As the Pimicikamak Cree Nation grapples with repairing homes damaged by a prolonged power outage, uncertainty looms over the return of thousands of residents to their community. Last week, the northern Manitoba First Nation faced an emergency evacuation when a vital power line serving the area, situated approximately 530 kilometers north of Winnipeg, broke, plunging residents into sub-zero temperatures below -20 degrees Celsius without heating.
Manitoba Hydro successfully restored electricity on Friday following the repair of the downed power line. Nonetheless, the power outage led to homes becoming uninhabitable due to water and electrical system damages. These issues, compounded by a shortage of essential resources such as fuel, have compelled the First Nation to extend the evacuation indefinitely, as communicated by Chief David Monias on Sunday, urging residents to remain in their temporary accommodations until it is safe to return.
Efforts are underway in Pimicikamak to assess the extent of infrastructure damage and determine necessary home repairs. However, only a fraction of the community’s residences, approximately 200 out of over 1,300, have been inspected so far, as revealed by band Coun. Shirley Robinson in an interview with CBC News.
In addition to infrastructure challenges, health concerns, notably the lack of potable water due to damage to the community’s water treatment plant during the power outage, prompted the evacuation of at least 150 more residents by midday on Sunday. Robinson indicated that around 100 additional individuals were expected to be evacuated by the weekend’s end, emphasizing the ongoing focus on safeguarding vulnerable community members.
Kelson Monias, a father of two who was evacuated from Pimicikamak, expressed distress over witnessing the impact of burst pipes and home flooding in his community. He recounted incidents of homes catching fire after residents resorted to wood stoves during the outage. Monias highlighted the challenges faced by evacuees, including concerns about the water treatment plant’s condition and the strain on families, particularly children who have experienced multiple evacuations in recent months.
Robinson echoed the sentiment of many evacuees, emphasizing the emotional toll and logistical hardships of leaving with minimal belongings. Pimicikamak is striving to address these gaps by providing clothing, hygiene products, and mental health support to residents.
Despite restoration of power, the road to recovery for Pimicikamak remains arduous, with ongoing repairs required for plumbing and infrastructure issues. Efforts are underway to secure assistance from licensed plumbers and the Canadian Armed Forces to aid in the extensive repairs needed across numerous households in the community.
As the community navigates this challenging period, the support and coordination of various stakeholders, including government officials, community members, and volunteers like Paige Paupanakis, who are actively fundraising to alleviate residents’ financial burdens, are vital in the journey towards restoration and recovery.