Chief says he was behind legal threat over boats being allowed on Clear Lake

CLEAR LAKE — The chief of a western Manitoba First Nation is taking responsibility for the boat ban at Clear Lake last summer, saying he threatened Parks Canada with legal action if motorboats were allowed back this year.

Chief Dwayne Sonny Blackbird of Keeseekoowenin told the Brandon Sun Friday he called an official at Riding Mountain National Park last spring and threatened to take action if boats were reintroduced.

The action came from his deep interest in the health of the lake, he said.

“It’s supposed to be protected for future generations,” Blackbird said. “And it doesn’t look like that. That’s why I’m here.”

The boat ban was issued shortly after his phone call, he said.

Parks Canada did not immediately comment on the chief’s claim when emailed on Friday. Management staff were