PIMICIKAMAK CREE NATION (Cross Lake, MB) – Specialized units from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are arriving today, Monday, January 12, to provide emergency relief to a Manitoba First Nation crippled by a devastating infrastructure failure.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Scale of the Emergency
The crisis began in late December 2025, when a prolonged power outage during a period of extreme cold led to the widespread freezing of essential services. The impact on the community of 8,000 residents has been severe:
- Infrastructure Damage: Over 1,300 homes suffered burst pipes and frozen water tanks.
- Mass Displacement: Roughly 4,000 people remain evacuated to Winnipeg and Thompson, unable to return to homes without running water or working sewage systems.
- Uninhabitable Housing: At least 35 residences have been deemed total losses due to extensive water and sewage damage.
Military Role and Objectives
Chief David Monias confirmed that a team from the Canadian Forces Joint Operational Support Group is taking the lead. Their mission is focused on technical restoration rather than general labor:
- Assessment: Experts will evaluate the structural integrity of the water treatment plant and main sewage lines.
- Specialized Repair: Military engineers, plumbers, and electricians will work to restore heat and water to critical community buildings.
- Logistics Management: The CAF will coordinate the massive influx of supplies and contractors needed to repair hundreds of individual homes simultaneously.
A Community Under Duress
“We have people who haven’t been home for months between the fires and now the pipes,” Monias stated. “The military brings the expertise we need to finally bring our people back.”
