Wasagamack First Nation wildfire evacuees set to return home
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/09/2017 (3189 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Evacuees from Wasagamack First Nation will begin to return to their home community today.
One flight from Brandon and one from Winnipeg will start the full return home, according to the Canadian Red Cross, followed by a small number of flights on Sunday. The majority of community members will return on Monday and Tuesday.
“We know that it has been a long, stressful time for the people of Wasagamack, but it is heartwarming that they will soon be back in their homes and resuming their lives,” said Shawn Feely, vice-president, Manitoba and Nunavut, of the Canadian Red Cross. “We have been happy to work closely with the First Nation leadership to ensure the community members are able to get back home quickly and smoothly.”
More than 1,300 evacuees from Wasagamack First Nation are registered with the Red Cross, staying in Brandon and Winnipeg. A team of about 60 people went back to Wasagamack on Sept. 11 to begin the process of preparing the community for the return of the rest of the evacuees.
The Red Cross provides transportation from hotels to the airports, flights to St. Theresa Point and then transportation into Wasagamack. Since Wasagamack does not have an airstrip, evacuees will be flown to St. Theresa Point and taken home either by boat or helicopter.
This response is part of an agreement between the Red Cross and the federal government to provide disaster assistance to Manitoba First Nations. As part of that agreement, the Red Cross provides lodging, food and other necessary items, such as hygiene items and diapers.
Residents of three Manitoba First Nations were evacuated from their communities, starting on Aug. 29, due to wildfires. A full evacuation of Wasagamack First Nation was conducted, with individuals with health concerns being evacuated from St. Theresa Point First Nation and Garden Hill First Nation. The evacuated St. Theresa Point residents returned home earlier this week.
The return of more than 2,700 evacuees from Garden Hill First Nation began yesterday and is expected to finish on Tuesday.
» The Brandon Sun