School roof collapses on northern Manitoba First Nation

A remote northern Manitoba First Nation that declared a state of emergency last month following the deaths ofthree people is now facing another challenge.

The roof of the Thunderbird School inO-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation collapsed over the Easter weekend.

The weight of heavy, wet snow proved to be too much for the roof,saysa news release fromManitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, a political advocacy group thatrepresents26 First Nations innorthernManitoba

Engineers are expected to be in the communityat South Indian Lake, about130 kilometres northwest of Thompson,on Tuesday to assess the damage.

Shirley Ducharme, the chief of O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, says the news of the roof's collapse didn't surprise her.

The building was almost 50 years oldand was a wood structure, making it prone to mildew, mould and rot, Chief Ducharme told CBC Manitoba Up to Speed Host Faith Fundal.

"As a First Nation we've been advocating for a new school," she said."There's been a lot of concerns regarding structural concerns over the past years."

In recent years the school had undergone extensive repairs asthe walls had cracks in them, some of the support columns had been replaced and there had been a washout which had temporarily shut the school down.

Most recently in the fall while replacing the flooring,mould was found in the walls and asbestos in the tiles.

Wheels were already in motion to get a new school for the community but disagreements with the federal government about location have stunted the process, Ducharme said.

According to Ducharme the government says putting a water line in the area chosen by the community would be too expensive.

"We're trying to reason with them to look into the future and help our nation," She said.

"We're saying it's only going to benefit us as a community. We don't have running water, so these other homes can be hooked up."

It is not known how long the community will be without a school orhow much repairs will cost.

Freezing rain is forecastfor the area this week, which could further damage the school, the release says.