Lake St. Martin residents continue to return home after being displaced in 2011. 

On Friday, the Honourable Jane Philpott, federal Minister of Indigenous Services, and the Honourable Eileen Clarke, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Relations in Manitoba, joined Lake St. Martin to mark the completion of 190 homes in a fully rebuilt community.

"Members of Lake St. Martin First Nation have demonstrated remarkable strength and resiliency in their efforts to rebuild their community," Philpott said in a statement. "I am pleased to see that these efforts are now reaching their final stages, with all work expected to be completed in just over a year from now."

The community has been moved and built above 2011 flood levels. Vital infrastructure has been completed, along with a public works garage, a fire hall, and water and sewage treatment facilities. The school is expected to be opened next month.

Lake St. Martin Chief and Council are working with the Canadian Red Cross to help residents who wish to return home.

"It's comforting to know some of our members have returned home," Chief Adrian Sinclair said in a statement. "However, we still have over 300 people waiting to return to our traditional lands. Much work, negotiations and planning must be done to see the next wave of members return home."

In November, the Province of Manitoba and the Canadian Government announced that 190 homes would be ready for occupation in late January 2018. On Friday, they announced another 130 homes would be completed by November 2019.