York Factory First Nation declares state of emergency

In what leadership is calling a perfect storm of isolation, infrastructure failure, and worsening conditions on the ground, York Factory First Nation has declared a state of emergency after the community’s only ferry–a vital connection to the outside world–was shut down due to dangerously low water levels.

“If we were in fire range, it would be devastating–we couldn’t get out. Right now, the smaller boats are having a hard time getting across,” said Darryl Wastesicoot, the Chief of York Factory First Nation.

York Factory leadership says the crisis didn’t come out of nowhere. They’re pointing fingers at Manitoba Hydro’s nearby Keeyask Generating Station, claiming water is being held back, compounding the drought and leaving them stranded.

“We’ve asked Manitoba Hydro to renegotiate the PDC for when the water levels go low or high, as they only compensate us for when the water is high, we asked them, and they said no,” said Chief Wastesicoot.

In a statement, Manitoba Hydro says the issue is part of a wider drought across northern Manitoba. However, the Crown Corporation says it has agreements in place to compensate the First Nation and is helping with transportation.

“We have a lot of people to move, but we can’t do it in small boats. We asked Manitoba Hydro for more boats, and they said no, the shore is so long, and they don’t even provide us with docks,” said Chief Wastesicoot.

While the community has long fought to return to their ancestral homeland, they say the need for an all-weather road is now a matter of survival.

“The immediate need right now is to get food and medicines into the community, people who need medical aid out of the community, but the long-term solution is an all-weather road,” explained Walter Wastesicoot, Grand Chief of the Sky Nations Grand Council.

Grand Chief Kyra Wilson, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, adds, “This shouldn’t even be an ask, this should be a given, an obligation, because the money that would build that road is coming directly from the lands are resources from the nations, this is not the province’s money.”

The province says it’s working with York Factory and the feds to get supplies in and is monitoring conditions to restart the ferry when safe. York Factory leadership also confirmed that a meeting with the premier is planned in the coming week; however, they need help now.