Surveying the damage to homes needed after near weeklong power outage in Cross Lake: chief

Manitoba Hydro has fully restored power to a First Nations community in the dark since Sunday, but leaders say the community isn’t out of the woods yet. Joseph

After nearly a week before power was restored, Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias said this is not how his community planned on welcoming the new year.

Thousands of people are out of their homes in Winnipeg hotels, and others stayed behind to watch how severe temperatures wreaked havoc on their homes.

“The sad reality is that the predictions we had for leaks from pipes and all the faucets and all the damage from the cold are starting to show itself now in the community,” Monias said.

As of early Friday afternoon, Manitoba Hydro said in a news release that power is now fully restored to the northern First Nation after going down Sunday evening.

Monias said not everyone will be able to return home, as 1,300 homes in the community will need to be assessed for damages.

He said many members have sent in videos and photos showing water leaks and floods.

Monias said he’s calling on the federal government to help with the limited number of services available to restore the pipes.

“We have eight plumbers that are doing everything they can,” Monias said.

“We’re asking for engineers, we’re asking for plumbers, and additional people to come in and assess.”

In a statement Thursday to CTV News Winnipeg, a spokesperson from the federal government said, “Officials and non-governmental and Indigenous organizations on the ground are working together to support the community and respond to emerging needs.”

CTV News have reached out to Indigenous Services Canada for an additional response based on the restoration of power and what services can be expected to assist the community.

Shirley Robinson, executive council member with Pimicikamak Cree Nation, said it’s been a frantic time trying to help evacuees here in Winnipeg. She said more than 2,000 people have been evacuated from the First Nation, and it remains uncertain when people who left will be able to go back.

“We’re going to keep people here as much as possible at this moment in time, because right now we are in a crisis related to health and hazard safety,” Robinson said.

The community has welcomed food donations at this time, and Robinson is encouraging people to contact her directly to help evacuees who are still waiting to return.