Wawakapewin FN – There is a bit of positive news in the ongoing efforts to get a generator into Wawakapewin First Nation.
The two generators in the remote northern Ontario First Nation failed, and efforts by a growing team of leaders from the First Nation, the surrounding First Nations, the Ontario Regional Chief, and governments at the federal and provincial levels were called into action.
On 26 December 2017, the Province of Ontario submitted a request for federal assistance following a state of emergency in the remote First Nation community of Wawakapewin. The emergency was caused by the failure of two local generators, which the community relies on for electricity and the operation of their water treatment plant.
The Canadian Armed Forces, in partnership with other government departments, are assisting the Wawakapewin First Nation by providing helicopter airlift by a CH-147F Chinook helicopter from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron based at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa to transport a replacement generator to the community from Pickle Lake.
The military has also deployed members of the 3 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group to assist the community with a variety of tasks such as delivery of supplies, transporting community members to warming stations, visiting residents to ensure they are safe, siting helicopter landing zones and refueling generators.