Manitoba Hydro, northern power development, and land claims pertaining to non-status aboriginals in Norway House and Cross Lake

Abstract

This thesis explores one aspect of the potential legal obligations which flowed from the extensive hydro electric projects undertaken in northern Manitoba in the 1970's. It addresses the history of the legal relationship between governments and non status aboriginal people in the affected areas, in particular those people in Cross Lake and Norway House. The thesis reviews charter, statute and case law on the topic from 1670 until 1993, concentrating on the period after 1930. The main argument of this thesis is that, although federal legislation applies to status Indians in the area, there are no specific legal obligations to non status aboriginals in northern Manitoba.