THUNDER BAY — Evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation are returning home,
Members of the northern Ontario First Nations community arrived in Thunder Bay earlier this month as part of an evacuation effort due to the threat of flooding from the spring melt and ice break-up of the Albany River.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue division chief Dennis Brescacin said four flights returned community members home on Thursday, with the final two scheduled to depart Thunder Bay on Friday.
Brescacin said Thunder Bay hosted up to 225 people.
Evacuees were hosted in local hotels and provided with food, cultural services, children’s activities, and health care.
The local response is coordinated by the Municipal Emergency Control Group, which includes representation from the Canadian Red Cross, Indigenous Services Canada, Fort William First Nation, ISN/Waskwa, Ontario Health North, and Emergency Management Ontario.
"We have a good group of community liaisons we work with," Brescacin said. "The community members go to them with any things we need, and then they come to us."
A full cost-recovery agreement between Indigenous Services Canada and the city is in place, officials have previously said.
