By Stephanie Froese

Waters recede, Red Earth runs on hope

Apr 20, 2011 | 11:01 AM

The water may be starting to recede, but it could be a long time before everything returns to normal on the Red Earth First Nation.

“Recovery, the way we view it, has got to be more long term. A lot more federal support needs to be put in place,” said Chief Ian McKay.

This isn’t the first year severe flooding has caused evacuation and there is no word yet as to when those who were evacuated from the First Nation can go home.

Those who have stayed behind are doing everything they can to pitch in and help out.

Veronica Daniels cooks for those who have stayed behind after the evacuation to continue sandbagging and other water-related work.

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She said she has been working 13-hour days in the kitchen of the high school gym, which is being used as evacuation headquarters.

There are about 10 of them total helping out with meals and serving about 150 people.

While the main part of the reserve is empty, some people, like Daniels, were able to stay with family near the First Nation.

There is concern that, even with the water starting to recede, the normal spring activities, like planting gardens won’t happen, Daniels said.

“They used to plant potatoes here, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen this year because of the flood. I don’t know if that soil is going to dry up,” she said.

The chief of the First Nation was joined by FSIN Chief Guy Lonechild and members of the media for a tour of the flooded area.

“We still don’t know what this water is going to do yet but it’s good to see, from the air anyways, that the water seem to be moving through our community quite well,” said McKay.

Sandbagging along a washed out road that had held a couple of days ago, are now overflowed.

The Department of Highways is onsite filling in flooded parts of the only road to and from First Nation.

Emotions range from “fear, anxiety to relief … but, there’s also hope,” McKay said.

Even with the hope there is frustration that this keeps happening every year.

McKay said he has been working with councilors and various authorities to make plans for more preemptive measures for the flooding.

As the reserve continues to be in a response and recovery stage, McKay said the government can do a lot more.

The Premier of Saskatchewan is writing a letter to Ottawa as a way to lobby for help with preventative measures in flood situations in the province, Lonechild said.

Daniels said she would want to add something to the letter.

“I think they should try and help out with the places for people to stay close by, so they don’t have to go so far (from home).”

Most of the evacuees ended up in Saskatoon.

Chief McKay said they are very thankful for the number of agencies that have stepped up to offer help.

sfroese@panow.com