Louis Riel School Division launches book drive for Berens River School after devastating fire

After a fire last month, one Winnipeg school division has stepped up to help Berens River School get back on its feet.

Louis Riel School Division launched a book drive on Wednesday to celebrate I Love to Read Month and collect new reading materials for the school.

An electrical fire tore through Berens River School in the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 27.

A night guard on scene noticed the school starting to fill up with smoke. A night guard noticed smoke filling the building, and although the local fire department responded quickly, the fire grew too large to control. The building was deemed a complete loss, with damages estimated at over $35 million.

In the meantime, between 26 and 27 portable classrooms are expected to be set up by April 2026 to keep students learning, while community spaces are also being utilized.

To help ease the pressure of replacing items lost in the fire, Louis Riel School Division will be collecting a variety of books.

“We are collecting new or gently used children’s books, middle years and young adult novels, Indigenous literature, activity books and graphic novels,” said the school division in a social media post. 

Donations can be dropped off at any Louis Riel School Division school until February 18.

“Let’s show our northern neighbours that they are not alone,” said the school division. “Your donation will mean more than you know.”