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A Public Education & Listening Tour Across Manitoba
Decisions about energy infrastructure, critical mineral development, transportation corridors, and Arctic shipping are being accelerated at a historic pace. These decisions impact our collective rights as Indigenous Peoples and will shape the future of Northern communities, waters, and ecosystems for generations.
Northern Manitoba is at a crossroads.
The Arctic Crossroads Public Education & Listening Tour is an Indigenous-led initiative in collaboration with Climate Reality created to ensure that Indigenous Nations, municipalities, and the public have access to independent information and meaningful dialogue about the choices before us.
At the centre of this conversation is a simple question:
During this era of truth and reconciliation, how do we build a future for northern communities that respects the United Nations Declaration On The Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) while protecting our waters and honouring our responsibilities to future generations?
The proposed expansion of northern infrastructure connected to the Port of Churchill must be understood in the context of the larger picture. It includes discussions around fossil fuel export infrastructure, LNG and other fossil fuel development, pipelines, increased shipping through Hudson Bay, and critical mineral supply chains connected to projects such as Ontario's Ring of Fire.
These developments raise important questions about the serious threat that climate change and unchecked development pose to biodiversity, Indigenous jurisdiction, economic opportunity, and the long-term health of northern ecosystems and the Peoples who depend on them for their livelihoods.
The Churchill River estuary and western Hudson Bay beluga habitat represent one of the world's most important marine ecosystems. For Indigenous peoples, these waters are not only environmentally significant—they are living territories connected to culture, food systems, knowledge, and responsibilities passed down through generations.
Speakers
Beluga populations and marine biodiversity
Climate impacts in a rapidly changing Arctic
Indigenous harvesting rights and cultural practices
Emergency response capacity in remote northern waters
The cumulative effects of industrial development
Aboriginal and Treaty Rights of Indigenous Peoples
Any increase in industrial activity, including shipping and energy infrastructure, must consider potential impacts on:
Militarization, Geopolitics, Fossil Fuel, Critical Minerals and Climate Wars
The future of the Arctic is not only about access, trade, or resources. It is also about relationships, responsibilities, and the protection of the living systems that sustain us all.
Through this province-wide tour, Indigenous leaders, knowledge holders, researchers, and experts will create space for Manitobans to better understand the complex choices facing the North.
Building a pipeline to ship LNG through the Port of Churchill would have devastating impacts, enriching oil and gas corporations while Manitobans face the risks. Sign the petition to Premier Kinew saying no to building a fossil fuel pipeline to Churchill!
In the Media
Ramon Mahegkan Kataquapit
Attawapiskat First Nation, Founder of Okiniwak
For generations, my family and community have faced the brunt end of assimilation, abuse and control. Understanding the boxes we’ve been dealt, re-affirms my purpose in this life: To stand and play my part to give space for the people, the land, the water- and especially for our youth, those who will inherit our legacy, and march the good path forward.
Drew Harris
Wet’suwet’en and Gitxsan, belonging to Laksilyu desta C’inegh lha yihk (small frog clan, house of many eyes)
I’m travelling from the Witsuwit’en and Gitxsan territories to build connections and relations with our neighbours and allies across so-called Canada. It’s important to share and build networks to support one another in the face of the ongoing colonial resource extraction and destruction of our homelands. Connecting our territories through shared stories helps us stand tall together, uplift our ancestral laws and honour the work of our ancestors and those to come.
Our Partners
Climate Action Team Manitoba
Climate Action Team Manitoba
