Flooded out First Nation demands Manitoba government step up with help

Four years after being forced from their homes during the 2011 flood, hundreds of Little Saskatchewan First Nation residents are still waiting to go home.

On Tuesday afternoon, some of those evacuees — many of whom are living in Winnipeg — along with their chief and council members are holding a news conference to demand answers from the Manitoba government.

The province has promised to build 30-60 homes on drier ground, but there are more than 300 people who remain as evacuees. There are still no answers as to who will get access to those homes, and when, according to the First Nation.

The news conference is taking place at the Canad Inns Fort Garry on Pembina Highway. CBC News will update the story as soon as more information is available.

The Little Saskatchewan First Nation is also suing both the provincial and federal governments for $100 million each, according to statements of claim filed in April 2013.

The lawsuit claims the province operated flood control structures — namely the Portage Diversion, the Fairford Structure and the Shellmouth Dam — to save populated areas in southern Manitoba from major flooding.

However, the use of those structures artificially flooded First Nations in the Interlake region, including Little Saskatchewan, according to the statements of claim.