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Hydroelectric development in Easterville, Chemawawin began in 1962. By the early 1960s a new era began to emerge in Northern Manitoba with the development of hydroelectric projects. In 1962 the government of Manitoba contacted the Chemawawin Cree Nation asking them to surrender their lands so that the Grand Rapids Dam could be constructed. Subsequent flooding of the land that belonged to the Chemawawin people meant relocating them to Easterville, Manitoba. The Grand Rapids Forebay Administration Committee, or Forebay Committee for short, sent what is known as the "Letter of intent" or "Forebay Agreement" to the Chemawawin community stipulating a number of promises to them should they decide to relocate. Ultimately the Chemawawin people relocated to Easterville and continue to live there today. The agreements made between the government of Manitoba and the Chemawawin Indian Band are highly disputed in terms of whether the agreements were fulfilled.