Kristen Villebrun and Wendy Bush hoped they wouldn't have to pray for Chedoke Creek, but four years after they first raised alarm about the water's condition, they were part of an Indigenous full moon ceremony to do just that. About 50 people showed up near Princess Point on the dark and frigid Monday evening for the monthly ceremony, which was particularly special as it focused on Chedoke Creek. The body of water that runs into Cootes Paradise had about 24 billion litres of sewage and storm water runoff leak into it due to a gate being left open.
Residents at a seniors' complex operated by Manitoba Housing in Beausejour have been without hot water for a week, forcing people with visual and mobility challenges to heat water on stoves, then haul it elsewhere to wash themselves. "There are some people here that have no other choice but to bathe in their apartment," said Pat Sayer, who lives in Armstrong Manor, a 21-unit assisted living and independent living complex in the southeastern Manitoba town.
