Many of the over 250 people living on the reserve at Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, Manitoba were scrambling to find a way home yesterday as their physical access to the outside world froze over.
At 9 a.m. Friday, Chief Erwin Redsky announced the barge that connects residents to the city for essentials like groceries and fresh water, was set to shut down at 9 p.m. because of the cold weather conditions.
However, just over two hours later, the barge broke down and a mechanic was called in. Leaving the many residents that had quickly left to get the essentials, trapped, away from home, in the cold, and without their medication.
The community was told it would take four days to get the part needed to fix the barge and most could not wait that long away from home and with nowhere to go.
“That barge is our access to the outside world from the community over here,” said Linda Redsky, who was left scrambling along with her asthmatic grand daughter and nephew.
Redsky said her grand daughter was left without her inhaler and was having trouble breathing.
Chief Erwin Redsky said boats were put in the water to help brings residents back home, but they had to push through adverse frozen conditions in the water that were extremely dangerous. Boats went back and forth until nearly 3:30 Saturday morning.
Linda Redsky said for some, it was necessary to get home immediately and they chanced it on the thin, dangerous ice.
“People tried to get home they got no other place to go. So, they chance it when they go out on the ice. We had one woman going out and putting pop bottles on the ice to try and mark a trail where people can walk,” said Linda Redsky.
The chief said this is not the first break down of the barge and it is an extremely expensive burden for the community to carry on their shoulders. While the government did step in to help when it broke down last time, the chief said a more permanent solution is necessary and he wants to see the road promised to connect the community to the city built.
“This barge ferry is extremely expensive to operate and maintain. It’s just on-going issues with this aging ferry,” said Chief Redsky.
Global News has tried to contact Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett for comment.
Chief Redsky said he will be in Winnipeg on Monday morning at city hall for an annual meeting in which he will bring the barge and future road front and centre in to the discussion with all the levels of government present.
“We need action and a shovel on the ground,” said Chief Redsky.
He said his community can’t wait any longer.
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