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Kashechewan residents, government deal with floods
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CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Mon. Apr. 28 2008 10:44 PM ET
The federal government says moving Kashechewan's residents to higher ground would still leave the northern Ontario community prone to flooding.
Hundreds of Kashechewan residents were airlifted to safety Monday, carried aboard a Hercules military transport plane to Stratford, Ont. The First Nations reserve is located on a flood plain and the evacuation is carried out each spring.
Indian Affairs Minister Chuck Strahl said the government has installed pumps and levies to minimize the damage caused by the flooding.
"Much of that work was what prevented the disaster from getting worse than it could have been, including protection of safe drinking water facilities and those sorts of things," he said.
"So, lessons were learned. We've done a better job, a quicker job of dealing with the problems, and that was important."
Community members have said they would prefer to relocate their James Bay reserve to higher ground up the Albany River, which would still be in the area of their hunting grounds.
But Strahl said the move, which would cost roughly $500 million, would still be on the flood plains. He has suggested the Kashechewan residents move closer to Timmins, Ont. -- but that would be outside of their ancestral territory.
The Cree hunters were forcibly relocated to the flood plain in 1957 by the federal government.
Dan Hefkey of Emergency Management Ontario said that about 450 people were moved Monday. Another 650 residents will be airlifted to Stratford on Tuesday.
Evacuations in Kashechewan and nearby Fort Albany began on Friday.
Residents picked up over the weekend were taken to communities including Sudbury, Hearst and Kapuskasing. Hearst will also field some of the more recent evacuees, as will Perth County locations including Stratford, East Perth and St. Marys.
"We've been working very closely with municipalities and community leaders to make sure that the process is as smooth as possible," Hefkey said Monday on Canada AM. "I'm so proud of Perth County (for) holding up their hand to say 'We will help.' They've been just great."
The evacuees will stay in their temporary homes until river levels are low enough for their safe return, Hefkey said.
'Time to move out': chief
The evacuation is Kashechewan's fourth in as many years.
Chief Jonathan Solomon thinks it's time for his community to find a new place to live, saying the community's 1,800 members don't feel secure living under the constant threat of flooding.
"This is not something that only happens only once in a hot year," he said Monday on CTV's Canada AM. "This is something we have to live with year after year... It's not a good feeling."
He said he'd like to begin talks with the government aimed at finding a new location for the community, which has also been plagued with water treatment issues.
With files from The Canadian Press
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I applaud the budget, even though Health Care and education may stay unscathed. Sadly this cannot last and I worry to later this year where cuts will become enviable. If anything, this provides the Wildrose Alliance plenty of ammo when an election is called.
Comments are now closed for this story
Grimly
said
.
Frank Buchan
said
frustrated
said
Ron
said
BD.
said
noendinsight
said
north4623
said
Terry
said
1) evacuate them by air every year.
2.) house them all in hotels for 4-6-8 weeks every year.
3.) repair all the flood damage every year, and finally,
4.) return them all by air every year.
Do the rest of you really know what this is? It is another make work project, by and for, the Department of Indian Affairs. Why should they fix the problem one time, when a continuing problem like this flooding can keep all the little bureaucrats employed administrating, doling out money and assigning contracts for kick back or favour, almost indefinitely.
Why it's the kind of problem most other government departments can only dream of!
Bob H fr Petawawa
said
Chris
said
Jim Rome
said
Cue the redneck diatribes about wasting public money, Caledonia, etc...
raj
said
Stephanie
said
alberta#1
said
Remember, Ontario voted Chretien in with his famous:
"Zero helicopters, signed Jean Chretien" speech...
I just wonder about the associated cost of fuel and what David Suzuki will think of that preventable carbon footprint thingy!
John Spartan
said
I consider this to be money well spent.
Roger T
said
Our Aboriginal people should be given the first and most best standard of living possible in every way. This is their land.
Vincent
said
The only reason we are here today is because we gave all of the First Nations people the boot. I'm SURE we can find some cash to do what is morally right and help these people out.
Roger T
said
Aboriginal plagued communities are cause by our Gov't which forced them to live on unwanted or unsafe land which is why there are problems. Aboroginal people should be given first priorities over anyone in this country since this is their land.
