CIER is nearing completion of the Reducing the Risk of Ice Roads project, which launched in 2020.

Staff members from project partners CIER and NextGen have been working with community coordinators in St. Theresa Point Anisininew Nation (STPAN, and formerly St. Theresa Point First Nation) and Wasagamack First Nation (WAS) in the Island Lake region of Manitoba.

The Reducing the Risk of Ice Roads project was spurred on by the accelerated changes in the Island Lake itself, such as unpredictable melting and freezing events, that posed challenges for community members to travel the lake ice safely.  

The purpose of this project was to facilitate community mapping, surveying, and workshop hosting through community engagement sessions. These sessions will help the project staff better understand the history of the ice road, how it is currently used by community members, and which actions might be necessary to ensure safety for the community members during future ice road travel.

The Island Lake communities make up a network of four communities that rely on the winter ice road each year. The winter season is an important time for everyone in the Island Lake area, as they have a limited time to transport goods from the south, travel to neighbouring communities, set trap lines and ice fishing locations, and other essential activities that not only shape lives but also present opportunities for connections between the members of each community.

The project staff have made personal connections over the years to these communities. The team at CIER and all project partners continue to wish good health and fortune to the Island Lake communities.