Six months since being relocated to a long-term care facility far from his family, Jimmy Spence remains hopeful that his time as an evacuee is coming to an end. Expressing his longing for his northern home, the 85-year-old is among 21 residents who have been residing in a Winnipeg care facility following their evacuation from Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation due to wildfires in July 2025.
The care home residents, including individuals with dementia and cognitive impairments, were part of a larger evacuation of vulnerable residents from the community, located approximately 660 kilometers northwest of Winnipeg, due to heavy smoke from wildfires. While additional residents were evacuated in August, most were able to return later that same month.
Initially anticipated to be a short stay until air quality improved, the care home residents now face an extended period away from home as the facility requires significant repairs. Jessie Horodecki, the care home’s executive director, expects the repairs to be completed within the next six weeks, allowing residents to return before the end of February.
Chief Angela Levasseur of Nisichawayasihk mentioned that the facility’s deteriorating condition, exacerbated by power outages during the wildfires, necessitated repairs, particularly to the damaged floor caused by a malfunctioning cooler. Levasseur stressed the importance of ensuring a safe environment for residents before their return.
Despite the challenges of being away from their community, the care home has strived to create a familiar environment for the seniors in Winnipeg, offering familiar routines and language support. While the evacuation has provided some advantages such as improved access to healthcare services, the residents eagerly await their return home.
Funding for repairs to the care home has been a point of contention, with the responsibility shifting between provincial and federal authorities. Indigenous Services Canada is providing financial support for repairs and the evacuees’ stay in Winnipeg. Plans are in motion to facilitate the residents’ return, including arranging medevacs for the most vulnerable individuals.
While the wait continues, Horodecki emphasized the residents’ eagerness to return home once it is safe to do so. The seniors, separated from their families for an extended period, express a strong desire to reunite with loved ones and resume their lives in Nisichawayasihk.