Military will get to Manitoba First Nation dealing with water issues on Monday: chief

By: The Canadian Press Posted: 1:16 PM CST Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 Last Modified: 9:49 AM CST Monday, Jan. 12, 2026

PIMICIKAMAK - The chief of a Manitoba First Nation in the throes of severe water issues, including flooding and backed-up sewage, says seven members of the Canadian Armed Forces are to arrive in his northern community on Monday.

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PIMICIKAMAK – The chief of a Manitoba First Nation in the throes of severe water issues, including flooding and backed-up sewage, says seven members of the Canadian Armed Forces are to arrive in his northern community on Monday.

Pimicikamak Cree Nation Chief David Monias says in a social media post that members are to provide technical assistance, assessments and support related to critical infrastructure and recovery operations.

He says plumbers and other workers are also arriving to help with the water and electrical issues, but the community is having a tough time finding them adequate washrooms and shower facilities.

Crews work to fix a water main break in front of a home on the Pimicikamak Cree Nation, Man., on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

He says some workers already in the community about 500 kilometres north of Winnipeg are also getting sick due to the lack of clean water.

Monias originally said eight CAF members would be arriving, but he and the Armed Forces later said the number was seven.

The community learned early this month that a days-long power outage had left its homes and other buildings with frozen water systems, sewer backups, electrical issues and burst pipes.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 11, 2026.

Note to readers:This is a corrected story. An earlier version said eight members of the Canadian Armed Forces will arrive in Pimicikamak Cree Nation on Monday. CAF and the First Nation’s chief later said seven members are helping the First Nation.