Collaborative Leadership Initiative (Lake Winnipeg Basin)
April 1, 2018 – March 31, 2019
The Winnipeg Metropolitan Region and South Basin of Lake Winnipeg (17 municipalities) and the City of Winnipeg, the traditional, TLE and reserve territories of three dozen First Nations, and part of the traditional homeland of the Metis Nation: This region includes 65% of the population and 70% of the GDP of Manitoba. This region is immediately upstream of Lake Winnipeg and decisions made (or not made) by decision-makers in this region directly affect the health and sustainability of Lake Winnipeg.
Manitoba has a long history of multi-stakeholder initiatives that try to address the challenges facing Lake Winnipeg, however, these have had varying levels of success. The main reason for this is that they are often project or event focused and they incorporate all perspectives without acknowledging the difference between the roles of "decision-makers" and "influencers" (like NGO's). Frequently, intractable discussions ensue and little progress is made.
This collaborative process initiative is about governance and reconciliation. It is about the relationships between those at the ground level who have responsibility for decisions that affect Lake Winnipeg. To improve outcomes for Lake Winnipeg, people who have direct decision-making authority need to work together with laser focus on issues of common concern. Governance tables can, should, and this one will reach out to and work with multi-stakeholder initiatives which can support the work of the table.
This initiative also works to meet broader political and legal commitments to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. Both of these call for the direct and ongoing collaboration with Indigenous peoples in the governance of Canada at the national, regional and local levels.
This initiative also works to meet broader political and legal commitments to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action. Both of these call for the direct and ongoing collaboration with Indigenous peoples in the governance of Canada at the national, regional and local levels.