One month after fire, Shamattawa a 'ticking time bomb' without youth centre, says chief

The northern Manitoba community of Shamattawa remains in a state of crisis one month after a fire destroyed its band office and sole grocery store, says the community's chief, who is urging the federal government to help local leaders deal with youth arson and vandalism.

The Sept. 22 blaze, which is believed to have been started by a group of children, left the isolated First Nation community without its Northern grocery store as well as crippled the 911 service and radio station.

• Shamattawa declares state of emergency after fire destroys only grocery store, band office
• Boy, 12, charged with arson in Shamattawa
• Isolation, grief and arson: Why the people of Shamattawa want help for kids

A month later, Shamattawa is struggling to recover, said Chief Jeff Napaokesik, who wants more federal support as the community rebuilds — starting with funding for a new youth centre.

"I see my community as a ticking time bomb," he told CBC News.

"I don't want anything else bad to happen to our community, especially our youth. I want to hear a commitment from the federal government."

A 12-year-old boy has been charged with arson in connection with the fire. RCMP have said they believe five other children were also involved in starting the blaze, but they are under the age of 12 and are therefore too young to be charged.

The community has since cleaned up what is left of the band office and store, as well as cleared out pieces of metal and taken them to a recycling area outside the community.

"Now it's a wide-open area," Napaokesik said.

'I see nothing for them'

Over the last few weeks, the community has received food and other essential supplies from the Canadian Red Cross and other groups across the province.

Napaokesik said he appreciates the support of the federal Indigenous and Northern Affairs Department, which covered much of the Red Cross's relief efforts.

The North West Company has set up a temporary Northern store inside the recreation centre. It will be relocated into an old school gym building that should be renovated by the end of November, Napaokesik said.

• Temporary grocery store to open after Shamattawa fire, North West Company says
• 'Holler as loud as you can': 911 service in Shamattawa still down

As for the 911 service, it currently remains out of service but Napaokesik said that should be fixed in the coming weeks.

While Napaokesik said he is lobbying for a new grocery store, new band office and more housing, his top concern is the lack of a place for youth to gather, especially now that the recreation centre is currently housing the temporary grocery store.

"I see nothing for them," he said. "You know, if we don't have anything in there, they'll just go into mischief, vandalism."

Napaokesik said he spoke with Indigenous and Northern Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett after the fire, but he hopes to speak with her again.

"She's sorry that this had to happen to Shamattawa, but I'm still hoping I can meet with her and tell her what needs to be done here in Shamattawa," he said.