Increasingly high water levels are now threatening Pikangikum First Nation.
The road to the Northern Store, which is the community’s sole source of food, has been washed out and the flooding also threatens major infrastructure, which could potentially impact access to clean drinking water.
Chief Dean Owen and Council, alongside the community’s Tribal Council Independent First Nation Alliance, are employing an abundance of caution as they work to mitigate potential risks to food, fuel, and water security.
IFNA has reached out to Indigenous Services Canada on behalf of the community for assistance to help avoid another costly, challenging evacuation.
As recently as last year, residents of Pikangikum were displaced due to forest fires.
Chief Owen speaks to the current situation, “We are all currently on the ground working hard to manage the situation before it turns into a crisis to avoid another
evacuation, which is why we reached out to our government partners.”
Chief and Council, IFNA, road contractors, water specialists, and Northern Store employees are all working with community residents to stay ahead of the ongoing
situation.
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