The first nation of Kashechewan declared the state of emergency due to the threat of a spring flood which hangs over the community located on the coast of Bay James, in northern Ontario.
Kashechewan First Nation chief Hosea Wesley said on social networks that the evacuation of children, seniors and vulnerable residents would begin on Monday.
“Arrangements are currently made to help our vulnerable populations […]. Evacuation flights are being prepared and we can confirm that Timmins will welcome 250 people evacuated, ”says the declaration.
Evacuation Unfortunately part of their life
Almost every spring, Kashechewan is faced with floods which are due to the melting of ice on the Albany river.
Consequently, it programs a precautionary evacuation, during which hundreds of people are housed in hotel rooms in southern towns and villages.
The federal government has promised to move the entire community of 2,000 people to a new site by 2029.
According to Joseph Sayers, the acting director general of the company Isn Maskwa, an Aboriginal emergency agency that directs this week’s evacuation effort, the inhabitants of Kashechewan often joke by saying that they are Experts in matters of evacuation
.
He stresses that having to consider evacuation each year Unfortunately part of their life
.
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The federal government claims that progress has been made to get Kashechewan out of the flood plain of the Albany river.
Photo: Submitted by Gaius Wesley
Between 45 and 50 people evacuated Monday
Mr. Sayers indicates that the ISN Maskwa company works with Health Ontario and the Ministry of Health to determine the capacity of local health systems to take care of vulnerable people who have specific health needs.
Today, we are planning at least one flight with probably, between 45 and 50 people. In the coming days, depending on the weather conditions, a hundred additional people will probably leave the community to go to Timmins
he explains.
He adds that other communities could accommodate evacuated people, including Val Rita-Harty, Kapuskasing, Sault-Sainte-Marie and Kirkland Lake
.
Joseph Sayers notes that some residents of Kashechewan have decided to stay on their land and not be evacuated.
At this stage, priority is given to vulnerable people. If the threat of flooding becomes more imminent and more serious, and it is determined that it is not sure for anyone to stay there, there could be a complete evacuation of the community
he concludes.
With Faith Greco information
