THUNDER BAY – Evacuees from Kashechewan First Nation are returning home after nearly two months in Thunder Bay.
According to a release issued on Thursday by the City of Thunder Bay, repairs to the James Bay coast community`s water treatment plant have been made and it is safe for residents to head back.
As many as 200 people were housed in Thunder Bay during the crisis, with 108 of them still remaining in the city.
Two repatriation flights are scheduled for Thursday, with a third tentatively scheduled for either Friday or Saturday, depending on availability. As many as 20 people will remain in Thunder Bay due to frozen water pipes that have made their homes unlivable.
Steps have been taken to ensure those who do remain behind have a place to stay and meals.
“The safety and well-being of evacuees have been our top priority throughout this process,” said Thunder Bay Fire Chief Dave Paxton. “Despite the challenges of organizing an evacuation over the holiday season, we worked closely with our partners so community members could get the help they needed. We have a good, long-standing relationship with Kashechewan First Nation, and we did our best to make their stay here as comfortable as possible.”
