A state of emergency was declared by a remote northern Manitoba First Nation following a severe snowstorm that caused a power outage, leaving residents without heat and electricity. Marcel Moody, the deputy chief of Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, also known as Nelson House, stated that power went out in the community early Sunday morning and was still not restored by Tuesday evening.
The prolonged power outage posed significant challenges and frustrations for the community situated 655 kilometers north of Winnipeg, with around 3,000 on-reserve members. Moody highlighted that many residents rely solely on furnaces for heating as they lack wood stoves, leaving them with no means to warm their homes during the outage.
Ensuring the safety and comfort of the elders has been a major concern. Approximately 60 elders were transported from the community to Thompson city on Monday, where they are currently accommodated in hotels until the power is restored.
