation’s traditional territory, McKenzie explained, and was used by local members long before there was a provincial park. He also noted he doesn’t recognize the provincial park as it was placed there without any consultation.

McKenzie added the site is also close to where the last birch bark canoe was built by people living there.

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“This is our culture camp, this is the way of our life and [they] have no right to come and stop what we are doing as a traditional people,” he said. “The land is in our traditional lands. We used to live there. We do have a lease in that area. They have no reason to be there to put a work stoppage on what we’re doing.”

While there is some development at the site already including a cabin used as a cultural centre, the band is currently building a gazebo and recreation area featuring a beach. The spot is meant to be a safe place for children to play.

Up until now, McKenzie noted there hasn’t been any issues with provincial park staff. He said they have worked with Park Manager Natasha Merriman in the past, who assisted them in expanding their lease.

In an email to larongeNOW, a spokesperson for the ministry stated an Environmental Protection Order was issued under the Environmental Management and Protection Act, 2010 in relation to work being conducted on park land in the Lac La Ronge Provincial Park. It notes work has been temporarily stopped under the order.

“The Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport facilitates the review and approval of all work activity on park land and is working with the proponent to determine the next steps for the project,” the email states.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno