Forty Days Without a Ferry: York Factory First Nation Demands Action from Manitoba

York Landing, Manitoba – Forty days have passed since Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation announced the seasonal closure of the ferry connecting Split Lake to York Landing, a critical lifeline for the York Factory First Nation. The ferry suspension, attributed to low water levels managed by Manitoba Hydro, has left the community isolated and scrambling to meet basic needs.

In a letter to provincial authorities on August 25, 2025, Chief Darryl Wastesicoot and Council posed pointed questions: “Where is the water? Where are the boats? Where are the planes?”

“Forty days later, Manitoba Hydro has only provided two small aluminum boats,” Wastesicoot said. “Meanwhile, three fully equipped patrol boats sit idle on Split Lake, unassigned to assist our community.”

Councillor Louisa Constant pointed out broken government promises. “On August 14, Premier Kinew assured the media that boats and charter aircraft would support York Factory First Nation. Eleven days later, there has been no action.”

The community also highlights a policy choice with profound consequences. “Since August 2, our request for Hydro to release water to raise Split Lake and restore ferry service has gone unanswered. The ferry is part of the provincial highway system, yet we are forced to rely on a School Boat to transport small numbers of passengers and groceries,” Wastesicoot said.

The Chief sharply criticized the province’s priorities. “Manitoba Hydro appears to be storing water for export sales to the United States, while Canadian communities, particularly First Nations, are left stranded. At a time when tariffs and trade policies emphasize defending Canadian interests, it is alarming that Manitoba seems more concerned with serving American markets than its own citizens.”

This crisis exposes a stark tension between economic expediency and the needs of isolated communities. For York Factory First Nation, the lack of action is more than inconvenience—it is a matter of survival, highlighting how government decisions, when misaligned with the well-being of its people, can leave even basic lifelines dangling.