THUNDER BAY — It’s been two weeks since the evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation arrived in the City of Thunder Bay.
Community Liaison Victor Stephen told Newswatch that, for the most part, “everything has been running smoothly” despite nearly 160 community members not being able to be home for the holidays.
“We arrived here during the holidays and everything has been ups and downs,” Stephen said.
He noted that some community members are beginning to feel a little cooped up staying in their rooms and wandering the halls of the Superior Inn.
“Everything's been closed where people can be activated to go to activities and all that kind of stuff,” Stephen said.
“So, now that the holidays are ending, we will be taking advantage of that, like going to bowling, going to theatres, going out for skating, stuff like that to keep people busy.
Kevin Anderson, with Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, said the evacuation team is trying to keep everyone comfortable.
“During Christmas we give presents, we had Santa come. So that was really nice for them and now we're getting the elders some sewing machines and fabrics and beads so they can keep busy as well,” Anderson said.
He noted that, currently, contractors working on repairing Kashechewan’s water treatment plant are waiting for parts to be shipped to Canada from overseas.
This could mean extending the evacuation but Anderson said they are “looking at other solutions” to ensure community members can return home sooner.
“I know they're looking into lifting the boiling advisory," said Stephen. "But from there, anything could happen because everything is on band-aid solutions right now.
"The stuff that they're trying to get from overseas, it will take at least six to eight weeks to get the stuff. So as of right now, some people want to go home, but some people don't want to go home until everything is properly fixed."
