Kashechewan First Nation in northern Ontario evacuating dozens amid spring flooding threat

Kashechewan First Nation has declared a state of emergency as the threat of spring flooding looms over the community on northern Ontario’s James Bay Coast. 

In a public notice shared with community members on social media, Kashechewan First Nation Chief Hosea Wesley said evacuations of children, elders and vulnerable residents would begin Monday. 

Wesley confirmed that information with CBC News, adding the ice on the river has not yet broken up yet. 

“Arrangements are currently underway to support our vulnerable populations,” the notice read. “Evacuation flights are being prepared, and we can confirm that Timmins will be hosting 250 evacuees.”

Kashechewan faces flooding almost every spring due to ice breakup on the Albany River. As a result, it schedules a precautionary evacuation, which sees hundreds housed in hotel rooms in cities and towns to the south.

The federal government has promised to move the entire community of 2,000 people to a new location by 2029. 

ISN Maskwa, an Indigenous emergency services agency, is leading this week’s evacuation effort. 

“With Kashechewan in particular, they kind of refer to themselves as the evacuation connoisseurs, half jokingly, but that’s an unfortunate part of their lives every year to have to contemplate evacuation,” said Joseph Sayers, acting CEO of ISN Maskwa. 

Sayers said the agency works with Ontario Health and the Ministry of Health to determine the capacity of local health systems to support people with medical needs, ensuring the selected sites can adequately care for vulnerable evacuees with specific health requirements.

“Today we’re looking at least one flight out with probably between 45 and 50 folks. Over the coming days, depending on the weather, we’re probably going to see another maybe 100 or more come out of the community to Timmins,” he said. 

Other possible communities that could host evacuees include Val Rita-Harty, Kapuskasing, Sault Ste. Marie and Kirkland Lake, according to Sayers. He added that some of the residents in Kashechewan deciding they’ll stay on the land and do not require evacuation. 

“The priority is the vulnerable at this point. If the threat of the flood becomes more imminent and severe, and the determination is that it’s not safe for anybody to stay behind, then there may be a complete evacuation of the community.”

Sayer explained that Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) has the primary responsibility for funding and ISN Maskwa works closely with ISC to forecast the budget for evacuations. Emergency Management Ontario also provides funding and the Red Cross is assisting as well. 

He said evacuees will be transported to a motel or hotel with enough common space for large gatherings of community members, with a focus on providing culturally appropriate support and services.

“Enough can’t be said about the importance of First Nation-led evacuations and wraparounds. It makes the stay in these other sites a lot more comfortable.”