Here’s what life looks like when you have no heat, electricity and it’s freezing cold outside – CBC

Jan 22, 2026

Lori Osborne’s photos detail life in Pimicikamak Cree Nation during days-long power outage

This First Person article is the experience of Lori Osborne, a mother of four from Pimicikamak Cree Nation. For more information about CBC’s First Person stories, please see this FAQ. You can read more First Person articles here.

Late in the night on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, a power line that serviced the northern Manitoba community of Pimicikamak Cree Nation, about 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg, snapped. It left residents without heat for several days, in extreme cold temperatures that dropped well below –20 C.

Lori Osborne spent those days photo-documenting the family’s efforts to keep each other safe, sound and warm.

Here’s what life looks like when you have no heat, electricity and it’s freezing cold outside – CBC

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