GG David Johnston visits flood-ravaged Siksika Nation

Gov. Gen. David Johnston is visiting flood-ravaged communities in Alberta this week andmade a special journey to the Siksika First Nation.

Flooding in June displaced more than 1,000residents on the reserveeast of Calgary.

Band leaders say it will take years before local flood victimsare back in their homes.

Johnston presentedthe chief with a commendation awardto thank allSiksika volunteersfor theiremergency relief efforts after the flood.

"It's a fairly rare honour and we are just delighted to be here to present it to these great people, and to encourage them and to tell that they inspire communities all across Canada for what they've done," he said.

But not everyone in the community is celebrating.

"I don't think the chief should have gotten an award from the governor general," saidEileen Black,a 67-year-old elder whose home was heavily damaged by the flood.

She has diabetes and says no onehelped her for days after floodwatershit the area.

"In a wayI was forgotten by the band because I lived way out there."

Now she's living out of a suitcase in temporary housing with no word on when she can move home.

"I just hope the leaders, the chief, would continue to work as hard as they can to put people back in their homes."

Chief Fred Rabbit Carrrier says band leaders arededicated to rebuilding the community.

"It's going to take a long time for us to heal," he said.

ButRabbitCarrrier can't say how long it will take to repairthe extensiveflood damage.