THUNDER BAY — The Underground Gym is doing its part to help residents of Kashechewan First Nation cope with their forced relocation 700 kilometres away from home.
Over two hundred people from the community near the James Bay coast were airlifted to Thunder Bay last Thursday because of flooding from the Albany River.
On Monday, the youth facility on Victoria Avenue played host to a number of Kashechewan families.
"I'm all about kids, and I have been for 25 years. Especially Indigenous children. I got a call asking if they could utilize the gym. Of course, I said 'right away,' " said Peter Panetta, the founder of the Underground Gym.
Approximately 40 parents and children took advantage of the opportunity to escape the confines of their hotel rooms.
"I can imagine how difficult it must be for them to be displaced. Let Thunder Bay welcome them as best we can, and make them feel comfortable at least," Panetta said.
The youths visited the weight room, the boxing area, the music room, art room, games room, and play room for toddlers.
"They're having a ball in there. They're all occupied," Panetta said during an afternoon visit from a TBT News reporter.
Kashechewan resident Victor Stephen said community members are used to having to leave their homes because of flooding every spring, and most would like to see this come to an end.
He's experienced an evacuation himself for more than 15 years now.
"It's very stressful. It's too much. Once you hit spring, 'boom,' you're exposed and have to get ready for the evacuation ... This has to stop one day."
Four years ago, the federal and Ontario governments reached a framework agreement with the First Nation for the permanent relocation of the community to higher ground, but arrangements have not been completed.
Stephen expressed frustration that it's taken this long to carry out the agreement.
"Sometimes I wish the government officials could come to live three years with us, and experience what we go through."
But he was quick to add, "Thunder Bay is treating us very well. We are welcome here. And we can see that. They feel for us ... I'm so happy that Thunder Bay Fire are here to help us, to entertain and keep us busy. Things are rolling now."
Stephen said living in a hotel can sometimes feel like a hostage situation.
Panetta wants to do more to help relieve the stress that Kashechewan residents are experiencing, and suggested he may arrange for an outing to Mount McKay later this week.
