Key Takeaways
- The 1974 flood prompted the largest evacuation in Manitoba’s history, with over 1,000 residents of Peguis First Nation and Fisher River Cree Nation airlifted to safety.
- Elderly community members continue to play an active role in flood‑preparation efforts, despite growing fatigue.
- Personal accounts, such as that of 72‑year‑old Melvin Spence, illustrate the recurring nature of flooding and its health impacts, including mould‑related respiratory issues.
- Volunteers from Team Rubicon Canada, the Canadian Red Cross, and GlobalMedic are providing sandbagging equipment, protective gear, and warming tents to bolster local defenses.
- “Super sandbags”—large cloth bags filled with sand—are being used to construct dikes that exceed anticipated water levels around vulnerable homes.
- Indigenous Services Canada and the provincial government are collaborating with Peguis and Fisher River Cree Nation to explore longer‑term solutions to chronic flooding.
- Neighboring regions, such as the Parkland area, face heightened overland‑flood risk due to rapid snowmelt following heavy snowfalls and rain.
- Community resilience remains strong, with residents emphasizing hope and collective action even as they endure repeated displacement and property loss.
Historical Context of the 1974 Evacuations
The spring of 1974 saw virtually every river in southern and central Manitoba overflow, triggering the province’s largest evacuation on record. According to the national disaster database, the operation began on a Friday when 30 residents of Peguis First Nation were driven to Gimli. By the weekend, deteriorating road conditions made travel “impossible,” prompting the deployment of thirteen helicopters. Over seven hours, these aircraft transported 1,039 people from Peguis and neighboring Fisher River Cree Nation to a temporary shelter at the old Gimli Air Force base. Local volunteers supplied food, clothing, and moral support, establishing a precedent for community‑led disaster response that continues to shape preparations today.
Melvin Spence’s Lifelong Experience with Flooding
Now 72 years old, Melvin Spence has lived through the 1974 evacuation and subsequent major floods in 1986, 2004, 2009, 2014, 2017, and 2022. Each event has forced him to rebuild barriers, most recently setting up sandbags around his home in anticipation of the 2024 runoff. Spence recounted that the 2022 flood inundated his basement by about a foot and a half, destroying belongings and exposing him to mould that triggered respiratory problems requiring inhalers. He has endured flooding in his residence roughly six times and currently lives in a house that has been condemned twice. His testimony underscores the cumulative physical, emotional, and financial toll of repeated inundation on long‑term residents.
Elderly Volunteers and Community Fatigue
Peguis Chief Stan Bird highlighted that, while volunteers and local contractors work around the clock to fortify the community, many elders are also contributing despite growing exhaustion. “Some of the older people that have stepped up, they’re getting tired. The grandmothers, you know, the grandfathers,” Bird noted. Their involvement reflects a deep cultural commitment to protecting kin and land, yet the sustained effort raises concerns about burnout among the senior population. Bird expressed confidence in the community’s resilience, stating, “Our people … they’re resilient. And despite what we face … there’s always hope. Our people have never given up hope.”
External Assistance: Canadian Red Cross and GlobalMedic
Recognizing the scale of the threat, the Canadian Red Cross deployed personnel and specialized technicians to Peguis, partnering with disaster‑relief charity GlobalMedic. The collaboration aims to deliver sandbagging equipment, flood barriers, rubber boots, and other protective gear. Additionally, warming tents are being established to provide shelter for volunteers and evacuees during cold nights. This external support amplifies local capacity, ensuring that volunteers have the tools needed to erect effective defenses while safeguarding their health and safety.
Team Rubicon’s Role and the “Super Sandbag” Technique
Team Rubicon Canada, a non‑profit veteran‑led organization, has mobilized more than 60 volunteers from across the country to assist Peguis. On Wednesday, the team was observed constructing a dikeline around a private residence using “super sandbags”—oversized cloth bags filled with sand that rise above the projected water level. James Sutton, Team Rubicon’s public information officer, explained the daily rhythm: each evening volunteers ask, “What’s our house for tomorrow?” and receive a specific address to protect. With over 200 homes identified as vulnerable, the group operates in 12‑hour shifts, focusing on immediate needs while maintaining readiness for the following day. Their mantra, “Our nose is to the grindstone,” captures the relentless, short‑term focus required to stay ahead of rising waters.
Government and Indigenous Services Involvement
Indigenous Services Canada confirmed that it is working closely with Peguis and Fisher River Cree Nation to identify longer‑term solutions to chronic flooding, acknowledging that short‑term measures like sandbagging cannot address underlying vulnerabilities. The provincial government has also indicated that it is exploring permanent fixes, emphasizing that the ultimate decision rests with the affected communities. Melvin Spence echoed a common sentiment when he said, “Hopefully the government tries to do something… because it’s over and over, over and over and over the same thing.” This highlights the community’s desire for structural interventions—such as improved drainage, levee upgrades, or land‑use planning—that could reduce the frequency and severity of future events.
Broader Regional FloodRisk: Parkland and Snowmelt Concerns
While Peguis prepares for the Interlake runoff, provincial warnings extend to the Parkland Region, where an elevated risk of overland flooding looms. Cold temperatures have temporarily slowed snowmelt, but a forecasted return to above‑zero temperatures early next week could trigger rapid runoff. Environment Canada had issued an alert predicting 10–20 cm of snow for the area, which ended Wednesday evening. Swan Valley West Reeve Bill Gade described sandbagging a few homes—a rare activity for the relatively sloped terrain—after a recent snowstorm left drifts exceeding two metres, complemented by an inch of overnight rain. Gade warned that additional snowfall could exacerbate access issues, forcing residents to dig out before addressing floodwaters, and urged households to stock five days’ worth of essential supplies.
Community Resilience and Hope Amid Adversity
Despite the looming threat, the prevailing narrative from Peguis residents is one of determination and hope. Elders continue to lend their strength, volunteers arrive from across the nation, and external agencies provide critical resources. The repeated cycles of evacuation and return have forged a tight‑knit network of mutual aid, where sharing food, clothing, and labor becomes second nature. While the physical toll—evidenced by mould‑related illness and damaged homes—is undeniable, the community’s collective spirit remains unbroken. As Chief Bird succinctly put it, hope persists because the people have never ceased to believe in a better outcome, even as they brace for the next surge of water.
Conclusion and Outlook
The current flood preparation effort in Peguis First Nation encapsulates a recurring pattern in Manitoba’s Interlake region: historic evacuations, personal stories of loss, intergenerational volunteerism, rapid mobilization of national and nonprofit aid, and ongoing dialogue with government bodies about long‑term mitigation. While immediate actions—such as erecting super sandbag dikes, distributing protective gear, and establishing warming shelters—are essential for safeguarding lives and property this spring, the underlying call from residents like Melvin Spence is clear: sustainable, community‑driven infrastructure solutions are needed to break the cycle of repeated displacement. Ensuring that elders are supported, that volunteers are not over‑exhausted, and that regional risks such as Parkland snowmelt are monitored will be pivotal in building a resilient future for all Manitoban communities facing the growing threat of flood‑related disasters.