Ottawa helps First Nations cut off by thawed roads
Last Updated: Friday, March 19, 2010 | 3:02 PM CT
CBC News
The federal government will help Manitoba reserves cut off by the early closure of northern winter roads, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced.
A convoy of semi-trailer units hauling pre-fabirctaed homes was stalled after being mired in mud near the Lawford River crossing. (RCMP)At a stop in Brandon Friday, Harper said officials with the department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) will be given money to airlift badly needed goods to the isolated reserves.
At least 16 Manitoba First Nations have now declared a state of emergency after mild temperatures for most of the past 10 days turned the once-frozen seasonal roads into a muddy mess.
The situation has left communities with dwindling food, fuel and building supplies, said Manitoba Assembly of First Nations Grand Chief Ron Evans.
The reserves need permanent, all-season roads to ensure they don't end up in this situation year after year, he added.
The province's 2,200-kilometre winter road system serves northern and remote communities cut off from the rest of the province during the rest of the year.
A helicopter has been used to rescue stranded truckers from mud on formerly frozen roads. (RCMP)The roads cross frozen muskeg, lakes, rivers and creeks to enable ground transportation. That makes it possible for communities to stock up on a year's worth of supplies, such as food, fuel and construction materials.
Usually, the roads would be open for about eight weeks over the season but this year they were open for less than a month.
Mild weather delayed their start and a warmer-than-usual spring has deteriorated ice conditions, prompting the provincial government to declare the road system closed as of 12:01 a.m. on March 16.
However, people have continued to use the roads to get the supplies that haven't yet arrived.
Many people and long-haul truckers have become stranded at various places along the road network.
The RCMP have chartered a helicopter to rescue a number of people this week.
Evans said a special crisis committee of various aboriginal groups and politicians will be meeting every other day, starting Monday, until the situation has improved.
In the meantime, Evans is urging people to stop putting their lives at risk by using the roads.
With files from The Canadian Press
