Fox Lake Cree Nation lifts road blockade to 3 Manitoba Hydro sites

A northern Manitoba First Nation has walked away from road blockades to three Manitoba Hydro work sites after blocking access lastweek.

"I feel very optimistic, we're both renewing our commitment to work together," said Walter Spence, the chief of Fox Lake Cree Nation.

Spence said anew agreement was reached Saturday nightbetween Manitoba Hydro and Fox Lake Cree Nation.

Spencemet with Manitoba Hydro officials over the weekendafter members of the community said hydro workers desecrated a ceremonial site during construction.

People from Fox Lake Cree Nation used heavy machinery to shut down a junction on Highway 290 at about 6 a.m. Thursday morning.

The junction leads to three hydro sites, including theKeewatinohkaccess gate and construction camp, the Limestone generating station and theHendayconverter station.

But Spencesaid that blockade was lifted Saturday night after a meeting with Manitoba Hydro CEO Kelvin Shepherd.

"After three days of negotiating with Manitoba Hydro's CEO we came to an agreement and the overall outcome is a renewed commitment to work closely together and rebuild our relationship." Spence told CBC on Sunday

Spence said both sides have since signed anew agreement whichincludes more meetings and better communication with Manitoba Hydro about on-going projects in the community.

"It's really to work more closely with us on some of the terms and conditions of past agreements." he said.

Spencealsosaid hydro officials have apologized and are stillinvestigating the incident.

• Fox Lake Cree Nation blocks road access to 3 Hydro sites

A hydro official said Thursday that the Crown corporation takes the matter seriously and is in the process of mounting its own investigation into how the ceremonial site was damaged.