Pimicikamak Cree Nation Evacuees Face Uncertain Return Despite Power Restoration

The Pimicikamak Cree Nation is dealing with damage to homes after a four-day power outage. Thousands of residents are unsure when they can return to their community.

This northern Manitoba First Nation was evacuated last week when a power line snapped, leaving residents without heat in extreme cold temperatures below –20 C. Manitoba Hydro repaired the power line and restored electricity on Friday. However, many homes became unsafe due to damage to water and electrical systems during the outage.

Chief David Monias stated that the evacuation will continue indefinitely due to the damage and a shortage of essential supplies, including fuel. “We are asking people to stay out at their hotels until we can safely return you home,” he said on social media. He warned that returning home would be at the residents’ own risk.

Pimicikamak is assessing homes to determine repair needs, but only about 200 of the over 1,300 residences have been checked, according to band Coun. Shirley Robinson. “It’s overwhelming right now,” she said. “We haven’t had any help arrive yet in our nation.”

Health concerns, including a lack of potable water, forced at least 150 more residents to evacuate by noon on Sunday. The community’s water treatment plant was also damaged during the power outage. Robinson mentioned that around 100 others were expected to be evacuated by the end of the weekend.

“This is not going to stop,” Robinson said. “Things are being currently looked at in ensuring the infants are out, the elders are out, the vulnerable are out.”

At a hotel in Winnipeg, evacuees are eager to know when they can return home, but that date is not yet determined. “I wish I could have that answer because when I’m listening to the elders here crying asking when they can go home,” Robinson said. “We’re trying to get them there.”

Kelson Monias, an evacuated father of two, has been monitoring the damage through social media. He described seeing videos of water pouring from burst pipes and flooding homes. He noted that some residences burned after residents used wood stoves during the outage.

“It’s sad. I just feel for the people that lost their homes,” he said. Monias evacuated last week when his generator could not keep his family warm. He expressed gratitude for a place to sleep but mentioned the toll on his children, who have been evacuated twice since summer.

“The situation right now is hard. The kids aren’t eating what the staff are cooking,” he said. “I only brought like three pairs of clothes for myself; it’s pretty rough right now … we really didn’t know that was going to happen.”

Robinson noted that many evacuees left home with only a few belongings. Pimicikamak is working to provide clothing and hygiene products. “We’re also looking at getting programs in place for our people to ensure that we look after their mental health at the same time,” she said. “All our people deserve to be looked after.”