Hundreds of individuals from the Kashechewan First Nation have been relocated to Niagara Falls, as part of the ongoing water crisis affecting the Cree community due to a damaged treatment facility. Niagara Falls, among other Ontario cities, is accommodating these evacuees, with approximately 1,700 individuals expected in the region. Local authorities and Indigenous groups are working tirelessly to ensure the displaced individuals feel welcomed and supported.
As of Friday, over 600 evacuees had already arrived in Niagara Falls, with more anticipated despite minor weather-related delays. Following their transportation to Hamilton earlier in the week, the evacuees were then taken by bus to Niagara Falls for temporary accommodation. Most of the evacuees will be staying in Niagara Falls, while others will be settling in neighboring communities like Timmins, Kapuskasing, and Kingston.
Robert Garland, the vice-president at Xpera, a risk mitigation company handling the evacuation process, is overseeing the relocation of residents from Kashechewan to three hotels in Niagara Falls. Despite being a popular tourist spot, Niagara Falls has smoothly accommodated the influx of evacuees due to the lower tourism activity at this time of year.
Niagara Falls has a history of hosting evacuees during times of crisis, having previously welcomed over 3,000 individuals from First Nations in northern Manitoba and Ontario during last year’s wildfires. To ease the transition for the Kashechewan evacuees staying in Niagara Falls, Garland and local Indigenous groups, including the Fort Erie Friendship Native Centre, are collaborating to address their needs and provide cultural support.
The Fort Erie Friendship Native Centre is arranging various activities for the evacuees, such as drum circles, haircuts, and traditional medicine offerings like sage and sweetgrass. Additionally, they plan to open their kitchen to allow individuals to prepare traditional dishes, recognizing that hotels may not have the facilities for such practices.
The state of emergency in Kashechewan was declared on January 4 by Chief Hosea Wesley, following issues with the community’s water treatment plant in early December. The malfunctioning pumps led to a lack of treated drinking water, resulting in a gastrointestinal outbreak. Although technicians have repaired the plant and restored water supply, health authorities are awaiting lab results to confirm the water’s safety for consumption.
In times of crisis, the Niagara Falls community has shown unwavering support for those in need, and donations for the Kashechewan community members in Niagara Falls are being accepted by the Fort Erie Friendship Native Centre.
