Flooded First Nations band together for support

As Saskatchewan faced rapidly rising water levels, people banded together to make sure First Nations communities survived the flood.

Close to 200 people from the Red Earth First Nation were evacuated from their homes.

Some stayed with family but many were transported to Saskatoon where they either stayed in a hotel or at the Cosmo Civic Centre.

Ferlin Nawakayas of the Red Earth First Nation, helped co-ordinate relief efforts for the evacuees.

“It’s never easy when people evacuate,” he said. “For the kids it’s hard.”

Nawakayas said members of the Prince Albert Grand Council brought games, puzzles, and books for the kids and they also organized some games. Salvation Army was also on hand preparing meals and toiletries.

In addition, Cowesses, Sakimay, Standing Buffalo, and the Muskowpeteng First Nations all experienced flooding as well.

“We were just really humbled with all of the help and support we got,” said Sakimay First Nation Chief Lynn Acoose. “It felt good to work together.”

Chief Acoose said high water levels destroyed many of Sakimay’s roads. Four families were forced to leave their homes.

Chief Acoose said the way her community has come together has been tremendous.

“One of the things that has really impressed me is the way that our young people stepped up and a lot of our able bodied community members to help with sandbagging,” said Chief Acoose.

She added that the surrounding community was also incredibly supportive. People from Grenfell came to help sandbag and one man even brought his semi-truck to help lighten the load.

Chief Acoose said Sakimay hadn’t seen flooding like this since the 1950s.

Bruce Delorme, band councillor on Cowesses First Nation, said community volunteers managed to protect the reserve’s school and a number of homes from flood damage.

“People have come together even from off the reserve,” he said. “We’ve been getting a lot of help from all directions.”

People from 54 homes on Cowesses were evacuated and sent to a Yorkton motel.

Delorme said a command centre was set up at the band office so people could get help 24 hours a day. Security also monitored the evacuated homes to make sure nothing was vandalized or stolen.

Delorme said the community’s golf course is completely immersed in water, which means it likely won’t be able to open this year.

The Ministry of Corrections, Public Safety, and Policing created an Aboriginal strike team to ensure First Nation communities received the assistance they needed during the floods.

“We have three or four people designated as dealing strictly with First Nations communities,” said Emergency Services Co-Ordinator Duane McKay.

McKay said the strike team also deals with the provincial and federal governments so that any help First Nations community need doesn’t get caught up in bureaucracy.

This ensured that equipment, sandbags, and support made it to First Nations communities in a timely fashion.
“I think from an operational perspective, the work that we’re doing seems to be well received by communities.”

Most First Nations communities impacted by flooding said they are now waiting for Indian and Northern Affairs to provide compensation for flood damage.