Kashechewan reserve may be facing another evacuation

Most of us are glad to see the arrival of spring, but it is not as inviting to some communities, especially those in the far north along the James Bay Coast.

The troubled Kashechewan reserve in northern Ontario has sent a distress call to Ottawa as it faces another spring flood. The Cree community near the coast of James Bay has been evacuated three times since 2004, twice for flooding and once because of tainted water. It was recommended that the reserve be moved closer to Timmins, but band members only want to be moved to higher ground, not an urban community. If flooding becomes a reality the entire community will have to be evacuated again, families will be separated and homes will have to be repaired, AGAIN. Another wasted year of debates and meetings that have gone nowhere. The elders of the community have recommended moving the community to higher ground where new homes will be built. The government committed to a ten-year plan. The City of Greater Sudbury Red Cross is preparing for a fourth visit from the evacuees.