Stuart D.
said
Unless I missed the bus it is now 2009AD and they can leave the reservation any time they wish. Quit leaning on a crutch and grow up.
Megan
said
Yes the government and tax payers money is involved and always will be because they were the ones taking away the natives rights and freedoms to their OWN land and resources, it is about time that natives are getting some compensation for what has happened to their culture.
Also for the comment about the tax payers having to deal with railway and highway closures just to give you an insight it is over land that is being taken away from them once again and people trying to build establishments on burial grounds. How would you like it if people decided they were going to build a golf course on your grandparents grave? The native people are just trying to fight for what is theirs and it is about time!!!
Doug BC
said
Having said that,I think it equally incumbent on the members of that community to agree amongst themselves,and present reasonable and acceptable options.
Don
said
Out West
said
morg6699
said
I read all these comments and it wasn't until the very last one from Jim Rome that hit a sore spot....about reservations...I know the government set up reserves for our native people to live near their traditional hunting grounds but I think it was also the government who gave them a whole whack of taxpayers dollars as well. I think it was to help our native people to make a better life for themselves....but what did they do...just squander it away and when something happens them come back looking for more. Just take your money and move to a civilized town with all the modern necessities for everyday living. And Quit wasting My hard earned tax dollars...i don't think the government will give me a bunch of money cause i had to move from my home town and move to Alberta to WORK
Thank you for listening
Roch
said
I moved, but many people remained there. Their choice, it's a free country after all.
Ron
said
It's 2008 and yes there is no need for our First Nations people to be living in the conditions that they are in the North, but for our First Nations people in the south. Don't get it and I'm sure many are the same. It's like comparing refugees to terrorists. These First Nation people that protest claim to bring weapons and then use their children as a means to deter any action from being taken against them. That's Taliban Jim.
It's time we start treating all Canadians as one. If you're in help, you'll get help. If you are causing trouble, you'll be thrown in jail.
Rob
said
We are occupying Native soil, they were forced to live in these isolated land by our Gov't. which seems to want them to be isolated from the rest of the real world.
Our Aboriginal people should be given the first and most best standard of living possible in every way. This is their land."
I would agree with a large part of this sentiment except to say they should be given the "opportunity to earn" the best standard of living possible. For how many generations would we have to pay for the same mistakes?
Cynical
said
A very astute statement. Reservations are an antiquated system. A whole new approach is needed. One that gets the money to the people, and not in the hands of just the few "leaders". The question is...who will be brave enough to suggest and implement a solution?
Rigge
said
RICKJ
said
FIRST NATIONS ARE COMING UP WITH WORKABLE SOLUTIONS. IT IS THE GOVERNMENT WHICH ARE RENEGGING ON THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS,ie. TREATIES.
FIRST NATIONS ENTERED INTO TREATIES WITH THE IMMIGRANTS, ie. GOVERNMENT, TO SHARE THE WEALTH OF THIS LAND. UNFORTUNATELY THE GOVERNAMENT IS NOT RESPECTING THEIR PART, ie. SHARE ALL REVENUE COLLECTED FROM TAXES AND OTHER SALES INVOLVING NATIVE LAND.
FURTHERMORE, IF FIRST NATIONS LEAVE THE RESERVES, THEIR TREATY RIGHTS ARE NOT CONSIDERED PORTABLE. THEREFORE, IF THEY LEAVE, THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE TO PAY.
BY THE WAY, THIS IS A GOVERNMENT CONCEPT OF NOT PAYING. NATIVE PEOPLE BELIEVE ALL TREATY RIGHTS SHOULD BE LEGALLY BINDING, WHETHER THEY LIVE OFF OR ON RESERVE.
Roger T
said
Exactly how long are we going to be responsible for Canada's aboriginals? Claiming special status for them in this country should carry the same weight as my going back to England and claiming that since my ancestors owned land there, so to should I......
When we our Gov't give them FULL rights and seats in Pariliment. You can't expect to take their land by force and not give back thier rights by force.
This is their land and they have FULL rights over this land. They DO NOT need the Gov't to dictate to them where to live. You outta be thankful that you're allowed to live on their land.
