An urgent situation has unfolded in a northern Manitoba First Nation as a power outage persists, leaving the community in cold and darkness for three days. Cross Lake/Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias has raised alarms about the dire state of essential services, with water shortages, frozen pipes, failed sewage systems, and homes without heat or electricity. The community is facing a community-wide emergency, with plummeting temperatures and safety risks increasing.
Despite efforts to restore services, challenges persist, prompting some community members to evacuate to neighboring cities like Winnipeg. The situation has highlighted a need for immediate assistance and resources to support those affected by the power outage.
As the community grapples with the ongoing crisis, Chief Monias and the band council are urging authorities to declare a provincial state of emergency and calling for support from Indigenous Services Canada. The need for adequate resources, clear timelines, and accountability from Manitoba Hydro has become paramount in addressing the escalating emergency.