By Bre McAdam

Red Earth First Nation members given temporary home in Saskatoon after evacuation

Apr 18, 2011 | 5:36 PM

More than 200 people from the Red Earth First Nation southeast of Nipawin were forced out of their homes over the weekend because of severe flooding and are now living in Saskatoon.

About 150 of them were taken to the Cosmo Civic Centre while the rest are at the Heritage Inn.

Deanna Wysoskey with the Ministry of Social Services says they're trying to make everyone feel as comfortable as they can. The reserve's only road in and out is under water so she says it could be a while before the families can return home.

“We've laid carpet on the floor, we have beds set-up and we have curtain partitions so that there is some privacy,” said Wysoskey, adding that the rink is being used as an eating area and games room for the kids.

“Today will be the start of organized recreation for the children.”

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Red Earth band councillor Charlie McKay says the kids are actually excited to be in the city but it's a different story for their parents.

“The mothers don't want to leave their homes because it's home and that's where they want to be,” said McKay.

It's the community's third severe flood in the last seven years, and McKay says something needs to be done.

“I think there would have to be a study assessment on it from the province and Indian Affairs.”

McKay says women, children and people with illnesses were the first to be evacuated by bus. He points out there's quite a few people still on the reserve but it's up in the air whether they'll be evacuated too.

During the province's daily teleconference to brief media on the flood situation the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority's John Fahlman noted that the situation on the reserve seems to be improving.

“The flows through on the Carrot River have been dropping for three to four days now. We think it peaked three days ago and they're probably half or 60 per cent of what they were then. We think the flooding that happened there yesterday is from an ice jam but our staff is going out to check it out now.”

Richard Kent with the Prince Albert Grand Council also added during that teleconference that the highways ministry is working to shore up the section of road where the water is running over the road that runs between the northern and southern areas.

He also points out that heavy sandbagging has been done and water has been kept out of nearly all homes so far. Crews will be going in to assess the homes in the next day or two.

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