Siksika Nation still devastated by flood damage
Volunteers needed as cleanup begins
While many communities are rebuilding after floodwaters devastated the province last month, there is still a lot of work to be done on the Siksika First Nation.
- LISTEN: CBC's Jenny Howe visited the community to see the damage first-hand
- Hundreds of Siksika First Nation homes lost to flood
There weresix communitieson the reserve located east of Calgary hit by the flood. One of thehardest-hit communities was Little Washington.
Raylan Spotted One says residents forced out by floodingjust want to go home.
"There's always that question in the back of your mind, 'Where do you go from here,'" he said.
"But, you know, taking it day by day trying to be patient. Thankful that Red Cross and the Alberta government are there to assist us."
SpottedOnesays he was only allowed access to his home on Wednesday to start cleaning up.
Residents express frustration, mental anguish
Many families are camping atthe Deerfoot Sportsplex, which served as an evacuation centre for nation members, to be close to supplies donatedforflood victims.
Others are camping on the hills overlooking their communities and their homes.
"People go camping for the weekend andyou go homeyou go home toyour nice comfortablebed, you turn onyour TV," said Siksika spokesperson Wesley Water Chief.
"Well these people are still in their tents. There is no end to camping for the foreseeable future right now. There's that frustration, and it's slowly hitting home. I guess you could say there is mental anguish as well."
Water Chief says they're still short on volunteers to help them, including forklift drivers, electricians and other tradespeople.
Siksika emergency medicalservices can be reached at 403-734-3999 for more details and volunteer and donation inquiries.