By Bryan Eneas

UPDATE: JSCN evacuating residents affected by lack of services

Apr 4, 2017 | 1:45 PM

A few of the roads in the James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) are piled high with mud brought on by the spring thaw leaving some homes inaccessible. 

Numerous houses have their cars parked at the end of driveways, which are impassable due to water and mud.

Chief Wally Burns and his councillors have yet to sign a Band Council Resolution officially calling for a state of emergency, but signs have been posted at the main band office informing residents of the situation.

According to councillor Alvin Moostoos, around 15 residents of the community have been evacuated due to concerns about access to essential services such as water delivery or emergency access.

“The ones that we can’t get essential services [to], those are the people we’re evacuating first,” Moostoos said. “The ones that are sick, the ones that are on dialysis, those are the highest priority people we have to get off the reserve.”

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The weather will play a big role in how the JSCN approaches the mud situation.

“We’re hoping for good weather like this, sunshine and wind, but according to the forecast for this weekend it’s going to rain,” Moostoos said. “We need dry weather, we need good weather to finally start providing those essential services for our community members.”

The Cree Nation has compiled a list consisting of 80 or 90 people who may be in need of evacuation services based on assessments from a team formed to handle the situation.

One road in particular seems to be having the most issues with the mud. Moostoos explained the road was under construction in the fall of 2016, but was unable to be completed due to heavy rains in October which gave way to winter-like weather.

The JSCN is working with the Prince Albert Grand Council, and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Moostoos said the emergency response team has been deployed to the Cree Nation to provide any assistance needed.

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The spring thaw has led to poor road conditions on the James Smith Cree Nation.

For those people living in the southern sections of the area, evacuation may be imminent.

“The health and safety of our membership is at stake, and it is our priority to ensure that your safety and your needs are maintained,” a press statement from the Cree Nation reads. “Due to the current conditions, there is limited access for ambulance services, police and other essential services.”

The release states JSCN health staff are going door-to-door in the affected areas to provide information about a potential evacuation.

Staff members are inquiring about the number of residents per house, if anyone has any medical issues or if they are currently taking any medication and what items may need to be brought along in an evacuation.

The statement said the roads are currently still affected by frost, and good weather is needed to remedy the situation.

“Until the road conditions improve, there will be no public works services such as water delivery, sewer pump outs and garbage pick-ups at this time,” the statement said. 

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 5:23 p.m. to include information obtained from an interview with Alvin Moostoos. 

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas