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A standoff continues between a land developer and demonstrators fighting to conserve an area known as the Lemay Forest.
On one side, the landowner is moving forward with clearing trees to make way for development. While the other wants to preserve the area that they say is a significant cultural site.
“You can cut your tree in your yard right now if you want to,” said John Wintrup, Professional Planner working for landowner. “We had enough of the residents, we’ve had enough of this.”
Approximately 18 acres of privately owned land, historically used by Indigenous Peoples is slated for housing development, sparking concerns about its cultural and ecological significance.
The property owner’s representative stated through surveys there are potentially 3,000 unmarked graves and a cemetery linked to a Métis orphanage.
Tensions escalated on Wednesday, with developer Wintrup expressing frustration over attempts to bring landscaping equipment onto the land via city property. Access a judge had granted in the extension of an injunction on Monday.
“We asked them multiple times to move, we tried first with our heavy equipment tandem truck then we tried with a bobcat and a second time with a bobcat,” said Wintrup. “So we are not able to access the property this way.”
Demonstrators at a sacred fire requested police assistance to negotiate with Wintrup. While officers were present in the area, none directly responded to the scene.
Louise May, who grew up in the area and played in the forest as a child, said the demonstrators provided sufficient space for trucks and equipment, but remained firm that the sacred fire would not be moved.
May emphasized their commitment to saving the forest, even exploring potential legal action.
“20 years ago, we fought this it wasn’t able to be developed then for this exact same reason,” she explained. “Its not just that there are sacred grounds here and it has a precious eco-system.”
Wintrup stated that development plans include searching for unmarked graves, dedicating 15 to 20 per cent of the land for Indigenous cultural use, and maintaining permits for existing sweat lodges on-site.
Winnipeg City Councillor Russ Wyatt wants the land preserved; he plans on submitting a motion to the city, to be heard Monday, to expropriate it to create a new eco-regional city park.
If approved, expropriation proceedings could begin immediately to safeguard the forest.
“My hope the owner of the property hears this, ceases and assists from his decision to cut the trees down,” said Wyatt. “Which is somewhat spiteful in the fact he has not received a approval for development, in light that the city is not contemplation expropriation.”
“That’s a long legal process for city council to do,” said Wintrup. “By then I’m not sure how many trees are going got be on the property.”
“We are cutting away like the judge told us we could do.”
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