Federal government urged to spend more on rural housing, connectivity, public safety

As harrowing wildfires encroach either side of his northern Manitoba community, the chief of Pimicikamak Cree Nation says his only option these days is to pray for some relief. David Monias has watched the air in his traditional territory mutate from tints of yellow to an ominous reddish brown over the last week. Beset by fires spreading from island to island near Cross Lake, he has waved goodbye to hundreds of Pimicikamak members fleeing on military planes, helicopters, ferries, buses and shuttles – including many of his own family.