[4] In April 2008, Chief Eli Mandamin complained that the sewage treatment plant built for the Shoal Lake 39 community in 2000 had no running water to help maintain cleanliness, and that other problems with the plant could lead to a complete shut-down, resulting in raw sewage entering the lake from which Winnipeg has been drawing its drinking water since 1919.
[6] In June 2009, Chief Mandamin and some community members demonstrated on Trans-Canada Highway 17 near their home reserve, to show their grievances with a highway-twinning project planned by the Ontario government.
The leaders of the band threatened to cut off the Winnipeg water supply by blocking the aquatic entrance to Shoal Lake.
[8] The neighboring Shoal Lake 40 First Nation stated that they were not willing to take such drastic measures in achieving their objectives, before negotiating with various levels of government.
In a legal petition filed on 14 March 2012, the First Nation asked the court to set aside a December 2011 decision by the City of Winnipeg to enter into service-sharing agreements, including one nearing completion with West St. Paul.