I suggest our Gov't keep out of other nations affairs and take care of our internal issues. You can't deny our Aboriginal people their rights and seats in Parliments to make full decisions on this country. This issue will live on as long as they are denied seats in Parliment and the rights to live as equals.
Steve in Fredericton
said
Why not simply give the north back to the Inuit and the Natives. I don't see the need to spend all this tax money supporting these northern communities. If they want to live there, fine, do so understanding all of the hardships and limited resources it offers. Want a better standard of living, move further south where the food and infrastructure is.
Roger T
said
"Roger T
We are occupying Native soil, they were forced to live in these isolated land by our Gov't. which seems to want them to be isolated from the rest of the real world.
Our Aboriginal people should be given the first and most best standard of living possible in every way. This is their land."
I would agree with a large part of this sentiment except to say they should be given the "opportunity to earn" the best standard of living possible. For how many generations would we have to pay for the same mistakes?.....
As long as it takes, WHEN IN FACT this land was taken from them by FORCE. If this land wasn't taken from them by force maybe there wouldn't be these kinds of issues. They are denied a voice in Parliment and any decsion makings on how to use thier land. As far as I'm and many others will agree that the should be given first priority. You have no opportunities to earn when you're not given any. Silence is the death of the Aboriginal people and that's what our Gov't wants. Giving and helping so little and making a big issue out of small things is just to appease the public and the communities when in fact there are many problems in the Aboriginal communities.
happy hunter
said
Please know that Mohawk and Cree are as diff as Russians and Greeks. Also Cree are 600 K strong and never lost a war yet even with the Canadian army!
PDC
said
Natives choose to live on these lands because they claim these are their ancestral lands (although that's still up for argument). The people are free to leave any time they want. But if they leave they would have to grow up and get a job and learn to live like the rest of us.
The reserves were created as protected land because the natives did not want to join "European" civilization. It was their desire to be isolated.
On the reserves, (not reservations--that's an American term)they can happily go hunting and fishing at will and live their traditional lifestyle, but must accept that they can't make a decent living at that and will therefore live in 3rd world conditions. It's their choice, not the government's.
These people were offered the chance to move to Timmins last year--they rejected it. I hope this time they do move, but where ever they choose to move to, THEY should come up with a plan on how they intend to sustain themselves economically WITHOUT constant handouts from the government.
A reserve in BC has created a vinyard and winery out of their ancestral lands. They're an economic success and the people live well. I'm tired of hearing that "the government should do something...". The Native people want self government, then they should do something for themselves. (And I don't mean road blockades and bogus land claims--I mean they need to get jobs!)
As far as Canada being "their land" Give it a rest. My ancestry is Irish and my family's lands were stolen centuries ago. We got over it and moved on. So did the Polish, the Czechs and millions of other people around the world who were forced to share with newcomers and refugees, or forced out of their homelands altogether. And don't give me any tripe about the Natives having a "special" relationship with the land. Most people have an emotional attachment to their homeland--the Irish as much as any Native. But reality bites, and giving their families a decent life is more important.
I hope these people do move to a decent location, and I wish them well. But like most Canadians, I'm fed up with the constant whining and blaming. Its time to face reality and move on.
BOBT
said
ME
said
When they are honored, there should be no special status. No more free post secondary education, no more building houses or not paying taxes. In other words they would be treated like every other Canadian.
As for the floods. That is the Governments fault. They moved them there and they knew it was a flood plain. Yes they should be moved to where it is safe. It must be hell to be flooded out every spring. As for cost--doing it this way is like a man shoring up his basement every year at $200 each year instead of paying $2000 to get a new one. Is he any further ahead in 10 years and would the basement be better? NO!!
Do it now!!
Nish
said
Bill Stewart
said
To all those who think the reservation as a 'quick-buck for nothing' had better do their research.
Living on reserve is portrayed as a 'freebee' when in fact, it is much harder to live due to the remoteness and cost of necessities.....
The (attempted) assimilation of Aboriginal Peoples was the past and these so-called 'faiths' who tried (& were successful in some) are the ones responsible for the upbringing as Aboriginals that were 'Forced to attend Residential schools' which continues to have repercussions today. It is going to be generations before 1st Nations have recovered & even then, it isn't guaranteed to bring back the cultural-backgrounds due to the "assimilation success" that is lost forever.
