Currents of Change: Hydroelectric Development and Its Effects on Miawpukek First Nation’s Lands, Waters, and Ways of Life

Abstract

This research examines the ecological and cultural consequences that hydroelectric development in the Bay D’Espoir (the Bay), Newfoundland, has on Miawpukek First Nation (MFN). By exploring ecological disruptions to water and land alongside the impacts on MFN’s cultural practices, values and governance, this study seeks to understand the extent to which Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro’s (NL Hydro) hydroelectric project reflects a systemic failure to consult with Indigenous communities and highlights the urgent need for proper Indigenous recognition, the implementation of co-governance systems, and for environmental accountability; all of which contribute to true reconciliation. Using a mixed methods approach that includes a literature review and semi-structured interviews, this research highlights how the absence of recognized Aboriginal rights, Treaty rights, and Aboriginal title for MFN has limited opportunities for meaningful consultation and influence over development decisions. The findings reveal substantial ecological alterations to the Bay’s watershed since hydroelectric development – including reduced access to traditional lands and the decline of culturally significant species – which have collectively forced MFN to move away from several traditional practices. This study also identifies promising models for improvements by drawing on the successes of provincial and territorial implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), where Indigenous governance is increasingly woven into environmental management. Ultimately, this research calls upon the federal government to revisit its hesitancy in legally recognizing MFN through Aboriginal rights, Treaty rights, and Aboriginal title, and for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) to formally adopt UNDRIP into legislation, to update its Aboriginal Consultation Policy on Land and Resource Development Decisions, and implement frameworks of co-development, co-governance, and co-management that uphold Indigenous authority, knowledge, and stewardship. Through these measures, the province can foster more equitable, accountable, and sustainable decisions as it relates to development in Indigenous territory moving forward.