First Nations communities lose electricity

Montreal Gazette
States of emergency declared in two places
By REBECCA LINDELL

Two First Nations communities in northern Quebec have declared states of emergency after being without power for 24 hours.

Chisasibi First Nation, located on James Bay, has no power to provide heat or electricity for its 4,000 residents, Chief Abraham Rupert told Global News. Temperatures are hovering around minus-30C with the wind chill factor.

Abraham said some community members have wood stoves, but others are stuck in the cold. The band council has opened the doors of public buildings with emergency generators, but doesn't have enough blankets and beds for the displaced residents.

A team of individuals is also cutting wood for the community.

"We are doing the best we can," said Rupert.

The hospital too is running on backup power, but it isn't enough for the entire building.

Rupert said the band council decided to call a state of emergency because the power has never been out this long before and people have nowhere to go.

"It is getting cold and we have people like the elderly and young children, and there are a good number of people who don't have woodstoves in their homes," Rupert said.

Propane supplies needed for cooking are also dwindling. The silver lining is that, unlike Attawapiskat, Chisasibi has adequate housing.

Rupert said he has notified Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada and they said they would send beds, blankets and propane supplies for the emergency shelters.

Wemindji First Nation, located south of Chisasibi, has also declared a state of emergency after losing power at 9 a.m. on Monday.

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