Public note:

August 30 2022 – Infrastructure Canada must determine whether the proposed Mistawasis Nehiyawak Community Center is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, Infrastructure Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website (https://iaac-aeic.gc.ca/050/evaluations/Protection?culture=en-CA).

Written comments must be submitted by September 29 2022 to:

Mackenzie Dopping, Environmental Review Officer, Infrastructure Canada

The Proposed Project

The project is the construction of a new community centre for the people of Mistawasis Nehiyawak, on the Mistawasis Indian Reserve No. 103. The ability to come together year-round in a cultural setting, is part of the healing process for Mistawasis membership. The new community centre will allow Elders, Chief, and Council, and others, to fulfil their traditional roles, something that is greatly inhibited at the present, especially for wakes. In addition to regaining the traditional ways and healing from past and present, the community centre will also be a platform for growth and evolution of Mistawasis where ideas about the future will be shared, voted on, and ratified by consensus and respectful discussion. There are few activities that any people undertake without the need for sheltered space, and Mistawasis is no different. This new building will be easy to spot for newcomers and the public visiting the Reserve for the first time, making it even more welcoming for those coming to enjoy the public programming Mistawasis intends to offer.

The new building will be located on farmland that is currently leased. The portion of land required for the new community centre will be designated for this use under the Mistawasis Land Code. Mistawasis is a signatory to the First Nation Land Management Act, with 'Operational' Status. Mistawasis has been self-governing under the FNLMA since 2017. The project will be the construction of a new community centre with an area of 1,480 m2, including gravel parking area and access road, and extension of the community's water, sewer, power, and gas infrastructure to support the new building. The farmland will only need to be graded to the extent required to ensure positive drainage away from and around the building. Excavation will be required for the crawlspace/basement underneath the building, and drilling of piles will be required.

The new building will be located on farmland that is currently leased. The portion of land required for the new community centre will be designated for this use under the Mistawasis Land Code. Mistawasis is a signatory to the First Nation Land Management Act, with 'Operational' Status. Mistawasis has been self-governing under the FNLMA since 2017. The project will be the construction of a new community centre with an area of 1,480 m2, including gravel parking area and access road, and extension of the community's water, sewer, power, and gas infrastructure to support the new building. The farmland will only need to be graded to the extent required to ensure positive drainage away from and around the building. Excavation will be required for the crawlspace/basement underneath the building, and drilling of piles will be required.

The project will not require vegetation clearing or works in water. It will require grading and excavation as part of the construction. All project work is taking place on federally owned land within Mistawasis Indian Reserve No. 103

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