As water levels in local rivers continue to rise, Peguis First Nation, one of Manitoba’s largest Indigenous communities, is preparing for possible evacuations. Residents have been alerted to remain ready to leave at a moment’s notice, with the Fisher River projected to overflow its banks imminently. This community, situated approximately 180 kilometres north of Winnipeg, has endured 12 major floods since 2000, prompting repeated states of emergency.
Urgent Preparations Underway
The Manitoba government has issued a warning indicating that the Fisher River is likely to reach critical flood levels within days, potentially displacing thousands. In response, volunteers and contractors are actively constructing clay dikes and laying sandbags to fortify the community against the anticipated surge in water. Premier Wab Kinew stated that while efforts are focused on immediate flood prevention, the province is also collaborating with federal authorities to devise long-term solutions to mitigate flooding.
“We’re keeping an eye on the forecast,” Kinew remarked. “In the best-case scenario, we’re mounting a huge effort to prepare these communities, and perhaps the floodwaters won’t materialise or will be less severe than predicted.” However, he cautioned that forecasts suggest the flooding could rival the catastrophic levels seen in 2014, which marked one of the most severe flooding years in recent history for Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Community Response and Support
Community leaders are bracing for a repeat of the devastating flooding experienced in 2022, when over 1,000 residents were evacuated and more than 700 homes were destroyed. Peguis First Nation Chief Stan Bird revealed that preparations have been underway since last week, with requests for assistance sent to both federal and provincial governments. The response has included the deployment of 63 volunteers from Team Rubicon, a humanitarian organisation led by veterans.
Tim Kenney, Chief Operations Officer for Team Rubicon, noted the strong sense of community as volunteers engage in eight-hour shifts, utilising approximately 6,000 sandbags per house. Each sandbag, weighing up to 20 kilograms, is being strategically placed to protect up to 225 homes from flooding. Heavy machinery is also being employed to construct clay dikes, while flexible prefabricated pipes, known as tiger tubes, are being positioned to create barriers.
Long-term Flood Mitigation Efforts
The history of flooding in Peguis First Nation has led to increased scrutiny regarding the adequacy of flood prevention infrastructure. In 2024, the community initiated a $1 billion lawsuit against the federal and provincial governments, alleging negligence in failing to provide permanent flood-prevention measures.
In 2009, a study commissioned by the province identified the construction of a dike along the Fisher River corridor as the most viable solution for flood prevention. However, Peguis leaders have expressed frustration over delays in implementing the recommendations from the AECOM report, which they argue has hindered meaningful solutions to the ongoing flooding crisis.
During a recent visit to Ottawa, Premier Kinew discussed the urgent need for both immediate relief and future support with federal officials, including Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski. “Climate change is real,” he stated. “We’re past the era of predicting climate change; we are now in the period of mitigating and accommodating the effects of global warming.”
Why it Matters
The plight of Peguis First Nation underscores the devastating impact of climate change on vulnerable communities. As rising water levels threaten homes and livelihoods, the ongoing struggle for adequate flood mitigation measures highlights the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure investment. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Indigenous communities in Canada, advocating for both immediate action and long-term solutions to ensure their safety and resilience in the face of environmental challenges.