Kashechewan evacuees to begin returning home as early as today

Officials in Kashechewan have rescinded an evacuation order put in place this month because of potential flooding and people could start returning home as early as today.

In a statement released Monday by chief and council in the James Bay community,the decision came after elders surveyed river ice from the air,and determined the danger has passed.

• Kashechewan First Nation spring flooding spurs talk of moving for good
• 400 evacuees from Kashechewan still in Kapuskasing 2 years later

In total, about 1,000 people most of them elderly and young were flown out as a precaution, ahead of rising flood waters on the Albany River.

They were put up inhotel rooms in Kapuskasing, Thunder Bay, Wawa and Smooth Rock Falls.

Now, with word that the flooding threat has passed for another year, "the repatriation will start as soon as [Tuesday] and the necessaryarrangements are being made for everybody to be home safe," according to the release.

Flooding inKashechewanis an annual threat.As people packed for anotherevacuation weeks ago, Deputy Chief HoseaWesley saidall the talk was about permanently moving the community.

After the last major flood a decade ago, there was a plan to moveKashechewanto higher ground up river, but the federal government said at the time it was too expensive.

"Our members both at home and in Kapuskasing [those evacuated two years ago after their houses were damaged by flooding]are miserable and angry at how past agreements with the Government of Canada has unraveled to this date," continued Chief Leo Friday inthe release.

"They are concerned about the dyke safety and can see the panic measures put in place by [Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada] every spring. My people need to have comfort and safety in real terms to their lives."