THUNDER BAY – NEWS – Pikangikum First Nation is currently facing significant increases in water levels. The road to the Northern Store, which is the community’s sole source of food, has been washed out. The flooding also threatens major infrastructure, which could potentially impact access to clean drinking water.
Minister Patty Hajdu, the Indigenous Services Minister says that the Government of Canada will be there.
Pikangikum’s Chief Dean Owen and Council, alongside the community’s Tribal Council Independent First Nation Alliance (IFNA), 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 (ISC) on behalf of the community for assistance to help avoid another costly, challenging evacuation. As recently as last year, the community was 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.
