The community does not have a road network that allows delivery by truck at all times. And only small planes can get to Poplar River due to the narrow airstrip.
An explosion on the MV Poplar River barge in early May therefore left the community, located on Lake Winnipeg, 350 kilometers from the Manitoba capital, somewhat isolated. She now has no means of transporting heavy and bulky items in or out of the storeroom.
This is a real test for our community
Chef Vera Mitchell told The Canadian News.
The best means of transport to the community is by plane, but it remains very limited since the airstrip is only suitable for aircraft that can accommodate nine passengers.
We cannot transport furniture, appliances, wood materials, gasoline and food shipments by air.
said Mitchell.
A road is open in winter, from January to March, but is not always passable due to bad weather. Therefore, it only offers a small window
to supply the community with gasoline, non-perishable food and household products, said Vera Mitchell.
Looking for alternatives
During the summer, the province still provides some form of water transportation
she says. A barge or service boat that the community can use for deliveries.
Since the explosion on the MV Poplar River, the community has been searching for solutions. She hopes to find some from the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (OCPED), the federal agency responsible for interprovincial and foreign trade in fish products.
It’s’Freshwater who owned and operated the barge. She is also the one who, in the past, bought fish from the Poplar River community for commercial purposes. For the moment, the nation has no news from the federal authorities, but also from those of the province.
We are really worried and we hope for government intervention. We need alternatives to bring in deliveries and to send our fish products
explained Vera Mitchell.
The community fears for its members who work in the fishing sector. Among the 1200 people who live in the reserve, 10% live from this activity. The next season, which is due to start in June, promises to be particularly difficult in the current circumstances.
It’s our livelihood, said Ms. Mitchell. We are looking for alternatives to transport our fish and receive our deliveries. It is the crisis.
A long term solution
According to Chief Vera Mitchell, the situation demonstrates the need to find a long-term solution to the transportation problem in her community.
It calls for the relocation of its airstrip, the establishment of a year-round road, and a boat transportation system on Lake Winnipeg.
Relocating the airstrip has been discussed for more than 20 years, Chief Mitchell said. In its current state, the runway would not be able to accommodate an ambulance jet in the event of an emergency. Runway deficiencies were mentioned as early as 1998 in a provincial aviation safety report.
A provincial spokesperson told The Canadian News that the relocation of the airstrip could take place in 2025-2026. Work to provide a better air link with the Poplar River Nation is expected to take about five years.
It’s disappointing because we still have to wait, Vera Mitchell laments. We are not a priority.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca