THUNDER BAY — Over 150 evacuees have arrived in the city from Neskantaga First Nation, with more on the way.
Thunder Bay Fire Rescue is leading the city's efforts to welcome and support the First Nation's most vulnerable community members who were transported to the city and its health care services after the closure of the nursing station prompted a state of emergency in the isolated northern community.
The evacuees are settling in at two local hotels with the fire department and community partners working to make sure they are safe and their needs are met while they are away from home, said Kevin Anderson, captain of fire prevention and investigation.
“This is day 6 now here in Thunder Bay, so we're up to 152 evacuees. The hotel is currently full, so we're hoping to get more over, later in the week,” said Anderson
Community members are currently receiving mental health and wellness services from Matawa First Nations Management, as well as services from Canadian Red Cross.
“It's an adjustment for them, so we're just making sure they have all the needs, with the food and their rooms and everything, activities,” said Anderson
Alongside drumming and spending time with other community members, making the federal election accessible has been in recent plans.
“The election's coming up, so we're gonna arrange to have an election booth here for the community so they can still vote, even though they're not back home,” he added.
Spending time in the big city can be enjoyable for many, said Anderson, but some just want to go home.
Anderson said “Once we get the green light that everything's working, then we just have to arrange flights and that's at the mercy of availability and weather. So it takes a few days to get them back home safely, when the time comes.”