Manitoba pledges aid for Peguis First Nation

The Manitoba government is promising to provide help for the Peguis First Nation as the community struggles to deal with flooding of the Fisher River.

Premier Greg Selinger and Chief Glenn Hudson toured the community Friday.

Manitoba announced it will provide $1.5 million in funding to support efforts to deal with the flooding.

Steve Ashton, Manitoba's minister of emergency measures, said the money can be used for things such as flood tubes and pumps. He said the province hopes to recover the money from the federal government.

The province also made a commitment to work with the community on some form of permanent flood protection.

A spokesperson from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada told CBC News Friday that the federal government department was willing to work with the community and province on flood prevention measures.

Manitoba chiefs have complained their communities are bearing the brunt of flood-related damage because they do not have the resources to build dikes or implement other measures to protect reserves.

About 642 people from the Peguis First Nation were forced to leave their homes because of flooding. About 509 people have left for Winnipeg where they are staying in hotels. 133 people are staying with relatives still in Peguis.