Kashechewan to be rebuilt at present location instead of moved
Even though the people made it clear during the different consultations that they need to relocate their community, the conservative government will announce funding sometime today to rebuild the community at its present location on the Albany River flood plain. See INAC press release below ...
Ottawa to rebuild Kashechewan reserve: Sources
Canadian press - Jul 29, 2007
OTTAWA – Indian Affairs Minister Jim Prentice will sign an agreement Monday to rebuild, but not relocate, the flood-prone Kashechewan First Nation, The Canadian Press has learned.
The remote northern Ontario reserve, near the coast of James Bay, is on low-lying land that has flooded twice in the last three years.
Residents were also evacuated in 2005 because of a dirty water crisis that made international headlines.
A report produced by consultants hired to survey the community said most people want to move to higher ground within their traditional territory. They say it's just a matter of time before their homes flood again.
The former Liberal government promised to relocate Kashechewan over 10 years, at an estimated cost of $500 million. The Conservatives said the Liberals never officially budgeted that cash, and that it's too expensive to move the reserve.
Instead, sources say the new agreement will establish a working group to assess the First Nation's long- and short-term needs, but will not move it off the flood plain.
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INAC press release ...
Government signs agreement with Kashechewan First Nation to redevelop community
OTTAWA, July 30 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada's New Government today signed an agreement with Kashechewan First Nation to redevelop a healthy and sustainable community in its present location.
The agreement was signed by the Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians, the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, and Chief Jonathon Solomon of the Kashechewan First Nation.
"This agreement provides the framework for the people of Kashechewan to build a well-functioning, safe and healthy community," said Minister Prentice. "The decision to rebuild on the current site respects the wishes of residents to stay on their traditional land, and makes use of existing infrastructure."
"I am pleased that our Government has negotiated this agreement that will work towards long-term, sustainable improvements to the lives of all Kashechewan residents," said Minister Clement. "This process will allow us to better protect the health and safety of Kashechewan residents by further improving public health services in the community," added the Minister.
All parties will immediately begin work on a comprehensive community planning and redevelopment process to address priority areas such as: skills development; on-reserve housing; socio-economic sustainability; health programs and facilities; public safety; infrastructure development, remediation and maintenance; and schools and community facilities.
"My community is pleased to be moving forward," said Kashechewan Chief Jonathon Solomon. "We have faced a number of challenges and uncertainty in the past. Working in partnership with the Government of Canada to create a safe and stable environment, we can now look ahead to a brighter future."
A community development working group will prepare, plan, design and implement redevelopment projects to address the short, mid and long-term challenges of the community.
The community has experienced chronic high rates of unemployment, severe shortages of housing and a lack of critical infrastructure.
A steering committee of representatives from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Health Canada and Kashechewan Chief and Council, led by Patrick Chilton, an independent chair, will oversee the work as it progresses. Mr. Chilton is a member of the Kashechewan First Nation, with extensive involvement in community development in small isolated localities in northern Ontario.
Kashechewan First Nation is an isolated Cree community located approximately 420 kilometres north of Timmins, near the west coast of James Bay.
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/For further information: Minister Prentice's Office: Deirdra McCracken, Press Secretary, Office of the Hon. Jim Prentice, (819) 997-0002; Minister Clement's Office: Erik Waddell, Office of the Hon. Tony Clement, (613) 957-0200; Media Relations - INAC: (819) 953-1160; Media Relations - Health Canada: Carole Saindon, (613) 957-1588; Kachechewan First Nation: Chief Jonathon Solomon, (705) 275-4440/4413; This release is also available on the Internet at www.inac-ainc.gc.ca/