In Our Backyard: Keeyask and the Legacy of Hydroelectric Development

The Keeyask dam and generating station in northern Manitoba will expand the existing network of 15 dams and 13,800 km of transmission lines. In Our Backyard tells the story of the dam and accompanying development from the perspective of Indigenous peoples, academics, scientists, and regulators, and provides a basis for ongoing decision-making and scholarship. It considers cumulative, regional, and strategic impact assessments, Indigenous worldviews and laws, the economics of development, models for monitoring and management, consideration of affected species, and cultural and social impacts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 440 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2022
Publisher: University of Manitoba Press

The impact of hydroelectric development on northern Manitoba has been profound, transforming the social, political, and physical landscape since the construction of the Grand Rapids Dam in the 1960s. The Nelson River, once a mighty and awe-inspiring waterway, has been fragmented and altered by a series of dams, necessitating the diversion of the Churchill River and the creation of new inflow points from Lake Winnipeg to manage their capacity. The once-historic rapids have dwindled into dry river beds, a stark contrast to the natural beauty that once graced the region.

Manitoba Hydro's Keeyask dam and generating station is set to expand the existing network of 15 dams and 13,800 kilometers of transmission lines, further altering the landscape and ecosystem of the Nelson River. In Our Backyard, a documentary film that tells the story of the Keeyask dam and its accompanying development on the Nelson River, seeks to shed light on the perspectives of Indigenous peoples, academics, scientists, and regulators.

The film builds on the extensive environmental and economic evaluations conducted during the public hearings on Keeyask in 2012, conducted by the Clean Environment Commission. It amplifies the voices of Indigenous communities, who have often been marginalized in the environmental assessment and regulatory processes. In Our Backyard provides a foundation for ongoing decision-making and scholarship related to Keeyask and resource development more broadly.

The film examines cumulative, regional, and strategic impact assessments, considering Indigenous worldviews and laws within the regulatory and decision-making process. It explores the economics of development, models for monitoring and management, the consideration of affected species, and the cultural and social impacts of hydroelectric development.

In the context of a provincial and federal regulatory regime that grapples with important questions about the balance between development and sustainability, and in light of the inherent rights of Indigenous people to land, livelihoods, and self-determination, In Our Backyard offers critical reflections that highlight the need for purposeful dialogue and principled decision-making. The film encourages viewers to engage in a deeper understanding of the complexities and implications of hydroelectric development and to advocate for sustainable and inclusive solutions that respect the rights and livelihoods of Indigenous communities.

In Our Backyard is a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of Indigenous peoples in the face of environmental challenges. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and protecting our natural heritage, and of the need to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration to find sustainable solutions that balance the needs of development with the preservation of our planet.

Weight: 333g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780887552885