MANITOBA – MINNESOTA TRANSMISSION PROJECT Environmental Impact Statement CHAPTER 4 FIRST NATION AND SEPTEMBER 2015 METIS ENGAGEMENT PROCESS MANITOBA – MINNESOTA TRANSMISSION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 4: FIRST NATION AND METIS ENGAGEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 4 FIRST NATION AND METIS ENGAGEMENT ..................................... 4-1 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................ 4-1 4.2 Lessons Learned from Previous Assessments .......................... 4-3 4.3 Design and Scope of the Engagement Process ......................... 4-4 4.3.1 Identification of First Nations, Metis and Aboriginal Organizations... 4-7 4.3.2 Methods of Engagement .................................................................... 4-8 4.3.2.1 Leadership Meetings .......................................................... 4-8 4.3.2.2 Community Open Houses/Information Sessions ............... 4-8 4.3.2.3 Telephone Calls .................................................................. 4-9 4.3.2.4 Community Coordinators .................................................... 4-9 4.3.2.5 ATK Studies ........................................................................ 4-9 4.3.2.6 Routing Workshops .......................................................... 4-10 4.3.2.7 Stakeholder Workshop ..................................................... 4-10 4.3.2.8 Project Site Tours and Tours of Similar Projects ............. 4-11 4.3.2.9 Reviewing and Confirming Information ............................ 4-11 4.3.2.10 Templates, Checklists and Work Plans ........................... 4-12 4.4 How Did We Share Information with First Nations, Metis and Aboriginal Organizations? ........................................................ 4-13 4.4.1 Letters ............................................................................................... 4-13 4.4.2 Handouts and Comment Sheets ...................................................... 4-13 4.4.2.1 MMTP Specific .................................................................. 4-14 4.4.2.2 General Information .......................................................... 4-15 4.4.2.3 Environmental Assessment Information Sheets .............. 4-16 4.4.2.4 Information on Manitoba Hydro Career Opportunities..... 4-17 4.4.3 Advertisement in Local Newspapers ................................................ 4-17 4.4.4 Project Posters.................................................................................. 4-18 4.4.5 Local Radio Spots (Peguis Radio Station and NCI) ........................ 4-18 September 2015 4-i MANITOBA – MINNESOTA TRANSMISSION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 4: FIRST NATION AND METIS ENGAGEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS 4.4.6 Project Web Page ............................................................................. 4-18 4.4.7 Plain Language EIS Summary ......................................................... 4-18 4.5 What We Heard and How It Influenced the Project .................. 4-19 4.5.1 FNMEP Influence on the Project ...................................................... 4-19 4.5.2 FNMEP Influence on Routing ........................................................... 4-19 4.5.3 ATKS Management Team (Swan Lake First Nation, Long Plain First Nation and Black River First Nation) ........................................ 4-21 4.5.3.1 Engagement Process ....................................................... 4-21 4.5.3.2 ATKS Management Team Key Feedback ....................... 4-23 4.5.3.3 Route Preferences ............................................................ 4-25 4.5.3.4 How the ATKS Management Team’s Feedback and Concerns Influenced the Project ...................................... 4-26 4.5.4 Black River First Nation .................................................................... 4-26 4.5.4.1 Engagement Process ....................................................... 4-26 4.5.4.2 Black River First Nation Key Feedback ........................... 4-27 4.5.4.3 How Black River First Nation’s Feedback and Concerns Influenced the Project ...................................... 4-27 4.5.5 Long Plain First Nation ..................................................................... 4-27 4.5.5.1 Engagement Process ....................................................... 4-28 4.5.5.2 Long Plain First Nation Key Feedback ............................. 4-29 4.5.5.3 How Long Plain First Nation’s Feedback and Concerns Influenced the Project ....................................................... 4-31 4.5.5.4 Long Plain First Nation Non-Project Specific Related Concerns and Feedback .................................................. 4-32 4.5.6 Swan Lake First Nation .................................................................... 4-32 4.5.6.1 Engagement Process ....................................................... 4-32 4.5.6.2 Swan Lake First Nation Key Feedback ............................ 4-33 4.5.6.3 How Swan Lake First Nation’s Feedback and Concerns Influenced the Project ...................................... 4-34 4.5.7 Buffalo Point First Nation .................................................................. 4-34 4.5.7.1 Engagement Process ....................................................... 4-35 4.5.8 Brokenhead Ojibway Nation ............................................................. 4-35 4.5.8.1 Engagement Process ....................................................... 4-35 4-ii September 2015 MANITOBA – MINNESOTA TRANSMISSION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 4: FIRST NATION AND METIS ENGAGEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS 4.5.8.2 Brokenhead Ojibway Nation Key Feedback .................... 4-36 4.5.8.3 Brokenhead Ojibway Nation Non-Project Specific Related Concerns and Feedback ..................................... 4-36 4.5.9 Dakota Plains Wahpeton First Nation .............................................. 4-36 4.5.10 Engagement Process ....................................................................... 4-37 4.5.11 Dakota Plains Wahpeton First Nation Key Feedback ..................... 4-38 4.5.11.1 How the Dakota Plains Wahpeton First Nation’s Feedback and Concerns Influenced the Project .............. 4-39 4.5.11.2 Dakota Plains Wahpeton First Nation Non-Project Specific Related Concerns and Feedback ....................... 4-39 4.5.12 Dakota Tipi First Nation .................................................................... 4-39 4.5.12.1 Engagement Process ....................................................... 4-40 4.5.12.2 Key Feedback ................................................................... 4-40 4.5.12.3 How the Dakota Tipi First Nation’s Feedback and Concerns Influenced the Project ...................................... 4-41 4.5.13 Peguis First Nation ........................................................................... 4-41 4.5.13.1 Engagement Process ....................................................... 4-42 4.5.13.2 Key Feedback ................................................................... 4-42 4.5.13.3 Route Preference .............................................................. 4-44 4.5.13.4 How Peguis First Nation’s Feedback and Concerns Influenced the Project ....................................................... 4-44 4.5.14 Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation ............................................. 4-45 4.5.15 Engagement Process ....................................................................... 4-45 4.5.15.1 Key Feedback ................................................................... 4-46 4.5.15.2 Route Preferences ............................................................ 4-47 4.5.15.3 How Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation’s Feedback and Concerns Influenced the Project ............................... 4-48 4.5.15.4 Route Preference .............................................................. 4-49 4.5.15.5 Roseau River Anishinabe First Nation Non-Project Specific Related Concerns and Feedback ....................... 4-49 4.5.16 Sagkeeng First Nation ...................................................................... 4-49 4.5.16.1 Engagement Process ....................................................... 4-49 4.5.17 Key Feedback ................................................................................... 4-50 September 2015 4-iii MANITOBA – MINNESOTA TRANSMISSION PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 4: FIRST NATION AND METIS ENGAGEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS 4.5.17.1 How Sagkeeng First Nation’s Feedback and Concerns Influenced the Project ....................................................... 4-51 4.5.18 Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation ....................................................... 4-52 4.5.18.1 Engagement Process ....................................................... 4-52 4.5.19 Manitoba Metis Federation ............................................................... 4-52 4.5.19.1 Engagement Process ....................................................... 4-52 4.5.20 Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce ................................................... 4-53 4.5.21 Southern Chiefs Organization .......................................................... 4-53 4.5.22 Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs ........................................................... 4-53 4.5.23 Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council ......................................................... 4-54 4.6 Ongoing Engagement .............................................................. 4-54 4.6.1 Regulatory Process .........................................................................