Hydro races to restore power to northern First Nation amid frigid temps Pimicikamak declares state of emergency after downed line cuts electricity Sunday night By: Erik Pindera Posted: 3:28 PM CST Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 Last Modified: 6:21 PM CST Monday, Dec. 29, 2025 Updates

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This article was published 29/12/2025 (276 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Pimicikamak Cree Nation declared a state of emergency Monday following a “widespread and ongoing power outage” that began late Sunday night — just hours before the mercury dipped to -32 C — and is expected to last until Wednesday night.

The outage in the community, about 750 kilometres north of Winnipeg, was reported at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, said Manitoba Hydro spokesman Peter Chura.

Hydro workers spotted a downed line over the Nelson River, in a remote area about 10 kilometres from the reserve, while looking for the problem during a helicopter flight Monday morning.

The Crown corporation said late Monday it estimates power will be restored by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, but only if it is able to fly a chopper during the repair mission.

The outage has affected homes, critical infrastructure and essential services, said Chief David Monias in a Facebook post on Monday afternoon.

“The loss of power poses a serious risk to the health and safety of our people.”

“The loss of power poses a serious risk to the health and safety of our people,” Monias wrote.

“Elders, children, families, and medically vulnerable individuals are being impacted by the inability to heat homes, preserve food and medications, access clean water, and maintain reliable communication and emergency services.”

About 1,300 customers, the bulk of the community, are without electricity, Hydro said.

Chura said local crews from Cross Lake are using heavy equipment to plow a road into the area so Hydro workers can gain access to the power line. The utility is assembling repair crews with specialized heavy equipment, who are expected to reach the area by mid-afternoon Tuesday.

Chura said crews should be able to begin preparatory work on Tuesday afternoon, but the line restoration won’t be able to begin until the sun comes up on Wednesday.

“This is the kind of work that has to be done in daylight, and weather permitting,” said Chura. “To get it done, to get it done safely and as soon as possible is always the goal.”

A helicopter is needed to help crews string about 300 metres of new line across the river, he said.

“(That) area of the river, because of the current, the ice is very thin; you can’t actually work on the river itself,” said Chura.

“To get it done, to get it done safely and as soon as possible is always the goal.”

The Hydro spokesman said the utility does not yet know what caused the break in the line, as workers have only seen it from the air.

Monias said Pimicikamak has opened warming and support centres as part of the state of emergency and is considering sending elderly or vulnerable people to hotels in Thompson.

It has also opened its public works building and nursing station to parents with babies.

Monias didn’t respond to an interview request, but in a social media comment later in the day, he said the council has been working to provide water, food and shelter to residents.

Pimicikamak has asked for “immediate assistance” from Hydro and the provincial and federal governments.

“Our nation expects an urgent and co-ordinated response. The safety and well-being of our citizens must be treated as a priority, not an afterthought,” wrote Monias.

“Pimicikamak will continue to take all necessary actions to protect our people until power is fully restored and the risk to public safety has been resolved.”

The Canadian Red Cross said it began providing support on Monday to evacuated residents on behalf of Indigenous Services Canada and at Pimicikamak’s request.

Support includes reception and registration services, emergency accommodation, meals, and other essential assistance at hotels in Thompson, said Red Cross spokesman Jason Small.

The humanitarian organization is shipping heaters and generators to assist residents, he said.

The support is provided through an agreement between the Red Cross and Indigenous Services Canada to support Manitoba First Nations, upon request, in responding to emergencies.

A provincial government spokesman said most of the response will be “local” and come from the federal government, but the province is aware of the situation and is standing by if additional help is required.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca

Erik Pindera
Reporter

Erik Pindera is a reporter for the Free Press, mostly focusing on crime and justice. The born-and-bred Winnipegger attended Red River College Polytechnic, wrote for the community newspaper in Kenora, Ont. and reported on television and radio in Winnipeg before joining the Free Press in 2020.  Read more about Erik.

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