PIKANGIKUM FIRST NATION – Alongside the city and town, Pikangikum First Nation faces deviations as flood water cause havoc to the roads.
With all roads washout leading in and out of the area. Transports with goods and services have no way to bring supplies to Pikangikum.
The flooding also threatens significant infrastructure like the water creeping into the local water supply contaminating the only source of clean drinking water.
Chief Dean Owen said, “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.”
Pikangikum’s Chief Owen and council, alongside the community’s Tribal Council Independent First Nation Alliance, are employing residents to be cautious and converse supplies as they work to mitigate potential risks to food, fuel, and water security.
The Independent First Nations Alliance has reached out to Indigenous Services Canada on behalf of the community for assistance before there is another costly and challenging evacuation.
As recently as last year, the community was displaced due to forest fires.
Chief and council, Independent First Nations Alliance, road contractors, water specialists, and Northern Store employees work with community residents to stay ahead of the ongoing situation.
