Following up on a story we published Dec. 22, 2011, the WinnipegFreePress tells MHProNews.com nearly a year after floods forced several thousand First Nation Manitoba, Canada, residents from their homes, 2,255 people continue to live in hotels in Winnipeg or with family and friends. The government pays the evacuees for food and housing, and has shelled out over $40 million to date. Although the government has purchased 120 modular homes and 53 families have been approved to occupy the units near Gypsumville as a temporary solution, the first five families are just now preparing to move in this week. Eric Robinson, Manitoba Aboriginal Affairs Minister, says there has never been a plan to address the ongoing flood problem. Seven different tribes are involved, and most of their homes are either still flooded or damaged beyond repair.

(Photo credit: Mike Deal/WinnipegFreePress)