How would one like it if some bureaucratic didn't like or feel it was right to be singing & dancing to their cultural backgrounds and forcibly took children out of their homes to learn a whole new culture and punished for attempting to use the language & cultures?? The families were separated for years in most cases which exculpated the family relationships into what some are today.
Many are successful today – most want to do something to make them better-off, but cannot due to bureaucracies….. the Leaderships of the Aboriginals are being wrongly chastised if there are perceptions of them taking & running with the $$$. Infrastructures have to be built but won't without funding $$$...The culprits are the Department of Indian Affairs who continue to cut this funding -- at the same time the population of the 1st Nations are growing at a rate of +10% compared to non-natives……
Ron
said
This year do the interviews, move those to Timmins who want to go and forget those who want to stay.
Leslie Tomatuk
said
Those/these people, the Natives, The Native people, Them, interesting pronouns to explain that you are talking about the Cree people of the West coast of James Bay.
Many thoughts I need to express. YES we are entitled to our opinions and certainly when thoughts and opinions are express in regard to the flooding (which seems to get arise every year no pun intended) that these opinions are educated opinions either through academia or James Bay life experience. In my opinion the posted opinions seem to be rather emotional then educated.
Some claim to live in the area, but you get to go "home". Any community along the James Bay coasts are the home to the Crees. Did we choose to live on reserves? Something for you the reader to research.
Wow, it's not often we hear that people in "Northern" Ontario area to move because of the flooding of the Mattagami River, or the low employment in Timmins or Cochrane, Smooth Rock even. I hear Toronto is hiring.
Why do we stay, because these places are our homes. And you realize it is our traditional spring hunt time.
I recently moved to Eastmain Quebec from Moose Factory, Ontario. The cost of living is higher, but it is my personal connection to the land. So just to educate the comment on "being connected to the land" It is respect as someone mentioned but my connection is not in Kash my connection is in Eastmain. But yet we are Cree, or those people, the Native people you know.
My condolences to the James Bay Crees, again we loose time and more.
As other measures take place to ensure the safety of the rest of Canada, let’s continue to hope that those who can will take responsibility to ensure that this natural disaster is well taken care of. After all it is a natural disaster and not "those people or the Natives" being flood out again.
Prayers to the Cree people to be kept safe
Nii Leslie Tomatuk
Amanda
said
One big thing everyone should consider is the fact that reserves have been something that the government seems to view as mobile. "We'll give you this land... oh we need this land we gave you now so we'll move you to that marshy land up there, how does that sound?" Secondly, I get very upset when my fellow Canadians do not even attempt to reflect on their own prejudices before stating thier opinion. You hear about the tax breaks, and the "free money", the teen mothers, and the alcoholism but yet you do not really know do you? You regurgitate what you have been told by prejudice people and thus become prejudice yourself. Maybe you have met a few native people who were not good people... guess what? I could pick any culture, any race, any community and find you a bad seed or two. But prejudice is wrong... to pre-judge is to assume you know everything without ACTUALLY knowing the truth, or at least knowing only one side. So do us all a favour, read up, meet some elders, meet some native youth, learn about native legal issues, about residential schools, about the governments deception, about the governments half-assed attempt to "make up for things"... any good psychologist or sociologist could tell you that all previous government attempts to make things right have been doomed from the start... a fool-proof failure (or a fool-proof way to get the "people of Canada" to support them). I wish people would just make informed PERSONAL opinions after having all the facts from all sides. If that were the case I KNOW that Canadian's would ban together (white, black, native, asian etc etc) and fix this. Did you know that we treat our native community/population worse than we treat 3rd world countries? In fact, a lot of reservations across Canada ARE Canada's "Third World Living Spaces". It's disgusting. I am not saying all native people are innocent because that would be naiive, but this country has done a piss-poor job in fixing something they helped break.
Wendell
said
The suggestion that the solution is to move the community of Kashechewan from its present location to Timmins is akin to saying that those affected by floods in Belleville should move 400 km to London.
Informed, compassionate dialogue is always welcome and required.
Christopher Hunter
said