As the waters in nearby rivers begin to rise, Peguis First Nation, one of the largest Indigenous communities in Manitoba, is bracing for potential flooding. Residents have been advised to prepare for possible evacuation as the Fisher River is expected to overflow its banks in the coming days, a situation that could displace thousands.
Rising Waters and Evacuation Preparations
This week, the provincial government warned that the Fisher River, which borders Peguis First Nation, is likely to peak in levels between April 23 and 28, raising alarms among community leaders. Premier Wab Kinew noted the province is working closely with federal authorities to devise a long-term flood prevention strategy, but immediate concerns are taking precedence. “We’re focusing on getting through the worries for this spring,” he stated during an interview.
The situation is particularly dire as forecasts indicate that water levels could mirror the catastrophic flooding witnessed in 2014, which was marked by record rainfall across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Peguis First Nation leaders are preparing for similar conditions, with the potential for water levels to reach the severity experienced in 2022, when over 1,000 residents were evacuated and more than 700 homes were damaged.
Community Response and Support Efforts
With a population of around 10,246 and situated approximately 180 kilometres north of Winnipeg, Peguis First Nation has been actively mobilising resources to combat the flooding threat. The community has sought assistance from both provincial and federal governments, as well as local volunteers. A veteran-led humanitarian group, Team Rubicon, has been deployed, with 63 volunteers working diligently since Sunday.
Tim Kenney, the Chief Operations Officer for Team Rubicon, highlighted the strong sense of community spirit as volunteers engage in protective measures. “It’s been a real sense of community and certainly there’s a lot of teamwork going on,” he remarked. The volunteers are utilising heavy machinery to construct clay dikes and are laying down 6,000 sandbags, each weighing up to 20 kilograms, to safeguard homes.
Chief Stan Bird has indicated that the community is aiming to protect up to 225 homes from the impending floodwaters. Individual risk assessments are being conducted, with clay dikes allocated to high-risk properties while sandbags and flexible tiger tubes serve medium- and low-risk homes.
Historical Context and Legal Action
Peguis First Nation has a long history with flooding, having declared states of emergency twelve times since 2000 due to severe weather events. The community’s location along the Fisher River, combined with its low-lying terrain, has made it especially vulnerable to flooding.
In 2024, the First Nation initiated a $1 billion lawsuit against both the federal and provincial governments, citing negligence in failing to implement permanent flood-prevention infrastructure. A study commissioned in 2009 by the province suggested the construction of a dike along the Fisher River as the most economically viable solution, yet the community has expressed frustration over delays in executing this plan, which they argue has exacerbated their vulnerability.
During a recent visit