Latest news with #KashechewanFirstNation
National Observer
06-05-2025
- Politics
- National Observer
Spring flooding reignites First Nation's calls for relocation
Spring flooding is putting First Nations in northern Ontario at risk and reigniting calls for relocation. Kashechewan First Nation and Fort Albany First Nation — located on the shores of James Bay — both declared states of emergency last week and have been evacuating community members. People are forced to face this trauma each spring despite the Canadian government's repeated promises to move the community to higher ground safe from flooding, Kashechewan Chief Hosea Wesley said in a May 2 press release. 'It is unacceptable that the lives of our people continue to be put at risk every spring,' Chief Wesley's statement read. 'We have enough studies, we have enough promises, now is the time for action.' Kashechewan First Nation has been evacuated due to flooding or flood risk more than 14 times since 2004, according to a 2021 article in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. The authors explain that although flooding occurs each spring in this region and hasn't increased significantly over time, 'the timing and extent of flooding have changed in recent years with warming temperatures in the region due to climate change.' 'It is unacceptable that the lives of our people continue to be put at risk every spring,' Kashechewan First Nation Chief Hosea Wesley said.'We have enough studies, we have enough promises, now is the time for action.' The study points to 'an inadvertent bias in the disaster relief services' and risk reduction programs offered by different levels of governments, like the flood damage reduction program. In particular, 'substandard' community infrastructure in Kashechewan increases the flooding risk, including its inadequate underground sewerage system, 'obsolete' water treatment plant and dyke made of sand and gravel with 'serious deficiencies.' Kashechewan First Nation has been pushing for relocation for two decades. In 2005, the federal government under Paul Martin made a commitment to relocation but it was scrapped when Stephen Harper became prime minister. In 2017 and 2019, Kashechewan First Nation reached agreements with the federal and provincial governments to relocate upstream on the Albany River, but progress has been slow. 'We need a strategy that will ensure the safety of all these communities and protect them from the threats of floods, we need the government of Canada to consider relocating these communities to higher ground,' Mushkegowuk Council Grand Chief Leo Friday said in the press release. He also called on Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ontario Premier Doug Ford to visit these northern communities and see for themselves why 'immediate solutions' are needed. Kashechewan and Fort Albany community members' first settlement was established in the late-1800s to trade with the Hudson's Bay Company post. The settlement was called the 'Old Post' — and by the 1950s, families had to relocate due to flooding each spring.
CBC
14-04-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Kashechewan First Nation declares state of emergency, begins annual precautionary evacuation
Kashechewan First Nation has declared a state of emergency as the threat of spring flooding looms over the community on northern Ontario's James Bay Coast. In a public notice shared with community members on social media, Kashechewan First Nation Chief Hosea Wesley said evacuations of children, elders and vulnerable residents would begin Monday. Wesley confirmed that information with CBC News, adding the ice on the river has not yet broken up yet. "Arrangements are currently underway to support our vulnerable populations," the notice read. "Evacuation flights are being prepared, and we can confirm that Timmins will be hosting 250 evacuees." Kashechewan faces flooding almost every spring due to ice breakup on the Albany River. As a result, it schedules a precautionary evacuation, which sees hundreds housed in hotel rooms in cities and towns to the south. The federal government has promised to move the entire community of 2,000 people to a new location by 2029. Evacuation effort underway ISN Maskwa, an Indigenous emergency services agency, is leading this week's evacuation effort. "With Kashechewan in particular, they kind of refer to themselves as the evacuation connoisseurs, half jokingly, but that's an unfortunate part of their lives every year to have to contemplate evacuation," said Joseph Sayer, acting CEO of ISN Maskwa. Sayer said the agency works with Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health to determine the capacity of local health systems to support people with medical needs, ensuring the selected sites can adequately care for vulnerable evacuees with specific health requirements. "Today we're looking at least one flight out with probably between 45 and 50 folks. Over the coming days, depending on the weather, we're probably going to see another maybe 100 or more come out of the community to Timmins," he said. Other possible communities that could host evacuees include Val Rita-Harty, Kapuskasing, Sault Ste. Marie and Kirkland Lake, according to Sayer. He added that some of the residents in Kashechewan deciding they'll stay on the land and do not require evacuation. "The priority is the vulnerable at this point. If the threat of the flood becomes more imminent and severe, and the determination is that it's not safe for anybody to stay behind, then there may be a complete evacuation of the community." Sayer explained that Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has the primary responsibility for funding and ISN Maskwa works closely with ISC to forecast the budget for evacuations. Emergency Management Ontario also provides funding and the Red Cross is also assisting. He said evacuees will be transported to a motel or hotel with enough common space for large gatherings of community members, with a focus on providing culturally appropriate support and services. "Enough can't be said about the importance of First Nation-led evacuations and wraparounds. It makes the stay in these other sites a lot more comfortable."
